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Did you listen to Episode 10 of this podcast? If you did, by now, you’re probably wearing a helmet.
But that’s not enough – you’ll also need a proper motorcycle jacket, gloves, and armor.
Tune in to discover:
- The two main different types of motorcycle jackets and their pros and cons
- Why you must wear gloves (yes, even in the summer)
- The armor ratings you should keep an eye out for (and one you must avoid)
Transcript
Hello, and welcome to 30 MInute motorcycling, a podcast for new, aspiring, and returning riders, where you’ll learn something about motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, and other two-wheelers in 30 minutes or less.
In the previous episode, we looked at motorcycle helmets and how to get the best possible one.
But a helmet alone isn’t enough – you also need a proper motorcycle jacket, gloves, and armor.
So in this episode, we’re going to talk about.
We’re going to talk about :
- the two different kinds of motorcycle jackets,
- why you must wear gloves at all times (even during intense summer heatwaves),
- and the two different armor ratings you should keep an eye out for.
Let’s begin with jackets.
Jackets
There are two kinds of motorcycle jackets – leather and textile.
No matter which type of jacket you buy, it serves one purpose – to act as a protective layer if you have a crash and protect your skin from being scraped off.
Buying a new jacket is easy – can’t say the same thing for your skin tissue.
Anyway, leather jackets have been common among bikers for decades, and it’s easy to see why they’re still around today – they offer great protection and keep you warm during the colder months of the year.
Keep in mind however that not just any leather jacket will do – make sure your leather jacket is designed for motorcycle use – look for inserts for elbow and shoulder armor pads.
Also Keep in mind that in hot weather, they can be quite uncomfortable to wear.
If the weather gets a little hotter, a textile jacket would be more suitable.
Textile jackets can still offer great protection, but remember that they’re usually designed to be worn over your regular clothes.
If you buy a textile jacket that’s designed to fit over your regular clothes, make sure that you have room for additional layers underneath and above all that your movement isn’t restricted.
Aside from that it’s also important that you get a jacket that fits you properly. If it’s too baggy, air might get into it while your riding, which causes the jacket to flap like a sail.
Next, let’s move on to gloves.
Gloves
Because yes, even if you live in the desert where it gets scorching hot, you still have to wear gloves while you ride.
Why? Well, look at your hand. Notice anything? There’s not much flesh on it. If you scrape them up in an accident, there’s not much left.
You might even grind your fingers down to the bare bone – I know – it’s disgusting to think of, but it’s also a great reason why you must wear gloves while you’re riding a motorcycle.
For colder weather, you can get insulated or even heated gloves.
Finally, let’s talk about armor.
Armor
While some jackets have built-in armor, you might have to buy armor separately. If that’s the case, the armor rating you need to look for is
“EN1621”.
I’ll say that again:
“EN1621”
– The “EN” stands for “European Norm”
– “1621” states that the armor is for motorcycle use.
In addition, you might see “EN1621-1” or “EN1621-2”:
If the armor rating says “EN1621-1,” it means that you can use the piece of armor anywhere EXCEPT for your back
If it says EN1621-2, it means that the armor is designed to be use on your back
Oh, and one more thing – if you come across a piece of armor that has a rating that reads “EN/CE” on it; avoid it. This type of armor is designed for bicycles – i.e. those things with pedals on them.
And that concludes this episode of the 30 Minute Motorcycling Podcast about motorcycle jackets, gloves, and armor.
But we’re still not done with protective equipment – we have more pieces to include – trousers and boots.
So stay tuned for the next and final episode in the protective gear series.
So until next time, keep your helmet on and your eyes on the road. Bye!
