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Standard PPE

When you’re getting ready to invest in a solid set of cruiser, touring, standard or custom PPE there are a few considerations to keep in mind.  There are plenty of gear manufacturers that guarantee you’ll find a style to fit you and your bikes personality.  Just remember, your gear should fit snug but not tight, that way you don’t get wind-whipped and can still steer you bike.  And because we’re dealing with the road and its potential consequences, we want to make sure we are wearing textile or leather jackets.  The same goes for pants, or at the very least thick, double stitched denim with knee protection.

	Helmet A wind tunnel-tested, full face weatherproof helmet is always recommended for road riding.  There are many brands and styles to choose from.  Some riders opt for an open-face helmet. If you choose to wear one make sure you wear shatter-resistant eye protection. Whether full or open-faced, 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 have an open-face helmet your goggles or sunglasses must be shatter resistant and should be UV-protective.
	Jacket Road riding jackets should be either textile or leather, and should be equipped with CE Approved dual-density armor in the elbows, shoulders and back.  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.
	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 Some street riders take their safety to the next level and invest in back protectors.  They provide an extra level of protection, and function (and look) 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 when it comes to street riding pants:  Leather, textile, or 14 ounce-plus denim.  They should all be double-stitched and be long enough in the legs to fit over your boot while riding.  Street riding pants should also have reinforced knee and hip panels.
	Knee Protection Even though your street riding pants should have reinforced knees, 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 street riding 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.  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.