Resources

The Right Line by Vicroads

A handy resource for motorcyclists

If you've just started motorcycling or making a return to two wheels after an absence, this booklet is for you! It's designed to be carried alongside your bike's Owners Manual and contains the kind of information you'll often need to use in your motorcycling life.

It contains handy contact information, but best of all describes ten tactics to make your motorcycling life safer and more enjoyable. Check it out!

Click on the attached icon to view The Right Line.
 

Why wear protective clothing?
Anyone who rides a motorcycle, or is thinking of riding or being a pillion on a motorcycle, understands that they are more likely to be hurt in the event of a crash than car drivers. Injuries sustained by riders and pillions are often to the head, arms and legs, and frequently involve broken bones and skin damage, sometimes referred to as 'gravel rash'.

Protective clothing can protect the rider from injuries, and in many cases lessen the degree of injury. In addition, it protects the rider from extreme weather conditions. Also, if it's brightly coloured it can help other road users to notice the rider.

Sure, the cost of buying good quality protective clothing can appear expensive, but compared to the pain and discomfort of even simple injuries like 'gravel rash', the cost is greatly outweighed by the protection provided.

So what's the right stuff to wear?
Just about everybody knows the general answer to this question but there are some pieces of good advice which will help in the selection of 'the right stuff'.


Helmets
In Australia, riders and pillions must wear an approved helmet. An approved helmet is one that meets the Australian Standard AS 1698 and displays a sticker indicating this. A faceshield or visor must meet the Australian Standard AS 1609.

A helmet is a specialised piece of protective equipment designed to protect the most important organ of the human body, the brain. A helmet WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE in most circumstances, this is a fact. However they are use once items, so when a helmet has sustained an impact, such as during an accident or a drop onto bitumen, REPLACE it. NEVER lend or borrow a helmet, and definitely never buy one second hand. You won't know how it's been treated, or if it's sustained unseen damage.

Choosing a helmet
When choosing a helmet, try several on and spend as much as you can afford. Helmets range in price and construction, so spend time choosing the best protection, best fit and most comfortable style for you.

What type of helmet?
It's up to you whether you choose an open face style helmet which leaves your face exposed, or a full face style which has a chin bar to cover the lower face and jaw. Most open face helmets generally offer no eye defence which is an important consideration to a rider. A rock or large bug in the eye at any speed can cause injury or a loss of control; even rain can cause pain, and difficulty in seeing clearly.

Helmet fit
The following advice may be helpful when fitting a helmet:

• with the helmet on, place your hands on the sides of the helmet and move it around - you should feel your skin move with the helmet;
• then move your head from side to side, the helmet should move with you, without feeling loose on your head; and
• finally wear the helmet for a few minutes to make sure it's comfortable.

Gloves and boots

Just as some riders choose to ride in unprotective casual clothing, many other riders wear 'the right stuff' but leave out gloves and boots. In a crash it's not unusual for the hands and feet to flap about uncontrollably, striking the bitumen many times. Countless riders have survived a crash with almost no injuries except severe skin loss and lacerations to the hands and feet. Gloves When choosing gloves, keep the following tips in mind: pick the ones that are going to suit the type of riding you plan on doing (for example consider weather conditions, racing versus recreational riding and so on); make sure they fit comfortably to improve your grip on the handlebars; tight gloves may restrict circulation, causing your hands to become cold; and bulky gloves may create problems in operating the motorcycle controls.

Motorcycle boots
Motorcycle boots provide important protection for the feet, ankles and the lower legs, and are heavily reinforced in the areas which sustain most stress and injury. This is especially important in a crash, as riders often trap their feet under the motorcycle as it slides along the road. Motorcycle boots are also designed to remain secure on the feet, where other types of footwear frequently come off in crashes.

Remember motorcycle boots are purpose made equipment, any other footwear will not provide the same level of protection.

Jackets, pants and suits

The most common material used for protective clothing is leather, and in terms of abrasion resistance very little can match it. There are other synthetic materials on the market which offer abrasion resistance as well as weather protection. These are valid alternatives to leather. Many jackets and pants of both synthetic and leather construction now come with impact absorbing inserts, and even spine protectors. When choosing clothing, comfort and function are important. Make sure that when you're seated in a riding position, the material doesn't bunch up and restrict blood flow. Importantly make sure that whatever clothing you choose, it is made specifically for motorcycle use only.

SO ARE YOU GOING TO WEAR THE RIGHT STUFF? No one can predict every single event on the road, but if you are involved in a crash you can do a lot to keep injuries to a minimum by having 'the right stuff', and wearing it whenever you ride. Consider the picture of the damaged suit, even the best suit sustains damage after a low speed accident. Can you afford not to wear 'the right stuff'?

REMEMBER PILLION PASSENGERS SHOULD BE AS WELL PROTECTED AS YOU ARE AS THEIR NEEDS ARE THE SAME.

One final thing you might consider is buying protective clothing that is lightly coloured so you can increase your visibility in traffic.

Further advice
You should be able to get further advice from a VicRoads accredited rider training provider or your friendly local motorcycle retailer.

Acknowledgements
Australian Rider Trainers' Association (ARTA)
Motorcycle Riders' Association of Australia (MRAA)
Victoria Police - Special Solo Section
Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC)
Motorcycling Australia Victoria (MAV)
Women's International Motorcycle Association (WIMA)
Transport Accident Commission (TAC)
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI)
Other Motorcycle Safety Experts

Photos courtesy of Australian Motorcycle News