| Most motorcycle riders wear leather - lots of leather. | | | | speed you want to go for the entire ride. That |
| Boots, chaps, vests, gloves, chain wallets, and leather | | | | wears on the palm and tires the hand. The gloves |
| jackets. The reason behind all this leather is not for | | | | provide comfort. Mesh and leather are normally used |
| looks, and it's not to appear threatening. It's all about | | | | for summer riding, full leather for winter rides. Also, |
| protection! | | | | the hands are provided protection from the road in |
| There is protection from weather provided by | | | | case of a skid, fall, or drop. Road rash on the palms |
| leather. Riding in cool weather gets very cold when | | | | HURTS! |
| you are moving at 55 miles per hour. Even the gentle | | | | Goggles or eye protection is often the law, but it |
| Florida winter requires protection from winter | | | | also makes sense. Think what happens if a bug hits |
| weather. In fact, I would never know that was Becki | | | | you in the eye at 55 mph! Of course, the goggles or |
| getting ready to ride the Toy Run if I didn't | | | | eye protection needs to look cool, but that just |
| recognize the motorcycle! Weather isn't the only | | | | because no one wants to wear funny looking glasses. |
| issue, however. | | | | Helmet visors provide the protection in states where |
| True bikers dress to protect themselves in a fall | | | | helmets are required. A benefit of visors, if you use a |
| rather than dressing just for the ride. Accidents do | | | | full-face visor, bugs don't get in your mouth either! |
| happen. You may have to drop a bike to avoid being | | | | ICK! |
| hit by a car. You may experience a front blow out | | | | Speaking of bugs: leather protects the rider from |
| and lose control. It is possible that even the most | | | | insect impacts as well. Do you realize how hard a bug |
| experienced rider can drop a bike. I've had to | | | | is when it hits your body at high speed?? It's painful!! |
| CHOOSE to drop a bike to avoid being run over by a | | | | And no one would want that angry insect to sting if |
| car. The bike and I both survived. I didn't even get | | | | it were capable. |
| road rash since I was wearing leather! I also chose | | | | Boots are a necessity. If you "almost" drop a bike, |
| where to drop the bike so it wasn't damaged except | | | | often that sturdy boot placed on the ground |
| for a paint ding. | | | | prevents the potential drop becoming a real accident. |
| Bikers learn from experience, both theirs and others. | | | | Think how your foot would look if you had to |
| When you see someone who chose to ride in shorts | | | | steady yourself and your bike wearing thin bottom |
| and tee-shirt come in covered with road rash, you | | | | sneakers? If you ruin a pair of boots because you |
| know that riding that way is not wise. They dressed | | | | saved yourself from a fall, it's an investment that |
| for the summer ride and failed to dress for the fall | | | | paid off! Boots also provide protection from hot |
| which happened. | | | | exhaust pipes and support the ankles better for |
| That explains the leather jackets and chaps. But why | | | | mounting and dismounting your ride. |
| the chain wallets? Motorcycles vibrate somewhat. | | | | Where helmets are not required, leather skull caps |
| You climb on and off them. This places stress on the | | | | are popular. Sometimes called a "do-rag", these |
| back pocket where a wallet would be carried. Over | | | | leather bandana-like objects are shaped for the head |
| time, the wallet can drop out unnoticed and not only | | | | and tie in the back. This hold hear in place but also |
| is money lost, but ID, proof of insurance, credit cards | | | | provides some protection should you scrape your |
| lots of valuable things that take time and trouble to | | | | head during a fall. Of course, if you HIT your head |
| replace. With the chain wallet, this cannot happen. | | | | during a fall, only a helmet will provide protection. |
| You also do not expose yourself to having a | | | | However, we should let those who ride decide, but |
| pick-pocket hit you during a crowded motorcycle | | | | most states feel otherwise! |
| event! | | | | There is a reason for every thing the biker wears. |
| The leather gloves - often fingerless for summer | | | | Sure, it looks cool in their opinion, and there is some |
| wear -- make holding handlebars for hours more | | | | really beautiful riding gear available. But it's not all |
| comfortable. There isn't a cruise control on a | | | | about looks. What you wear when you ride can save |
| motorcycle, although some people rig them up. The | | | | your life or at least your skin! |
| throttle is in your hand and you have it turned to the | | | | |