| IF you ride a motorcycle, a gas powered motor | | | | right through the sleeve of my old favorite leather |
| scooter or anything on two wheels that goes faster | | | | motorcycle jacket, and getting the gravel out of |
| than walking pace, you need to understand that | | | | your scratched skin is anything but fun. But you have |
| coming off and falling down can do you a whole lot | | | | to do it if you don't want it to go septic afterwards. |
| of damage. | | | | Most modern synthetic motorcycle jackets are not |
| Motorbike riders know this already, because | | | | only windproof and rainproof, they can have built-in |
| motorcycles are well known as dangerous vehicles | | | | armor to protect the rider's elbows, shoulders and |
| and most motorcyclists wear protective riding | | | | back. And most have a removable quilted lining that |
| clothing as a matter of course. But some newbie | | | | you can remove in warm weather - an added bonus. |
| motorcycle riders and many motor scooter riders | | | | Your hands should be protected with thick leather |
| seem to regard their two-wheeled mount as a | | | | gloves or gauntlets, and your feet and ankles should |
| fashion accessory, and hit the road without any | | | | be protected by motorcycle riding boots. Sandals and |
| protective clothing. | | | | flip-flops are insane on a motorcycle, as you have |
| While crash helmets are mandatory in most parts of | | | | very little skin to lose off your feet. And shoes have |
| the world already, and they can certainly save your | | | | laces which can get caught on the footrests or on |
| life by reducing head injury. Head trauma is not the | | | | your gearchange or footbrake levers. |
| only thing you can suffer if your bike is involved in an | | | | You can protect your legs and knees with leather |
| accident. | | | | motorcycle pants, but they are pretty stifling in hot |
| Some of the most common injuries suffered by | | | | weather. Most bike riders wear jeans and rely on |
| motorbike and gas motor scooter riders of deep | | | | their boots for leg protection, but you can now buy |
| scratches and grazes that occur as your unprotected | | | | kevlar jeans that resist ripping. I haven't tried them |
| body hits the road and slides along the road surface. | | | | but the idea sounds good. |
| A leather motorcycle jacket is a good start, but | | | | Expect to spend several hundred dollars on |
| even the leather jacket may not be enough to save | | | | motorcycle safety gear, but it is a very wise |
| you from deep abrasions. | | | | investment. Skimp on it at your own peril. You have |
| I have personally experienced serious gravel rash | | | | been warned. |