The safety of you as the rider should be your number one priority when you step onto a motorcycle. One way to increase your safety on a motorcycle is to wear a good quality motorcycle jacket. Some riders feel that they can ride well and therefore there is no need to wear a jacket while riding but motorcycles can be very unpredictable and therefore it is always important to wear proper safety gear no matter what you riding experience. If you spend a little more money on a good quality jacket it should last the test of time and prevent the need for replacement later down the line once wear and tear begins to set in.

It is important when choosing a motorcycle jacket to choose one that fits properly. This will ensure that it protects you to the best of its ability in the case of an incident. It should be a snug fit. If it is too loose it will not be able to protect properly and it slide off. On the other hand it is too tight as it may reduce circulation.

Motorcycle jackets come in a variety of shapes sizes, fabrics and colours to satisfy the fashion desires of all riders. This enables you as the rider to have a more personalized look and feel.  When choosing the colour of your jacket it is tempting to choose an all black jacket as these are very popular. However, black jackets are the hardest to see, particularly at night. If you choose a jacket with reflective colour in it it will increase your visibility to other motorist on the road and increase your overall safety.

Before buying a motorcycle jacket make sure you test the zipper to ensure that it is durable and of good quality. This will make it easy to put your jacket on and off. Zippers tend to be one of the first things that brake on a jacket so if you choose a motorcycle jacket with a durable zipper it will increase the overall life of your jacket and prevent the need for replacement later down the line.

A lot of motorcycle jackets now come with exhaust vents. These provide flow through ventilation through the jacket and prevent the rider from getting hot and sweaty while riding. This in turn reduces bad odor build up in the jacket and reduces the need for cleaning.

Some motorcycle jackets come with removable lining. This makes cleaning much easier as these linings can simply be removed and washed in a washing machine.

For more information go to the Harley Davidson website and see page 5 of the catalogue.

Motorcycle helmets are a form of protective headgear worn by motorcyclists while riding to protect the riders head during impact and reducing head injuries in the case of an accident. Motorcycle riding has the potential to be very dangerous so it is critical that the correct protective gear be worn while riding to ensure the safety of the rider.

The concept of a crash helmet was developed by a neurosurgeon who saw his patients die from motorcycle accidents and saw this as a waste of life and wanted to develop a way in which to protect the head during an accident. He conducted a lot of research into the damage that can occur in the head and the best way in which to reduce this damage.

Some countries disagree on the necessity of motorcycle helmets and therefore laws vary for country to country on whether it is compulsory to wear them or not when riding a motorcycle. By law, in Australia, motorcyclists must wear a motorcycle helmet while riding a motorcycle on public roads. If a rider is caught by police riding without a motorcycle helmet charges can be laid and fines apply.

Motorcycle helmets come in a variety of different colours. When choosing a motorcycle helmet it is important to take into consideration the visibility that it gives the rider. Black helmets are very popular; however, they are very hard to see in the dark. White motorcycle helmets reflect light a lot more and therefore make the riding much easier for other motorist to see (particularly at night).

There five main types of motorcycle helmets

• full face-covers the entire head, with a rear that covers the base of the skull, and a protective section over the front of the chin.
• off-road/motocross-has a clearly elongated chin and visor portions, a chin bar, and partially open face to give the rider extra protection while wearing goggles.
• modular/’flip-up’-a hybrid between a full face and an open face helmet that is used for street use.
• open face-has a rear which also covers the back of the skull, however, lacks the lower chin bar of the full faced helmet.
• half helmets-has the same front design as an open face helmet, however, it does not have the lowered rear in the shape of a bowl.

It is important to choose the right type of helmet for the type of riding that you do.

It is important that the chin strap on the helmet is secured properly. If the chin strap is not secured the helmet will most likely slide off from the impact of the accident and it will therefore be ineffective to providing protection.

For more information click here for the Harley Davidson Website and see page 15 of the catalogue.

If you are not properly equipped riding in the rain can be a very unpleasant experience. It is important to be prepared with the right wet weather gear to ensure that you have a warm and dry riding experience, even in the rain. Rain Gaiter Lug Soles are specially designed covers that slip over motorcycle boots to protect them from the rain and ensure that the feet remain warm and dry.

All rain gaiter lug soles are made from lightweight, breathable fabric and have sealed seams to ensure that no water leaks through the seams.

For maximum comfort it is important to choose a rain gaiter lug sole with wide, slip resistant soles. Elastic stirrups around the bottom will ensure that the gain gaiter stays in place.

When fitting rain gaiters make sure that you buy a pair with a reasonable length to it. This will mean that it will also protect the bottom of your pant legs keeping your pants and lower legs warm and dry.

Harley Davidson produce a very high quality rain gaiter lug sole that is ensured to keep your feet and lower legs warm and dry while riding in the elements. They have the high quality standards of the Harley Davidson brand.

For more information click here for the Harley Davidson Website and see page 24 of the catalogue.