Protective gear

Why should you wear a full-face helmet?

 

 

 

What would have happened had he been wearing a three-quarter helmet or, worse yet, a “shorty?”

The diagrams above show the impact areas on crash-involved motorcycle helmets. (Source: Dietmar Otte, Hannover Medical University, Dept. of Traffic Accident Research, Germany.) Note that 35% of all crashes showed major impact on the chin-bar area. This means that if you ride with an open-face helmet, you are accepting only 65% of the protection that could be available to your head.

If you ride with a shorty or half helmet, you are accepting only 39% of the protection you could obtain. You are literally throwing away 61% of the protection you would have had had you chosen a full-face helmet.

And, of course, if you ride wearing a “novelty” helmet or no helmet at all then you have none of the protection you could have chosen.

Have you ever wondered what happened to Bell motorcycle helmets?  Bell owned the market seemingly forever, and the distinctive Bell logo was everywhere. 

Bell was the Arai, Shoei and Suomy of its time, and their helmets adorned just about every motorcycle rider and racer in the U.S.A.  If you were serious about motorcycle riding, you owned a Bell helmet. 

Well, it's a long story, but Bell was purchased by Bieffe, the Italian helmet manufacturer, one thing led to another, and the Bell name all but disappeared from the street motorcycle scene, but it developed a strong reputation in bicycle helmets and off-road motorcycle helmet markets throughout the world.

But guess what?  The Bell name was recently reacquired from Bieffe, and Bell helmets are now available again in the U.S.A.  As a measure of their commitment, Bell also opened a motorcycle helmet design and testing facility in Santa Cruz, California to develop, prototyped and create the tooling necessary to manufacture the new designs. 

Bell has an extensive selection of Snell M2000 and DOT approved motocross and off-road helmets, and they've recently developed a line of open-face motorcycle street helmets that offer some unique features for that market.

The Mag-8 shown here has a European style and flair that definitely makes it stand out from the crowd.  We're guessing that the Mag-8's styling might fall into the "love it or hate it" category, but we really liked it right out of the box, and one thing's for sure -- it turns a lot of heads going down the street.  We think it's one of the coolest open-face designs around, and the bonus is that it also offers more comfort than any other open-face helmet we've tried.

You've probably noticed that we have so far only reviewed full-face and flip-up helmets on  Bike World, so this is a first.  We're big proponents of motorcycle safety, and full-face helmets are part of a safety strategy that works.  In fact, none of us could remember the last time we wore anything but a full-face helmet. 

So the Mag-8 is a revelation, and has definitely got us thinking.  Its stylish good looks and very comfortable liner really add to the enjoyment of motorcycle riding -- it's wonderful to feel unencumbered by a full-face lid, especially in the hot and sticky summer months.  If you're a long-distance rider, the Mag-8 would make a great touring helmet and it would also look perfect on a scooter.

The size large fit my round shaped head perfectly, but Bell also sent along a size XL liner just in case.  That's right -- the Mag-8 has a removable liner!  This is either a first for open-face helmets, or we've been away from that market for so long that we're clueless. 

 All of us here at  Bike World wear "skullcap" helmet liners whenever we ride anyway, which help keep our helmets "springtime fresh", and mitigates the need for a removable liner, but this is a nice feature all the same. 

The Mag-8's liner is surprisingly thin, but it seems to do its job very well, with no pressure points or hard spots to be found.  Bell designed the Mag-8 to have huge ear pockets; they're about 75mm (3", all inch measurements approximate) across and 40mm (1-1/2") deep.  The pockets extend out to a thin plastic liner just on the inside of the helmet shell, allowing the potential fitment of all sorts of motorcycle helmet speakers favored by touring riders.   

Even with the thin padding and absence of foam in the ear pockets, we found the Mag-8 to be surprisingly quiet; quieter even than many full-face helmets.  This could be due to the lack of any turbulence that is sometimes caused by air coming up under the chin bar on full-face helmets. 

We always wear earplugs when riding, so your experience may be different, but the Mag-8 seemed relatively quiet both behind a fairing and on a "naked" bike (Editor's Note: See the   Earplug and Hearing Protection page for more information on choosing and fitting earplugs).

We were concerned that the fixed painted visor would create too much lift or buffeting at speed.  But it's virtually unnoticeable, with maybe a very slight sensation of helmet lift at speeds of 60mph or more.   A couple of riders didn't notice it at all, and one or two mentioned that it was only very slightly noticeable, so our opinion is that it's not a problem. 

The overhanging visor does serve to keep some sun out of the rider's eyes, and the air slips right through it.  Unfortunately, the underside of the fixed visor isn't painted, which gives it a bit of a cheap look, but it really isn't noticeable unless the helmet is flipped over. 

The rest of the paint on the Mag-8 is acceptable, it has a nice shine and the blue metal flake color is vibrant, but there are a few spots where the paint seems a bit thin and a couple of the edges have a barely noticeable paint drip or two.

The Mag-8's clear visor raises and lowers without the use of detents, so there are just about an infinite number of positioning choices.  The friction mechanism that holds the visor seems to be powerful enough to resist air pressure, at least at any of the speeds we've tried. 

