Motorcycle Riding Gear – High VS Low Quality Gear
Almost since the dawn of motorbike riding, having the right gear has been a primary concern. And while we may have come a long way since leather helmets and goggles, there is still a huge debate regarding the issue is cheaper riding gear really good value for money?
It is your life which is at risk for not wearing the right protective gear. Yes, we all want to look cool, why else did we buy a motorcycle? But, is looking good really worth a serious injury should the worse happen to us? We all like to think, your dear author included, that the worst will never happen to us, but it might, and in those scenarios, it is best to be well protected.
One thing we know for a fact that it is great value for money is our professional motorcycle paint. If you want to give your ride a new look, then look no further. However, if you want a guide to why choosing high-quality gear at a higher price is worth it, carry on reading.
Why Bother?
Wearing good gear isn’t just about protecting you if you should fall off, it also protects you from the weather, noise and debris. Is stops us from getting sunburnt, from being deafened by wind and shields us from anything flying up off the road surface or through the air.
One thing all riders who have hit the floor agree on is that it is better to have it and not need it. The human body is not designed to deal with hitting the ground at any kind of speed. If falling over while running as a kid would scrape your knees and palms, imagine what falling off at any kind of speed on a bike could do.
The road gets turned into sandpaper when you hit it at speed, capable of shredding your skin. You gear protects you from that abrasion, as well as having armor to protect us from impacts.
Nobody wants to fall off, but it can happen, so it is best to be prepared.
Helmets
Our head is without a doubt the most important of all our extremities. You can live without a leg, but not without your head. Beyond protecting your face and head from damage, they also offer protection against wind, bugs, and sunburn. A study showed that 45% of all helmet impacts will happen around the face and chin, so a full-face helmet is always the best option, however, it is important to find the right helmet for you.
Jackets
You have two options when it comes to jackets: leather or textile. A high-quality textile jacket will offer the same level of abrasion protection as leather, with the added bonus of being water-resistant and keeping you dry in the rain. They also are more affordable and can be adjusted easier for extra comfort, however leathers will last longer.
High-end jackets come with features that no other clothes garment has: doubled seams to protect the stitching, a snug fit to avoid flapping around in high-speed winds. adjustable air vents and in stronger zippers, in some cases double zippers for extra weather protection or zippers at the bottom or back to connect them with pants; this stops the jacket riding up in a crash. They will also have CE safety rating body armor to absorb impacts and cushion your fall.
A jacket should fit tightly but still allow free arm movement. When buying a jacket, you need to consider your style of riding, for example, some leather jackets are made for racing and are more rigid in that position, whereas textile touring jackets offer more mobility. You also need to think about how often and in what weather you will be riding, as some maybe ideal for warm weekend riding and others made for every day commuting in all weathers.
Pants
Regular denim jeans may offer more protection that sweatpants or shorts, but make no mistake, they still won’t protect you in case of an accident.
Like jackets, pants can be leather or textile and come with CE safety certified armor protection on the knees and hips. You can buy jeans with Kevlar panels which will offer better protection, but nothing as good as leather or proper textile alternatives.
They should also fit snugly by offer free range of movement. If you can, try them on a bike, if not, stand in a riding position to make sure they fit comfortable and the armor pads don’t move out of place.
Boots
Bikes are relatively heavy machines, especially when you consider that you hold it up with your legs. Boots that have non-slip soles, ankle support and are oil-resistant shouldn’t be a consideration, they should be a must. Furthermore, if you have even further bad luck besides falling off and the bike lands on your feet/ankle/shin, you want to make sure that area is well protected.
High-quality footwear will prevent twisting, reduce impact force, and protect your feet and shins. You should never consider any riding footwear that doesn’t at least cover your ankles, as any less protection is likely to fly off in a crash.
Gloves
Think back to when you were a kid and you fell over, or maybe you tripped up a step recently, what is the first body part to extend and try to break your fall? Your arms. Which means your first point of contact with the ground was your hands.
High-quality gloves are double seamed and cover the whole of your hands with extra thick layers of protection on the palms. They will also have abrasion resistant materials, and some may offer extra protection on the knuckles and/or palms. Make sure your glove fits comfortable and will not fly off in the worst-case scenario, but also lets you operate the controls freely.
Suits
Leather one-piece suits are not commonly used outside of a racetrack or by a rider who doesn’t have a racier riding style. They offer excellent protection against falls, but not so much against the weather. You can buy textile one-piece suits which are far more versatile than the leather alternatives.
Conclusions
As riders, we are exposed to more risks than your average road user. Beyond falling off at high speeds, there are changes in weather, which will push your concentration and physical abilities. Fatigue is not uncommon in motorbike riders. High-quality riding gear is not only to help you should you fall, but also help you from falling by protecting you from the elements and therefore reducing fatigue.
Taking into consideration all that good riding gear offers you in terms of protection, and it is not worth trying to save money on cheap, low-quality garments. Plus, the higher quality gear will also last longer, saving you money in the long run.