Motorcycle Riding Gear
When you get the urge to chase down that horizon, there’s no better way than on your own motorcycle. But these powerful machines can be dangerous, so you need the right gear to stay safe and comfortable on your next adventure. We here at Ol’ Red’s Motorcycles want you to make the most of every ride, so we’ve got some recommendations for what gear you’ll need below. To learn more, or to see the motorcycles we have for sale, contact our store in Simpsonville, South Carolina, today!
Visibility
One of the most important aspects of motorcycle riding is that you can be seen. Bikes have a small profile, so it can be easy to get overlooked by other motorists in larger vehicles. Stand out by investing in visibility gear with bright colors or reflective clothing or stickers. These can be added to your regular gear without ruining your look pretty easily.
Head Protection
You also need to make sure you can see in return. Eye protection is important for keeping the wind and airborne debris from stinging or injuring your eyes. A helmet with a visor will do this nicely, but if your helmet doesn’t have one, we recommend a pair of sunglasses or riding goggles.
Of course, helmets do more than protect your eyes. Without an enclosed cab or seatbelt, your head is at risk in any crash or slide-out scenario. A well-fitting helmet makes sure that any accident isn’t worse. A photosensitive visor that changes tint by the amount of sunlight also means you don’t need to wear sunglasses under the helmet, which can be nice.
Hearing Protection
Helmets help, but any time you ride over 40 miles per hour (which, let’s be honest, is the whole point of a motorcycle), your ears are at risk of irreversible damage. Road noise, engine noise, and rushing wind all combine to do a number on your hearing. Disposable or reusable ear plugs or reusable wax balls will keep your hearing intact.
Rain Gear
If you ride your motorcycle regularly, you’ll end up riding in the rain at some point. So long as you’re confident it’s safe for you to ride, you’ll want waterproof outerwear to keep your clothes (and you) as dry as possible. There are plenty of ponchos and rain coats that will fit over your regular riding gear and which can be kept in a saddlebag in case of emergencies. Remember to get these in bright colors or reflective materials, since visibility gets much worse when it’s raining.
Ready to hit the highway? Contact us at Ol’ Red’s Motorcycles to learn more, or to see the motorcycles we have available. We proudly serve the people of Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina, and Charlotte, North Carolina—let us serve you today!