ALT-4 Essential Motorcycle Safety Gear
Most people understand the need for effective motorcycle safety equipment. As a service member who has witnessed numerous motorcycle accidents, I can offer a few tips on the most accident effective gear.
Helmet- Department of Transportation (DOT) is the standard for a motorcycle helmet. Do yourself a favor, and buy a helmet that is SNELL M2000 complaint. If you look up the difference in standards, the Snell standard is far more rigorous, and will better protect your head. Protect your grape, wear a full face helmet that is Snell M2000 approved, you'll thank me when your helmet is cracked and your melon isn't!
Jacket- Remember that abrasions are the LEAST of your worries in a crash. Impact is a killer! Buy a jacket that is effective against abrasion (road rash) and impact at the same time. Joe Rocket is a company that sells equipment that is reinforced, skid and impact resistant. Key areas to protect include your spine, elbows, shoulders, and back of the neck. Many of these jackets are also very stylish, this way you won't look like a reject from Easy Rider.
Pants- Here's what I've learned about riding pants: most of them stink! Unless you plan on riding cross country in all weather, the average rider doesn't need fancy waterproof riding pants. What you need is a set of Draggin' Jeans. They look like a stylish, normal pair of jeans, but they're a little longer in the inseam to help cover your ankles when riding. The best part about Draggin' Jeans is that they are lined with KEVLAR. Yes, Kevlar, the same material in body armor and military helmets. They will save your butt, literally, in the even of an accident. You can also buy pads to install in your jeans that protect from impact injuries. You can wear these to a friend's house and they look like normal jeans! It's all about flexibility and style, you want to be able to get off of your bike and do something in town without looking like an Italian GP race reject.
Gloves- I'm not partial to any specific brand, but get gloves that go past your wrist! I've had so many close calls, and friends who have gotten their wrist bones literally ground down from the road during a wreck. But gloves that have Kevlar knuckle plates, reinforced palms, and are styled like a gauntlet. Make sure they go up to your forearms, that way if your jacket pulls up when you wreck, your arms and wrists are shielded by gloves.
Boots- Notice I said boots, not shoes. Only people who want to get hurt wear shoes on a bike. I've seen what people's ankles look like after a bad bike accident, so wear boots! If you want to be extra safe, find a pair of lightweight steel toe, steel shank boots that are around 8 inches high. They won't be high enough to be uncomfortable, but no matter how high up your pants legs hike while riding, your ankles and some calf will still be covered.
Follow this simple tips and ride safe!
