Many people use and rely on motorcycles for both transport and recreation and the number is growing globally. In 2006 it was estimated there were around 200 million motorcycles (which also included mopeds, scooters and motorized bicycles) being used world wide. Of course this number is ever increasing and not surprisingly about 60% of these motorcycles are used in Asia. Even through the 2009 Global Financial Crisis the growth in motorcycle use rose by approximately 6%.
Motorcycles are relatively inexpensive to run; and they do leave a smaller carbon footprint. There is a downside of course and that is motorcycles have a higher fatality rate per miles traveled when compared with automobiles. The statistics from 2007 are frightening in that motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to die in a crash than as a passenger in a car and the statistics are worse for motorcycle riders aged below 40. Mind you half of the fatal accidents show alcohol involvement and not surprisingly injury severity increases with speed, alcohol consumption and motorcycle engine power.
Statistics from America reveal that in 2007 80% of reported motorcycle crashes resulted in serious injury or death compared to 20% in automobiles. So hopefully these grim statistics should convince you that investing in reputable motorcycle safety gear is not just a good idea, but an exercise in self preservation. Heres a quote from Dave Edwards of Cycle World
“Here’s the thing: motorcycles are not dangerous, saying that if a rider has a license, attends riding schools, wears all the gear all the time, and develops an accident avoidance sixth sense, motorcycling can become safe… do all of these things, become really serious about your road craft, and you’ll be so under-represented in accident statistics as to become almost bulletproof.”
The usual items of protective clothing of course are: helmets, gloves, jackets, pants and boots. The technology advances in design and materials each year is phenomenal. Titanium, carbon fibre and Kevlar have now found their way into motorcycle protective gear making it lighter, stronger and more comfortable.
Lets start with the helmet. For the most protection you should always consider buying a full-face helmet. Those who analyze motorcycle accidents have found 35% of all crashes show major impact to the lower face or frontal jaw area. The numbers speak for themselves.
Motorcycle helmets have a DOT or Snell rating. The DOT (or Department of Transport) rating is not worth an awful lot. Helmet manufacturers can submit their helmet for testing, but they can also state that they believe their helmet will pass the DOT tests. Snell testing is much more rigorous and provides the buyer with peace of mind knowing that four crucial areas are assessed and found to be adequate.
1. Impact management – how well the helmet protects against impacts with large objects
2. Positional stability – whether the helmet remains in the right position during an impact or collision
3. Retention system strength – to assess how well the chinstraps hold the helmet on the head during impact
4. Extent of protection – basically how much of the head is protected properly by the helmet.
In 2010, Snell updated their standards, which means any helmet manufactured after that date should bear the M2010 sticker if it is Snell certified.
Motorcycle jackets are available in both leather and fabric. All jackets should have armor in the elbow and forearm areas as well as the shoulders. More often than not it is hard plastic that is intended to protect from the leather or fabric wearing away during the extreme abrasion effects that occur when a rider comes into contact with the road during an accident. Technology advances have now come forward with new viscoelastic materials that remain soft and pliable during normal riding, but transform at the molecular level during impact to develop rigid and protective properties. Fabric jackets can cover a wide range of riding temperature conditions, from Gore-Tex lined jackets for the wetter, cooler riding to mesh jackets that suit the warmer riding days.
Motorcycle pants are also available in both leather and fabric. Leather by far and away provides the best protection but isnt good in extremes of hot and cold. Some manufacturers insert breathable panels into the leather garments to provide comfort for a wider range of temperatures. Fabric pants also should be fitted with armor in the knee and shin areas. There are a number of manufacturers who use heavy grade cotton/synthetic fabrics and reinforce the buttock, shin and knee areas with woven Kevlar and the like. The hi-tech inserts make for a more resilient garment to prevent abrasion failure of the fabric at crucial points.
Motorcycle boots support basically three types of riding styles. Touring/street, off-road/ATV and sports/racing. Each boot type is crafted to meet the general needs of each riding style. Touring boots are primarily made for comfort while the other two types of boots tend to be focused heavily on providing lower leg, ankle and foot protection while meeting the movement needs of those riding styles.
Like boots, motorcycle gloves come in a myriad of styles and designs to satisfy the riding style of the buyer. They are an essential part of the riders safety arsenal.
Good motorcycle gear is worth it in terms of both rider safety and comfort. As with all things, safety costs money and you only get what you pay for. Cheap motorcycle gear usually suffers from a number of shortcomings; not the least of which is its inability to provide satisfactory protection in the event of an accident. The sad thing about this is you only find out about it after the event.
The trick is to get the best motorcycle gear that fits your budget, and that means seeking out and finding the best prices. Its a foregone conclusion these days that the best place to start looking is reputable online merchants.
Buying your motorcycle gear online is convenient and offers you the widest range of gear to select from. You can surf through any number of reviews and testimonials to help you make your decision. Buying your protective motorcycle gear online is much cheaper than what you would spend in your local bricks and mortar motorcycle store. Most online retailers offer incentives like free shipping and handling. Do not worry about size as most online retailers offer you a no hassles return policy if it doesnt fit. Just like any other business, they want you to be a happy return customer.