Brace up to Your Riding Gears

Introduction

Motorcycles are fun to ride on for leisure, long rides, short rides and even sport. Moreover, it’s extensively appeasing when you are wearing your PPE (personal protective equipment).

PPEs enhance your safety when riding on a motorcycle. There are diverse safety gears and in case you want to get some, you can evaluate the item that best suits your needs. Riding gears comprise; helmet, riding jacket, elbow guards, riding suits, riding pants, riding gloves, boots e.t.c

Yamaha R6. Image courtesy of @MoreMotorcycles on Twitter

1. Helmet

This is the most essential safety gear known to riders. A helmet protects the head from injury in case of an accident. Helmets very in size, look and style. There are distinct types of helmets which include:

1. Full-Face Helmet

Provides the most amount of protection to your head as it covers the entire head.
Has a visor that prevents dust and noise from rushing air and can be lifted. The visor comes in various tints and colors.

2. Flip-up Helmet

Has a large opening as compared to the full-face helmet.
Has a flip-up front which includes a visor that raises with the touch of a button.
By lifting the front, you ease searing and taking off the helmet.

3. Half-Face Helmet

This is the least safe helmet as it only covers the top of the head.
Mostly it is worn by scooter riders as they are not so fast.

4. Three-Quarter Face Helmet

Protects most part of the head but has an open front that only includes a wind protection visor
It has a poor wind and dust/dirt protection.

2. Riding Jackets

These protect the rider’s upper body ( shoulders, back, elbow and chest) depending on the jacket type.

1. Full All Weather Jacket

Comes with separable layers that can be detached or attached to offer protection on hot or cold seasons. During cold seasons the layers are attached and detached when hot.
Are made from either leather or synthetic materials. Has silicon type protector on all the essential parts for maximum safety on the whole upper body.

2. Conventional Riding Jacket

Offers protection to the whole upper body and is made up of either leather or synthetic material.
Comes with either a single weather protection (hot/ cold) or a wind layer to make it water proof.

3. Body Armor

Protects from scratches and is made up of mesh-like material that can be worn on regular outfits.

3. Riding Gloves

These are worn on hands by riders to protect their palms, fingers and knuckles from injury. Riding gloves are made from cotton, kevlar, leather and synthetic materials.

Motor-cross gloves protect fingers from dust and water.
Touring gloves are adequately ventilated to prevent sweating during long rides.
Racing gloves are more adequate for hostile riding.

4. Riding Pants

Most riders are not familiar with riding pants. Riding pants are designed to be worn over ordinary pants. They are made from leather, denim, synthetic materials and kevlar. For aggressive riders, there is an additional shin and knee protection.

Riding pants can be purchased independently or jointly with a riding jacket.

5. Racing Suit

Racing suits are the most progressive riding gear. Some suits comprise high tech circuits and apparatus merged into them. These observe the rider’s condition.

Racing suits are only made from leather as it’s a good heat insulator and has limited friction on the external surface thus in case of an accident, the rider slides off reducing the outcome of severe injuries.

6. Riding Boots

Have metal tips to protect the rider’s toes.
Have a high top trait to support a rider’s heel in case of an accident.

Boots made for long rides have laces for utmost safety.

Motor -cross boots are meant for off roading and offer protection from dirt and the rugged terrain.

Racing boots have strong harnesses instead of laces to match up with the aggressive riding.

Conclusion

To all riders, ensure that your safety and that of your passenger is observed. Various types of safety gears range in terms of reliance basing from the environment you ride on and your riding patterns. To be on the safe side, practice safe driving and have your personal protection equipment on.