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9 Things You Really Shouldn�t Wear While Riding a Motorcycle

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  • 9 Things You Really Shouldn�t Wear While Riding a Motorcycle

    Just read this and thought of sharing. Most of these you all might already know, but nevertheless the explanations are good.

    When you’re gearing up for a ride, whether you’re a newbie or have been riding a bike for years, you’ve got to keep in mind the purpose of each piece of clothing you put on. You may think you’ll never get in a crash, but since you can’t control the drivers around you, you’ve got to prepare for the possibility. Trust us: you’ll be sorry if you hop on your Hog in these pieces of clothing.

    1. Shorts: When you hit the ground in an accident, your legs are likely to take the brunt of the impact, especially if you end up laying your bike down. If you’re wearing shorts, which you might think sounds like a great idea in the summer heat, you’re going to experience some major road rash if you get in a wreck. Even if you never crash your bike, you’re leaving your legs exposed to exhaust burns. The exhaust pipe heats up enough to cause second- and even third-degree burns if you put your skin against it. Just one slip near the exhaust and you won’t wear shorts again.
    2. Short-sleeved T-shirt: The reason you shouldn’t wear a T-shirt, with nothing else on top of it, is the same as why you shouldn’t wear shorts: you want as little skin showing as possible in event of a crash. Road rash is the painful injury that occurs when your skin is scraped off by the asphalt. Even at lower speeds, like 20 mph, your skin could be scraped to the bone. Many victims have to undergo painful skin grafts and will have scars that will last them a lifetime. Wearing a T-shirt leaves your whole torso susceptible to the injury since it will be torn or lifted in a tumble. And if you aren’t in an accident, you still don’t want to be that guy whose shirt is flying up as he speeds down the road.
    3. Baggy pants: This may not be a problem for the biker chicks who love wearing tight leather pants on the road, but everyone else better keep in mind that baggy pants can be distracting and dangerous. If your pants are too loose, they’ll flap in the wind as you ride, which can be irritating and cause you to lose focus. The extra fabric can get caught on the foot pegs or any other protruding parts, creating the potential for an accident.
    4. Any headgear other than a helmet: Not every state requires a helmet for all riders, but it’s a stupid and unnecessarily risky move to ride without one. If you’re involved in an accident and are not wearing a helmet, you’re three times more likely to suffer a brain injury. Sure, you really know how to rock that bandana, but it serves a much better purpose if it’s under a helmet. It protects your head, absorbs sweat, and covers your helmet hair when you take off your helmet at the end of a ride.


    1. Headphones: While wearing earplugs is actually a really good idea for motorcyclists since they are constantly subjected to the roar of their engines, headphones aren’t so smart. If you’re listening to music or podcasts through your headphones on the road, you’ll be less likely to hear sirens or approaching cars, which is why several states have laws regulating the use of headphones while operating motor vehicles. Some ban their use outright, while others just say they can’t be used for music or in both ears.
    2. Jacket from a club you’re not a part of: If you’re new to the biker culture and haven’t joined a club yet, you should at least be aware of the importance of their patches. If you buy a jacket secondhand or get a patch somewhere to look cool, be aware of what kind of club it represents. Motor Cycle Clubs wear their patches on the front or sides of their jackets, and you can purchase them pretty easily. These clubs are mainly social and probably won’t be too peeved if you sport their insignia, though they may view you as kind of lame. Motorcycle Clubs on the other hand (note the tiny difference in capitalization) make their members earn the patches which are worn on the back. These members will do just about anything for their club. If you get your hands on one of these patches and wear it out on the road, be prepared for a dirty fight.
    3. Dark clothing at night: Given the biker’s affinity for black leather, this one might seem a little strange, but smart motorcyclists know that it’s important to be visible at night. Sure, your bike has lights that keep you safe in most instances, but what if you crash and aren’t next to your bike anymore? Dark clothing will make it hard for rescuers to find you if you’re thrown off the road and for other motorists to avoid hitting you if you’re sprawled out on the road. To avoid a dangerous situation, consider wearing a bright color or putting reflective tape on your jacket and helmet.
    4. Lightweight fabrics: Motorcyclists don’t just wear leather because it looks cool. It also protects their skin in the event of a crash. Lightweight materials will shred when you hit the pavement, while leathers and newer synthetic fabrics offer armor and resistance when scraping across gravel. Lighter materials won’t protect you from the weather, so you may end up sunburned or soaked to the bone if you don’t take the right precautions. If you ride in the heat a lot, you may want to look into a synthetic that is more breathable, but keep in mind that a little bit of sweat is better than a little bit of road rash.
    5. Sandals: We all shake our heads when we see a teenage girl wearing flip-flops in winter weather, and it’s no different when smart bikers see someone on a motorcycle wearing sandals. When you’re riding, you want shoes that grip the foot pegs, protect you from exhaust burns on your feet, and provide some protection in case the bike lands on your foot in a crash. Motorcycle boots also have the added advantage of providing you with a little extra height so you can reach the ground when you’re at a stop.

