Motorcycle Safety Tips: They’re Lifesavers! 1
Mar
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 03 1st, 2010

Motorcyclists are amongst the most vulnerable in the motoring public. In any collision with a four-wheel vehicle, a motorcyclist is always at a severe disadvantage. An accident that is just a simple panel-beating exercise for a car or truck can mean death or disability for a motorcyclist. It is not difficult to lose a limb, seriously damage internal organs, or become paralysed.

Motorcycle Safety Tip #1: Buckle On That Helmet

There is often disagreement between those who believe in wearing a motorcycle helmet and those that don’t. Commonsense would say it is hard to isolate one single argument from the no-helmet brigade that makes any sense. Research statistics further substantiate the case for wearing helmets, showing that huge numbers of motorcyclists escape death by wearing them.

A very common motorcycle accident scenario is a rider being thrown off and landing on their head. For those wearing a good helmet, serious head injuries can usually be averted. An ejected rider might end up with a severe headache, but at least they are alive!

Even head injuries sustained at low impact can be fatal. A recent case was reported when a stationary motorcyclist was messing around in his driveway, lost his balance, fell off the bike and hit his head on the concrete driveway. He died from the injury a few days later. Because he was not going anywhere, he did not have his helmet on. The result was tragic and could easily have been averted.

A helmet is certainly not an iron-clad guarantee that an accident or serious injury will be avoidedno safety device is. However, wearing a motorcycle helmet will certainly improve the odds of surviving a motorcycle accident.

Motorcycle Safety Tip #2: Wear Brightly-colored, Protective Clothing

Motorcyclists should always wear the appropriate gear for protection and be clearly visible to other motorists. Motorcycle accidents can be pretty horrendous. Bikers ejected from their motorcycle can skid along the bitumen, and without protective leather clothes or boots can forcibly embed rocks, glass and other objects into their flesh. This can have disastrous consequences in pain and suffering which could easily have been avoided.

Motorcycle Safety Tip #3: Keep Awake And Stay Sober

Drowsiness and fatigue can seriously impair a motorcyclist’s reflexes and ability to react. Bikers should avoid riding when very fatigued and take regular short breaks from driving. Alcohol and other drugs also seriously affect judgment and should be strictly avoided when riding a motorcycle.

Motorcycle Safety Tip #4: Abide By Traffic Laws

A substantial number of motorcycle riders involved in accidents are driving without licenses or are improperly licensed. Motorcyclists should ensure their licence is always up to date, and take care to obey the traffic laws. A regular refresh of road rules and local traffic laws is highly recommended, and most importantly dont speed!

Motorcycle Safety Tip #5: Bike Safety And Planning

Motorcyclists should perform a motorcycle safety inspection before each ride. Accidents often occur as a result of mechanical problems. Plan ahead when riding in a group. Determine your route in advance and make sure it is coordinated with the other riders.

Motorcycle Safety Tip #6: Continuous Learning And Improvement

A large percentage of motorcyclists involved in accidents have had no driver training. Enrolling in a motorcycle training course is a good way of developing basic riding skills. Once the basic techniques are acquired, motorcyclists can sharpen their street-riding and accident-avoidance skills by taking an defensive driving course or advanced program for motorcyclists.

Motorcyclists have a responsibility to protect themselves as far as they can. By learning motorcycle safety tips such as wearing a good helmet, eye protection, protective clothing, and good boots, bikers can be better equipped when riding. You know it makes sense!

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Motorcycle Saddlebags Or Tank Bags Which To Get? 22
Feb
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 02 22nd, 2010

Riding a motorcycle these days is not only fun but with today’s gas prices it is also quite economical. The only problem with riding a bike is that their is a serious lack of storage unless you happen to have a Goldwing or maybe a Harley Dresser youre going to need some saddlebags or some sort of tank bag to carry your stuff in. Their are ups and downs to both choices and some of it also depends on your motorcycle. If you have a cruiser your ideal choice is probably some sort of saddlebags or luggage type bags. For Sport Bikes the easy answer is likely to be a tank bag.

