How to choose motorcycle equipment for a beginner: recommendations for choosing protection

Motorcycle equipment is designed to protect the motorcycle driver. The turtle supports the back, knee and elbow pads reduce injuries when falling, and the helmet protects the head from impacts. But it is important not only to protect the rider. Modern equipment is also stylish clothing. It is being developed for professional athletes and ordinary two-wheeled enthusiasts.

There are many brands that produce such clothing, and in most cases these are Italian companies, which is easily explained by the fact that this country has the highest interest in motorsports. The Americans are in second place. There are also Russian companies that compete quite successfully with famous brands. They were also included in our rating, where we selected manufacturers who met the following requirements:

• reliability of the equipment both in terms of protection and duration of wear;
• brand assortment;
• external attractiveness;
• focus not only on sports, but also on everyday wear;
• positive reviews from real users.

Pricing policy was not a criterion for selecting companies, since in this case the lion's share of the price tag has to be paid for the logo. Especially if the manufacturer is the official supplier of an athlete or an entire team.

Trousers

The best materials for making pants are leather and cordura. These pants are usually reinforced with linings. Leather pants are often attached to a jacket and boots for added protection and comfort.

There are also jeans for motorcyclists - they are thicker than usual, they have a driver protection system, and various inserts in weak spots.

When choosing your first pants, you need to pay attention to the belt; it should be in the form of a drawstring, not an elastic band.

Elbow and knee pads

People who understand how to choose motorcycle equipment are quite skeptical about the need to use protection in the form of knee pads and elbow pads. Typically, this element of motorcycle equipment is purchased only by fans of extreme riding at impressive speeds.

Beginners who do not know how to choose motorcycle equipment should pay attention to knee pads and elbow pads from reputable brands with the maximum level of reliability and the presence of moving elements that will not only protect against serious bruises of the limbs, but will also be the most convenient for everyday use.

Important points when choosing motorcycle equipment

There are several general rules that will help you understand how to choose motorcycle equipment. When choosing motorcycle protection, you need to pay attention to the following:

• Leather motorcycle equipment is always better than products made from textiles, as it has increased abrasion resistance, both in contact with the motorcycle while riding and in falls;
• the main elements of protective equipment should fit the body as tightly as possible, but not put pressure, causing discomfort;
• the more truly necessary elements of protective equipment a motorcyclist uses, the better for him in terms of insurance against possible damage;
• the design of the equipment depends on the personal preferences of each motorcycle enthusiast, but you should not sacrifice the practicality of the purchased products in favor of an attractive appearance.

Gloves

The torn skin on your hands will take a long and painful time to heal if you do not wear gloves. For better protection, you need to select them correctly for each occasion.

• City gloves are quite light and offer little protection. Most often made from leather or textiles. Suitable for normal driving.
• Cross gloves have good ventilation, and a special coating will prevent your hands from slipping off the steering wheel.
• Off-road gloves will protect you from dirt and moisture on long journeys, but are completely useless if you fall.
• Sports. They have better protection; inserts are made of carbon or titanium. There are models without fingers.

Note! Leather gloves tend to wear out. They should fit tightly on your hand, not squeeze or dangle.

Helmet

The first thing you can’t do without is a motorcycle helmet. It must be worn not only according to the rules, but also so that the head is intact. There are several types of helmets with varying degrees of protection:

• Open. Protects the head, but the chin is exposed. When falling, in 70% of cases the jaw is affected. The only advantage is ventilation.
• Integral. The best protection among other types of helmet. The only negative is the narrow viewing angle.
• Modular. This is a combination of an open helmet and an integral. Due to the folding “face” the protection is lower than that of the integral.
• Cross. One-piece helmet with a visor and without a visor (there are models with a visor). You can't ride with something like that in the city. Can be found on stunt motorcyclists or at competitions.
• Helmet. A helmet for show so you don't get fined. And if you fall, it will not help you.

Important! The helmet must fit tightly to the head; loose sensations are unacceptable. It may press a little on the cheeks and forehead - this is natural.

Boots

Motorcycle boots, like helmets, have many types of models, and they depend on the area of ​​their application.

• Cross. They protect well from impacts, and due to the tightening, they fit perfectly to the foot and do not allow moisture to get inside.
• Tourist. You can not only race in them, but also just walk. What distinguishes them from regular boots is the presence of reinforced inserts on the toe and heel.
• Household. Essentially, ordinary sneakers, comfortable, but not at all protective against impacts when falling.
• Sports. Special shoes for motorcycle racers. They protect against slipping, friction and shock, but walking in them is quite difficult.

Protection

The so-called motor turtle is a frame protection of the upper body, which can be continuous or separate. A good motor turtle will help reduce the level of damage to a minimum or get rid of it altogether. When choosing, you should pay attention to protection in the chest area. There are two types:

• Cross motorcycle turtles are designed to protect against slipping. There are models of full protection or lightweight.
• Road motorized turtles, with the help of foam inserts (in expensive models, honeycombs made of aluminum or titanium are installed) well absorb the force of impact in an accident.

How to choose the right element of motorcycle equipment

Motorcycle helmet - how to choose

The helmet should fit tightly on the head and not allow free movement. The cheeks are slightly pursed, and fingers should not fit into the forehead. If two sizes fit you, take the smaller one! When purchasing from an online store, use a soft tape measure to measure the circumference of your head at the widest part and check the manufacturers’ tables. There you will find the size that will most likely suit you.

Motorcycle jacket - how to choose

When putting on a jacket, the protective shields should fit snugly on the shoulders and elbows and not rotate. Choose a jacket that you can wear back protection under. Your arms should stretch forward freely. For summer riding, it is best to choose a lightweight jacket with perforations. For colder seasons, it is preferable to take insulated textile jackets with lining or leather ones.

Motorcycle pants - how to choose

Knee protection must fit under the pants (if the pants do not have built-in knee pads). Choose pants with elastic panels that allow you to move freely. The length of the motorcycle jeans should be such that when you sit on the motorcycle, your ankles are covered, and the cross pants should be tucked into the motorcycle boots without any problems.

Motorcycle boots - how to choose motorcycle shoes

Motorcycle boots should not put pressure on your leg! Try bending it a little. If the bots are tight, take a larger size. The foot is not compressed and the toes are not pushed forward. Try walking around in them for a while. Keep in mind that you will have to get off the motorcycle and travel on foot. Take comfortable shoes for the city and tough ones for motocross.

Gloves - how to choose

Choose lighter, perforated gloves for summer and warmer ones for spring and fall. Hands freeze very quickly in cold weather! Gloves should fit tightly to your hand. There should be an abrasion-resistant layer on the inside. Clench your hand into a fist, but the knuckle guard should not put pressure on you.

Back protection - how to choose

You need to choose protection that will fit snugly to your back and cover your shoulder blades and tailbone. The protection should fit well at the waist and not slip when moving.

Motorcycle boots

When trying to understand how to choose the right motorcycle equipment, you should think about the need to purchase special motorcycle boots. When it comes to riding a regular classic motorcycle model, it is absolutely not recommended to spend money on buying racing motorcycle boots. Naturally, this option can provide maximum protection in case of falls, but walking in racing models is extremely uncomfortable.

Motorcycle boots should fit snugly around the shin and even tuck the leg in slightly when walking. It is better to choose models with comfortable fasteners, reliable ankle support and durable, non-slip soles. Before purchasing a motorcycle boot, it is recommended to click through the gears for a few minutes while sitting on the motorcycle, which will allow you to evaluate the overall comfort of the product.