Riding gear: Your second skin

[inder.cool]

Riding gear: Your second skin

[B]Introduction:[B]
One of the things that makes motorcycling enjoyable is the freedom of riding in the open air.Unlike car drivers surrounded by a steel com-partment, motorcycle riders feel as if they are a part of everything around them.

Of course, sometimes being out there can have its drawbacks, such as when you are riding in extremely hot or cold weather, when it's raining, when insects are pelting you, or when debris flies up at you. It's for these types of situations, and possible encounters between you and the asphalt, that protective gear was developed.

Protective gear has two basic purposes:
1) comfort
2) protection

Uncomfortable gear can distract you from riding. Properly fitting pro-tective gear will help you stay comfortable when encountering vari-ous riding conditions. In the event of a crash, protective gear will help prevent or reduce injuries.


Proper Riding gear includes:

1) Helmet
2) Riding Jackets and Knee Guards
3) Gloves
4) Boots

Helmet:

The most important piece of protective gear you can wear is a helmet manufactured to meet ISI,DOT,ECE standards.

Helmets help protect your head in 3 ways:

1) The outer shell resists direct contact of head with the surface.
2) Inside the shell is the equally important(impact-absorbing liner) that absorbs more of the shock by slowly collapsing the impact.
3) The soft foam-and-cloth liner next to your head helps keep you comfortable and the helmet fitting snugly.

The chinstrap, is the one piece that keeps the helmet on your head in the event of a crash.

A full-face helmet makes riding more comfortable as compared to a half/open face helmet. It cuts down on wind noise in your ears and windblast on your face and eyes. It deflects bugs and other objects that fly through the air.

Situations when the helmet needs a replacement:

1) If a helmet has been damaged in a crash, it will not be protective in another mishap and should be replaced.

2) If an helmet is more than 3 years old, this is due to the fact that as the time passes due to wear and tear the effectiveness of the helmet keeps decreasing.

Some of the important parts of a helmet elaborated through a diagram:



Riding Jackets and Knee Guards:


Riding Jacket:

An armored riding jacket acts as a protector for most parts of the body including arms, elbow, shoulders, comfort for the chest and protection for back.

Some of the important points to remember while buying a jacket:

1) Should have ECE approved elbow guards, shoulder guards, back protector.
2) Should have on the front, sides and back side of the jacket - which glows in the dark when light strikes it.
3) The size of the jacket should perfectly fit to the body it shouldn't be either too big or too small.
4) Should have a removable waterproof inner liner which helps in protection from rain and cold weather. In case of hot weather the inner liner can be removed.

Riding Jackets come in 3 categories:
1) Leather
2) Textile
3) Mesh

Each has its own pros and cons, so the type of jacket should be choosed wisely.

Some of the important parts of a riding jacket elaborated through a diagram:


Alernatively, if anyone doesnt have a proper riding jacket then they should atleast have a pair of elbow guards, though they are missing out on a lot of other safety gear too like the shoulder/chest/back protector. Coz in an unfortunate event of a crash most of the times elbow does take a bruise.


Knee Guards:

Knee guards are a must as the knees are the first thing to hit the road in case of a crash. Also, this being the first to hit takes most of the impact of the crash which may end up in really screwing up the knee in case not wearing it.


Gloves:

Full-fingered motorcycle gloves protect hands from blisters,wind, sun and cold and will help prevent cuts, bruises and abrasions in a crash.

Gloves that fit properly will improve your grip on the handlebars. If your gloves are too loose or bulky, you may have problems operating the controls of your motorcycle. If they are too tight, circulation will be restricted and your hands will become cold.Seamless gloves or gloves with external seams will help prevent blisters.Gauntlets will keep cold air from going up your sleeves.

Motorcycle gloves are available in many styles, weights and thick-nesses. Lightweight gloves may be more comfortable in summer warmth while heavier, lined and/or insulated gloves are available for additional protection from winter cold.





Boots:

Sturdy, over-the-ankle boots can protect you from a variety of riding hazards. They protect against burns from hot exhaust pipes and impacts from flying road debris.Boots with oil-resistant, rubber-based composite soles will give you a strong grip on the pavement and help you keep your feet on the pegs.

If the boots have heels, they should be low and wide. In case of a crash, boots help provide valuable protection against foot and ankle injuries.




Text: Inder
Photos: Internet

Pls. share this with your friends/family/relatives, so that maximum start wearing the riding gear and be protected.

[Aryan]

Topic Moved and Approved.

Very useful and properly described article there, with pictures et al. Thanks for sharing this with all of us, Inder.

[MadMax46]

@ Inder......Truly wonderful article. Informative and creative. Thanks for the post

[inder.cool]

Originally Posted by Aryan

Very useful and properly described article there, with pictures et al. Thanks for sharing this with all of us, Inder.

Thanks for the appreciation Aryan.

Originally Posted by MadMax46

@ Inder......Truly wonderful article. Informative and creative. Thanks for the post

Thanks MadMax.

[k2cool_87]

informative write up inder....add up on the Balkalavas maybe...jus a suggestion....

[shrinathrao]

hey nice write up inder paaji.
Can you please write the pros and cons of the follwing types of jackets

1) Leather
2) Textile
3) Mesh

and please can you put the diagram regarding the helmet as that would be gr8

[SAGARR_46]

hey Inder, kudos to you for taking the initiative to write this article and doing a good job at it. Very informative indeed!

[RoadZilla]

Nice work inder!!!

[niranjanvaidya]

Nice work Paaji!!

[inder.cool]

Originally Posted by shrinathrao

Can you please write the pros and cons of the follwing types of jackets

1) Leather

Good for cold weather, recommended or rather proves to be the best safety gear available.
Not good during hot weather conditions as it gets really hot inside.

2) Textile

Good for semi-cold weather(even with or without the inner liner), in a way its good for hot weather conditions as most of the jackets do come with air vents on chest and back.

3) Mesh

Good only for hot weather, as its made of mesh so there is continuous air flow in and out of the body. Keeps the body cool even if the rider stops for a halt for some time.
Not good during cold weather conditions coz AFAIK its inner liner is not provided(atleast not with Indian make ones).

Thanks Shrinath.
Your answers in bold.

Originally Posted by shrinathrao

and please can you put the diagram regarding the helmet as that would be gr8

I guess i already put up a photo of it.

Originally Posted by SAGARR_46

hey Inder, kudos to you for taking the initiative to write this article and doing a good job at it. Very informative indeed!

Thanks Sagar for the appreciation.

Originally Posted by ankit63

Nice work inder!!!

Thanks Ankit.

Originally Posted by niranjanvaidya

Nice work Paaji!!

Thanks sirjee..