What to Wear on a Motorcycle
Deciding what kind of motorcycle apparel you must have depends greatly on several things. Personal prefernce will be a key factorin the decision. Next you must determine what type of motorcycle you own and what kind of riding you do. Every rider must outfit their self with the basic must have apparel, such as gloves, jackets, boots and eye wear. These will come in many styles and designs. Which one you choose is a matter of personal taste.
A good quality jacket is definitely a must have peice of apparel. Some motorcycle riders will chose a leather biker style jacket, complete with fringe and conchs. Other riders, especially sport riders, are more comfortable with riding jackets made of a durable kevlar. Matching pants can also be purchased that have heavy shin guards to protect the rider from the road when navigating sharp turns.
Cruiser riders usually opt for a leather jacket to wear in in colder weather, or a denim jacket in warmer weather. It is really a personally preference as to what style of jacket to wear, just so long as the rider wears a jacket. At the least, a motorcycle rider should wear a heavy long sleeved shirt with a leather vest over it. This will help protect the upper body in the event of an accident.
Blue jeans, leather pants or even the sport racing pants are also part of the must have motorcycle apparel. A motorcycle rider wearing shorts is just asking for bangs and bruises. You may think those shorts are stylish, cute or are just keeping you from being too hot, but when a rock or a bug kicks up and hits bare skin at about 65MPH, you'll be wishing you had a pair of long pants over that bare skin.
Seeing a motorcyclist wearing sandals or being barefoot, gives me great cause for concern as well. A good sturdy pair of shoes is a must have for anyone that climbs onto a motorcycle. Women riders can still be stylish and protect their feet with good shoes. The feet are the closest part of the body to the motorcycle engine, the mufflers and the road. All three of these are a danger to bare toes.
Sunglasses that have a high UV rating are essential for saving your eyes in the blazing sun. They will also prevent you from having a massive headache. Always carry another set of clear or amber glasses for night riding, just incase your outing is longer than planned. The sunglasses should not only protect you from the sun's rays, they should be sturdy enough to avoid any kind of road debris or bugs being able to fly into your eyes.
If you are one that doesn't mind riding in the rain, then you should have a rain suit to protect yourself from the elements. Rain suits come in one piece designs and two piece sets. Again, it is a personal preference as to which type to choose. A good rain suit will save you from a cold, wet clammy ride if you get caught in a thunderstorm.
Some people consider wearing a helmet as a personal choice. Some States require the motorcyclists to wear one. There is much debate about the safety or lack of safety from wearing a helmet. If you wear a helmet, make sure it is a good quality one, and that it fits properly. It must be a D.O.T. (Dept. of Transportation) approved helmet. Those little carnival beanies are more dangerous than not wearing one at all.
Choose your must have motorcycle apparel wisely and gear it to your own individual style and riding needs. The type and style of motorcycle you ride is a personal choice, so should be the apparel choices you make to go with it. Just be sure to be safe and be comfortable, that is much more important than looking stylish!
