by Mike Mccarthy

Created on: May 08, 2009   Last Updated: May 11, 2009

There are many must-have items of motorcycle apparel, however some emphasis needs to focus upon safety of the rider. Your safety, when riding your bike needs to be something at the forefront of your mind. However this need not take away from the enjoyment of the ride.

Motorcycle safety gear is a subject that all riders of bikes need to consider and this is equally relevant to the new rider and those that have been riding for some time. In addition, should you have an accident it is likely that you may invalidate your motorcycle insurance should you not be wearing a crash helmet and such is a legal requirement in the State or Country in which you ride.

Let's have a look at some of the types of motorcycle safety gear available, working from your head to your feet. Remember although the items below focus upon safety, many manufacturers of motorcycle clothing and equipment provide versions that are fashionable as well as safe.

Crash Helmet.

This really is an essential item of safety gear. No matter which type of helmet you choose, it should be one that fits well and has the correct accreditation for your Country of residence. Also, do not affix any stickers or paint the helmet unless you are sure that the material the helmet is made of can accommodate such, in some cases the chemicals in paint or the adhesive in some stickers can affect the chemical make up of the helmet skin construction rendering it dangerous.

Also, your visor if your helmet has one, should be clear and unscratched. Some Countries have made dark tinted visors illegal so if you wish to use one, check that it is a legal attachment first. It is also unsafe to use a dark tinted visor at night as your visibility is severely reduced, which is why the law has stepped in and made such illegal.

Jacket.

There are many types of motorcycle jacket available and you should make sure you have one that is made for the purpose. Some types of jacket have armour (usually kevlar) built within the fabric of the jacket, protecting the elbows, shoulders and back. You can even get jackets that have raised protection on the upper back which reduces the rearwards movement of the head avoiding neck injury to some extent. Leather is a common fabric used in the construction of the jacket as it has good friction properties and protects the skin well, should you find yourself sliding along the road.

Hi Viz Waistcoat.

This is a safety accessory that you wear over your jacket. It is of a fluorescent colour and has light

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