What is the best safety clothing and equipment for a novice motorcycle rider to wear? Some good but not absurd

Question

brands that provide decent protection would be perfect. How well will this equipment protect a rider in case of a crash or accident? So far I am considering boots, a helmet, pants and a jacket, but I don't know whether to go with or get something that is more like armor. Thank you very much for looking.

Answer 1

It depends on what style of bike you are going for.
Although the basic requirement is for excellent abrasion resistance together with approved armour for safety. You must also consider keeping warm, cool, dry, comfortable. (depending on prevailing conditions)
Too much good stuff out there to compare but here is my choices and reasons:-
For my Sport Bike I prefer two piece leather suits ( Frank Thomas and Proto ) with built in armour and removeable liners to compensate for our dodgy UK weather. I prefer two piece to accomodate :-
a) going for a pee without learning to be be a contortionist!
b) wandering around on foot on a warm day. You won't want to drag the attached top around with you.
Sport type boots with good overall armour. You might want to accomodate toe sliders! ( I got Gaerne which are excellent for protection but a little inflexible for gear changing and walking around)
I use same Riossi leather lightweight gloves for all my bikes in good weather, otherwise Frank Thomas Aqua for usual Scottish downpours! (Both are a little light on rigid protection)
For my Touring bike I go for Cordura type belted jackets with built in armour, lots of pockets, high neck , Reflective piping or panels, removeable armour and good ventilation. ( Frank Thomas , BMW.)
I wear either leather jeans ( Sportex) with armour or Cordura type Pants (Frank Thomas) to match the jackets. I prefer leather but they get very wet, so I have to carry an inexpensive waterproof oversuit ( Lidl £10) under the seat.
Cruising boots, I go more for comfort and weather resistance with adequate armour or padding. I like to be able to walk comfortably in my cruising boots. ( Frank Thomas, BMW )
In spite of the massive price difference, My Frank Thomas jacket performs just as well as the BMW jacket and has loads more pockets. The BMW jacket however wins out on style and comfort. You just can't feel the armour and the material is so soft and supple.
Other accessories you might want to consider.
Neck tube or balaclava.
Biker friendly underwear.
Ear Plugs
Bum Bag or backpack to keep it all in!

Answer 2

Anything that is made of leather is your best protection. There are many varieties to choose from and some even come with metal plates are various "key" points on the body to protect you even more. Look around, such as on E-Bay, or other sites, for the best prices. As far as a helmet is concerned, a full face offers the most protection, but decreases the visibility the most. Again, there are many varieties available at all price points. The next best piece of gear, which a lot of riders forget about is boots. A good pair of leather boots that go over the ankle will not only help your ankle support, but work better during inclement weather than regular shoes. Over the cuff gloves, full fingered gloves will lower the amount of "road rash" in an accident, since the first instinct that people have when they fall, regardless of where, how, or why, is to put their hands out to reduce the injury, which, without gloves, will only increase them.

Answer 3

it's hard to beat leather for protection from "road rash" Some of the new jackest and panst have re inforced padding on the key points along your spine, shoulders etc. I even saw a suit from Japan that inflates if you leave the bike during a crash. Remember, there are only two kinds of bike riders, those who have been knocked down, and those who are going to get knocked down. The number one cause of death to a M/C rider, is head trauma. Wear the helmet. Include long pants ( not shorts) good boots (not flip flops or tennis shoes) a long sleeve shirt, gloves ( half gloves in hot weather are better than no gloves) And eye protection at all times when riding. After those basics, the next layer is chaps, and a riding jacket or vest. As for how well it works, none of those except the helmet will protect you from impact injuries. The rest are to protect against lacerations and road rash to your body. In short, if you tangle with a car or truck, your gonna lose.

Answer 4

What type of bike are you looking to buy?

If it's a sportsbike I would look at Alpinestars leather boots and gloves! They're not cheap but you can get them from some places cheaper than others!
A full face helmet is the other must! You wil find that different brands suit different heads! My first helmet was a Shoei and I was wearing tracksuit pants on my head it was that loose!
Then I tried an AGV and it fits my noggin quite well so shop carefully even with the leathers as it might be a few years before you wear them out!
I would never skimp on safety as everyone goes down sooner or later and you want the protection!

For easy riding you could buy a leather jacket with shoulder armour and some elbow armour as well for the more sublime rides away from the race track!

Good luck and get out there!

Troy.

