Protective Riding Gear — Motorcycle Practice Test

Riding footwear needs sturdy uppers that rise above the ankle to protect and brace it. Tall heels can snag on rough road surfaces, and loose laces can tangle in the controls and lead to a fall.

Eye protection laws vary by state, and some states excuse riders whose motorcycle has a windshield, but goggles or a face shield are recommended everywhere. Without them, wind, bugs and flying grit can blur or block your sight at any time of day, and a helmet without a face shield leaves your eyes exposed.

At highway speeds, the rush of air past your helmet is loud enough to harm your hearing for good over time, even inside a full-face helmet. Earplugs or other hearing protection cut the noise while still letting you hear horns and sirens.

Leather resists scraping on pavement better than any everyday fabric, and well-made synthetic riding materials such as Cordura or Kevlar also hold up well. Denim and wool tear through quickly in a slide, leaving the skin exposed.

A jacket belongs on every ride, hot day or not, because it shields your arms and upper body from wind, sun and flying debris and reduces scrapes if you fall. Lightweight, vented jackets keep summer riding comfortable without giving up protection.

No single national rule exists: 17 states and DC require a helmet for every rider, most other states require one only for certain riders (such as those under 18 or 21, permit holders or new riders), and Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire have no helmet law at all. Whatever your state's rule, a properly fitted helmet that meets DOT standards is your best protection against a serious head injury.

Tip Check the back of a helmet for the DOT label, which shows that it meets federal safety standards.

Under federal safety standards, a helmet with DOT certification has to leave a wide view to the sides, at least 105 degrees left and right of straight ahead, so traffic next to you stays visible. Wearing one adds protection rather than creating a hazard.

Leather gloves let you grip the controls firmly and protect your hands from scrapes and blisters, and they hold up in a fall far better than wool or other soft fabrics.

Protective gear such as an approved helmet, eye or face protection and sturdy clothing greatly improves your odds in a crash. A shield or goggles also keeps wind, bugs and debris out of your eyes, while a knit hat or running shoes offer almost no protection.

A protective jacket works best when it hugs the body, because loose fabric catches the wind, tires you out and can slide out of position in a crash. It should still be comfortable enough not to distract you.

A shatter-resistant face shield covers your eyes along with the rest of your face, so it can help protect your entire face in a crash. It also blocks wind, dust, rain, insects and pebbles kicked up from the road.

Under a universal helmet law, every motorcycle operator must wear an approved helmet. Most serious and fatal motorcycle injuries involve the head, and a helmet is the most effective protection against them.

Leather boots that rise above the ankle give support and resist scraping, and their firm soles grip both the pavement and the foot controls. Sneakers and sandals leave the feet and ankles exposed to burns from the exhaust and to injury in a fall.

Besides guarding the face in a crash, a shatter-resistant shield keeps wind, dust, dirt, rain, insects and small stones thrown up by other vehicles off your face. It is not designed to block noise or engine heat.

Leather holds up against sliding on asphalt far better than everyday fabrics, which is why it has long been the standard material for riding gear. Flannel and denim can wear through within seconds in a slide.

Good riding clothes are chosen to limit injury in a fall or collision, and they also guard against weather, flying debris and hot engine parts. Comfort still matters, and bright colors help others see you, so neither discomfort nor blending in is a goal.

Riding clothes should be snug so they stay quiet and in place at speed, yet still let you move freely to work the controls. Fabric that billows in the wind is distracting, and gear that is too tight makes it hard to ride.

Gear designed for riding, including a DOT-compliant helmet, a leather jacket, gloves, boots and eye protection, is what lowers the risk of serious injury. An ordinary sweatshirt wears through almost instantly on pavement and offers little protection.

Full-finger gloves shield your fingers and palms from chilly air, flying stones and road grit, and they improve your grip on the controls. If you fall, you will likely put your hands out by reflex, so complete coverage helps prevent serious scrapes.

At highway speeds the roar of the wind is loud enough that hearing it ride after ride can cause hearing loss that never comes back, even when the rider wears a helmet. Earplugs or other hearing protection greatly reduce that risk.