Motorcycle Marauders

Safety First

Winter has faded and summer is finally here! For most it means cleaning and getting flower beds ready for planting. For others, Springtime means it's finally time to pull back the tarp and kickstart the motorcycle, riding season has finally come. When it comes to riding motorcycles, safety is always the key. With a lot less frame around you, being on a bike can leave you extra vulnerable. Throw in a few inconsiderate drivers not paying attention and you can really be at risk for injury or worse. That's why having the right gear is crucial for having a fun, and safe riding season.

When it comes to riding gear, there are three main pieces that are important for keeping you in one piece. Helmet, jacket and pants are some of the most important things to wear while riding. Should the unfortunate happen, being properly equipped can save you from what every rider dreads, road rash. Other pieces might be considered, such as gloves, but aren't always necessary.

You should always be conscious of your tire pressure. On a motorcycle you will need a tire pressure monitoring system. Using a tire pressure monitor can keep you safe on long road trips or with a passenger. Be sure to use lower pressure when traveling with a passenger. This will keep your bike in balance and will make turns easier to traverse. A tire traker will save you money as well. By monitoring your tires, you will be able to put more air in or take it our depending on the terrain and the distance.

Vests or riding jackets are another important piece of gear that can save you from a long a painful recovery should the worst happen. If your not a fan of wearing leather, or don't buy into the traditional biker look, you might consider checking out some of the gear from Tourmaster. Breathable and waterproof, the Tourmaster Transition 3 is a great choice for long rides. Another offer from this company is the Tourmaster Epic jacket. Incredibly vibrant allows for superb visibility which is very important when riding. Finally the Tourmaster Centurion, a full body riding suit that not only protects your from the elements but many other potential hazards you may face along the way.

If you decided not to go with the full body suit, then you may also want to consider a pair of protective pants. While denim is durable it doesn't do much to protect you from the ravages of gravel, broken glass, and road rash. While chaps may not be for everyone, leather pants offer a great deal of protection and can help keep you warm on colder days. Certain companies even offer specially made leather pants for women, to help add a little stylish flare for the chic biker chick.

Whatever you decide to wear when you ride, just be safe and be visible. While it's a motorists responsibility to pay attention and share the road, all too often this is forgotten. Ride safe, arrive alive, and enjoy the season.

The Clothes Make the Bike

If you’re serious about riding your street bike, then of course you’ve tricked it out. Your bike runs beautifully and is souped up beyond all reason. Now the problem is, when you ride you look like an idiot: t-shirt and jeans, an open face helmet… it just doesn’t look right. What you need are clothes that fit the occasion of leaving everyone in your dust.

First, you need to protect yourself while looking stylish. Bell motorcycle helmets are aerodynamic, styled, and can protect your entire head and face. That’s pretty important: you’re far too pretty to suffer lacerations to the face. An Arai Profile helmet is also a very stylish option for helmets. The Arai Corsair V is also a top quality helmet you can use over the open-face helmet you see on the highway. Sure, you don’t feel the wind on your face, but then, you don’t feel the gravel on it either.

Once you’ve got the helmet, you want the right jacket. A good motorcycle jacket is padded but made of a tight-fitting material that won’t whip around in the wind. After all, a sail in the form of a jacket won’t exactly speed you up. One of the best jackets you can get is a Tourmaster Transition 2, a padded, colorful, and fitted jacket that a lot of riders use over the leather jackets people often associate with bikers.

That isn’t to say that leather is always bad. Leather is a great material for avoiding the pain that heavy winds or gravel kicked up by your bike can cause. Leather pants for women are especially stylish, able to be worn off or on the bike. Not to mention, they look pretty hot.

All in all, there are lots of companies you can go to for all your bike regalia needs. A great company with great prices is Icon Riding Gear, a top producer and designer in the field. Helmets, jackets, pants, gloves, just about anything you could need can be found at Icon.

At Icon you can get coordinated outfits, each with their own helmet, or you could even get an outfit that matches the color scheme of your bike. If you want to leave a strong impression on those slowpokes down the road, a bright slash of color on the street is a great way to do it. So get right to it! The longer you wait, the longer your bike sits in the garage, gathering dust and getting bored.