IS ANY “ONE” PIECE OF GEAR MORE IMPORTANT?

Stated differently, if you were going to ride a motorcycle naked, except for one selection of motorcycle protective gear, which would it be?

Well, if we presume it’s warm and dry enough to ride a motorcycle naked in the first place, we really can isolate which is the most vital piece of gear:

Motorcycle Boots. Surprised?

ALTHOUGH “ALL” PROTECTIVE GEAR IS IMPORTANT…

Certainly motorcycle jackets offer the broadest area of protection.  Helmets are broadly known for their ability to save lives, as well as the controversy about whether one should be forced to wear one or not.  Good biker gloves are immensely practical in their immediate connection to controlling the motorbike.  Adequate leg protection, in the form of motorcycle pants and/or chaps, are certainly on this short list of most-needed items for biker protection.  And for many motorcyclists, who are more adventurous than the “Sunny Weekend Rider,” good rain gear is almost as important as one’s motorcycle choice.

All the aforementioned selections of riders’ protective gear have an important role in keeping us safer and enjoying the unique and incomparable experience that motorcycle riding has to offer (on and off the road) for years to come.

THE “ONE” ITEM THAT WOULD HELP YOU THE MOST IF YOU WERE A NAKED RIDER

But when you isolate just ONE piece of gear, particularly if you were riding with nothing else, good boots are the most elemental.  Presuming you didn’t crash while reflecting the pleasant day ambiance against all your natural and personal glory while riding sans any apparel, you will need to put at least one foot down whenever you stop, particularly if you get pulled over by a peace officer who may question your choice of protective gear.

In other words, hypothetically, you could get on a bike, go for a ride, and without any untoward mishaps, have no contact with anything potentially discomforting – other than the ground.  Although this naked riding example is a bit extreme, consider that your feet and ankles are the most exposed parts of your body when it comes to routine and potential risks, such as rocks, branches, curbs that are too close, or even the necessity to re-assert your footing very quickly when you are stopped and inadvertently slip on some loose sand or road oil.  And if you are an aggressive rider you may occasionally experience your boots brushing the pavement in a high-lean-angle turn.  (That would be unfriendly with a naked foot).

SHOES ARE “NOT” BOOTS

And speaking of ankles, it’s worth emphasizing that good shoes are NOT a substitute for good motorcycle boots.  If your ankles are not protected, those critical little junctures of your body are liable to getting twisted, mangled or otherwise broken, even in a minor motorcycle mishap, where you might have otherwise only suffered very minor or no injuries, had you been wearing boots.  (NOTE: “minor” or “no” injuries would be an unlikely end result of a naked-riding motorcycle mishap).

GOOD MOTORCYCLE BOOTS ARE A VITAL PART OF MOTORBIKE SAFETY

There’s certainly more to know about good riding boots, but the point of this naked riding analogy is to highlight the importance that good motorcycle boots provide as part of your safe riding experience.  (By the way, riding a motorcycle naked, even with good boots, is probably not the most sensible thing you could be accused of doing as a biker).

Safe riding!

COMPARE MOTORCYCLE BOOTS:

Click for MOTORCYCLE BOOTS