Dress when Motorcycling
Motorcycling is the most dangerous thing some of us will do. Motorcyclists have little protection besides what they wear. It is important to dress appropriately for motorcycling to reduce the likelihood of death or serious injury. This guide also helps you look good as a motorcyclist.
Steps
- Wear a helmet when you ride a motorbike. It reduces the likelihood of death in a crash. As well, it is legally required in many countries, does not impair your hearing or vision and does not contribute to neck injuries. In fact, sometimes a helmet can protect against neck injuries. It should guard the top, sides and back of the head. Preferably it should be a full face mask, though open face helmets are acceptable. Avoid half-helmets (also called skid lids, shorties or pudding basin helmets) as they are capable of preventing very few types of head injuries sustained in motorbike crashes. Make sure you fasten your helmet securely. Avoid black helmets; you are much easier to see if you wear a white or a brightly coloured helmet.
- Wear eye protection with an open mask. If your helmet is an open face helmet, wear sunglasses or motorbike goggles with it (if you wear glasses, this may not be necessary). If there is a face shield, you should have it down when motorcycling. This will protect your eyes from flying debris and keep the wind out of your eyes.
- Ride with your visor down. If your helmet is a full face helmet, you should wear it with the visor down when riding. Use a tinted visor if it is sunny, and a completely clear visor when riding at night or in fog. Sunglasses do not look good with full face helmets.
- Wearing a modular helmet. If your helmet is modular, wear it with the face shield down when riding.
- Wear motorbike leathers, also known as chaps. While leathers are not required by law, their use is strongly advised by experienced motorcyclists, and in the UK by the government. Armored leathers protect even better than ordinary leathers. If you don't have leathers, get a jacket made of tough leather, not the ordinary fashion leather. Alternatively wear Kevlar and pair it up with some jeans.
- Do not wear camo trousers. They will not protect you in a motorbike crash and do not look good when riding a motorbike on the road.
- Wear motorbike boots. Trainers (sneakers) will not protect your feet in a motorbike crash. If you can find them, buy boots with titanium plating for enhanced protection.
- Wear motorbike gloves. In a motorbike crash you will almost certainly fall off your motorbike. As it is human nature to stick your hands out to break a fall, it is important to protect your hands.
- Wear ear protection under your helmet. You may also wear a helmet with built-in ear defenders. Motorbikes are very noisy, and the danger to your hearing is exacerbated by the noise of the wind.
- Consider wearing a bandana under your helmet. This helps to keep the helmet lining clean.
- Don't do 'matchy match' with your pillion passenger. The rider and pillion passenger should not dress exactly the same as each other. They look much better if at least one item of their items of gear is different from that of the other.
- Wear leathers that advertise your bike logo. Display the logo of the brand of motorbike you ride.
- Wear a high visibility jacket. This is important when riding at night or in fog, or if your motorbike jacket/leathers are black. You really need to make sure that other road users can see you easily.
- Wearing a fleece under the a leather looks good. It also creates a windbreak and the fleece is the insulation, holding your heat in and out of the wind.
- Avoid comedy knee sliders or bunny ears. These do not make your helmet look any better; in fact they make you look worse.
