Clothing & Equipment

If it all goes wrong your safety helmet and proper motorcycle clothing gives the rider the best chance of the least injury. All the experts advise motorcyclists to buy the best they can afford.

Helmets

Since 1973 it has been law that both riders and passengers must wear a fastened safety helmet when riding a motorcycle on the road. It is the most important piece of protective equipment a rider can wear. It helps protect against serious or even fatal head injuries.

What to look for when buying a helmet

All helmets bought in the UK must have the BSI kite mark (BSI 6658-1985) or UN ECE 22.05 mark of approval on the helmet or starp. The very best rating for helmets is an ACU gold sticker. As with anything else you only get what you pay for, and with something as important as head protection you should buy the best helmet that you can afford.

There are 3 basic finishes to motorcycle helmets:

Polycarbonate
Glass Fibre
Kevlar

Polycarbonate must not be painted or have stickers affixed and must not be cleaned with solvents. Glass Fibre is heavier, lasts longer and is easier to clean than polycarbonate. Kevlar is the most expensive as it is extremely strong whilst still lightweight.

It is best to get a full-face helmet rather than an open-face helmet because there is more protection for the eyes and chin.

Helmets should be snug fit because the padding will soon bed down and this coud make the helmet loose, which at worst could come off in an accident.

Deeply tinted visors are illegal in this country.

Gloves

Leather gloves protect hands from blisters, wind, sun and cold. If you fall of a motorcycle, full-fingered gloves will help prevent cuts and bruises to hands. Gloves should fit snugly to improve grip on the handlebar. If they are too bulky the rider may have difficulty operating the controls of the bike. Gloves should be secured to the wrist to stop them coming off in an impact.

Clothing

Purpose built clothing is made from robust materials and many have additional built in body armour for areas such as the shoulders, elbows, back, knees and shins.

Covering the body with good quality thick leather provides a good level of protection against abrasive injury. Unfortunately leather is not waterproof so it may be necessary to wear lightweight waterproofs on top. Alternatively there are some good quality hardwearing motorcycle jackets and trousers available.

Many motorcyclists are hit by drivers who claim simply not to see them, so care should be taken to make yourself as visible as possible and wearing flourescent and reflective materials should be considered.

Footwear

Good footwear is essential in the prevention of foot and ankle injuries. Things to look for when buying footwear include:

Strong Leather Boots
A non-crushable sole
Solid ankle protection

Many young riders fail to wear protective clothing for two reasons:

The Look

Some people think that wearing a full set of leathers just to ride a moped might look a bit stupid. Also, if you are just using the bike to get form A to B you may find walking around all day in leathers a bit of a nuisance.

The Cost

Some riders may think it may not be necessary to splash out on protective clothing particularly if they are only planning on riding for a short time.

The Facts

Buying stylish and affordable bike clothes isn't completely impossible. It may be worth looking at som of the internet auction sites where motorcycle clothing can be bought very cheaply, and contact your local army surplus store for more robust footwear.

Many riders prefer to wear denim or combat trousers, which offer virtually no protection. As an alternative you could consider buying a pair of Kevlar lined jeans or combats. These jeans are available at various bike stores. They offer good protection against road rash whils riding, they are comfortable and can be worn for the rest of the day.

For more information contact your local bike store.

Last Modified: 17/08/2006 13:06:07
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