Motorcycle Safety Gear You Should Own Before Getting on a Bike

What’s better than two wheels and the open road? Not much, and it takes just one ride to convince you.

With great freedom comes great responsibility, and you can’t avoid every obstacle and accident. High-quality motorcycle safety gear can literally save your skin, so don’t hop on your bike without it.

Motorcycle Safety Gear Every Rider Should Own

Helmet

Some states have laws requiring the use of a helmet. Some states don’t. Smart riders wear helmets either way.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, almost 5,000 motorcyclists die in crashes every year. Helmets can prevent nearly 40% of those fatalities and prevent an estimated 67% of brain injuries. 

A full-face helmet keeps you safe and clean. It deflects dust, pebbles, bugs, and other debris.

Gloves

Even in warm temperatures, your hands can get cold from exposure to high winds. Gloves keep your hands warm and dry if you come across an unexpected thunderstorm, and they give you more control over your bike.

Think about the last time you tripped on a step. You probably extended your hands to catch yourself. The same thing could happen in a motorcycle crash.

Look for riding gloves that fully cover your knuckles and palms. Proper gloves can decrease the force of impact and reduce the severity of scrapes.

Jacket

Modern technology gives you lightweight, comfortable, and protective riding jacket options. This comes in handy when temperatures reach triple digits.

You could choose to wear a classic leather jacket. However, newer jackets include armor plates in high-impact areas like your elbows, shoulders, and back. Some higher-end jackets include impact dispersion technology for added protection in a crash.

Pants

Can we just say no to shorts? You don’t want your uncovered leg caught between the asphalt and your bike.

Believe it or not, normal jeans don’t give you much more protection than shorts. Like riding jackets, rider-specific pants give you more abrasion resistance, padding, and ventilation.

Kevlar-reinforced denim looks and feels like a pair of regular jeans and usually offers abrasion resistance in the seat and knees. As you move along the spectrum of options, pants include everything from extra padding to armor. 

Boots

Your boots take a lot of abuse when you ride. Invest in a solid pair of work boots to deal with the hot pavement and road debris. You won’t necessarily need specialized motorcycle boots for good protection.

Proper Gear Is Worth the Investment

All this gear might seem like a big investment. After all, you probably didn’t buy a bike thinking you would need a new wardrobe. Just remember, this motorcycle safety gear helps you stay safe, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Check out the following blog posts for more motorcycle resources:

After you have all the right motorcycle safety gear, ride on down to your nearest Pekin Insurance agency.

Your local, licensed Pekin Insurance agent will offer you in-depth, budget-friendly motorcycle coverage to protect your bike.