When you’re on a motorcycle, whether you’re driving it or you’re a passenger, there are a few things to think about as far as what you wear. First and foremost is safety. With the right kinds of clothes, you can avoid road rash and lessen other injuries if you are in an accident.
Then, of course, once you’ve addressed safety, you might decide you want to look stylish.
The following are tips for both.
Protective Clothing
The clothes that you wear when you’re on a motorcycle should be designed with safety in mind first. Protective clothing is meant to reduce the risk of injuries if you’re in an accident, so you should always be wearing the following.
- Helmet
- Jack
- Pants
- Boots
- Gloves
- Eye protection
You might also want to keep some rain gear with you each time you ride since the weather can change quickly.
There are different types of helmets available, including skull caps, open-face helmets, and then full-face helmets. If you opt for a full-face helmet you won’t need additional eye protection.
If you have on a helmet, you have a 37% higher chance of surviving a crash compared to riders without one.
The first consideration should be that you choose a helmet that’s approved by the DOT, and there will be a sticker letting you know. The helmet needs to fit properly, and it shouldn’t move around a lot. Your helmet also shouldn’t be so tight that it’s uncomfortable.
If you don’t have a full-face helmet, you’ll need eye protection too, which should be shatter-proof and provide UV protection.
Choosing Your Jacket
The motorcycle jacket you wear gives you a chance to show off your style and protect yourself at the same time. Regardless of the specific look, you’re after, you should choose a jacket that’s designed specifically for riding on a motorcycle.
Motorcycle jackets are made up a material that can protect you from abrasion.
The jacket’s surface should be smooth so that it helps you slide if you are involved in an accident instead of getting caught on the pavement.
Bright colored jackets will make you more visible.
You want a jacket that’s a bit longer in the back so that it fits you well when you’re riding, but you don’t want it so long that it bunches.
Most of the best motorcycle jackets will have closures at the neck and wrist, along with good ventilation.
A lot of riders will wear gloves, and there are both summer and winter gloves.
Winter gloves are going to be thicker and more insulated, and summer gloves are lighter weight but can help protect you from rocks while you’re riding, as well as helping protect you if you’re in an accident.
If fashion is important to you in addition to safety, you should invest in your riding jacket. You want something that will never go out of style and that you can mix-and-match with other items.
Pants and Boots
If you are going to ride a motorcycle, your pants and boots are important too.
You might opt to wear riding pants, or you could also add leathers over your regular clothing.
Synthetic materials like Kevlar can help protect you if there’s an accident, and some riding pants even have hard plastic at the hips and knees.
At a very minimum, you should wear jeans—don’t ever wear shorts, athletic pants or dress pants.
Boots should have a low heel and a non-skid sole. They should also be tall enough to cover at least your ankles. Boots protect you not only in the case of an accident but also from pipe burns and things flying off the road.
General Tips
A few other general tips for dressing to ride include:
- Dress in layers so that you can take items off as you need, as the day warms up.
- Again, bright colors are good. You want drivers to be able to see you, so you can go bold with not just colors but also patterns. This can be your way to show off your personal style and be expressive. Don’t ever wear head-to-toe dark clothes.
- You can also express yourself with your helmet if you want to stand out.
You should never get on a motorcycle without wearing the right clothes, but you don’t have to sacrifice style for safety either. You can find a nice balance between both and ensure you’re comfortable as well as looking great while you enjoy the open road.
Pinstripe Magazine Staff
Online Men’s Lifestyle Magazine on Gear, Grooming, Girls, Gadgets
