Motorcycles: Traveling Safely on Two Wheels

There are fewer modes of transportation more thrilling than sitting on the back of a motorcycle with your arms wrapped around your beau (or belle), coasting down the highway on a clear, sunny day.

It’s a pretty common statement most parents make: Motorcycles are dangerous. Yes, they are. But so are cars, bikes or even walking down the stairs if you don’t do it properly and take the necessary precautions. Motorcycles can also be fun. Exhilarating. And they can help you fill your bad girl (or boy) quota for the day.

As always, though, safety first. Here are the basic must-have products for a safe and fun motorcycle ride:

Full-Face helmet

Specifically a full-face helmet that is Department of Transportation (DOT) approved. You will know it is by the DOT stamp on the back of it. These helmets may not do much in the way of fashion, but they are the safest helmets you can wear while on a bike. Not only that, they reduce the noise and wind, which makes your ride much more comfortable — and it keeps you warmer on those night rides.

Boots

These can be any style. Cowboy, stiletto, riding boots … doesn’t matter. The key thing to remember is your legs will be right next to the exhaust pipe, which can get extremely hot while you ride. Boots protect your calves from painful burns if your skin ever comes in contact with these pipes.

Gloves and Jacket

It could very well be 100 degrees out, but you need to wear a pair of gloves and a jacket (and pants, preferably). This is for the worst-case scenario of something happening and your bike going down. You want to have as little exposed skin as possible to avoid serious road rash — skin abrasions caused by sliding across gravel or concrete.

If you’ve never been on the back of a bike, it can be scary the first time. As long as you wear the proper gear and ride responsibly (this applies to both you and the driver), motorcycles can truly be the most exciting way to get from A to B.