To address the risks of motorcycling, motorcyclists use protective gear. All MotoVirolo riders are required to wear protective gear in the form of a full-face helmet, motorcycle armored jacket, riding pants, boots and gloves. Back protectors are also strongly recommended. We do not make exceptions to this rule on protective gear. Not only is it dangerous for you to ride unprotected, at MotoVirolo we also think you look the fool when you do. In other words, MotoVirolo does not welcome riders who believe that proper riding gear means shorts, sneakers and a T-shirt...

Functions of Protective Gear

Improved Visibility: Although for decades the popular image of the motorcycle rider has been of someone clad head-to-toe in black leather, in the light of the Hurt Report findings, and the day-to-day experiences of motorcyclists themselves, many riders choose higher-visibility gear. Bright colors and retroreflective strips are common on quality equipment.

Abrasion Resistance: Thick, tough leather provides the most abrasion resistance in a crash, but fabrics such as cordura, kevlar and ballistic nylon provide significant protection too. In addition, fabrics are generally cheaper, easier to maintain, waterproof, and more comfortable in hot weather. Thick leather, which affords the most abrasion resistance, can be uncomfortable in temperatures exceeding 85 °F (29 °C) and above 100 °F (38 °C) may cause heat stress & loss of control with insufficient fluid replacement. Some PG may be constructed of fabrics made into a 'mesh' that provides cooling and a stable surface for the attachment of padding (see below).

Padding: Quality jackets and pants provide significant extra padding in the vulnerable joint regions described above. This can take the form of simple foam padding, or dual-density foam that stiffens when compressed, sometimes with plastic or carbon fiber outer-shells that distribute the impact across the pad. Integrated pieces can be found in some jackets.

Weather Protection: One important aspect of PG not mentioned above is protection from the elements. Extreme weather can make a long ride unbearable or dangerous. PG provides protection from wind, rain and cold.

Items

Helmet: A full-face helmet provides the most protection. Thirty-five percent of all crashes show major impact on the chin-bar area. However, 3/4- and 1/2-helmets also are available. Some motorcycle training sites have banned the use of half-helmets because of avoidable injuries sustained by riders wearing them.

Gloves: Commonly made of leather, cordura, or kevlar, or some combination. Some include carbon fiber knuckle protection or other forms of rigid padding. Gloves designed specifically for motorcycle use have slightly curved fingers and the seams are on the outer surfaces to allow the motorcyclist to maintain his grip and control on the handlebars and clutch/brake levers. Some gloves also provide protection to the wrist.

Jackets: Generally made from leather, ballistic nylon, cordura, kevlar or other synthetics. Most jackets include special padding on elbows, spine and shoulders. Airbag system technology is now available fitted to jackets and vests for accident protection and impact protection for both riders and pillions. Competition-approved hard armor is superior to soft padding. Competition-approved back and chest protectors can be worn underneath jackets. Inflatable airbag jackets can offer an additional airbag for neck support.

Pants: Made of the same material as jackets, usually including special protection for the knees and hips. Some companies make cotton denim jeans with kevlar reinforcement. A very good option indeed.

Boots: Especially those for sport riding, include reinforcement and plastic caps on the ankles, and toe area. Boots designed for cruiser-style riders often have steel-reinforced toes (However this reduces sensitivity of the foot when changing gear). Boots should always have a rubber sole (as opposed to leather or other less-flexible materials). Despite their toughness and protection, most boots are very lightweight. Some even include titanium plating.

Goggles or Helmet Visor: Eye protection is of utmost importance - an insect or a kicked-up pebble in the eye at speed has enough momentum to cause significant damage. Such an event could easily cause the rider to lose control and crash. Besides this danger, squinting into the wind is unpleasant at best and watering eyes are quite distracting.

Ear plugs: Most riders experience substantial wind noise at speeds above 40-50 mph; at speeds of 65-70 mph, hearing damage can occur in as little as 15 minutes. Ear plugs help protect against hearing damage, and reduce fatigue during long rides.

Vests: Made with high-visibility colors and retroreflective materials, vests can be worn over jackets to increase the chance of being seen and allow drivers to better judge the speed and position of riders, especially in adverse conditions of dark and wet.

Back protectors: Back protectors have been used by motorcycle racers for some time; they fit under a set of full leathers or other clothing and their job is to protect the rider's backbone, back and ribs and to distribute the forces generated in a crash over a wider surface area.

Other protective items: Dirt bike riders wear a range of plastic armor to protect against injury from falling and hitting other riders and bikes, running into track barriers, and being hit by flying debris kicked up by the tires of other riders' bikes. This type of armor typically covers the back, chest, and sometimes the extremities.

Note: It is increasingly common for gloves, jackets, pants, and boots to be outfitted with hard plastics on probable contact areas in an effort to ensure that when a motorcyclist contacts the ground, his clothing will permit him to slide relatively easily as opposed to "crumpling", risking injury to body parts being stressed in abnormal directions.

Riders sometimes use the acronyms "MOTGMOTT" and "ATGATT", which stand for "Most Of The Gear Most Of The Time" and "All The Gear All The Time", when describing their personal gear preferences. MotoVirolo riders are definitely MOTGMOTT and ATGATT riders!

For further information on protective gear, we invite you to read this Wikipedia's article on Motorcycle safety.