What sort of Motorcycle Protective Clothing should I have?

Appropriate motorcycle protective clothing adds to the motorcycle rider�s safety for both summer and winter touring.

There is some great looking motorcycle clothing on the market these days, but you are after motorcycle protective clothing not making a fashion statement.

Make sure you have a decent pair of riding boots and protective pants. After all most motorcycle injuries occur to the bottom half of the body. The boots should be thick leather with a sole that can flex with the foot but still has protection to crushing across the foot. The pants should be reinforced at the knee and hip. Speaking of pants, re-enforced jeans should be your choice over normal jeans.

The same principal applies to your jacket. This should be a leather jacket for protection. Make sure you choose thick leather and not fashion leather and again this should be reinforced at the elbows and shoulders.

This brings us to your gloves. These are a must. In an accident you will instinctively put your hands out with palms down to stop yourself in a slide. You should try to choose reinforced leather or even Kevlar if you can.

What�s left? Oh crikey that�s right your helmet. Pick out a comfortable helmet and make sure you wear it at all times. Besides being a legal requirement it will give you some protection. Imagine a crash without a helmet. Hmm what would you look like after this? If you get a full-face helmet, you may remove the visor in very hot weather, but make sure your eyes are covered with goggles, safety-lens or sunglasses. Use a clear visor or goggles at night.

In colder weather, wear aircell undergarments, a warm shirt, jumper, scarf, stout jeans and thick socks with your motorcycle riding boots. An overgarment of the waxed cotton variety will keep out rain, and gauntlets will divert wind from your sleeves. You may feel too warm at first, but once you get underway the clothing will keep your body temperature stable and protect you from the elements.

So when you are purchasing your motorcycle protective clothing think what are you buying for? Hopefully your answer is protection and not a fashion statement.