Novice motorcycle fact sheets
FACETT6
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Riding gear
When riding a motorcycle, (even just down to the shops) always wear protective riding
gear and reduce the risk of suffering a severe injury. NRMA has a riding gear page at
http://www.mynrma.com.au/motoring/road-safety/riding-gear.htm
You are more exposed on a scooter or motorcycle than in
a car, so you should wear good protective gear. While a
complying helmet is legally required, you should make sure
the rest of you is protected as well. The minimum should be
jacket, pants, gloves and boots – basically no skin showing
(except maybe your neck!). If you want to be convinced
of the value of protection, rub your bare hands or knees
on the road surface and see what happens; then imagine
what will happen when travelling at speed. It is sometimes
inconvenient to wear protective gear if riding to the office,
but office clothing is not protective if you do fall off or are in a
collision. While there is currently no rating system for clothing
in Australia, some simple rules will help you choose safer
gear.
you find one that is snug without being overly tight, fasten
the chin strap to a comfortable tension then try and pull
the helmet off your head in several directions, particularly
forwards – you may need a friend or shop staff to help you.
Keep the helmet on for at least 5 minutes to get some idea
if it is going to be comfortable. Helmet linings can compress
with time so a little tight when new is better than a little
loose. If you wear glasses and/or sunglasses, put those
on while you do your checks, to make sure there are no
uncomfortable pressure points.
Helmets do require care to keep them in the best possible
condition. As a guide:
• When you put it on the ground, rest it on your gloves
• Don’t hang it on the mirror, as this may dent and damage
the interior helmet lining and it can fall off onto the hard
road surface
• Don’t rest it on the bike seat where it can roll off or get
blown off by wind or passing cars/trucks
• Use the helmet hooks under the seat. These are provided
on most bikes to secure the helmet from falling as well as
from theft
• Invest in a helmet bag made of protective material if you
don’t get one with the helmet.
Keeping your visor clean and scratch free is also essential.
Clean it with a damp cloth or spectacles cleaner, and a tissue
or soft cloth to dry. You can also use the windscreen cleaning
squeegees at servos if you’re desperate but beware if the
water is dirty, as it can have dirt particles in it which can
scratch the visor.
Textiles or traditional leather?
Most people would say leather, but both have their place. One
advantage of multi-layer textile is that many are waterproof,
so you get crash and rain protection in the same clothing.
Most leather suits are not waterproof.
Even gear made from the best, most expensive, material
is only as good as its construction. Seams and fastenings
shouldn’t burst open and impact protectors need to stay
in place. Double seams are usually the best as they resist
bursting when the worst happens. Fasteners must be secure
and located on the inside of wrists and ankles.
Helmets
Everyone has a different head shape, so it is recommended
you try on a range of different brands to see which one fits
your head best - consult the salesman if you’re unsure. When
Painting or adding decoration to your helmet is not
recommended. Some materials used in helmet shells can be
weakened by the solvents in paints and in some glues, such
as those used on stickers.
If your helmet sustains a serious impact it needs to be
replaced. Common sense tells you if you drop your helmet or
it falls off your stationary bike, then there’s little chance of
damaging the outer shell which protects against abrasion
and puncturing, or the inner shell which absorbs energy on
impact. However, if you drop a hammer or something else
heavy on it, you could damage the outer shell and affect the
helmet’s ability to protect you.
Helmets range in price from under $100 to well over $1000.
Generally the more expensive helmets are lighter, so they
are more comfortable to wear for long periods. Helmets
come in full face, open face or flip front, in plain colours,
designs and race replicas. All must comply with the Australian
Standard. Full face helmets provide chin protection which
is absent from open face helmets. Flip front helmets can be
easier to get on and off if wearing glasses but can be heavier.