If you have a cruiser choosing a saddlebag for your ride is really a matter of taste. Their are so many too choose from its not even funny. Motorcycle saddlebags come in a variety of styles. Most are made of some type of leather or a synthetic material. Modern Saddlebags generally have a hard case liner in side which keeps the shape of the bag. When choosing a saddle bag it is best to choose something that will look good on your motorcycle. If you get something you don’t like you are not as likely to use it. Bags come with studs and fringes and even locks if you want. You can choose from either permanently mounted saddle bags or ones that can easily come off the bike. I recommend you get some that can be removed easily so they can be carried in with you if you are planning to ride your bike to work or some other place where you will be away from the bike for a while. Most motorcycle saddle bags can be removed easily and put back on just as quickly. If you decide on some that mount permanently make sure they lock. Some of your more popular saddlebag makers are Saddlemen, Saddle Stow, Willie and Max, Ace, and ZR. Their are more brands than these but these are the major manufacturers for motorcycle saddlebags. Most of these are easily mounted and come with all the necessary hardware. Also T-Bags makes some really nice Sissy Bar Bags that have a decent amount of storage space. T-Bags also makes motorcycle luggage to fit most cruisers as well as sport bikes.

For sport bike riders the preference tends to be a tank bag. Since saddlebags tend to lean more towards the classic look they aren’t to appealing to riders of sport bikes. Tank Bags are actually a great alternative to saddlebags, most are expandable and can carry quite a bit of stuff as wells as that most tank bags have side pockets for extra storage. Most tank bags use a magnetic mounting system in combination with a strap that ties of to the steering head of the bike. This makes it really easy to pull the tank bag of and on with out it being a big pain. This makes it easy to take off the bike and carry with you if you plan on being away from the bike for a while. Most of these bags also have a carrying handle which makes it even easier for you to carry the bag with you. Their are a lot of different tank bag sizes available so it is important to pick a size the will suit your needs. I recommend one that is expandable which will allow you to make it compact or expand it for more capacity when needed. Also when picking a tank bag you want to pick one that is water resistant in case you get caught in a down pour. Most tank bags are either made from water resistant material or come with a built in rain cover.

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Motorcycle Rims Can Add Glamour To A Bike 22
Feb
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 02 22nd, 2010

Motorcycle rims are like a pair of sunglasses; they can add glamour and change the way your bike looks. But you should not limit the utility of the rims to their looks. The rims play a far more important role in the way your bike runs.

There are basically two types of motorcycle rims: solid and laced. In the solid rim, the spokes as well the rim are fused to form a single, circular plate. The metal used here is usually solid aluminum.

Laced rims, on the other hand, are the conventional spoke wheels where a series of spokes are fused to the rim. The spokes add structural strength to the rim and also give the bike an individual look.

The Billet Motorcycle Wheels are also a rage. Here, the wheel unit is carved out of a single block of aluminum. What is interesting is that using computer aided designing, you can carve out really intricate spoke designs. You can also opt for a chrome finish. Billet designs can dramatically alter the look of your machine.

So what kind of rim-wheel combination is best for you?

There is no doubt that it is the laced variety. When you have spokes that attach the rim to the hub, you get better impact absorption than a solid wheel. The absorbed impact is spread evenly across the rim over a wider area because of flexibility. A solid wheel on the other hand is not flexible, so the full impact is absorbed only at the point of impact.

You also need to consider maintenance. Keep your rims in mint condition to avoid corrosion as that can lead to weak points. Since wheels are subject to a lot of stress there is always the possibility of broken spokes and punctured tubes, not to mention mishaps.

It is also a good policy to use rim locks to make sure that the tires dont slip off the rims. You should also make sure that the rim is always aligned. One easy way of doing this is to put the bike on the centre stand and then spin the wheels. Any lateral or vertical oscillation will immediately be noticeable. You can usually knock back a wheel into shape with a hammer and a small block of wood. But if you are not up to it, take it to a mechanic and get it done.

Remember: Keep the rim in shape and your bike will cut a great figure.

