How to Choose Motorcycle Protective Gear

Riding a motorcycle is one of the more exhilarating methods of traveling, but it's also more dangerous than being in a car, especially if you don't have the right protective gear. You can significantly reduce the risk of severe injury if you take the time to pick out some safety gear to wear while on your motorcycle.

There are a lot of different options in protective gear, so it's a good idea to know what you're looking at. Here, we'll go over some of the more popular types of protective gear to help you make the right choices and get the gear that will best protect you.

Helmets

The variety of motorcycle helmets on the market is staggering. Aside from the visual factor, choosing a helmet that you like the looks of, there are a few other things to keep in mind. Size is very important. Your head should fit snugly within the helmet. If you can slip it over your head, then it's too big, it should need to be pulled on. The soft foam inside will form to fit your head as you wear it, to provide greater protection.

Look for a helmet that starts right above the eyebrows when on. Anything higher up will not give adequate protection. You have a choice between a full face helmet, which offers the best protection, a three quarters helmet and a flip up helmet, which allows you to move the faceplate up to expose the face. This last one may be more expensive, but it does offer the advantage of being able to simply lift the faceplate rather than remove the entire helmet to speak or drink something.

Gloves

There are two main reasons to wear gloves while riding. The first is to keep your hands warm, particularly while riding during winter, when the icy wind can quickly numb them and prevent the proper sensations needed to control the motorcycle. The second is protection should you take a tumble. Fingers and the flesh on the hands are very fragile and you need as much protection as possible.

The best gloves for motorcycle riding include Kevlar pads on the backs, with extra grip on the palms for maximum control. You will probably need a lighter pair for summer use and heavier ones for winter, or opt to wear a light pair of cotton gloves under the Kevlar ones.

Boots

When shopping for boots to use on your motorcycle, keep in mind whether you'll need to walk or not. The best protection comes at a price, limited mobility. If you'll be walking as well as riding, then look for heavy duty boots that are built for cross-country endurance. These will give strong ankle support and have thick, resistant soles to protect your feet should an accident occur.

For motocross riding, consider using specialized boots that protect as much of the leg as possible, with rigidity. These are definitely not practical for walking in, however, so keep that in mind.

Pants

There is much more to your body than simply head, hands and feet and it pays to protect the rest of it as well. Your legs will be at risk, as they are so close to the bike, so proper pants can help protect them.

Finding a pair of pants that looks good, is comfortable to wear in summer and still provides enough protection for sliding across the road is next to impossible. It really all comes down to what type of riding you'll be doing. For the riskier rides, Kevlar padded pants are probably your best bet. These usually come with extra pads on exposed areas like the knees which aren't exactly visually pleasing, but do offer extra protection.

For more formal rides, there are now jeans with Kevlar fibers woven into them that provide extra protection should you be dumped off the bike. Other options include leather pants and motocross pants, both of which tend to be quite hot in warmer weather. You may also opt for leather chaps, which cover and protect the legs, but allow for maximum movement.

Jackets

Choosing a good jacket is also very important. This is what will keep your torso and arms protected. You'll find that there are two main options, synthetic and leather. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Leather jackets tend to be well built and last for a long time, decades, even. They are the classic protective wear associated with motorcycles, so many more traditional motorcyclists prefer leather. These tend to be quite protective and are made more so by protective pads sewn to the inside of the jackets. However, they aren't very reliable under rain and tend not to protect as well as synthetic from the cold. The darker colors of leather tend to prevent visibility, which can be an added danger, particularly in the evening.

Synthetic jackets are usually more expensive, but offer better protection. Unfortunately, despite the higher protective rate, they tend to wear out faster than leather. Synthetic fibers make these jackets warmer in the winter and ensure that they are completely waterproof, which is a major bonus if you are planning on a long trip. The brighter colors of synthetic jackets also mean that you will be more visible on the road.

Choosing your protective gear for motorcycle riding is one of the most important steps you can take toward staying safe. Make sure that you take the time to research and try the various types of protective gear. Everything should fit well and be comfortable, but still offer the highest level of protection possible.

No one wants to think about having an accident, but these things do happen and with a motorcycle, you simply don't have the same protection around you as you would in a more substantial vehicle. That doesn't mean taking unnecessary risks is required, however. There is plenty of gear that can be used to keep your body and skin intact as you enjoy riding.