Novice motorcycle fact sheets
FACETT6
SHE
Riding gear
Cooling is important in most parts of Australia and some
helmets have vents in the visor and helmet to provide extra
ventilation. These can cause more noise when open. Helmet
noise is affected by the model of bike you ride – if you find
noise levels are high, consider wearing ear-plugs, either the
universal foam type or custom made.
Jackets
The type of riding you do will influence your choice of jacket.
Many riders have a couple of jackets to suit most weather
conditions. Leather usually offers the best protection but may
not suit if riding in the rain. Protection such as inserts to the
shoulders, forearms and elbows are most common in all types
of jackets on the market. Back protectors offer protection to the
back and spine but are not standard in many jackets and are
sold as a separate item (see body armour). Any impact protectors
should have the CE mark or they may not provide adequate
protection. Foam inserts provide comfort but not impact
protection. Textile jackets with open weave and body armour
at critical points can help keep you cool in hot conditions. If you
intend to ride year round and long distances, allow some room
under leathers for warmer clothing. Most textile clothing and
some leathers have zip-out winter liners included.
areas and can be tightened once on – pull on boots are not
recommended. Any boots with laces should have the laces
covered to prevent the loops catching on controls (and
maybe preventing you putting your foot down when you
stop – very embarrassing!) or being worn away in a slide.
More expensive boots have better protection to reduce
the risk of twisting an ankle. There are also a number of
waterproof boots available. Joggers are not suitable as they
have no ankle or lower leg protection.
Body Armour
Body armour offers a higher level of safety by enhancing
other protective gear. Elbow, shoulder, hip and knee guards
provide added safety. A back protector spreads impact
loads and reduces the risk of penetrating injuries to the
back and spine in a fall. However, some spinal injuries are
due to twisting and bending and back protectors offer little
protection. Various brands and sizes are available, so try a
few to see what is comfortable. All inserts should have the CE
mark to show they provide a specific level of protection.
Wet/Cold Weather Gear
Choose from leather or textile pants, or denim jeans
containing Kevlar inserts. If you buy a leather jacket and
the same brand leather pants, they usually zip together
offering improved protection and warmth. Similar to jackets,
allow extra room if you are going to need warmer clothing
underneath. Kevlar lined jeans are suitable for road riding
but do not resist abrasion as well as leather and have no
impact resistance unless they also have CE marked inserts.
Unlined denim jeans have very low abrasion resistance and
no impact protection.
Riding in the rain can be fun if you are warm and dry. Wet
weather gear comes in similar configurations to other
motorcycle gear – separate jacket and pants or a one piece
suit. The more expensive gear breathes better – a budget one
piece plastic suit can result in you being wetter inside than
out from perspiration! However they are fine for short trips as
long as you have your protective gear underneath. Remember
to allow room underneath for your protective gear when you
choose wet weather gear but avoid getting something that is
too baggy, as it will flap around while you are riding, causing
annoyance and losing the warm air layer underneath. For cold
weather, thermal underwear is a good base then add warm
clothing from there.
Gloves
The following websites also have information on gear:
A large range of gloves are available, from plain leather
or textile gloves to full race gloves. Summer, winter,
intermediate and waterproof gloves are available. It is
recommended you have summer and winter gloves because if
your hands are insulated they are less likely to become numb
in cold weather and lose the feel of the controls. Make sure
they have a strap across the wrist to secure them, double
thickness material on the palms and impact protection over
at least the knuckles and wrist.
• http://www.mynrma.com.au/motoring/road-safety/
riding-gear.htm
Trousers
Boots
• http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/
publications/2009/good_gear_guide.aspx
• http://roadsafety.mccofnsw.org.au/a/75.html
• http://www.dft.gov.uk/think/focusareas/
motorcycling?whoareyou_id=&page=Overview
• http://www.spokes.com.au/#/home
The most important factor when purchasing a pair of boots
for motorcycling is that they cover the lower shin and ankle
The assistance of the Motorcycle Council of NSW, the Motor Accidents Authority of NSW and Girls Ride Out is gratefully acknowledged