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Sport PPE

“The most important thing outside getting proper training is wearing safety gear,” says Super Bikes! host Jason Britton. “Go out and put as much safety gar on your body as possible!” Sport bike PPE can be broken down into two different categories:  Casual street riding wear and full street/track protection.  It can’t be stressed enough…the street is the most dangerous place for any rider, whether you are cruising around on your custom chopper or are riding the freeway on your Ninja. And remember, if it’s 100 or 20 degrees out, there’s PPE for that occasion.  Follow these street riding PPE recommendations and you’ll improve your chances of surviving an accident.  Like Jason says, “Dress for the crash, not for the ride.”

	Helmet A wind tunnel-tested, full-face weatherproof helmet is always recommended for sport bike riders.  Due to the rider position and the aerodynamic shape of the bike, open face helmets are impractical. There are many brands and styles to choose from.  Marine riders must wear a properly fastened (under the chin) protective helmet which meets the standards of the Snell Memorial Foundation (SNELL), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), or the Department of Transportation (DOT).  Manufacturers of “novelty” helmets sometimes include a “decorative” DOT sticker which is invalid.
	Eye Protection If you’re wearing a full-face helmet you should always ride with your shield down.  If you’re shield is open while riding, your goggles or sunglasses must be shatter resistant and should be UV-protective.
	Jacket “(Riders) should always wear an appropriate jacket whether it’s (textile), leather, or a combination of the two,” advises “Teach” McNeil.  They should have (CE Approved armor) in the elbows and shoulders, and a back protector.” They also come in a variety of thicknesses with vents for various environments.  Make sure it has enough pockets to carry items you may need, such as your cell phone, wallet, and maybe a place for your (sun)glass case.  Also, any sort of contrasting colors will help you be more visible to drivers.  While the minimum requirement for Marine street riders is a long sleeve shirt, a street-riding specific jacket is always recommended.
	Riding Suits Sport bike riding suits are made of leather, textile, or a combination of both.  “They are the safest thing you can get to ride motorcycles in,” says McNeil.  The anti-abrasive nature of those materials make riding suits the safest gear for sport bike riders to wear.  Riding suits can be one or two piece.  Some key features are kneesliders, vents or perforated panels for ventilation, accordion stretch panels at joint points, and multiple stitched seams to resist tears.  Many come incorporated with rigid back protection.
	Reflective Vest Although no longer required for Marines riding on the street, they are still encouraged as an effective way to be visible to drivers.  They are typically made of a bright colored mesh which facilitates airflow.  They also have reflective taping as well as helpful ID holders and pockets.
	Back Protection Every sport bike rider should invest in a back protector if their jacket or riding suit doesn’t already have one.  They provide an extra level of protection, and function like a tortoise’s shell, protecting from impact and abrasion.  They can be worn internally or externally, and are made of a hard, CE Approved plastic shell with protective impact-absorbing foam underneath.
	Pants There are basically three choices of material when it comes to sport bike riding pants:  1.2-1.4mm leather, textile, or 14 ounce-plus denim. Riding suit pants are typically textile or leather.  Regardless, they should all be multiple-stitched and be long enough in the legs to fit over your boot while riding.  Sport bike pants should also have reinforced knee and hip panels.
	Knee Protection Riding suits usually have built in knee protection in the form of kneesliders.  If your riding pants don’t have adequate knee protection, you can kick your safety up a notch by adding some knee guards.  Most are made of a molded plastic exterior with impact absorbing foam underneath.  Many manufacturers make knee protectors that are low-profile enough to fit under denim jeans.
	Boots There are enough sport bike boots available to fit every rider’s taste.  The absolute basics of a good riding boot are that they fit over the ankle (preferably with ankle bone protection), have a non-slip, non-conductive rubber sole, an impact resistant shin protector, and a retro-reflective visibility patch.  A buckle or some sort of clasp is also recommended to make sure the boot stays securely on. They are constructed of leather, textile, hard plastic, mesh, rubber and metal, or some combination of all six.  Whatever the combination…you’re sure to find your style.
	Gloves Street riding gloves are made with a combination of leather, rugged textile fabric, and knuckle protection typically made of injected plastic molding or carbon fiber. “Gloves are very very important,” says Stuntwars! Champion Chris “Teach” McNeil. “The first thing that hits the ground when you do crash is your hands.” As for which to select, make sure they are comfortable and more importantly, don’t get in the way of operating your bike’s controls.  Just remember, motocross-style gloves aren’t to be used when riding on the street.