It would be nice if the visor could be raised about another 15mm or so, because at its topmost setting it remains slightly in the rider's upper peripheral vision, but this isn't really a problem.  The visor could probably also be removed completely if desired.

The visor is absolutely crystal clear, and offers a big, wide view of the road.  It's kind of fun, because it's one of those rare helmets where almost 100% of the solid portion of the helmet is out of sight, and it gives a nice feeling of riding down the road without any wind blast but with full protection.  The visor is very tall at 162mm (6-3/8"), so it covers the face to almost down below the chin.  Depending upon the size of the rider's nose, the visor can fog up slightly, but a quick touch of FogTech or Cat Crap anti-fog coating cures this problem in a jiffy.

The Mag-8 has a wide, black bumper that covers the entire bottom of the helmet, offering decent protection when the helmet is placed on a table or the ground.  The helmet is attached using the tried-and-true "D-ring" system, and Bell provides a small elastic band for tucking up the extra piece of strap.  There are a couple of padded sections of material that protect the rider's chin from chafing.  And finally, there are four narrow air vents at the top of the visor opening in the helmet shell that direct some air on top of the rider's head.  The Mag-8 weighs 1454 grams, and it's DOT approved.  See the  Motorcycle Helmet Weights page for a comparison of all of the helmets we've reviewed.

Conclusion
We don't often use open-face helmets, but the Mag-8 has us thinking.  It's comfortable; it's cool in hot weather; we think the styling is much nicer than other types of open-face helmets and it's attractively different.  This would make a great helmet for a touring bike, a scooter rider or those who feel claustrophobic when wearing a full-face helmet. 

"Scanning through your pages, I decided to look again at the Bell Helmet comments. When I first bought my Mag-8, I wrote to you about the vibration noise at high speeds of the visor against the helmet. Like D.A., who had a problem with the visor, after my two messages with you I sent an email to the Bell people in Illinois. After some exchanges in information, I sent them my helmet at their cost and they sent back a new one as a warranty. Getting the new helmet, I found some information and other items that were missing from my earlier purchase from the Helmet Shop. In use, I find that after I lower the visor, if give a gentle push upward on the visor I hear a "click" sound, and then nothing rattles during the ride. I still find it to be the greatest helmet I have ever owned. I just regret that Winter riding last January made me use a full face for warmth."

From "D.A.": "I bought two Mag-8 helmets (one for myself, another for my wife) directly from bell.com the day before I got my new bike. We chose the Mag-8 partly for the European styling but mostly for what was described as the ratcheting visor. It seemed it would tuck out of the way nicely for low-speed cruising and had deep ear wells for communications.

When we got the helmets mine had a problem right away. With the visor stowed all the way up it had a tendency to drop about 1/2" on it's own; it wouldn't stay all the way up. My wife's helmet worked like a champ, however, and she was tickled pink. I set to finding the problem, and the first thing I did was try to tighten the side screws but this had no real effect. I took both visor assemblies apart and discovered that her helmet had a "moat" (for lack of a better term) around the little raised island where everything fits together on both sides, and that her visor had a little pawl that engaged the bumps inside the moat - this is the "ratchet" system. My helmet had no such thing; the helmet shell was smooth and there was no pawl on the visor.

I thought this was interesting, and called the service center via the 800 number on the website. In short order I was connected to an extremely helpful if somewhat befuddled lady by the name of Jan who found it odd that the helmets were different. She had one available and it was like my wife's helmet. She said she'd draw another from stock and get back with me ASAP.

The next day she called sounding very confused - the one she drew from stock was like mine - no ratchet system, and it worked fine (it was rather funny hearing her talk as she jiggled the helmet all over the place trying to make the visor drop). Between the two of us we surmised that the clear tacky stuff between the visor and the shell was apparently there to induce enough resistance to movement so that while you could raise and lower the visor it should stay in place wherever you left it. She did some more research and we discovered the "problem".

My wife's helmet was made in 2004, mine was made in 2005 and they were made in different Asian countries. At some point during this period the design of the visor retention was changed from "ratchet" to something they call "press fit" which negates the moat and visor tooth. She admitted that their website had not been changed to reflect this, nor had their documentation. Also, the visors they advertise on their site (the smoked ones) are designed for the "old" helmets and will not work on the "new" ones.

I had fabricated a work-around in the mean time by making O-rings from some suction cups I had laying around - the clear kind you use to hang stained glass things on your windows. The circumference was big enough so that the outer edge was larger than the outer edge of the little island everything bolts to, so I merely cut the inside out of the cups, put them around the island where the groove is on my wife's helmet and it worked like a champ. I did not wish to exchange my helmet, although Jan offered to do just that. "A bird in hand..." as they say. She thought it unsatisfactory that an end-user should have to modify their product and while I agreed with that I liked my helmet too much to be without it so to ease the situation she offered to send me a nice smoked visor for my helmet (the "new" kind, which are not advertised). I accepted, and left the experience completely satisfied with Bell's commitment to customer satisfaction.

