Motorcycle Gear & Information

One of the reasons I’ve consistently used Shark helmets is their utilization of Formula One technology. For instance, Shark helmets have incredibly thick visors. The RSX and RSR2 models reportedly measure 3 mm thick, by far the thickest in the industry.

Another unique characteristic of Shark helmets is the crumple zone. Essentially, the makers of Shark designed the helmets so the impact force of an accident would be dispersed away from the wearer’s head. The crumple zone absorbs a lot of the force. For this reason a Shark helmet will appear much more damaged than other brands after an accident. In reality, the more beat up the helmet appears, the better protected the rider was upon impact.

Spring has sprung in much of the country, but brisk evenings, cool days and springtime weather still require motorcycle gloves to keep your hands and forearms warm and dry.  Even a relatively warm day will feel cooler at 50 MPH and leave your hands vulnerable to chill.  Summer is on the way, but until the daytime temp reaches 75 or higher, the gloves will feel good.

And when summer comes, invest in a pair of lighter-weight gloves or maybe half-finger gloves.  They provide protection while helping to keep your hands cooler.

Proper scooter maintenance will keep your vehicle humming along for years. One of the most crucial parts to check on is the scooter tires. Before you go out on your next ride, check the quality of the tires. Are there any tears or holes? Are the tires balding?

If your scooter tires pass those two criteria, you’ll want to move on to tire pressure. Tires lose air, particularly during the winter months, and low air will negatively affect your maneuverability. Since you’re already inspecting your scooter, make sure the seat lock screws are tight. Remember that tires do wear out, no matter how well you maintain them, so make sure you replace your scooter tires every so often.

I live off campus and use my scooter to get to and from my college classes. For a student like me who is paying their own way through school, a scooter was a far more affordable option than a car. Unfortunately, criminals also like scooters.

One of my roommates had her brand new scooter stolen just weeks after she bought it. Not wanting to suffer the same fate, I bough several scooter accessories to keep my scooter safe. First, I bought scooter locks and alarms to make it harder for a crook to drive off with my vehicle. I also purchased a scooter cover to make the scooter less visible at night; though, it has the added bonus of keeping my scooter protected from the elements.

In memory of their son Wyatt, John Barto and family are raising money to equip every Motocross racer with a custom-fit Arai helmet, the best money can buy.  They believe that if Wyatt had been wearing such a helmet two years ago, he would’ve survived the accident that took his life.  The Bartos have started the “Foundation 529″ charity, which has to date given away over 40 helmets and 10 neck braces.  And this charity targets young kids who don’t have the means to purchase appropriate riding gear.

The Bartos know the value of a good helmet.  Please don’t let your kids ride in a hand-me-down helmet or the cheapest one you can buy.  Start them off, day one, with a helmet that will protect their head in case of a crash.  The reality of Motocross is that crashes do happen, accidents do occur.  Even if you don’t obtain a free one from Foundation 529, invest in a helmet that will leave you with no regrets.