| Protective apparel for motorcyclists is an | | | | you see in fancy leather stores. Like the knees |
| important, though somewhat disregarded part of | | | | and hips, there should be extra reinforcement |
| overall safety. Many riders choose their riding | | | | around the "impact points" of your shoulders and |
| clothes on the basis of how cool they look rather | | | | elbows. It is also recommended that you have |
| than how it will hold up and protect them if they | | | | padding or impact protection in these areas. A |
| get into an accident; or wipe out and are skidding | | | | good pair of riding gloves is also very important |
| across the road. The motorcycle apparel business | | | | safety-wise. Kevlar gloves, or reinforced leather |
| has been booming, and there are all kinds of great | | | | are solid options for protecting your hands. It's |
| looking clothing out there, but you may have to | | | | especially important that the palms of your hands |
| look a little harder to find items with enough | | | | have extra padding or patches-when falling, our |
| protection. It's easier to find good protective | | | | instinct is to put our hands out with palms down, |
| clothing in Europe because they have developed a | | | | so they will be taking the brunt of the impact and |
| series of standards that the apparel must meet | | | | sliding. |
| to be sold as safety clothing. They are put | | | | If you have questions or doubts about protective |
| through tests for tearing, impact, and abrasions. In | | | | clothing, it's usually better to look for apparel that |
| the US, there are no regulations like this, so the | | | | has the degree of impact protection included. |
| safest clothing is a bit harder to find. The following | | | | After all, you don't want to be hoping that your |
| are some things you should look for. Most | | | | clothing will provide some protection in the event |
| motorcycle injuries occur to the legs and feet, so | | | | of an accident-it's always better to be sure. Finally, |
| it's important to wear a good pair of high boots, | | | | and most importantly, find a good helmet. I know |
| and protective pants with extra reinforcement | | | | there is a lot of debate on this subject, and |
| around the knees and hips. | | | | different laws depending on where you live, but if |
| For added protection, you pants should have the | | | | you are all interested in safety, never ride without |
| ability to attach to your jacket through a zipper. | | | | a helmet. I mentioned earlier that most |
| You should look for boots made of thick leather, | | | | motorcycle injuries occur to the legs and feet, |
| with a hard sole. The traditional motorcycle | | | | however, the most serious injuries occur above |
| clothing is made of leather, but there are other | | | | the neck. Don't buy a used helmet, unless you are |
| materials that also work pretty well. Thick nylon | | | | absolutely positive that it has never been in an |
| offers protection, as well as Kevlar reinforced | | | | accident, or otherwise damaged. I always |
| apparel. In the European abrasion tests, regular | | | | recommend a helmet with a full face mask for |
| denim blue jeans last 0.6 seconds, while a decent | | | | the maximum protection. Enjoy your rides, and |
| pair of leather motorcycle pants or chaps will last | | | | remember when shopping for cool new |
| 5 seconds. Jackets work the same way as | | | | motorcycle apparel to take into account how safe |
| pants-make sure if they are made of leather that | | | | the clothing is. |
| the leather is thick, and not the fashion leather | | | | |