Buyer’s Guide to Motorcyclists Protective Clothing
Motorcycle UK Limited © 1997 - 2003
Modern cars are fitted with seat belts, air bags, side impact beams and whole a whole host of advanced safety features but, unfortunately, even this is not enough to prevent the thousands of road deaths we see each year.
So when you consider that the only protection afforded to a motorcyclist is the shell of a garment-the importance of choosing to wear a product that is designed and manufactured to the highest performance standards cannot be overstressed
The ΠMark
The Πsymbol is placed on products sold in Europe to remove barriers to trade by demonstrating that they meet the requirements of the latest safety legislation. Products can only be Πmarked if they are covered by an appropriate Directive.
Examples are children's toys, electrical goods, medical devices and protective clothing such as that worn by motorcyclists. In short the Πmark is your guarantee that the product has been designed, manufactured and tested to ensure that it offers an appropriate level of safety.
Think Before You Buy
Before you even visit your local store you should consider the following points:
1. In addition to protection from injury during an accident do you require the garment to do anything else - for instance keep you dry/warm or perhaps make you more visible to other motorists?
2. Where, when and for how long will it be worn? - Do you ride a bike in all seasons and what is the typical journey length? If only riding in warm weather look for features such as ventilation holes.
3. There will usually be a trade off between comfort and low weight in one hand against level of protection afforded during an accident on the other. Hence you need to think about speeds and how much movement you need to make while riding. This should help you to choose the best compromise for your particular situation.
4. Made to measure or off the peg? Made to measure need not be the highest cost solution and can help to optimise comfort so do not automatically discard this option.
5. What material should clothing be made from? Experience shows that good quality bovine leather is difficult to better in terms of protective qualities such as abrasion resistance. Sheep and goat leather generally have lower tear strengths and are thinner so are unlikely to offer the same level of protection as bovine material. Severe abrasion tests carried out in the laboratory to simulate motorcycle accidents have shown that a single non-reinforced layer of denim typical of that in standard jeans only offers a tenth of the protection afforded by a good quality 11.2 - 1.4mm bovine leather. That can make the difference between a few minor bruises and a hospital visit with open wounds contaminated by road dirt which can be difficult to treat. Synthetic materials such as kevlar™, cordura™ are available offering a range of performance levels. The only certain way of knowing how protective a particular garment is if it has been tested to a standard such as EN 13595, but as a rough guide the thicker or heavier the material in the garment the better the protection is likely to be, however, as with all rules this will have its fair share of exceptions.
Carefully Inspect
First and foremost look for the Πsymbol and reference to European standards such as EN 1621-1 and EN 13595. Garments complying with these or similar standards will generally have the following features:
1. A full lining with the lining not attached to the outer shell in zones 1 and 2 (see figure 1). Linings are generally produced from either nylon or cotton. Cotton is a natural fabric which absorbs moisture whereas nylon is often stronger but can melt.
2. A double thickness outer shell material in high risk areas such as zones 1 and 2.
3. Impact protection tested to EN 1621-1 in zone areas.
4. Several rows of stitching in all structural seams with protected/covered rows (see figure 2). By covering some rows of stitches they are protected from sunlight and general abrasion that can seriously weaken the seams prior to an accident.
5. Adequate adjusters at the ankle and wrist cuffs to ensure that the garment remains in place during an accident and does not expose your flesh to the road surface.
Always try on your garment before purchase
Consider the following:
1. It is too tight or loose - what will you typically be wearing under the clothing? Leather garments usually need to be a snug fit so that they do not move excessively on the body.
2. Are the impact protectors correctly located?
3. Can you move comfortably while wearing the clothing?
4. Put on your helmet, gloves and boots. Then try simulating typical riding actions. Is there any discomfort or area of tightness? - If in doubt don't buy - Do not worry about looking foolish better that than buying a garment and then not being able to get on your bike.
Use and Care of Your Garment
Once you have made your investment you need to look after the garment as one day you may be grateful of its protective qualities.
1. Carefully read the manufacturer's instructions and always follow the advice given.
2. Only clean the garment in accordance with the labelling.
3. Always wear the garment fully fastened and correctly adjusted.
4. Never carry bulky or sharp objects in your pockets or on your body as they can cause injury during an accident.
5. Damaged garments will not offer the optimum level of protection so should be repaired by a competent person as soon as possible.
6. If the garment is made of leather and becomes wet, do not force dry it, instead allow it to dry naturally away from direct heat sources such as radiators and fires.
7. Always remember that no matter how good your garment is, it will not prevent injuries so ride with care at all times and live to enjoy your motorcycling experiences.
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