Motorcycle Gear & Information

A dry motorcyclist is more likely to be alert than a motorcyclist whose focus is on being wet and miserable. An avid rider should invest in a rain suit or a waterproof riding suit. Rain suits come in one or two piece and in a variety of colors and materials. The most popular materials are PVC and nylon. Bright colors, like orange and yellow, are advisable to wear in heavy rains because they’re easy to spot even with limited visibility.

When purchasing a rain suit as part of your motorcycle protective riding gear, look for pants that have elastic waists and stirrups on the legs to wrap around your boots. The wrists should also have elastic and the jacket should have a high collar to keep rain out. Also consider purchasing glove and boot covers. These covers slide over your usual riding gloves and boots without limiting flexibility.

Jack Snelling, the Minister for Road Safety, is launching another campaign for motorcycle safety, and this new campaign focuses on the risks associated with riding without the proper motorcycle protective riding gear.  Mr. Snelling wants to bring to light the fact that motorcyclists are 30 times more likely to be killed on the road than are motorists.  And the reason is simple – motorcyclists are fully exposed and especially vulnerable in a crash.

Motorists do need to watch out for bikes, drivers need to be alert to who is nearby on the road,  but motorcyclists must take preventive measures to help protect themselves.  And safety begins with the proper safety gear.  These pictured here are only the beginning, basic investment every rider should make.  If you are racing Motocross or an ATV, look into the possibility of acquiring some body armor in addition to the proper racing pants, gloves and jersey.  Mr. Snelling knows the proper safety gear could make the difference in the injuries sustained in a crash.

Bikers everywhere are strengthening their defensive driving skills, and all you need to do is Google “motorcycle accident” to see why.  (Warning:  The pictures are gruesome, not suitable for young viewers.)  There is plenty of evidence posted online showing the results of car-motorcycle crashes.  And it’s never good for the biker, but those who don protective riding gear fare much better than those who ride in jeans and tennis shoes or without a helmet.  Protective Riding Gear is made of leather or Kevlar, both of which withstand contact with the road better than skin or denim do.  DOT-approved helmets have a polycarbonate shell that is made to protect the human skull.  Gloves, chaps, leather pants, leather jackets – they each do their part.

And this protective gear will shield your legs from debris that might be kicked up from the road, too – their benefits are not limited to a crash situation.  The best rider cannot count on automobile drivers seeing the bike.  Good loud pipes help drivers to hear you, but so many have their radios too loud, are driving distracted, talking on their cell phones, texting or eating, and to protect yourself, you need to wear the best protection money can buy.  Bikers are at risk when on the road, and you cannot count on your defensive driving skills being enough to keep you safe.

It’s a question as old as the sport itself – how young is too young?  But unfortunately, it’s at the forefront of the debate again now due to 13-year-old Peter Lenz’ unfortunate and untimely death.  It always strikes a chord in the hearts and minds of people when someone so young dies while competing, and people are quick to play the blame game.  Some will blame his parents, coaches and sponsors for “pushing” him to race.  Others will blame the motorcycle industry or the USGPRU, who sanctioned the race.  Still others will blame the weather, the track, the other racers, and the list goes on.

Peter’s death is a tragedy – not for motorcycle racing, but for his family and friends.  He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.  And Peter’s death is a tragedy for the sport as well because it brings out those who want to blame someone else.  Motorcycle racing is an extreme sport, and it has consequences in case of an accident, but fatalities are rare in this sport.  The kids wear the motorcycle protective riding gear – the parents invest in protective riding gear.  And when accidents happen, we should simply recognize that – that accidents happen.

Whether a boy plays football, baseball or races motorcycles, they put their health, and their lives, at risk.  Fatal accidents are rare in all three events, but they do happen from time to time.  Is that a reason to tell other kids that it’s not okay for them to participate?  I suggest that it is NOT a reason to limit other kids.  Kids, especially boys, cannot grow up in a bubble in which they will come into contact with nothing dangerous.  In Peter Lenz’ memory, let the kids ride and race.  Do everything you can to protect them, and in the end, if something goes wrong, be willing to call it an accident if that’s, indeed, what it is.  The age of a racer should be only one factor in considering “How young is too young to race.”  Skill level, practice, protective riding gear, coaching and other issues need to be considered as well.  Peter, you will be missed ….  may you rest in peace.