Answer 5

What ever you buy, for the most part, is going to way better than nothing, especially a helmet. However, you should go to any reputable motorcycle retailer or online outlet and ask the professionals there. You have to trust someone, so why not let them earn their money by giving you prices and recommendations, etc. Definitely check out leather chaps for summer. My daughter, age 25, died 3 yrs ago while riding her own motorcycle, lost control due to someone in front of her horsing around & she slammed on the brakes, they locked up. She was without a helmet (no helmet law in this state, very sad). She suffered mostly all head injury, but several broken ribs and collar bone on one side, which those could have been treatable/healable in time. She was an organ donor and saved 5 lives, gave sight to two people, & gave so many others a better quality life with her bone & tissue gifts. How do you think I should convince her heart recipient who rides a brand new 07 Harley but without a helmet, a wonderful young man who lives only 2.25 hrs away from us & we see him often? You are doing the right thing, and I certainly commend you for that, by wanting to wear proper protection, and if you have loved ones but think a helmet is too odd or doesn't let your head breathe, well for a little inconvenience or initial uncomfortableness, you'll definitely get used to it and be the smarter person for it, not to mention, a living person. Your loved ones AND you deserve to keep you in tact as much as possible, and of course, I feel (my opinion) that it is definitely not worth the risk to go without. The retail/etail stores should be able to properly advise you on what will provide adequate protection without steering you toward the highest priced stuff in the store. Some people I've spoke with have said a helmet can break your neck, too, and kill you. I'd like to see the statistics in comparison to how many are saved by wearing one. If an impact of that force can break the neck with a helmet on, then you may be luckier dead on the spot then surviving to be only a parapalegic or only a few days.........you just don't know, so please don't risk it. And remember, be a lifesaver, be a donor, too. You never know when it might be you or a loved one who desperately needs a donated organ to continue living. Don't take your organs to Heaven, Heaven knows we need them here.

Answer 6

Good brand that is well priced is Vega / Nitro Racing. They make jackets, boots, pants and helmets, all items less than $150 each.

Go to a local dealership that carries the brand, try on the different items and then ask them for a better price for the whole outfit.

You want something we CE approved Armor (pretty much all brands have it now). If you have full coverage protection you should avoid road rash and minimise possibility of broken bones.

Whatever you choose, make sure you wear it all the time. Most accidents happen within 5 miles of home.

Answer 7

I have an icon helmet (though I've heard Shoei one of the best out there), a leather Alpinestars jacket (with a hard back protector that was bought seperately), icon gloves (better if they cover your wrists), and boots that cover the ankle. A lot of riders i know also bought knee pads/guards that they wear either outside or under their jeans.

Alpinestars (and I think Icon) also make a bionic jacket for warmer weather. It's pretty much a long sleeve jersey/mesh shirt/jacket that has shoulder, back and elbow protection, and you wear a tee shirt or long sleeved shirt under or over the suit. It's more breathable than the leather jacket, probably more suseptable to road rash but it's safer than just riding around with no jacket/gear at all.

Answer 8

For casual riding, it sounds like your set. Add Gloves to your list.
My husband rides a 07'GSXR1000 When he is out riding casually (not often with that mc!), like to the store or short jaunts, he wears helmet, gloves, short sleaved shirt, CLOSE toed shoes, and long blue jeans. Please, never never go out in just no shirt, shorts and sandals. I see these guys all the time. Most accidents happen within 1 mile of your home.
When he is really going to do some hard riding...helmet, gloves, riding boots, mc jacket, mc pants w/ knee pucks (gotta watch those turns). Good luck and ride safe! Johnny Rocket is a good brand for the sport rider.
you didn't say if you had a sport bike or a cruiser?
For a sport bike, make sure you have built in elbow and knee pads.
Basicly, am sure you already know, you can never be toooo safe on any mc.

Answer 9

ATGATT -- all the gear all the time, even if just out to a local store. Walk around the sportbike gear portion of a motorcycle accessories store, typically reasonable stuff there.

For an impact not much can help where broken bones are likely, and armor (example is a back protector) tries to spread the impact over a wider area but is no guarantee of being able to walk away.

Safety gear prevents scraping skin or deeper off, and textile motorcycle gear is reasonable for a huge number of people riding the streets. Denim and normal cloth goes away very fast (inches of slide), ballistic nylon is much better (feet of slide), and leather is better still (yards of slide).

Answer 10

It all depends on what type of bike you have. If you have a cruiser you will want a good helmet,agood leather jacket,chaps,lace up boots and gloves. If you are riding a crocth rocket the same thing applys only you might want too consider a armored jacket or complete leather riding suit.

Answer 11

In the UK yo have to wear motorcycle leathers... motor cycle boots gloves and of course a helmet.
The motor cycle leathers an be trousers and jacket or a all in one. have padding and extra leather in areas which may hit the road. Boots have reinforced soles so they dont fall appart.
Go with whats comfortable yet protective... motorcycle leather jacket trousers .. get them from a motorcycle store .. the will las tlonger and protect you ...