As with other users I have experienced little to no lift on the helmet at speeds up to 75mph, even with the visor up. The peripheral view is excellent, although I did experience buffeting with the ear pads removed. I ride a 2006 Yamaha Road Star Silverado - the buffeting might be worse if I had no windscreen but I don't think I'll remove it to test that. I was initially worried that I wouldn't hear as well with the ear pads in, but after riding a few hundred miles without them I put them in and will probably leave them in due to the increased snugness of fit and quieter experience. The addition of the ear pads greatly reduced the buffeting and since we plan on wiring the helmets for communications, they'll more than likely stay in.

I would certainly recommend this helmet, and would chalk my experience up to a fluke."

From "D.": "I read the Bell Mag-8 review and due to the review decided to buy one assuming it fits me well. I researched them further and I think I found the reason some people have problems with them. The older models are different. Different ear pieces and non-removable liner. I assume other changes were made too, and these things are probably all responsible for the vast differences in people's experience with them... (a webpage) that shows the old model at the top in silver and the rest of them are 05's. Read the silver one's descriptions compared to the rest and also note the silver one says "last year's model". They apparently listened and fixed the problems some were moaning about. Thanks for the review by the way...this helmet seems like just what I want, though of course that remains to be seen when I check them out this weekend, but it's sure looking good in all the respects of importance to me."

From "H.R.": "After reading your review on the Bell Mag-8, I tried contacting every shop within 100 miles, but no one carried it. So I finally bought it by phone from the Helmet Shop in Daytona. It is the perfect helmet -- a good sun block from painted fixed sun visor, no drag at high speeds, and comfortable with visor shield up or down. It is also the most quiet helmet I have ever used, except for one niggling distraction. At high speeds (over 50 mph), with the face shield down, the fixed painted visor vibrates against the top of the helmet, with an annoying & distracting sound. I guess if my bike was a loud engine, or helmet was not so quiet, I wouldn't notice it, but it is distracting. I tried tightening the screws, but if they get too tight, then face shield won't go up and down easily. Any ideas on how this might be fixed?"

I wrote back, asking H.R. if the motorcycle had a fairing, which could be causing some buffeting which affects the helmet. I also suggested he might try some rubber O-rings or rubber insert under the visor. He responded:

"I've been reading your reviews and think they are a great service. This is not the first time I sought out a product based on your evaluation. I do have a Plexifairing 3. The bike is a Honda Nighthawk 750, and without the fairing I am in a chest-battering wind-rocket. The top visor has some "give" in the position, moving a bit as the shield is raised or lowered, and that is the obvious cause of the vibration -- I've played with the screws on the side, but you tighten it too much and you can't move the shield easily. The rubber insert is an idea, if I can think of how to position it.

Still, even with the vibration, it is the coolest helmet I've ever had, in both looks and comfort. The lack of wind noise is an added plus at a level that no other helmet -- open face, full face or flip-up -- has ever given me. With the ear plugs in, I could be sitting in my wife's Camry. The vibration is a minor annoyance at worst, and it will still be my number 1 helmet."

From "R.G.": "I love full-face helmets, but I had a minor accident recently because they limit my peripheral vision. I knew a visored open-face helmet would be the best answer to my problem. I just bought a Bell Mag-8 after reading your review and am VERY pleased with my new helmet. The fit and finish is EXTREMELY good with absolutely flawless paint (black) and soft, removable liner. You were right when you said it fits rounder heads better. The visor is another delight because it gives the impression of wearing a skid lid with the safety of a DOT helmet. From the view I get, I hardly realize I'm wearing a helmet at all. Thanks and no worries."

From "J.S.": "Thanks for the review on the Bell Mag-8 helmet. I purchased one based on the information you provided and am very pleased. It is easily the most comfortable helmet I have ever worn. Now, if I can just find a use for the seven other helmets hanging in the garage..."

From "T.L.": "Based upon your review, I purchased two new Bell Mag 8 helmets. I don't know what they sent you, but they are not what I got !! The ear pockets do not exist, and my ears are being CRUSHED. There is no provision or space to install radio headsets. The lining is NOT removable, it is glued in. There is absolutely no ventilation, I live in Florida, and my head is melting."

Thanks for visiting Bike World and for your email, T.L. Sorry to hear about your helmet problems! I'm not sure why there are differences in your Mag 8. We report it as we see it in our reviews. We have no connection with Bell Power sports, financial or otherwise.

Our Bell Mag 8 has a removable liner - the spare liner is sitting right next to me here on the desk, and the liner in our Mag 8 snaps in and out. Check along the back of the helmet to see if there are snaps? Unless they've changed the design since we reviewed it, which is possible. Also, there's a ton of room in the ear area on the helmet we have, no lining at all. We never said that there was a provision for speakers, only that the potential exists. I have revised the wording of this sentence in the review to avoid any confusion.

There's no ventilation in the Mag 8, but the helmet is so small compared to a full-face helmet I wouldn't think that any ventilation is needed, or that any type of air vents would even work, because the air comes right over the rider's face and into the helmet. The only helmets that might allow more air through might be a half-helmet, but they offer almost no protection in a crash.

If you haven't already, I suggest you contact them to see if they can help. - wow Editor.