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Motorcycle Protective Clothing 13
Feb
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 02 13th, 2010

Everything that goes in the name of protective gear may not necessarily be as safe as the claims may be. In Europe, for example, apparel has to undergo a series of lengthy tests to qualify as safety clothing. These include abrasion, tearing and impact tests. If they are passed they are CR certified. In the US, where there are no such tests all riders should acquire a set of motorcycle protective clothing by keeping the following points in mind:

1. Wear a sturdy pair of high boots and protective pants. Your pants should be reinforced at the knees and hips and the boots should be made of thick leather with flexible sole.

2. Traditional motorcycle gear has been made of leather, but thick nylon and other synthetic material are good too. If you must wear jeans wear Kevlar ones; they are more abrasion resistant. The same goes for jackets too. If it is made of leather make sure the leather is thick and the jackets elbows and shoulders are reinforced. Some impact protection would be ideal.

3. Get yourself a decent pair of gloves with reinforced palm patches. This is absolutely essential because palms get terribly bruised during a fall. Knitted Kevlar is a very good choice; reinforced leather works well too.

4. Wear impact protection gear. They are available separately. You can also go for motorcycle clothing with a degree of impact protection built in. This way whenever you wear clothes you have at least a degree of protection.

5. Choose the right helmet. This is absolutely imperative. The helmet is the most important protective gear that you can have, never get on to the bike without it.

At the minimum, when you are on your bike you must have the following:

a. Helmet: Make sure it is DOT certified, and fits your head snugly.

b. Eye Protection: A full-face shield, three-quarter helmet, goggles, or close-fitting eyeglasses should be used to provide adequate protection to the eye.

c. Gloves: Since we reflexively put our hands out while falling, the palms are likely to get bruised unless there is protective covering on them. This is why gloves are so important.

d. Jacket: Jackets protect the bikers against the elements and also provide some impact absorption on falling.

e. Long trousers: Long trousers can protect your legs against insects, bugs and highway debris. They also provide some impact protection against falls.

f. Above-the-ankle footwear: These cushion your feet in case of a fall; they also protect your feet against stinging insects.

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Motorcycle Parts, Gear And Accessories 11
Feb
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 02 11th, 2010

When it comes to riding down the road with freedom ahead of you and leaving the wind at your back, there are many different motorcycle apparel and motorcycle accessories to make your presence complete.

Motorcycle Helmets

Since youre required by law to wear safety gear upon your head, you might as well express yourself through the creativity of your motorcycle helmet. Solid colors are available in every shade for both men and women. This also makes it easy to match the color of your ride. Flames, dragons, candy paints, spray designs when it comes to motorcycle helmets, the possibilities are endless.

Motorcycle Jackets

Motorcycle jackets play an important role in the arrangement of motorcycle apparel. It doesnt matter how hot the sun beams upon your skin during the summertime, there is always someone squeezing into his or her leather vest or motorcycle jacket. The materials used to create these motorcycle jackets go beyond the customary leather selections. Today, mesh, polyester mesh, waterproof Temperfoam and nylon are just some of the details that make up the construction of motorcycle jackets on the market. Some aspects of the jackets to be on the look out for include the color, fit and insulation.

Motorcycle Apparel

There are more than just motorcycle jackets to put on your body when you take to the streets. Motorcycle apparel extends to gloves, rain gear and two-piece riding suits that fit casual, dirt or street riding. Equipped to handle all sorts of terrain, two-piece riding suits offer colorful, reinforced body protection. Depending on the product line, characteristics, such as leather flex zones in the waist and knee area or plastic body-armor, may be offered. Many opt for a pair of motorcycle gloves that provide extra protection for the palm of the hand, as well as the fingers and thumb. For increased protection, choose a pair that offers wrist protection. Looking for a cool pair of shades? When shopping for motorcycle apparel, you may find sunglasses in this category, but often times, these cool motorcycle accessories are not considered apparel.

