Gear and clothing

• Motorcycle helmets
• Eye and face protection
• Protective clothing

Motorcycle helmets

If you fall off your motorcycle, it's likely that your head will hit the road.

A good helmet can prevent serious injury, and this is why the law requires every rider and pillion passenger to wear an approved safety helmet, securely fastened on their head.

Helmet safety standards

An approved motorcycle helmet is one that complies with one or more of the approved international standards:

• UN/ECE Regulation No. 22: Protective helmets and their visors for drivers and passengers of motor cycles and mopeds ( Europe)
• Australian Standard AS 1698: Protective helmets for vehicle users
• New Zealand Standard NZ 5430: Protective helmets for vehicle users
• Snell Memorial Foundation: Helmet Standard for use in motorcycling
• Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218: Motor-cycle helmets
• British Standard BS 6658: Specification for protective helmets for vehicle users (for type A helmets only)
• Japan Industrial Standard T8133.

Helmets that comply with approved standards can be identified using these markings:

AS 1698	UN/ECE 22 (example only)	NZS 5430
BS 6658	JIS T8133
Snell Standards

Helmets complying with FMVSS 218 will be marked with the letters 'DOT'. This standard is only acceptable for motorcycle helmets that have been manufactured and purchased in the USA.

Fitting your helmet

Your helmet should:

• fit snugly, ie be neither too tight nor too loose (a loose helmet is almost as bad as no helmet at all)
• be securely fastened.

Other helmet safety features

Your helmet should:

• be a bright colour, such as orange, yellow, red or white
• have red reflective material or red reflective tape on the back and sides.

Damage to helmets

Even dropping a motorcycle helmet onto a hard surface can cause damage that can't always be seen.

For this reason, you should never buy a second-hand helmet.

You should replace your helmet if it has obvious damage — eg, if it is cracked or has loose padding, frayed straps or exposed metal.

Cleaning your helmet

Soap and water is the best way to clean a motorcycle helmet.

Never use petrol, meths or any other organic solvent because these can weaken the shell or the shock-absorbent lining. For the same reason, paints or stickers with unsuitable glues should not be used on a helmet.

Eye and face protection

When you're riding your motorcycle, your eyes need protection from wind, dust, rain, insects and debris (including debris thrown up by other vehicles).

Face shields, visors and goggles provide suitable protection. They must:

• be clean and free of scratches
• be made of material that does not shatter
• give a clear view to either side
• be fastened securely so they cannot be blown off
• allow air to circulate so they won't fog up. (Anti -fogging products are available)
• allow enough room for glasses or sunglasses, if you need to wear these.

If you're riding and your eye and face protection becomes smeared, pull over to the side of the road as soon as it is safe to do so, and clean it.

If your eye and face protection becomes cracked, you may need to remove it or, in the case of visors or goggles, ride with the visor up. A damaged visor or goggles should be replaced as soon as possible.

Protective clothing

Protective clothing is important on a motorcycle. It can:

• protect you from severe skin grazing if you fall
• keep you comfortable while you're riding
• make you more noticeable, if you choose bright colours.

Your clothing needs to keep you warm and dry.

• Riding for long periods in cold weather can cause severe chill and fatigue, so dress warmly. You can't control a motorcycle properly if you are numb. Resist wind and cold by wearing a jacket that is windproof and fits snugly at your neck, wrists and waist.
• Even in fine weather, 'wind chill' (or hypothermia) can be a problem if you don't wear the correct clothing. The wind can cause your body temperature to drop, reducing your concentration and slowing your reflexes.
• It's best to wear wet weather gear that is designed and made for motorcycling. Other types of clothing can tear apart or balloon up.

Your motorcycling jacket and pants should cover your arms and legs completely, even in warm weather.

Motorcycle gloves will protect your hands and give you a better hold on the handgrips and controls.

Boots are the best footwear to wear when riding. Your boots should:

• at least cover your ankles
• be made of leather or strong synthetic material.

Don't ride in running shoes — or worse still, in jandals or bare feet. Avoid shoes with rings or laces that could catch on the motorcycle.

Last updated: 9 May 2005