From "S.F.": "Bought my wife a Bell Mag-8 helmet based on the wow review. She had tried 4 other helmets but none was comfortable. The Bell Mag-8 was the charm - comfortable and quiet, just as in the review. She likes hers so much, I'm going to buy one for myself."

One of the things that makes motorcycling enjoyable is the freedom
of riding in the open air. Unlike car drivers surrounded by a steel compartment,
motorcycle riders feel as if they are a part of everything
around them. Of course, sometimes being out there can have its
drawbacks, such as when you are riding in extremely hot or cold
weather, when it's raining, when insects are pelting you, or when
debris flies up at you. It's for these types of situations, and possible
encounters between you and the asphalt, that protective gear was
developed.
Protective gear has two basic purposes: comfort and protection.
Uncomfortable gear can distract you from riding. Properly fitting protective
gear will help you stay comfortable when encountering various
riding conditions. In the event of a crash, protective gear will help
prevent or reduce injuries. Here is a summary of some of the important
gear needed for comfort and protection.
Helmets
The most important piece of protective gear you can wear is a helmet
manufactured to meet DOT standards (FMVSS 218). This was emphasized
in the University of Southern California (USC) researcher Harry
Hurt's federally funded study, "Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and
Identification of Countermeasures," also called simply "The Hurt
Report". Essentially, an in-depth on-scene investigation was performed
detailing the use of helmets and protective gear in 900
motorcycle crashes.
Additionally, researchers analyzed 3,600 police reports of on-highway
motorcycle crashes. This and other research has established that helmets
save lives by reducing the occurrence of head injuries, and wearing
a helmet does not reduce essential vision or hearing.
This well-accepted motorcycle safety study's report has been corroborated
since that time in many other research studies. In the
1990s, a number of studies on the value of motorcycle helmets were
conducted and then published as part of the International 2001
Motorcycle Safety Conference Proceedings. Among them are: "The
Snell Memorial Foundation – Past and Present" by Edward Becker;
"Traumatic Brain Injury Associated with Motorcycle Crashes in
Wisconsin, 1991-1997" by Wayne Bigelow; "Evaluation of Motorcycle
Helmet Law Repeal in Arkansas and Texas" by Linda Cosgrove; "How
Do Motorcycle Helmets Affect Vision and Hearing" by Scott
McKnight; "Autopsy Study of Motorcycle Fatalities: The Effect of the
1992 Maryland Helmet Use Law" by Kimberly Mitchell, and,
"Modernization of the DOT Motorcycle Helmet Standard" by David
Thom. Copies of these studies may be obtained online from MSF by
visiting www.msf-usa.org.
Cycle Safety Information
Personal Protective Gear
For the Motorcyclist
Hard outer shell Impact absorbing liner
Comfort liner
Vent
Vent
Hard outer shell
Visor
Retention system
Helmets help protect your head in four ways. First and second, the
outer shell resists penetration and abrasion. Third, inside the shell is
the equally important impact-absorbing liner that absorbs more of
the shock by slowly collapsing under impact. Fourth, the soft foam and-
cloth liner next to your head helps keep you comfortable and
the helmet fitting snugly. The retention system, or chinstrap, is the
one piece that keeps the helmet on your head in the event of a crash.
Both shell and liner spread the forces of impact throughout the helmet
material. That's why, in most cases, if a helmet has been damaged
in a crash, it will not be protective in another mishap and should be
replaced.
Consider how a full-face helmet makes riding more comfortable. It
cuts down on wind noise in your ears and windblast on your face and
eyes. It deflects bugs and other objects that fly through the air. A helmet
even adds protection from inclement weather and reduces rider
fatigue.
For more information on helmets, order the Motorcycle Safety
Foundation's Cycle Safety Information publication, "What You Should
Know About Motorcycle Helmets". It outlines helmet standards, construction,
care and other important information. Single copies are
available free of charge.
Face Protection
Any motorcyclist who has been hit in the face by a stone or an insect
can tell you about the benefits of face protection. Windshields and
most prescription eyeglasses simply do not provide adequate protection.
Wind, insects and pebbles may be blown behind a windshield.
Eyeglasses with shatterproof lenses may protect the eyes, but most
don't seal out wind which makes your eyes water.
"The Hurt Report" states that motorcycle riders with shields covering
their faces suffered fewer facial injuries than those without. It also
reports that helmets providing full-face coverage with strong chin
pieces and energy-absorbing liners are especially effective in reducing
face injuries.
Face Shields
Face shields come in a variety of designs to fit most any helmet. Some
flip up for convenience. There are non-flip types, such as the flat
shield, that snap directly to the helmet. If you select a bubble shield
(either a flip-up or a snap-on style) make sure that its compound
curves do not distort your vision.
When using a face shield, be sure it is securely fastened to the helmet.
It should be impact-resistant and free from scratches. Scratches can
refract light and blur vision.
Tinted shields help avoid eye fatigue during daylight hours, but
always wear a clear one at night. Make sure the shield you choose is
designed for your helmet and does not interfere with any eyeglasses
you may wear.
Face shields may be cleaned with a mild solution of soap and water or
a quality plastic cleaner.
Goggles
Riders wearing goggles receive eye protection, but they are not protected
from possible injury to other parts of the face. As has been
emphasized before, full-face helmets and face shields provide better
protection for the entire face.
Goggles should be securely fastened over the helmet so they do not
blow off. Most frames have a rubber/cotton-fiber strap that resists
tearing and stretching.
Maintain your goggles properly: dirty goggles can impede safe sight.
Whether you wear a face shield or goggles, tinted lenses may be used
during the day, but you should use clear lenses at night.
Footwear
Sturdy, over-the-ankle boots can protect you from a variety of riding
hazards. They protect against burns from hot exhaust pipes and
impacts from flying road debris. Boots with oil-resistant, rubber-based
composite soles will give you a strong grip on the pavement and help
you keep your feet on the pegs. If the boots have heels, they should
be low and wide. In case of a crash, boots help provide valuable
protection against foot and ankle injuries.
Gloves
Full-fingered motorcycle gloves protect hands from blisters, wind, sun
and cold and will help prevent cuts, bruises and abrasions in a crash.
Gloves that fit properly will improve your grip on the handlebars. If
your gloves are too loose or bulky, you may have problems operating
the controls of your motorcycle. If they are too tight, circulation will be
restricted and your hands will become cold. Seamless gloves or gloves
with external seams will help prevent blisters. Gauntlets will keep cold
