Did you know that in 2018 almost 5,000 motorcyclists died in a motorcycle crash? If you enjoy riding out on the open road or are a new rider, it is extremely important to stay as safe as possible. This is why it is important to always wear ATGATT (All The Gear, All The Time).
Keep reading to learn what motorcycle safety gear you need to stay safe on the road.
1. Helmet
Wearing a helmet might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people fail to wear one. There are three different types of helmets to choose from, including a full helmet, a 3/4 helmet, and a 1/2 helmet.
If you are looking to have the most coverage then the full helmet is best because it will cover your entire head and your face. Over your eyes, you will have a visor that you can rotate up and down as needed.
The 3/4 helmet will cover the top of your head, the sides, and the back. The front of your face will not be covered with this helmet option. Usually, you will have a visor that flips down to help keep your eyes protected.
You will get the least amount of protection with a 1/2 helmet. This looks more like a bucket that covers the top of your head and only a little bit on each and side and the back. There is no face coverage so you will need to wear some type of eye protection.
The key is for your helmet to fit your head comfortably or else it can actually be more of a hazard. If you ever have an accident even with a helmet on you want to make sure that you contact the best motorcycle accident lawyer around.
2. Boots
One of the main things, when you pick your boots, is that they go over your ankles to protect them. Over the ankle, sneakers are not the same because they are not as sturdy as boots. Opting for motorcycle-specific boots is best because these are designed with safety features in mind.
They will come with extras like oil-resistant soles to ensure a firm grip when you touch the ground. Increased stiffness around the ankle for extra protection, and laces that are inside to prevent any tangling.
No matter what boots you choose make sure that they are comfortable on your feet all day and not for just a few hours. One of the worst things you can do is have boots that are too small and tight because they will prevent you from being safe while you are out riding.
3. Jacket
No matter the weather, you want to wear a jacket for extra protection. There are plenty of different materials to choose from and certain manufacturers make 4 season jackets that you can use year-round.
If you are going to be riding at night time make sure that you choose a jacket that has plenty of reflective material to make sure that others can see you clearly while you’re on the road.
The jacket you choose has to feel comfortable at all times and not big and bulky or extra tight.
4. Pants
Pants are something that riders do not think about because most riders just wear jeans and feel this is enough. Riding pants made for motorcycle riding are best because they will protect you from the environment and they will also have extra protection in case you were to get into an accident.
There are plenty of motorcycle pant materials to choose from and in some cases, you can combine more than one material for extra protection as needed. If you prefer to wear your own jeans or pants when you arrive at your destination then you can opt for a pair of textile pants. These are designed to be worn as a second layer over your regular pants.
There are also leather pants that have extras such as abrasive knee pucks in case you fall to the ground. Always take the length of your ride, the weather, and the type of motorcycle you ride into consideration when choosing what pants to wear.
5. Gloves
Last on our list (but not least) some hand protection. The right pair of gloves will offer your hands plenty of protection in the event of a fall. Everyone’s natural reaction is to put their hands out when they fall and having the right gloves on will prevent your hands from directly hitting the pavement or ending up with road rash on your hands.
Leather is a top choice for extra protection because it will have padding around the fingers and on the palm of your hand. No matter the gloves you choose, you have to make sure that you are still able to push buttons and move the levers needed without fumbling around.
We can’t express this enough- make sure your gloves are comfortable without feeling like you have huge ski gloves on and without strangling your fingers.
Ready to Shop for Some Motorcycle Safety Gear?
We hope that now that you are familiar with the top motorcycle safety gear, you can feel confident while you are out shopping for your gear. The number one thing with each gear piece you choose is to make sure that it fits you correctly and that you are comfortable because if you are ever uncomfortable it will make you an unsafe rider.
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