If you consider yourself either a casual or a serious biker, you know very well that anything can happen on the road.
One thing’s for sure, road accidents can happen at any given moment. Rain or shine, there’s no stopping a wheel from popping or a chain from snapping, so it’s best to prepare for anything as you cruise down the road.
Essential Safety Gear for Bikers
When it comes to safety, you should be covered by insurance to get your claim for losses. However, insurance isn’t always enough to protect you from incurring serious medical bills on top of damages to your bike.
Aside from getting insurance and a car accident lawyer on call, having the right protective gear should also be your main priority. It’s only a matter of choosing the right equipment. The people who do the best on the road are those who choose high-performing, closely-fitting and tested gear. Do yourself a favor, and never go cheap with these four essentials…
Helmet
Of course, you can’t go anywhere without wearing a helmet. For one, it’s likely the law where you live. It’s against most state ordinances to be driving a motorcycle without protective headgear. Secondly, your helmet provides your strongest barrier between life and death.
When shopping around for a motorcycle helmet, focus more on the material. You should always place functionality, durability, and protection above style. So, opt for a helmet that’s made from reinforced polycarbonate for added protection. A fiberglass helmet is an option, but while it’s cheaper, it won’t offer high-impact protection.
Visors
Glare and moisture can hamper your view of the road. Other than a helmet to protect you from severe head trauma, you will also need high-quality visors that protect your eyesight as well as improve your safety.
Visors are usually built into helmets in the form of helmet shields. You can customize the material if you want to add extra glare resistance or improve fog visibility. If you already have a helmet, you may want to replace the visor with a scratch-resistant brand. This will ensure greater visibility and reduce fogging.
Motorcycle gloves
If you’re planning on going on a long ride across the country, you may want to consider all the work that’s done by your wrists. That being said, opt for motorcycle gloves that allow for a better grip of the throttle and, at the same time, provide less tension on your wrists.
Choosing motorcycle gloves doesn’t have to be difficult if you already know what kind you are looking for. Otherwise, you may as well get off-road gloves that can protect your hands from moisture, dirt, and other impediments. You may also need to consider the weather and season when choosing the perfect pair. During the winter season, for instance, you may as well buy heated gloves for extra warmth and control during sub-zero temperatures.
Other motorbike accessories
While accessories won’t directly affect your survivability on the road, they can at least help out in certain situations. A scarf, for instance, may serve the purpose of making you look “cool” on the Interstate, but it also comes in handy for when you’re traversing dirt covered roads and you need to cover for your nose and mouth.