Protect Your Other Body Parts

Although not legally required like a helmet is, the rest of your body is exposed equally or more to injury of various kinds, such as fractures and scrapes from falls or collisions and loss of hand or foot dexterity due to cold. It makes sense to equip yourself with at least a minimal amount of protection. This includes a long-sleeve jacket, gloves, long pants  and boots to cover the ankles.  There is a wide range of apparel on the market today giving consumers plenty of choice  in vendors, style, price and quality. You can buy online, from a consignment retailer or from a local motorcycle dealer. If you are riding most of the year in all sorts of weather conditions, on streets and highways, night or day, cloudy or sunny, hot or cold, you will want to get some good gear to wear for whatever the circumstances demand. “Good gear”  generally means appropriate. It could be gear that is abrasion-resistent, conspicuous, waterproof, insulated, lightweight, ventilated, affordable  as well as comfortable and attractive. Some examples of “good gear” are:

 

 

Neon Olympia 3-layer nylon (Cordura) waterproof/ventilated mesh  jacket with night reflectors and armour protection for the shoulders, elbows and back ($300 value). This is a must for highway driving, cold weather or night riding.


A leather  jacket is a good alternative on dry, sunny days ($100-$600)



 

Standard leather motorcycle gloves ($35 each) and waterproof insulated gauntlet-style gloves ($70) for cold, wet weather

Leather ankle boots, non-laced; at least one pair should be waterproof and insulated
($100-$300 each)

Denim/Kevlar reinforced pants
are a good option to consider  ($110-$160)

Leather pants or chaps can also offer good protection ($100-$300)







A light polyester waterproof rainsuit, one or two-piece, with pockets, high visibility neon and reflectors ($70-$700) a must for riding in wet weather.

Protect Your Head

Head injury is one major risk motorcyclists are exposed to each time they ride. According to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), motorcycle riders are more likely to be killed and more likely to be seriously injured than other road users in BC. Massive trauma to the head is often fatal. As in many jurisdictions, helmets are mandatory. In British Columbia, motorcycle safety helmet standards are specified under the Regulations of the Motor Vehicle Act.  Briefly, helmets in British Columbia must meet DOT, Snell M2005/ M2010 or ECE safety standards. Wearing an approved helmet can prevent or minimize serious head and brain injury. The fine for riding a motorcycle in BC without the required helmet is currently $138.00. Although the fine is relatively small and zero penalty points are attached to this infraction, you do not want to ride without an approved helmet in good condition. The cost for a good full-face helmet like the one shown here can be as low as $109. The average is in the $500-$700 range with designer or specialty helmets costing more. It's a smart investment.