Motorcycle Boots

Since your feet need protection, too, there is a wide-range of motorcycle boots to choose from. What you want to accomplish with your motorcycle boots depends on the types of adventures you will embark on. You want to make sure that your boots provide the proper protection that you need to handle all of the resistance and shocks pertaining to bike riding. Good motorcycle boots offer convenient ankle support, as well as protection for your toes, heels and shins. Strong soles are also a plus. Make sure you choose motorcycle boots that offer breathable lining, so your feet dont suffer from excessive perspiration.

Motorcycle Accessories

When it comes to motorcycle accessories, you will find items for yourself, as well as for your ride. Perhaps you are in need of a new face shield or bag to tuck away your sweeties helmet. Tail bags and saddlebags are convenient products to browse because they serve many different purposes. Easily carry your lunch to work or your camera on vacations in one of the convenient zipper compartments. Roomy selections are perfect for storing an extra motorcycle helmet.

When it comes to eye protection, you could be cooling in no time with one of the many different shield goggles and sunglasses selections. Characteristics to be on the lookout for include comfortable nosepieces, interchangeable lens, optional straps, wrap-around capabilities, as well as a carrying pouch.

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Motorcycle Maintenance A Basic Guide 9
Feb
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 02 9th, 2010

Here we have a few things you should check on your motorcycle on a regular basis. I assume you have a handbook with the specs for your bike, if not, go get one. You may be able to find some data for your particular motorcycle on the net. You can also pick up workshop manuals for various models on eBay in PDF or CD form for little money.

Whereas with a four wheeled vehicle you may get away with being lax with things like tire pressures etc, this is not the case with a motorcycle. You should not risk compromising the safety and stability of your motorcycle, for the sake of a bit of routine maintenance.

Pre-ride check

Tires check condition and for foreign objects in the tread.

Tire pressures it is vitally important to keep your motorcycles tire pressures either on spec or very close to it.

Oil level always check with the bike on level ground.

Coolant level only if your bikes liquid cooled, obviously.

Chain check the tension and make sure its well lubed.

Brakes check they work and that they feel good.

Lights check all your lights, especially the brake light, you dont want to get rear ended, do you?

Visual inspection self explanatory.

All ok hit the road.

Periodical checks

Check battery see that the connections are tight; I dropped a bike once because of a loose battery connection, strange but true. Also check the electrolyte level on some batteries, a lot of newer batteries are gel filled, sealed for life types, so no need with these.

Carb balance if your bike is multi carbed get yourself a Morgan carbtune or similar. It can be a little tricky the first time you balance them, but when youve done it once, the second time will be easy.

Ignition timing only necessary on some bikes, most newer models have electronic ignition which does not need touching, normally.

Valve clearances unless youre a good home mechanic, take it to a dealer.

Wheel bearings grab each wheel with it off the ground and see if there is any sideways play. There should be none or maybe a trace at most.

Steering head bearings with the front end off the ground, grab the forks and push and pull. There should be no play.

Swinging arm bearings with the back wheel off the ground, check for any sideways movement in the swingarm, there should be none.

Brakes check fluid levels, brake hoses for deterioration, and pads/shoes for thickness.

Cables and levers should operate smoothly. Get some grease on lever/pedal pivot points, and get some lube down the cables, if you can. A cable oiler is a handy tool.

Nut and bolts go all round the motorcycle with your spanners and check that all nuts/ bolts/screws are nice and tight.

Well, thats about it for some basic maintenance, obviously, unless youre a good home mechanic, any bigger jobs will have to go to a dealer. The problem can be finding a good one with skilled mechanics you can trust. I manage to keep my Yamaha Fazer 1000 running sweet just using the steps listed above. It does help that this model only needs the valve clearances checking every 26,000 miles.

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Motorcycle Laws In Different States 9
Feb
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 02 9th, 2010

Different states in the US follow different motorcycle helmet laws that cater to their own residents and constituents. Motorcycle helmet law has been instituted to provide safety and protection to motorcycle riders from different states.

