Protective clothing
Something not quite right here!!
That's better!
Remember
Modern cars are fitted with seat belts, air bags, side impact beams and a whole host of advanced safety features, they even have heaters. Unfortunately, even this is not enough to prevent the thousands of casualties we see each year. We as bikers don’t have that extra protection … so when thinking about protective clothing, go for the best you can afford, there’s no point wishing you had bought ‘those leather jeans’ after you come off and let's face it, falling off is something that could happen to the best rider. When it happens, it hurts no matter the speed.
Jacket/trousers
When considering what to buy, ask yourself what you need it for. Me, I use my bike all year round, so when I go for a jacket, I want it to be wind and waterproof. I want a winter liner that’s removable for the summer and preferably has closable vents.
Let's not forget about the physical protection. If something happens I want it to save my skin, so it must be abrasive resistant. Think about what parts of `YOU` (impact areas) will collide with other objects. Wouldn’t it be good to have help in these areas, SO armour in the back, shoulders and elbows are a must, and anything else is a bonus. Also give some thought to the colour, I know black looks cool, I’ve been there. Remember, we are about a third of the width of a car, they don’t see us. Even with blue lights, horns and markings, so what can you do to improve the chances of being seen? MAKE IT EYE CATCHING. If you’re not too keen, a simple reflective belt or patch could make all the difference.
Same goes for trousers. If you slide on your bum and no abrasive resistance in the trousers, it reaches the skin very quickly. Get the armour lower back, hips and knees. If you’re buying a two piece suit, try to get one that zips together (full zip), not only does it greatly increase you’re protection, but it also stops those pesky drafts around your kidneys.
As for material, well, the choice is yours, you have Synthetic materials such as kevlar™, cordura™ and also our old favourite, leather. If you are in any doubt as to what to go for, seek advice from friends or ask at you local bike shop. I use cordura™ to travel to and from work, but wear leather at work, and each have there own merits. On the whole I prefer textile garments because they are lighter, breathable and waterproof.
Footwear
Your feet need to provide grip and balance, they also get hit and covered in crap. They could get trapped between the bike and the road. SO TRAINERS ARE A DEFINITE NO.
A good pair of boots are going to last a long time, they are an investment, so purchase wisely. Look for some shin protection and support around the ankles. You can also have torsion bars in the soles adding to rigidity, if something happens. In addition to protection think about the weather there are only a few things worse than having to ride around with wet feet.
Gloves
Again what happens if you come off? Reactions means your hands will go out. So try and get a pair with knuckle and extra palm protection. Think when you're going to use them, for winter they need to be wind and waterproof, and let's not forget warm. I have two pairs, one for the winter and a vented pair for the summer, which I wouldn’t be without.
Helmets
What a choice! For me, I use a full-face helmet both for work and personal use. There are open face helmets out there which I’m sure do a sterling job, but the very thought of coming off a bike wearing one of those leaves me cold, I want to keep my chin intact. As for visors, I use a standard visor with a clear anti-fog insert. There is a lot of choice out there in this case there is something for everyone. Tinted visors are ok during the day, but if there's even the remotest chance of you riding the bike during dusk or darkness then carry a clear visor to replace the tinted one. You wouldn't ride a bike at night with sunglasses on would you....unless you're some sort of plonker.
Have a look at our LINK page and click on the HELMET SEARCH link which gives the latest info on helmets from the SHARP website.
