Tips On Motorcycle Apparel

By: Greg Hudson

Hot, cold and windy or mildly chilled, windless and dry and sometimes rainy, thats Cape Town weather for you! Now, your bikes a reliable steed thatll take you through thick and thin, but what about your safety gear?

Here are a few tips on motorcycle clothing

When travelling over long distances you need protection from the elements. If your machine is naked (no Fairing) youll want a good windbreaker or jacket.

Tips:

Motorcycle apparel with flaps and loose bits will slap you in the wind
Buttoned clothing allows a lot of wind and water through
If you come off, make sure you bought tight fitting safety gear
Zips can let in water.

Motorcycle Gloves

Not thin pieces of chamois leather, but real thick gloves! If you want to brush your teeth in the morning, and do everything else, wear gloves.

Protect the other end of your body with boots. You crash, you flip and just like a ruler slapping on a desk your limbs hit the tar hard!

Tip:

Make sure the boot tightly-fits your ankles, loose boots slip off.

New leather is a bit tough and takes time to wear in, youll look fresh and new in the beginning but thatll change.

The Hot, the Cold and the Wind

Weather is magnified for the biker, not the best thing when it comes to riding a motorcycle. Apparel for Cape Town weather varies. One minute its this then its that.

Tips:

If youre absolutely freezing cold, pull over and push the bike a few meters
Wind dries the hell out of your lips, the skin on your face and your nasal cavity, use lip ice and sunblock on long journeys.
Take in lots of fluids, not beer, it dries you out.

Last But Not Least, Helmets

Considered essential safety gear, a helmet is a mandatory in South Africa.

Tips:

A helmet thats been dropped hard or slightly damaged is worthless, ge ta new one.
Buy a polycarbonate helmet, its lighter, stronger and cooler.
Get one with lots of bright colours on it for visibility.

Conclusion

Safety gear is around for a reason! You may think going down to the shops for a pack of smokes bears no risk but, bear in mind that insurance for a bike is three times that of a car. Choose your motorcycle apparel wisely!

About the Author



http//www.bikefinder.co.za aids those looking for motorcycles in Cape Town. Whether to attend bike rallies in Cape Town or to organise a vehicle for an overland safari, you'll find one at BikeFinder.