But the helmet law being followed in one state may not be the same as those followed in another. There are even other states that do not have their own laws governing the proper use of motorcycle helmets. There are currently 4 states that do not have their own motorcycle helmet law.

These are Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire. Of the other 46 states, 20 of them follow full helmet law for all riders in their territory to follow. They are Alabama, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. But each of these states motorcycle helmet laws may have differing definitions on what constitutes a safety helmet.

In the other remaining states, 19 have helmet laws that exempt adult riders. These are usually those riders who are 18 years old and over. These are the states of Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

There are seven states that require adult bikers at the ages of 18 and 20 to still wear helmets while riding their motorcycles. These states are Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Texas.

It is on these states that some bikers think that they are being discriminated upon because of the requirement for riders between 18 and 20 years old. But some motorcycle riders just would want to rid themselves of having to don their helmets while riding their motorcycles. But these riders should realize that helmets are there for their safety and protection.

Many motorcycle accidents have lessened rider mortalities, thanks to the protection offered by motorcycle helmets. DOT approved motorcycle helmets can help protect your head, most especially your brain from life threatening injuries in case of accidents. Your head is one of the most important parts of your body to protect while on a motorcycle because it houses the fragile brain.

Although your skull protects it, sudden jolts and stops can easily injure it. Such injuries can make your brain to swell due to internal bleeding and inflammation. And when it swells, it would not have enough space inside the skull for the extra volume and will bring more damage to some other very vital regions like the eyes.

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Motorcycle Helmets For The Youth 30
Jan
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 01 30th, 2010

It is particularly important to be aware of motorcycle safety when it comes to the youth. You might have a child who likes to ride motorcycles. To ensure his safety, try to invest in a youth motorcycle helmet that provides good protective coverage and excellent retention to help lessen your worries.

Youth motorcycle helmet safety also involves proper fit and sizing. Every motorcycle helmet dealer should have an expert available to help you find a youth motorcycle helmet that perfectly shaped to your child’s head.

In looking for the perfect fitting motorcycle helmet for your child, it is better that you should bring him with you when you do your helmet shopping. This way, you can have him determine for himself if such a helmet would be perfect for his own use. Here are some tips that would be able to help you find that motorcycle helmet with the perfect fit.

Let your kid try on several motorcycle helmets for at least five minutes to check for any bothersome areas. Have him look in the mirror to check for symmetry and ensure that the motorcycle helmet rests just above the eyebrows and to check for red marks after taking off the helmet.

The comfort liner of a motorcycle helmet can form to the shape of your head so the helmet typically becomes more comfortable over time and use. Be sure that you start with a good fitting helmet. You should also make sure that the helmet you choose has undergone anti-scratch and anti-fog treatments. In addition, make sure that the visor doesn’t touch the helmets outer shell that can result in scratches or fuzzy vision areas on your visor.

When choosing a youth motorcycle helmet, remember that a lighter model may be more comfortable than its heavier counterpart, but is perhaps less equipped to ensure motorcycle safety. You must be able to strike up the perfect balance over both features to ensure that your child enjoys comfort while wearing the helmet along with the features to provide the protection that you look for.

After you have purchased a helmet for your child, try to be cautious and careful in storing them. Avoid placing them in a high or unsteady location where the helmet could come crashing to the ground. Avoid the risk of scratching or busting an expensive motorcycle helmet by taking very good care of it. Avoid placing the helmet on the motorcycle saddle or the side mirrors. Doing so can damage the interior padding which can make the helmet unusable over time.

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Motorcycle Helmets: The Statistics 27
Jan
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 01 27th, 2010

When you go for a ride on your motorcycle, youre out to have fun. And hey, youve never had a crash before, so why would it happen now? Here are the government statistics about motorcycle helmets.

A brief history of the Law

In 1967, the US federal government said that it would take away funding from any state that didnt have a helmet law. By 1975, 47 states had complied with the federal government. However, in 1976, they repealed the law, ruling it unconstitutional. Most states softened their helmet laws.