air from going up your sleeves.
Motorcycle gloves are available in many styles, weights and thicknesses.
Lightweight gloves may be more comfortable in summer
warmth while heavier, lined and/or insulated gloves are available for
additional protection from winter cold.
Jackets, Pants, Riding Suits
Protective gear will help you stay comfortable while riding in adverse
conditions. In a crash, proper riding gear will help prevent or reduce
injury. "The Hurt Report" states that covering the body with leather or
an abrasion-resistant fabric (e.g., Cordura®, Kevlar® or ballistic nylon)
also provides a high level of injury protection.
Protective apparel designed specifically for motorcycling will afford
the best combination of comfort and protection. These garments are
cut longer in the sleeves and legs, and fuller across the shoulders to
accommodate your riding posture. Special overlaps and flaps help
seal out the wind and padding helps protect you in a crash.
Motorcyclists often wear leather because it is durable and abrasion resistant,
giving good protections against injury. Many modern fabrics,
such as Cordura® and ballistic nylon, are also abrasion-or wind resistant,
waterproof or have high-visibility properties. Many motorcycle
dealers carry a varied line of riding jackets and suits. Your riding
habits, budget and local weather conditions will influence your choice
of purchase. Shop wisely, making sure your purchase fits properly and
is specifically made for motorcycling.
Your gear should fit comfortably without binding. However, wide flared
pants, flowing scarves and similar items should be avoided
because they could become entangled in the motorcycle. A jacket
with a zippered front will be more wind-resistant than a jacket with
buttons or snaps. A flap of material over the zipper of a jacket gives
additional protection against the wind. Jackets with sleeves tapering
to fitted cuffs and waists are recommended to help keep wind from
blowing into the garment. Be careful about collar style–a large, loose
collar will flap when riding and may irritate your skin or distract you.
Remember that even in relatively warm weather, moving air is cooler
and constant exposure to wind when riding may cause a chilling
effect that leads to hypothermia. Hypothermia is a condition of subnormal
body temperature that can cause loss of concentration,
slowed reactions, and loss of smooth, precise muscle movement. You
may lose your ability to concentrate and react to changing traffic conditions.
Proper riding gear, such as a windproof jacket and insulated
layers of clothing, is essential.
Riding gear that is just right for cold-weather riding may be too hot
once you stop. Dress in layers so that the outer clothing may be
removed as necessary.
Basic Riding Gear Cold Weather Gear
Zippered front
with wind flap
Close-fitting collar
Snug cuffs
Well-fitting,
full-fingered
gloves
Belted or close-
Abrasion-resistant fitting waist
pants
Sturdy, over-the-ankle
boots
High, close collar
Retro reflective
stripes or jacket
fabric
Sturdy abrasion resistant
jacket
Insulated gauntlet
gloves or heavy
gloves with liners
Insulated suit or
windproof
outer layer
Heavy boots
with insulation
Thermal underwear
or layered clothing
When preparing to ride in cold weather, several layers of clothing are
necessary, usually starting with thermal underwear. Extra layers of
pants, shirts and jackets should be worn to aid body heat in forming
a warm insulation. Topping your clothing with a windproof outer
layer will prevent the cold wind from reaching your body.
Another alternative when riding in cold weather is to wear
a winter riding suit. These lightweight, insulated suits
worn over your street clothes provide the warmth needed
to prevent hypothermia. Another option available to
motorcyclists is an electrically warmed suit or vest. These
items can be quite effective.
Regardless of temperature, wearing proper protective
riding gear, including a long-sleeved top and long pants,
will reduce your chances of becoming dehydrated.
The gear you wear when riding can also serve to make you more
visible in traffic. Choose brightly colored gear when possible.
Only two riders of the 900 crash cases studied by "The Hurt
Report" were wearing brightly colored clothing. If you wear
dark clothing, retro reflective vests may be worn over your jacket.
Also, it is a good idea to affix reflectorized tape striping to
the gear you wear regularly when riding. Jackets made with
retro reflective material also will help make you more visible at
night.
Finally, there are gear enhancements available for even more
crash protection such as body armor, spine protectors and kidney
belts. These may be single items you wear under your gear, or
they may be built into the protective gear you buy.
Rain Suits
For the avid motorcycle rider, a rain suit or waterproof riding suit
is a must. A dry motorcyclist will be much more comfortable and alert
than a rider who is wet and cold.
One- or two-piece styles are available in a variety of materials and colors,
the most common being polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and nylon. High visibility
orange or yellow are good color choices.
There are usually only small differences in rain suit styles. The pants
should have elastic at the waist and stirrups (or tie-strings) on the legs
to wrap around the rider's boots. The jacket should have a high collar
that is held closed by a snap or adjustable hook-and-loop fastener.
The front zips up and a wide flap fastens across the opening. The wrist
openings fit snugly with more elastic.
Also consider purchasing glove and boot covers. Most glove covers
are large enough to fit over gauntlet type gloves without interfering
with hand flexibility. The boot covers have tie-strings on top and
should be worn under the pants.
For more information on the importance of protective gear and for
answers to other motorcycle safety-related questions, visit
www.msf-usa.org or call the MSF Order Department and ask for a
Publications List.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is a national, not-for-profit
organization promoting the safety of motorcyclists with programs
in rider training, operator licensing and public information. For the
Basic or Experienced RiderCourseSM nearest you, call the national toll free
telephone number: (800) 446-9227. The MSF is sponsored by
the U.S. distributors and manufacturers of BMW, Ducati, Harley-
Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Piaggio/Vespa, Suzuki, Victory,
Vengeance, and Yamaha motorcycles.
The information contained in this publication is offered for the benefit
of those who have an interest in riding motorcycles. The information
has been compiled from publications, interviews and observations
of individuals and organizations familiar with the use of
motorcycles, accessories and training. Because there are many differences
in product design, riding styles; and federal, state and local
laws, there may be organizations that hold differing opinions.
Consult your local regulatory agencies for information concerning
the operation of motorcycles in your area. Although the Motorcycle
Safety Foundation will continue to research, field test and publish
responsible viewpoints on the subject, it disclaims any liability for
the views expressed herein.
 
