Motorcycle Safety Equipment to Keep You Safe
Motorcycle safety consists of studying the dangers of motorcycling and the techniques to mitigate those risks. It involves rider training, road design, and cultural attitudes of motorcyclists. The Washington State Department of Licensing has a Motorcycle Safety Program.
Eye Protection-Motorcycle Safety Equipment
If you’re riding on the road, you should always wear eye protection. Not wearing it can expose your eyes to dangerous sunlight, wind blasts, and other hazards. It also helps prevent foreign objects from entering your eyes, like a bug that splatters against your headlight.
There are several types of protective eyewear, including goggles and sunglasses. These items are designed to shield the wearer’s eyes from flying debris, insects, and harmful UV rays. Some of them come with anti-fog coatings to prevent lens fogging.
The ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 (American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices) standard is the most recent version of the eye protection standard. This new version has added additional classes of protection and has improved on the previous one.
Unlike the old standard, the new one includes an impact rating and the + mark, which is an indicator of greater side protection.
Impact Protection in Motorcycle Jackets, Pants and More
Motorcycle jackets and pants offer different levels of impact protection. Some are lightweight, others are heavier and may be less flexible. The best jackets feature high-impact protection, weatherproofing and ventilation.
Leather motorcycle jackets provide excellent protection. Leather is thick and is able to withstand abrasions. They look great and are also very comfortable. Modern leather jackets have undergone years of testing to provide great protection.
A helmet is essential to your safety as well. It helps reduce the risk of death by 37 percent. Wearing a helmet can also prevent serious injuries from impact.
In addition to protecting your head, full face helmets can also protect your face and jaw. The clavicle is one of the most common areas to break in a crash, but these injuries can be prevented with chest and back protection. Washington State has laws about safety equipment necessary when operating a motorcycle.
Maintenance to Improve Motorcycle Safety Equipment
Proper motorcycle maintenance is an important part of keeping you and your bike safe. If you neglect the proper maintenance, your bike may malfunction and you could end up in a bad situation. There are steps you can take to avoid problems such as low tire pressure, clogged air filters, and poor gas mileage.
The most effective way to keep your motorcycle in good working condition is to follow a regular maintenance schedule. You can do this by reading your owner’s manual. It will contain a list of service intervals.
For example, check your brake fluid and coolant every few months. Also, keep your battery charged. Having a dead battery will make your ride uncomfortable and unproductive.
When it comes to fuel, it pays to have a siphon pump. This will help you get rid of old, stale gasoline.
Theft prevention
Motorcycle theft is a growing problem in the United States, up 26% since 2019. Washington was one of the top 5 states with the highest number of motorcycles stolen in 2021 with 1,947 bikes stolen. There are a few steps that you can take to protect your motorcycle from thieves.
The first step is to look for a secure place to park your motorcycle. Ideally, you should try to find a location that is near your home and has a good security system. You should also park your bike in a well-lit area. If you have to park on a sidewalk, then you should park behind a bicycle stand. If you have to park on the street then you should park behind a parked car.
Another way to prevent theft is to have an alarm installed. There are several types of alarms that you can buy. They range in price from around $80 to $120. Some even sync with your iPhone. This will alert you if your bike is being stolen.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident call the experts at Evergreen Personal Injury Counsel for help or advice.