ALT-5 Essential Motorcycle Safety Gear
The easiest mistake to make when purchasing motorcycle safety gear is buying a used helmet. Many people have done it, looking to economize when they only planned to ride as a passenger or were looking for a temporary helmet for use over a weekend motorcycle safety course. Don't.
Motorcycle helmets are constructed in such a way that they can withstand only one major impact. A friend of mine actually 'popped' his helmet by dropping it on the basement floor. You have no way of knowing whether a helmet you find at a garage sale or second hand store has been compromised. A DOT certified helmet may cost you a little more new, but will last a lifetime if well cared for.
Once you have decided to pony up for a decent helmet, you will need to decide whether to get one that offers full or partial face protection. Many people think that the helmets that offer full face protection are racing helmets only which simply is not true. I had an instructor who had flown face first into a curb and figures the only reason has has a face today is because he was wearing full face protection. Consequently, I suggest you worry less about image and more about preserving your precious mug.
Next you need to think about how to protect every other inch of your body. One of the stupidest questions I ever heard in my life was asked by a fellow student in the course. After our instructor had explained all the different gear that was necessary to preserve one's skin, this guy asked whether it was a problem that he had been riding in just shorts and a t-shirt on really hot days. Of course, it's not problem for anyone who doesn't mind losing half their skin while sliding down Main St. at 80km/hr.
If you are investing in your own bike, it makes sense to outfit yourself with good quality gear, specifically designed for motorcycle riding. This would include boots, jacket, gloves and leather chaps or pants. Synthetic materials are acceptable but leather is very reliable and will not melt from friction in the event of an accident. Consider spending the money up front to get the gear you need even if it means you have to trim the amount you were prepared to spend on your bike. You will only need to have it in one emergency situation in order to feel like purchasing the right equipment was the best investment you ever made.
Supposing you are just looking to pull together the right gear to enable you to take a course for the sake of personal interest, you still need to think in terms of covering your body 100%. Your helmet should be equipped with a visor. If not, you will need to obtain riding goggles. Even with a visor the wind can dry your eyes out in a hurry at road speed. You will also need gloves. Avoid winter wear which is too bulky and hot for comfortable handling. Many of the newer styles of motorcycle gloves are reinforced with Teflon, which gives added protection over just leather.
Your boots will need to cover your ankles and, again, leather is preferable. Any leather jacket that zips up to the neck and has sleeves that extend to the wrists will allow you to take a motorcycle safety course but motorcycle jackets are designed differently than regular jackets. They have an extra piece fitted to the lower back that offers protection when one is leaning forward over a bike. These jackets provide much better protection from sun, wind, rain, flying grit and, dare I say it, road rash.
The final component of your outfit will be leg protection. Blue jeans that are free from rips or tears provide decent protection and are quite comfortable when used with riding chaps. Certainly full length blue jeans will enable you to take a motorcycle safety course. Nothing will make you invincible, but outfitting yourself with the proper motorcycle safety gear will give you the best chances of enjoying a long lifetime of riding.