One-Piece Rain Suit
Two-Piece Rain Suit
High, close collar
Elasticized or
adjustable cuffs
Boot covers
Pant stirrups
2 Jenner Street, Suite 150
Irvine, CA 92618-3806
(949) 727-3227 • www.msf-usa.org

What to wear, what to wear? There are several things to take into consideration when you go riding.

Safety, comfort and fashion

Obviously when getting geared up to ride, there are important factors that should influence your wardrobe. The top two are safety and comfort. Cost and fashion may come into play as well. There is gear designed specifically for motorcycle riding. It is cut longer and a bit roomier to fit over layers. It also provides the best protection from the elements with tighter wind seals at the neck, wrists and ankles, and is made from materials that will help protect you in the case of an accident.

Every time you ride, think safety

You should always think of safety first. Wear protective clothing designed to minimize injury in the event of a crash. The following items should be worn each and every time you ride:

* Helmet
* Eye Protection
* Jacket
* Gloves
* Pants
* Boots
* And keep rain gear handy in the event of inclement weather

Helmets

There are several types of helmets out there including full-face, open face and skull caps. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, riders wearing a helmet have a 29 percent better chance of surviving a crash than riders without helmets. In addition to safety, helmets offer protection from the wind and sun as well as debris and bugs.

When choosing a helmet, you should be sure that it is DOT approved (there should be a sticker right on the helmet indicating this) and that it fits properly. Some have foam inserts that can be added to make a helmet fit more snugly. It shouldn’t move around on your head easily, nor should it fit so tightly that it’s painful. You also want your helmet to have good ventilation. It’s a good idea to buy a helmet that is brightly colored and easily visible.

Eye protection

If you wear a full-face helmet, you don’t need additional eye protection. With an open face helmet or skull cap, you should wear glasses or goggles to protect the eyes. Glasses should provide UV protection and should be made of a shatter-resistant material. You may need to bring more than one pair of glasses on a long trip.

Sunglasses can be worn during the day, but should be changed to clear or slightly tinted lenses as night approaches. Glasses help keep wind, dirt and debris from impeding your vision.

Jacket

When looking for a riding jacket, you should consider weather conditions and how you sit when riding. Whether or not you choose a jacket designed specifically for motorcycling, you should make sure that it is made out of a material that will stand up to abrasion in the event of an accident. A smooth surface will aid in sliding rather than getting caught up on pavement causing you to tumble. Thick leather and newer materials such as kevlar are sturdier than other types of materials and can protect you better.

You should take into consideration the color of the jacket. Brighter colors will make you more visible to other drivers. Before purchasing a jacket, you should try sitting with it on to make sure that it fits comfortably in riding position. It should be longer in the back so it doesn’t ride up, but not so long that it bunches. There should be tight closures at the neck and wrists and there should be adequate ventilation. Most riding jackets have Velcro or zippered vents. A good jacket should also have a snap-in or zippered liner that can be attached inside the lining for better insulation on cold weather days.

