Skip to content

Gear Up
Training & Endorsement
Your Best Ride

Gear up

There’s nothing like the freedom of riding a motorcycle. But if things go wrong, the best protection between you and the open road is what you’re wearing. Even on short trips, it’s important to dress for the slide, not the ride.

After all, you’ll never regret the day you were overdressed for a crash.

HelmetAll safety gear is important, but if we had to choose a single most important piece, it would be your helmet. As a starting point, be sure your helmet is DOT approved. Full-face helmets with a visor offer the highest level of protection. If you opt for a ½ helmet or open-faced helmet, you also need to wear additional eye protection.
Eye ProtectionA helmet with a visor offers the best eye protection, but if you choose to ride in a helmet without a visor, additional eye protection is crucial. Motorcycle goggles are the best alternative to a visor. Eyeglasses can protect your eyes from some hazards as well, but offer far less protection than goggles or a visor.
JacketRegardless of the weather, or the length of your ride, a jacket is a crucial piece of safety equipment. There is a huge range of motorcycle jackets available to fit your style while keeping you comfortable and safe. Make sure you try on jackets with the clothes you plan to typically ride in to ensure a good fit. You may also want to pick a jacket with additional armor in the elbows, shoulders and back.
GlovesWhen the ground is coming at you fast, it’s natural to try to catch yourself… and that’s when gloves make all the difference. Purpose-made motorcycle gloves — in leather or textile — are the best way to keep your hands safe. There are lots of styles to choose from, so just be sure they fit snugly and comfortably. Trying to manage your bike in oversized gloves can be clumsy and dangerous.
PantsWhen it comes to keeping your legs safe, motorcycle pants offer more protection — especially if they include armor in places that will offer the most protection. Like jackets, motorcycle pants come in many different materials and styles, ranging from leather to Kevlar-denim blends.
BootsMotorcycle boots offer more protection than other types of footwear and are designed with your safety and performance in mind. They typically offer built-in ankle protection, oil-resistant soles for extra grip, and interior laces, buckles, or Velcro to prevent tangling with your motorcycle. Some also have replaceable reinforcements for high wear areas on the toes, shifter pad and heels so that you can repair your boots rather than buying new ones.

© 2024 | Washington Traffic Safety Commission

About
Contact
Privacy Policy

Gear Up
Training & Endorsement
Your Best Ride