Safety Riding Gear

Why do we require you wear boots, gloves, long pants, long sleeve shirts, and eye protection during the course?  We require these to get you into habit of always wearing protective gear whenever you are riding a motorcycle.  Protective gear can help when road debris flies up at you, when it's raining, or when insects are pelting you.  Unlike riding in a car, there is nothing to protect you in the case that an accident should occur and protective riding gear helps prevent or reduce injuries.  

The two basic purposes of riding gear is to ensure comfort and protection.  Below is a summary of some of the important gear needed to ensure both comfort and protection.

		Helmets Although helmets are no longer required by the Florida State law, a helmet certified to meet DOT standards is the single most important piece of protective gear that a motorcyclist can wear.   It also cuts down on wind noise roaring by your ears, on windblasts on your face and eyes, and deflects bugs or other objects that fly through the air. The helmet protects the head in two ways.  First, the outer shell resists penetration and abrasion and the impact-resisting liner absorbs more of the shock as the helmet stops and the and your head wants to keep going.  Both parts are designed to destruct by spreading the forces of the impact throughout the helmet material.  That's why, when a helmet has been damaged in an accident, it may have lost its protective value and should be replaced.
		Face Protection Any motorcyclist who has been hit in the face by a stone or an insect while riding can tell you about the benefits of face and eye protection.  Windshields and eyeglasses do not provide adequate face and eye protection.  Wind, insects, and pebbles may be blown behind a windshield.  Eyeglasses with shatterproof lenses may protect the eyes, but most don't seal out the wind that makes your eyes water. The best face and eye protection is obtained by wearing a helmet that providing full-face coverage with strong chin pieces and energy-absorbing liners.
		Footwear Over-the-ankle leather boots protect riders from a variety of riding hazards.  They protect ankles from stones that fly up from the roadway and they prevent burns that may be caused from hot exhaust pipes.  Rubber-soled boots with heels give you a strong grip on the pavement and help you keep your feet on the pegs.
		Gloves Leather gloves protect the hands from blisters and the wind, sun and cold.  If you should fall off of the motorcycle, gloves help protect cuts and bruises to your hands.   Ensure that the gloves fit snugly, as they will improve your grip on the handlebars.  If gloves are too bulky, you may experience problems operating the controls of the motorcycle.  If they are too tight, circulation may be restricted and your hands will become cold.  Lighter gloves are good for summer, while heavier, well-insulated gloves should be worn in the winter.
		Clothing Good clothing helps you stay comfortable while riding in adverse conditions.  In the case of an accident, high quality riding clothes will help prevent or reduce injury.  Clothing sold specifically for motorcycling will afford the best combination of fit and protection.  Leather clothing is often worn by cyclists because of it's durability, abrasion-resistance, and good protection against injury. Clothing should fit comfortably without binding.  A jacket with a zippered front will be more resistant than a jacket with buttons or snaps.  A flap of material over the zipper of the jacket will provide additional protection against the wind.  Jackets with snug cuffs and wrists are recommended to keep wind from blowing into the garment.  Be careful about the style of collar, however, as a large, loose collar will flap against you when riding and may irritate your skin. When the weather gets cooler, it is wise to dress in layers, as clothes that are just right for cooler-weather riding may be too hot once you stop riding. Always remember to wear brightly colored clothing to make you more visible in traffic.  It is also a good idea to affix reflective tape striping to your garments that are worn regularly when riding. This applies to bright clothing worn during the day, as well.  In the hot weather, it is best to wear light-colored clothing as they reflect the suns rays more than the darker-colored clothes.  This can make a difference of 10 degrees or more on the hot days. Wide-flared pants, flowing scarves and similar items, should be avoided because they could become entangled in the motorcycle.
		Face Shields Face shields may cover only a portion or all of the face and come in a variety of designs.  The most popular type of face shield is the flip-up type.  Non-flip types are also available and includes a bubble shield.  Be cautious that the compound curves of a bubble shield do not distort your vision. When using a face shield, ensure that it is securely fastened to the helmet to avoid it being blown off.  It should also be impact resistant and free from scratches.  Additionally, the lenses should be clear, as those that are tinted substantially reduce vision at night.  Sunglasses can be worn under a face shield to avoid eye fatigue during daylight hours.
		Goggles While riders wearing goggles do receive eye protection, they are not protected from possible injuries to the rest of the face.  Before purchasing goggles, ensure they carry the VESC-8 approval and are designed to be worn with a helmet. Goggles should be securely fastened over the helmet so they do not blow off.  The faceguard should allow airflow to your face for comfort, easy breathing and to prevent fogging.  Most frames have a rubber/cotton-fiber strap that resists tearing and stretching.
		Rain suits Rain suits are recommended in rainy weather, and can be purchased in one or two-pieces.  The most common materials are polyvinal chloride and nylon, and although they come in a variety of colors, orange or yellow is best for maximum visibility. The jacket should have a high collar, and have a zip-up front with a wide flap that fastens across the opening.  This provides the most protection from inclement weather. When purchasing a rain suit, you may also wish to purchase glove and boot covers.  Most glove covers are large enough to fit over most types of gloves without interfering with hand flexibility.  Boot covers have tie-strings on top and should be worn under the pants. For the avid motorcyclist, a rain suit is a must.  A dry cyclist will be much more comfortable and alert than a rider who is wet and cold.