Gloves

You may want to have summer and winter gloves if you live in an area with changing climates. Winter gloves should be thicker and insulated to protect hands from the cold. In any weather, gloves help protect the hands and wrists from rocks and bugs, as well as offering protection in case of an accident.

Pants

Whether you choose to wear riding pants or leathers over your everyday clothing, the key here is protection. Leather, kevlar and other synthetic materials used in pants designed specifically for motorcycle riding will protect you best in the case of an accident. Some have hard plastic armor at the knees and hips. At the very least, you should wear very heavy jeans. Shorts, dress pants or athletic pants will not stand up well against pavement.

Boots

Boots should have tall enough uppers to cover the ankles. They should have low heels and non-skid soles to grip the pavement and the foot pegs. Boots offer protection from things flying up off the road and burns from hot pipes.

Rain Gear

You should have rain gear ready in the event that the weather takes a turn for the worse. Rain gear should be compact and easy to pack, comfortable and easy to put on and take off. Rain gear designed for motorcycling is made a bit larger to fit over your safety gear. It also has tight closures at the neck, wrists and ankles. You can also get glove and boot covers. You should choose brightly colored rain gear to ensure maximum visibility in already low-visibility conditions.

Cold Weather Wear

If you live in an area with climate changes, you may want to think about what to wear in cold weather. The best bet is to layer. You can start with thermal underwear under your everyday clothes. Make sure you have a very warm jacket, warm socks, and insulated boots and gloves. You can also purchase electric vests, jackets or suits that provide additional warmth.

More you can do

Wearing the proper safety gear is the first step in safety when riding a motorcycle. Some other things you can do to stay safe when riding include:

* Attach strips of reflective tape to helmets and clothing.
* Purchase safety clothing with reflectors.
* Invest in a high-performance horn and/or headlight.
* Make sure you have soft, cloth rags and anti-fog available to clean off or de-fog your face shield, windshield or glasses.
* Watch the weather before you leave and try to avoid bad weather conditions. If you get caught in inclement weather, pull over or take a pit stop if weather conditions are extremely adverse.
* Wear bright colors, signal correctly and make yourself visible to other drivers.

Consider insurance, too

In addition to being confident that you are doing what you can to keep yourself safe when you ride, it’s important that you have the right insurance. You need an insurance policy that offers the coverages that are important to your specific bike and lifestyle. If you think your motorcycle is adequately covered when you add it through an endorsement on your auto policy, chances are you’re mistaken...a lesson that you don’t want to learn first-hand come claim time.

Important things to look for when choosing a specialized insurance policy for your motorcycle are things like:

* Safety Apparel Coverage to protect your significant investment in helmets, leathers, gloves and any other clothing designed to minimize injury in the event of an accident.
* Optional Equipment Coverage for chroming, custom painting, side cars or anything else that was not included as standard by the manufacturer.
* Optional Towing and Roadside Assistance in case your bike breaks down and can’t be ridden when you’re away from home or you run out of gas, get a flat or have mechanical issues.
* Trip Interruption Coverage that will cover meals, transportation and lodging if your bike breaks down when you’re far from home.
* Optional Replacement Cost Coverage on bikes purchased new and insured within 30 days.
* Flexible payment plans so you can choose the plan that best fits your budget.
* Deductible and coverage limit options.
* Premium discounts.

 * Helmet - the best helmet for you is one that you can afford, that fits, and that you�ll wear every time you get on the motorcycle. A $100 Snell and DOT rated helmet is just as safe as a $500 one ... but not as comfortable on long trips. Just because a helmet isn�t required in your state, don�t assume that the laws of physics are any different. Get a good helmet and wear it always.

* Jacket and Pants or Riding Suit - Leather looks sexy and works; Cordura is functional and works; Shorts and a T-shirt are an invitation to skin grafts. Jackets can be had relatively inexpensively at pawn shops or through Internet retailers. Make sure that the leather is good and thick, not the thin garment leather that most stylish leather jackets are made of. A riding suit makes it convenient to follow the rule of �All the Gear, All the Time.�

* Gloves - Protect your hands. Motorcycle-specific gloves are recommended. Good ones have padding on the back and padded rivets on the palm.

* Boots - Protect your feet and ankles. If they lace up, tuck the laces in so they stay out of the chain and don�t hook onto the foot-peg when you try to put your foot down.

And also:

* Wind protection for your eyes, if you wear a 3/4 helmet.

* Ear plugs. An hour at highway speeds will subject your ears to enough wind noise to cause some hearing loss.

* Some men wear a sport cup when riding.

* Reflective vests seem to help people see you better between dusk and dawn and in the fog.

* Headlight and taillight modulators

And specifically for commuters who lanesplit a lot:

* Barkbusters for the handlebars -- a kind of bracket that clips on over the front of the control levers, protecting your knuckles from rear-view mirrors and the levers from bending backwards when the bike gets knocked over.

* Headlight modulator -- a device that makes your headlight vary its brightness up and down 4 times a second and makes you more conspicuous.

* Brakelight modulator -- a device that makes your brakelight flicker ~4 times a second for about a second when you hit the brakes.

