Why Do Bikers Dress The Way They Do?
Tyler Powers
Copyright (c) 2006 Tyler Powers
Most motorcycle riders wear leather - lots of leather. Boots,
chaps, vests, gloves, chain wallets, and leather jackets. The
reason behind all this leather is not for looks, and it's not to
appear threatening. It's all about protection!
There is protection from weather provided by leather. Riding in
cool weather gets very cold when you are moving at 55 miles per
hour. Even the gentle Florida winter requires protection from
winter weather. In fact, I would never know that was Becki
getting ready to ride the Toy Run if I didn't recognize the
motorcycle! Weather isn't the only issue, however.
True bikers dress to protect themselves in a fall rather than
dressing just for the ride. Accidents do happen. You may have to
drop a bike to avoid being hit by a car. You may experience a
front blow out and lose control. It is possible that even the
most experienced rider can drop a bike. I've had to CHOOSE to
drop a bike to avoid being run over by a car. The bike and I
both survived. I didn't even get road rash since I was wearing
leather! I also chose where to drop the bike so it wasn't
damaged except for a paint ding.
Bikers learn from experience, both theirs and others. When you
see someone who chose to ride in shorts and tee-shirt come in
covered with road rash, you know that riding that way is not
wise. They dressed for the summer ride and failed to dress for
the fall which happened.
That explains the leather jackets and chaps. But why the chain
wallets? Motorcycles vibrate somewhat. You climb on and off
them. This places stress on the back pocket where a wallet would
be carried. Over time, the wallet can drop out unnoticed and not
only is money lost, but ID, proof of insurance, credit cards
lots of valuable things that take time and trouble to replace.
With the chain wallet, this cannot happen. You also do not
expose yourself to having a pick-pocket hit you during a crowded
motorcycle event!
The leather gloves - often fingerless for summer wear -- make
holding handlebars for hours more comfortable. There isn't a
cruise control on a motorcycle, although some people rig them
up. The throttle is in your hand and you have it turned to the
speed you want to go for the entire ride. That wears on the palm
and tires the hand. The gloves provide comfort. Mesh and leather
are normally used for summer riding, full leather for winter
rides. Also, the hands are provided protection from the road in
case of a skid, fall, or drop. Road rash on the palms HURTS!
Goggles or eye protection is often the law, but it also makes
sense. Think what happens if a bug hits you in the eye at 55
mph! Of course, the goggles or eye protection needs to look
cool, but that just because no one wants to wear funny looking
glasses. Helmet visors provide the protection in states where
helmets are required. A benefit of visors, if you use a
full-face visor, bugs don't get in your mouth either! ICK!
Speaking of bugs: leather protects the rider from insect impacts
as well. Do you realize how hard a bug is when it hits your body
at high speed?? It's painful!! And no one would want that angry
insect to sting if it were capable.
Boots are a necessity. If you "almost" drop a bike, often that
sturdy boot placed on the ground prevents the potential drop
becoming a real accident. Think how your foot would look if you
had to steady yourself and your bike wearing thin bottom
sneakers? If you ruin a pair of boots because you saved yourself
from a fall, it's an investment that paid off! Boots also
provide protection from hot exhaust pipes and support the ankles
better for mounting and dismounting your ride.
Where helmets are not required, leather skull caps are popular.
Sometimes called a "do-rag", these leather bandana-like objects
are shaped for the head and tie in the back. This hold hear in
place but also provides some protection should you scrape your
head during a fall. Of course, if you HIT your head during a
fall, only a helmet will provide protection. However, we should
let those who ride decide, but most states feel otherwise!
There is a reason for every thing the biker wears. Sure, it
looks cool in their opinion, and there is some really beautiful
riding gear available. But it's not all about looks. What you
wear when you ride can save your life or at least your skin!
