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Motorcycle safety is nothing to sneeze at. Motorcycles are fun and exciting machines to ride, but also carry with them an element of danger. It is with this in mind that basic motorcycle safety is important to consider before jumping on your bike. You should also look into getting quality motorcycle safety gear to keep yourself as protected from injury as possible.

One of the most basic motorcycle safety tips is to always be fully aware of everything that is going on around you. This sounds like a Herculean task, but is essential for motorcycle rides. Because motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles on the road, they are easier to miss by the drivers of those vehicles who may swerve into your lane or pull out of a parking lot without ever seeing you. With this in mind, you should always have an emergency out, meaning you should have a plan for where to swerve to if someone stops quickly in front of you, cuts you off, blows through a stop sign or pulls out without seeing you.

When following a car you should stay a safe distance back, toward the driver’s side. This will make you visible in two mirrors: both the standard rear view and side rear view mirrors, rather than just the standard rear-view mirror.

The first and probably most important piece of motorcycle safety gear is the helmet. Though not required by law in all states, it is recommended by all safety professionals. Your head is the one appendage you must keep in full working order. Riding without a helmet is asking for trouble.

There are a few different styles of helmet that give you varying degrees of protection. The full-face models cover your entire head, including your face. Not only do these helmets protect your head from injury during a fall, they also protect your face and eyes from rocks and other debris that can be kicked up by other vehicles. Shell-style helmets will protect your head if you fall, but will not help against road debris. The least protective style is the skull cap helmet. This will barely protect your head from injury if you trip and fall while walking to your bike. These helmets are really just worn for looks and by anti-helmet people who live in “helmet states.”

Leather is widely considered the clothing of choice when safety is being discussed. Leather is tougher than most materials clothing is made out of and will protect your skin from road rash as well as other cuts and gashes. Gloves will protect your hands if you are in an accident. Your hands are usually the first things to hit the pavement and take a lot of beating. Though gloves can’t protect them from all injury, you’re much better off having them on in an accident than going down with bare hand