What to Wear When You Ride a Motorcycle

By: Heath C. Murphy + – Personal Injury

There is no hard fast rule for what clothing should be worn when riding a motorcycle. It is certainly not against the law to ride with no helmet, no shirt, board shorts and flip flops. Just because it’s not against the law does not mean it is advisable, however.

Jackets and Pants

Properly designed biker apparel can save some you from pretty gruesome injuries in the event of a crash. Remember, your skin and the road are not a good combination. Cotton clothing will peel off in less than one second which provides almost no protection against road rash. Sweatpants and shorts are even worse. The video below is not for the faint of heart and shows some of the injuries that might have been avoided by wearing the proper gear.

Armored jackets and pants can be purchased. There are also newer textiles and meshes that will prevent road rash. Many bikers will buy an expensive jacket that protects their upper body and then wear jeans which leave the legs extremely vulnerable to road rash. Some people do not like the whole leather outfit look and prefer jeans, but there are Kevlar riding jeans that make the appropriate fashion statement and offer protection for the rider.

It is important to remember that there are no required standards for motorcycle clothing. In my opinion, it is worthwhile to stay with the trusted name brands who have spent considerable time and money in testing and researching their products. Also, not all leather is created equally. Ordinary leather jackets will shred almost as quickly as cloth.

Boots and Gloves

The hands and feet are made up of many delicate bones. They can be crushed or broken very easily. Boots should be heavy-duty leather with hard armor around the ankle, and ideally padding too. Leather gloves with long gauntlets should likewise have impact protection on the knuckles and palms, and even wrists. If your hands or feet get crushed, it is unlikely that they will ever completely heal. Whether it’s early onset arthritis or a dull pain when you walk, you will always be reminded of your broken hand or foot.

Helmets

From a statistical perspective, there is no doubt that helmets prevent injuries and save lives. That being said, it is a personal choice for each rider to make. If you elect to wear a helmet, do your research before purchasing the helmet. The temptation to buy the cheapest helmet on the market can be great, but remember the old ad slogan, “If you’ve got a $10 head, wear a $10 helmet.”

Contact an Experienced Motorcycle Lawyer at Jones Law Group

Have you or a loved one been injured in a motorcycle accident? Contact an experienced St. Petersburg motorcycle accident attorney at Jones Law Group today. When you contact our office we will immediately set an appointment where you will meet your attorney and be provided with his/her personal contact information. If you do not have transportation or you cannot drive, your attorney will travel to meet you and discuss your case with you.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligence of another, you should immediately call an experienced personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg at Jones Law Group at (727) 571-1333 during regular business hours or (727) 753-8657 on weekends or after regular business hours. We will evaluate your case for free and you will never pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for your injuries.

Jones Law Group
5622 Central Avenue
St. Pete, FL 33707

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