About the author:
Tyler Powers is a contributing author and webmaster for
http://www.custom-choppers-guide.com . You can get a special
free mini course on motorcycle building mistakes at
http://www.custom-choppers-guide.com/how-to-build-a-chopper.html
Copyright (c) 2006 Tyler Powers
Most motorcycle riders wear leather - lots of leather. Boots,
chaps, vests, gloves, chain wallets, and leather jackets. The
reason behind all this leather is not for looks, and it's not to
appear threatening. It's all about protection!
There is protection from weather provided by leather. Riding in
cool weather gets very cold when you are moving at 55 miles per
hour. Even the gentle Florida winter requires protection from
winter weather. In fact, I would never know that was Becki
getting ready to ride the Toy Run if I didn't recognize the
motorcycle! Weather isn't the only issue, however.
True bikers dress to protect themselves in a fall rather than
dressing just for the ride. Accidents do happen. You may have to
drop a bike to avoid being hit by a car. You may experience a
front blow out and lose control. It is possible that even the
most experienced rider can drop a bike. I've had to CHOOSE to
drop a bike to avoid being run over by a car. The bike and I
both survived. I didn't even get road rash since I was wearing
leather! I also chose where to drop the bike so it wasn't
damaged except for a paint ding.
Bikers learn from experience, both theirs and others. When you
see someone who chose to ride in shorts and tee-shirt come in
covered with road rash, you know that riding that way is not
wise. They dressed for the summer ride and failed to dress for
the fall which happened.
That explains the leather jackets and chaps. But why the chain
wallets? Motorcycles vibrate somewhat. You climb on and off
them. This places stress on the back pocket where a wallet would
be carried. Over time, the wallet can drop out unnoticed and not
only is money lost, but ID, proof of insurance, credit cards
lots of valuable things that take time and trouble to replace.
With the chain wallet, this cannot happen. You also do not
expose yourself to having a pick-pocket hit you during a crowded
motorcycle event!
The leather gloves - often fingerless for summer wear -- make
holding handlebars for hours more comfortable. There isn't a
cruise control on a motorcycle, although some people rig them
up. The throttle is in your hand and you have it turned to the
speed you want to go for the entire ride. That wears on the palm
and tires the hand. The gloves provide comfort. Mesh and leather
are normally used for summer riding, full leather for winter
rides. Also, the hands are provided protection from the road in
case of a skid, fall, or drop. Road rash on the palms HURTS!
Goggles or eye protection is often the law, but it also makes
sense. Think what happens if a bug hits you in the eye at 55
mph! Of course, the goggles or eye protection needs to look
cool, but that just because no one wants to wear funny looking
glasses. Helmet visors provide the protection in states where
helmets are required. A benefit of visors, if you use a
full-face visor, bugs don't get in your mouth either! ICK!
Speaking of bugs: leather protects the rider from insect impacts
as well. Do you realize how hard a bug is when it hits your body
at high speed?? It's painful!! And no one would want that angry
insect to sting if it were capable.
Boots are a necessity. If you "almost" drop a bike, often that
sturdy boot placed on the ground prevents the potential drop
becoming a real accident. Think how your foot would look if you
had to steady yourself and your bike wearing thin bottom
sneakers? If you ruin a pair of boots because you saved yourself
from a fall, it's an investment that paid off! Boots also
provide protection from hot exhaust pipes and support the ankles
better for mounting and dismounting your ride.
Where helmets are not required, leather skull caps are popular.
Sometimes called a "do-rag", these leather bandana-like objects
are shaped for the head and tie in the back. This hold hear in
place but also provides some protection should you scrape your
head during a fall. Of course, if you HIT your head during a
fall, only a helmet will provide protection. However, we should
let those who ride decide, but most states feel otherwise!
There is a reason for every thing the biker wears. Sure, it
looks cool in their opinion, and there is some really beautiful
riding gear available. But it's not all about looks. What you
wear when you ride can save your life or at least your skin!
About the author:
Tyler Powers is a contributing author and webmaster for
http://www.custom-choppers-guide.com . You can get a special
free mini course on motorcycle building mistakes at
http://www.custom-choppers-guide.com/how-to-build-a-chopper.html
posted by The Editor at
6:23 AM
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