Kentucky and Louisiana

In the late 1990s, Kentucky and Louisiana repealed their helmet laws. While the helmet laws were in effect, nearly 100% of the people wore their helmets. When the laws came off the books, it fell to only half of people wearing helmets. The rate of fatalities per number of registered motorcycles rose 37% in Kentucky, and it rose a staggering 74% in Louisiana.

Dont mess with Texas

Similarly to Kentucky and Louisiana, Texas took its helmet law off the books in 1997 for riders 21 or older who have insurance or training. Helmet use dropped from 96% to 66%, and motorcycle related deaths went up 1/3rd. This means that the death rates corresponds almost directly to the proportion of people who do not wear helmets.

Floridas Example

Florida repealed its helmet law in 2000. From 1997-1999 (three years while the law was in place) 515 motorcycle riders were killed in crashes; 48 of those deaths were people not wearing helmets. From 2001-2003 (three years after the law was created) there were 933 motorcycle riders killed in crashes; 566 of these were not wearing their helmet.

What we can learn from this is that more people die when helmet use becomes optional. There were roughly 400 deaths in each three year period of people who wear helmets. However, the rate of people who died not wearing helmets went up more than 10 times. This is not coincidental.

Helmet Law Defense League

The Helmet Law Defense League is a group of people who lobby against laws requiring the use of helmets. They claim that it anti-constitutional to force people to wear helmets. They also argue that the word helmet is too vague.

Bells and Whistles

Even if you dont choose to wear a motorcycle helmet for safety reasons, there are other reasons. The face guard allows you to see more clearly and prevents damage to your eyes when you go at high speeds. It also offers ear protection. Some helmets can be equipped with intercoms so you can communicate with your friends while youre on your bike.

The Source

The mortality rate statistics are taken directly from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The figures can be accessed through their annual reports, and some are available on their websites.

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Motorcycle Accessories For The Smart Rider 21
Jan
Posted by admin in Motorcycles on 01 21st, 2010

A motorcycle is incomplete without accessories. You need to pep up your motorbike with smart exhausts, chrome rims, air cleaners, sleek saddlebags, transparent windshields and shiny fenders if you want your bike to be noticed. These motorcycle accessories go on the bike. But what about you?

You too need to buy a full set of motorcycle gear for yourself. These accessories should include DOT certified helmets, protective leather jackets, motorcycle boots, motorcycle gloves and UV protected sunglasses.

You have the option to buy the accessories prescribed by the manufacturer. Or you can have them custom-designed. The latter will cost more, but will give your bike a completely personalized look.

Most riders love to change the exhausts first. It is not because the exhausts are sub-standard. On the contrary, the exhausts give bikes a style of their own. Thats why most riders prefer to install exhausts like M4, DD, and Cobra. These exhausts come in a variety of styles and finishes, and can be bought both offline and online.

It is important that when selecting an exhaust you should look at both performance and style. A good idea is to take the advice of experienced riders or bike mechanics. Theres no point in installing an exhaust that may look good but may not last long.

Chrome-plating, of course, is another ball game. You can select the parts that need to be chromed, and get the work done at standard chrome plating shops. Make sure that the plating is smooth, and there are no bubbles on the surface.

You can also consider installing windshields. These are especially useful in windy conditions. The only thing that you must make sure is that they should be made of clear plastic and should not obstruct vision.

You also need to spend some time on helmets. More than looks, you should see that the helmets fit your head closely. They should also stay on the head, and not roll off on impact. Also, if you want to go for a full face helmet you must ensure that you have a clear view. It should not be blocked by the helmets shield. A good way is to keep the helmet on for about 20 minutes or so. This will give you an idea of comfort levels.

Sunglasses are equally important accessories. They not only keep out glare but also protect your eyes from dust and flying insects, not to mention harmful UV rays. Also, you should not forget gloves and boots. Both are critical. Without good quality leather gloves, your fingers will go numb in the winters. Similarly, the boots not only protect you from serious injuries but also keep your ankle and feet protected from rain. Finally, you should go for leather jackets that have some armor protection on elbows and shoulders.

You are ready to ride out in style and safely — once you have all this.

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