* Front running lights -- two-filament bulbs in your turn signals to light them up at 5W all the time.

* A louder horn

Some people think this list goes too far: "I'd like to encourage moderation on certain subjects. Being an ER Nurse, bikers who don't wear safety gear drastically increase my job security. I don't know how many times that my co-workers and I have been sitting around bagging (slang medical term for breathing for a patient who can't breathe for themselves) some poor organ donor who fell off his bike without a helmet at 25 miles an hour, smacked his head and now there is some pretty gray stuff pouring from his ears, and saying to each other 'You know, I just didn't have enough to do, taking care of my five patients having heart attacks and strokes, I'm so glad this trauma came in at this time.' I mean I am so frustrated when those bikers come in with only a broken collar bone, or fractured ankle, because they were wearing some 'outdated' and certainly 'not effective' safety device such as a helmet or boots! (For those of you with a crippled sense of humor, I�m writing this with extreme scarcasm.)" � Closed

For reviews of motorcycle safety gear Timberwoof recommends www.motorcyclegearreview.com

Answer

Synthetic materials wear through slower if you happen to take a slide on the asphalt than leather but leather will slow you down quicker.

Answer

My 2 cents: I wear a helmet (full face), textile or leather jacket (with armor), textile pants (they flow more air than leather), gloves (fabric in the summer, leather the rest of the year), boots (mid-calf height), and earplugs. All of my gear is motorcycle-specific, which means that it will withstand the abuse of a get-off. The stuff isn't inexpensive (not the quality stuff, anyway), but hospital/ER bills are even costlier. Just search the web for stores that sell motorcycle gear. Most all of them have clearance sections where you can find some screaming deals. But, yeah, the $500 to $1,000 ballpark is about right. Just divide that cost by the amount of riding time you'll get for it. It's a bargain when you look at it that way.

Whether or not you are legally required to wear a helmet is a matter of state law. It's required in most U.S. states but not all.

Whether you need to for personal safety is different. The answer is almost certainly: Yes!

Here's a summary of Timberwoof's Motorcycle FAQ answers on the topic:

Do I need to wear a helmet?

Only if you value your face or the contents of your skull.

Why do I need to wear a helmet?

When you fall, it will protect your brain from a concussion and your face from nasty road rash.

Why should I wear a full-face helmet?

"I taught the MSF course at Little Creek Amphib Base in Norfolk for a couple of years. I had a disk sander. Every time someone tried to explain to me why helmets are useless, I offered to let them hold their face against the disk sander. None took me up on it." � John P.

But I like to feel the wind in my hair!

I�d rather miss the wind in my hair than risk the wind in my brains.

But it will obstruct my vision!

My helmet has a new feature that helps tremendously in my sightseeing trips. Instead of being solid all the way around it's got this big hole in the front. It really looks like it was designed and manufactured that way�no ugly scars from a bandsaw or anything, and the edges are nicely finished. There's even a piece of transparent plastic over the hole, and it has a hinge so I can flip that up and down. It's really very cool.

But it will restrict my peripheral vision!

No, it won't. A modern helmet has between 210 and 220 degrees of peripheral vision. Federal standards require 210. 90% of crashes occur with objects within 60 degrees of the center line, or within 120 degrees. No. Most street helmets are Snell-certified, which means that in addition to various impact tests, they have to pass a peripheral-vision test.

But it will interfere with my hearing!

No, it won't. Your helmet will reduce all sounds equally. Any noise that you'd be able to hear over the wind noise and the noise of your motorcycle, such as a horn or siren, you'll still be able to hear.

But it's too heavy!

�A helmet is usually thought to be very heavy, but when one is attacking a castle or something similar, and arrows, bullets, large rocks, great pieces of wood and the like are coming down, it will not seem the least bit so.� �The Book of the Samurai, 11th Chapter. Yamamoto Tsunetomo

A full-face helmet is not all that much heavier than a 3/4 helmet.

But it will injure my neck in an accident!

No, it won't. In one study, helmeted riders suffered neck injuries in 7% of cases while riders without helmets suffered neck injuries 10% of the time.

But it will make me pass out of heat exhaustion!

No, it won't, as long as you take precautions for hot-weather riding. Get a light-colored helmet with good vents. Drink lots of water. Wear a vented jacket. (That is, of course, an argument for wearing a helmet in cold weather.)

Is a full face helmet noisier than open face?

No. But the wind noise at 60 mph is way too loud for your hearing to last regardless of which helmet you wear or whether or not you wear one at all. Wear earplugs.

Is a full face helmet more uncomfortable than an open face?

No, the full face part doesn�t contact your head at all. Unless of course you�re sliding along the ground on your face in which case you�ll be glad you didn�t wear a 3/4 helmet that day. Of course there are good helmets and bad ones. Get one that fits well and has excellent venting and you�ll enjoy the experience. Get a cheap full face and you�ll hate yourself.

Is full face any better than open face for rain and highway riding?

Heck yeah. And for tossed cigarette butts, errant stones, etc.

Any brand and model recommendations?

Arai and Shoei are widely considered to be the best brands. Others go for what�s cheap. Go to a store and try them all on. You�ll find one brand/model will fit better than others. Go with that.

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