| Styling or protection, what do you need to | | | | can't match the protection of leather. Your |
| consider about the type of clothing to wear | | | | leather jacket needs to be thicker than |
| on your motorcycle? First and foremost, you | | | | something your would wear on a date. |
| need protection from injury. | | | | |
| | | | Have you considered wearing a one piece suit? |
| There nothing like laying your bike down on | | | | They provide better protection that wearing |
| asphalt and leaving lots of your skin on the | | | | a leather jacket and pants. If you are |
| street to get you to think about wearing | | | | skidding across the asphalt, one or both |
| protective clothing on your motorcycle. If | | | | pieces could provide an opening for the |
| you are like most peopke, you think about | | | | asphalt to take a bite out of you. Getting |
| falling (impact) or abrasions. Both of these | | | | in and out of those one piece suits can be |
| type of injuries can be very painful | | | | difficult but fun for everyone else to watch. |
| especially if you survive them. Clothing can | | | | Seriously make sure either your jackets, |
| play an important part in both primary and | | | | pants or suit is re-enforced in areas that |
| secondary safety. | | | | are proned to high impact or friction. The |
| | | | good jackets and suits will have armor or |
| Are you aware that 30% (50% at night) of | | | | pads in those areas. Make sure your jacket, |
| drivers involved in accidents with | | | | pants or suit fit snugly but comfortably. |
| motorcycles claim they didn't see the bike? | | | | Out here in the desert, it can get pretty hot |
| How many times have you not seen a | | | | so look for ventilation holes in the jackets, |
| motorcyclist and you are even more aware of | | | | pants or suits. |
| them than the average driver? | | | | |
| | | | All motorcycle helmet equipment must comply |
| Driving in your neighborhood on your bike | | | | with U.S. Department of Transportation Sec. |
| could be highly dangerous. Approximately 90% | | | | 571.218 Standard No. 218 FMVSS 218 - 49 CFR |
| of urban motorcycle accidents are caused the | | | | 571.218. I don't believe there any U.S. |
| other driver not by the motorcyclist. Riding | | | | standards for abrasion or impact clothing. |
| with your headlights on is very important to | | | | The |
| being seen. Bright colors or reflective | | | | |
| stripes can help a lot.since the human body | | | | European Standard EN1621-1/1997 would be good |
| is really not very impact resistant, you are | | | | to look for in your clothing in the U.s. To |
| going to need to wear some protective | | | | gain the CE mark products have to be tested |
| clothes. Sometimes you just got to fall off | | | | and approved by an independent, Government |
| your bike to avoid even more serios problem, | | | | approved test house. While the CE mark can't |
| you will need to minimize the injury from | | | | guarantee to prevent all injuries in an |
| impact. That old saying it didn't hurt till | | | | accident, it may significantly reduce the |
| I stop could very well apply to you. there | | | | severity of your injuries. |
| are some very cool impact resistant clothing, | | | | |
| jackets, pants, etc that come in the form of | | | | Boots & Gloves are just as important as your |
| armor or padding. The are especially adapt | | | | jacket and pants. Those fingers are attached |
| at absorbing the impact and spread the load | | | | and your want to keep them attached and in |
| across the body. This reduces injuries. You | | | | good working order. The same goes for your |
| probably have seen them already. The jackets | | | | feet. The trick here is to get the |
| looks like the cyclist is all bulked up. It | | | | protection but also allows you to safely |
| has armor protection or pads where the body | | | | operate your bike without any problem. Think |
| meets the road. Know Armor makes these but | | | | leather. It is always a good choice! You |
| there are others. They can be expensive but | | | | can find gloves that will have padding around |
| if you can't afford armor then go for high | | | | your knucles. Keep in mind the weather and |
| density foam. Some protection is better than | | | | how it can affect your hands and feet. |
| none at all. | | | | |
| | | | Motorcycle boots can seem expensive, but you |
| Ok, so now you have fell off your bike and | | | | can they can last you for a very long time. |
| are skidding quite rapidly. You need | | | | Since your feet operate the brakes and |
| clothing that will protect you from abrasion, | | | | shifters, you want boots that fit and are |
| the friction of the aspalt against skin. | | | | comfortable and do not interfere with you |
| Normally shirts and pants are no good in this | | | | doing your job. |
| type of situation. Your skin will help but | | | | |
| only for a few seconds. What should I be | | | | They say dress for success. Well, you need |
| wearing? The answer is leather. Haven't you | | | | to dress for cycling so that you can do it |
| noticed that the stunt drivers wear leather | | | | over and over again. Fortunateley, most of |
| to proctect them not just to look cool. It | | | | the motorcycle clothes you purchase will last |
| is part of their protective gear. Cordura | | | | for a long time because of the material they |
| and Kevlar are pretty abrasion resistant but | | | | are made out of. Go out and enjoy your self. |