    I read from here: http://www.ninja250forum.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=322&Itemid=1http://

    also found it here: http://www.motorcycleinsurance.com/9...-a-motorcycle/

    Thanks.
    Last edited by metalman666; 03-19-2012, 10:04 AM. Reason: Original source
    Enjoy every minute of life. Don't waste it. sigpic

  • #2
    Thread approved
    Happiness is finding you have another Gear left....

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    • #3
      some valuable points well consolidated.
      and the question remains why do i race?
      every finishing line is the begining of a new race.

      #i have learnt to manipulate my own adrenaline and the perception of biking is different.
      #overkill is underrated.
      #how random roads may appear there is always a destination.sigpic
      #i don't subscribe to co-incidence,either it is the rider or the other moron on the road

      (:)people keeps on saying add spark to life, bajaj got hold of that idea and added an extra spark to bike.

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      • #4
        Also Colored goggles at night
        Whats there in a signature?

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        • #5
          sandals are still okay, i have seen super-bikers wearing slippers!!!! i wonder how much protection those slippers provide.
          just a suggestion: as riding boots are costly and many people cant afford them a cheaper alternative is army boots, they dont provide ankle protection but have very good toe and heel protection, been using mine for almost 1.5 years now and hav had one or two spills where the boots have taken the beating without any problems.
          Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a Ride!' -Hunter S. Thompson

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          • #6
            metalman666

            Thank you for this sensible sharing. Do share more

            Point 3 of 2nd part was something i used to forget, you reminded me
            Presence of MIND and self CONFIDENCE is the primary aspect You need to be on road, not what brand your riding gears are.
            If you lack these two then DONT

            Feel the pleasure of Ultimate Biking
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            alwayzaLive . . .

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            • #7
              The point about T-shirt and shorts was right. Even in my accident, (damn, something or the other reminds me of it, no matter what) I was wearing shorts and sleeveless T-shirt while coming back from a basketball game... Helmet saved my head, but the arm was instantly fractured. Plus got some lifetime scars on the arm too/


              And secondly, the "Jacket from a club you're not a part of" isn't that much in India. The clubs are very limited and don't have such strict rules. But that reminds me of the film "Wild Hogs".
              ---
              Brotherhood, Rules, Freedom. Xbhp.
              Indian riding = Alertness, Anticipation and Adjustment.

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              • #8
                While you post an article here, that is copied from a website, you need to mention the source unless you want to consider your post as stolen

                9 Things You Really Shouldn’t Wear While Riding a Motorcycle | MotorcycleInsurance.com
                Skill is what keeps you on a Motorcycle
                Awareness + Skill is what keeps you out of harm's way
                ATGATT + Awareness + Skill means you might Live To Ride another day

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                • #9
                  Tinted Visor used at night. It is surprising to see the number of people with tinted shields at night. A extremely dengerous practice.

                  Also see a lot of guys with badly scratch & damaged visors.
                  Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window.

                  Multum in Parvo - Much in Little

                  "Yes, it is FAST! No, you CAN'T ride it!" - http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/general-...a-300-san.html

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                  • #10
                    Listening to music seems to be the most common problem among many xBhpians!Somehow no one agrees it can be dangerous!
                    Smoke rubber,not tobacco.

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                    • #11
                      +100 to ranjithmn

                      also riding bike without mirrors , unsafe . sad to see many xbhpians also doing it

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                      • #12
                        but i don't listen to music while riding.
                        and the question remains why do i race?
                        every finishing line is the begining of a new race.

                        #i have learnt to manipulate my own adrenaline and the perception of biking is different.
                        #overkill is underrated.
                        #how random roads may appear there is always a destination.sigpic
                        #i don't subscribe to co-incidence,either it is the rider or the other moron on the road

                        (:)people keeps on saying add spark to life, bajaj got hold of that idea and added an extra spark to bike.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by abhimanyu31 View Post
                          Tinted Visor used at night. It is surprising to see the number of people with tinted shields at night. A extremely dengerous practice.

                          Also see a lot of guys with badly scratch & damaged visors.
                          Can u tell me why it is not advised to use tinted visors @ night? I use them because the oncoming vehicles sometimes have much powerful lights and it leaves me baffled for a moment.
                          Riding is not about destinations, it's about journeys.

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Arun Magus View Post
                            Can u tell me why it is not advised to use tinted visors @ night? I use them because the oncoming vehicles sometimes have much powerful lights and it leaves me baffled for a moment.
                            I guess u have never been to a highway at night! Leave highway, head on to any streetlight-less area and experience it urself.

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by metalman666 View Post
                              Just read this and thought of sharing. Most of these you all might already know, but nevertheless the explanations are good.
                              Good article and quite thoughtful of you to share, while you have clearly mentioned that this is not an original article and you had obtained this from another source and wanted to share w/ fellow bikers, do append the original link to your post, going forward or provide credits to author.
                              ______________________________________
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                              Dream big and Dream hard,
                              coz life's all about chasing down ur dreams and living them...

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