Helmets are the only item of motorcycle gear that you are required to wear by law when riding a motorcycle of any size. But to be lawful, your helmet must be securely fastened using the chin strap. It might look cool to plonk it on the back of your head, but it will not do you any good in the event of a crash. Nor will it be legal. In fact you could be fined for not wearing a helmet at all if you are caught riding it without the strap secured, as that's how the law will see it.
But don't just stop at a helmet - consider gloves, boots and protective motorcycle clothing as well. These will all help keep your skin on when you come off.
Read the protective clothing tips below for the correct kit to wear.
HELMET AND HEAD TO STOP YOU BEING DEAD! Be aware that if your helmet comes off in a crash it can have devastating consequences. A full face helmet is best to protect your head, jaw and mouth.
ALWAYS WEAR THE RIGHT SIZE HELMET FOR YOU AND KEEP IT SECURELY FASTENED. You may never 'pull' with a smashed up face!
And ALWAYS wear sturdy boots. Your dancing days will be over when you have a pin in your ankle.
Keep a spare pair of shoes at work or college and change when you arrive and leave. Trainers and fashion shoes simply do not provide enough protection – even at slow speeds.
Summer riding gear still offers substantial protection but keeps you cooler.
Keep a spare set of clothes at work or college and change when you arrive or leave.
They cost about the same price as a few CD's and when you go down without them your hands will be cut to shreds, even at slow speed.
When it gets cold you may need warmer winter gloves which offer maximum protection. Warm woolly gloves are useless when you're sliding up the road. Invest in a good motorcycling pair.
When it's hot, wear summer gloves. These are thinner gloves that offer substantial protection but keep your hands cooler.
It's a hard one but so is the road! Even after 6 months the scars from gravel rash will still be visible and sore.
All this can be avoided if you just don't wear your casual clothing whilst riding your bike. Even at the slowest speed, riding without proper protective motorcycle gear can leave you with third degree burns where your body has come into contact with the road. Gravel gets embedded in your flesh and can only be removed using tweezers, if at all (it may be so deep that you have to wait for it to work its way out naturally over several months!). You may also need skin grafts and will be scarred for life!
So forget your bikini or flashing your muscles. As well as your helmet, gloves and boots you need to wear a protective jacket and trousers. Think about getting some Kevlar lined jeans or combat trousers, you can even get a Kevlar lined hoodie with internal pockets for body armour!
Shorts and a Tee can be cool on the beach or around town, but on the road they are a sure way to gravel rash or worse. ALWAYS wear proper gear for biking. Summer riding gear still offers substantial protection but keeps you cooler. Keep a spare set of clothes at work or college and change when you arrive or leave.
GET NOTICED! ALWAYS ride with your dipped headlights on – even in daylight. Always wear bright, reflective safety gear and add reflective fluorescent stickers to your bike.
Always ride 'defensively' - this means anticipating the actions of other drivers and adjusting your road position and speed accordingly. Treat vehicles turning as a potential hazard because the driver may not have seen you. Get a more experienced rider to show you the ropes or better still get professionally trained. The CBT is the 'basic' start to riding, so build on this and get more 'advanced'.
On you bike, size is important. You're small and hard to see. Other drivers pull out at the last moment. So make sure you stand out.
