Harley Davidson Accessories for Safety: What Should I Do?
Safety when riding your Harley-Davidson motorcycle must be the
number-one priority. The reasons are many and obvious. Riders often
travel at high speed and yet they do not have the protection of an
automobile or truck body around them. Exposed to Nature’s elements and
to the potential of an accident, Harley-Davidson owners require safety
gear, which car and truck owners can afford to ignore.
Most obvious, and sometimes most controversial, are helmets. The
motorcycle helmet was invented after the famous Lawrence of Arabia was
killed as a result of head injuries when he was thrown from his
vehicle. Many lives have been saved simply because the rider was
wearing a helmet. However, there are those who prefer no helmet because
they feel it leads to a fuller riding experience. Most places around
the world allow riders this choice.
The tough outer shell of a helmet protects over a large area of the
head after the initial impact in an accident; the softer inside
material protects the skull and brain over a smaller area. Some helmets
also have a face shield to protect against insects, road debris,
stones, etc. Windshields offer some of the same protection but cover a
larger area, often helping to protect the entire upper body. A
windshield with a faring will also offer protection for your hands and
arms, and even knees and shins.
Boots are great for protecting feet, shins and the lower leg. The
boots should have an oil-resistant, somewhat stiff sole and a wide heel
to aid in standing with the bike. Rather pliable yet strong material is
the preferred choice for upper boot construction – strong so it resists
tears and abrasions and flexible for comfort and style. Boots help to
protect ankles and foot injuries in the event of a crash, so they
should be specifically designed for motorcycle riding and have load
spreaders and energy absorbers on the outside and inside of each ankle
and on the shin. Leather is the traditional choice for boots but
man-made materials such as Lycra, Kevlar and Cordura (or a combination
of these) are also popular.
“Leathers” are what some people call clothing especially made for
motorcycle riding. This includes jackets, pants, and gloves. Many
leathers are indeed made of leather, except it is a strong,
less-flexible leather than fashion leather – for better protection.
Much of the leather used to construct motorcycle clothing comes from
beef cattle; however, kangaroo leather has been used because it is
supple, light and strong. Leathers, like boots, are also sometimes
constructed partially or entirely of man-made materials. Many leathers
have “armor” inside at major points of potential impact. These points
include elbows, shoulders, knees, hips and back. This armor can be made
of carbon fiber, high-density foam, or foam-backed carbon fiber or hard
polymers, which help deflect the impact and sheer strains of an
accident. Some motorcycle jackets even have airbags inside, which
deploy in an accident and help protect the torso, neck, and back.
Waterproofing is another aspect motorcycle riders should consider
seriously, as well as heated garments. When inclement weather comes and
you are caught in it, it is best to protect yourself – you will be glad
you did.