The Science Behind Protective Motorbike Clothing
Motorbike riders need to give much consideration to the type of protective clothing they choose to wear in case they have an accident.
The most important piece of kit you can invest in is, of course, a crash helmet, and the ones on the market today have been designed to minimise any head injuries you may sustain if you do come off your motorbike.
You will find that these help to spread the impact of a fall, thanks to the hard outer casing. There is also a soft inner lining, which absorbs the energy when your head comes into contact with a hard object.
The casing of crash helmets is typically made from injection-molded plastic or fibreglass, while the inner lining tends to be made of styrofoam. This will crumple when the helmet hits something, so it is important to remember to replace your helmet if the worst does happen and you have an accident.
If you end up in a crash, the energy of the blow will be reduced and dissipated because the lining crushes gradually. This increases the time it will take for your head to come to a stop, while the outer casing helps to spread the impact and reduce any damage sustained by your head.
You need to know that it is illegal to take to the road without a crash helmet and all such headwear should comply with set British standards and carry the BSI Kitemark.
Alternatively, they can comply with the standards accepted by the European Economic Area or UNECE regulations, and bear the equivalent of the BSI Kitemark.
If you’re considering investing in racing suits and gloves – which are as important as crash helmets – you need to ensure the equipment you choose comes with well-placed sliding materials, such as metal rivets and plastic pucks.
This will mean that if you do come off the bike, you will slide, as opposed to roll, helping you to avoid sustaining any serious injuries.
In addition, check that your protective clothing comes with a CE mark. This means it has been tested by an independent body and complies with set safety standards.
Body armour is also something you need to purchase if you’re intending to ride your motorcycle on the road. Back protectors and similar products can help to protect vulnerable parts of your body, such as the spine and kidneys.
Lumbar and spine protectors will also help you if you have an accident and land on sharp edges, such as the pavement.
Buy Dainese body armour or back protectors and you may come across a fabric known as Crash Absorb.
This is manufactured using elastic-visco nitrile rubber to provide a decent combination of protection and comfort, while also being water-repellent.
Certain Dainese clothing will come with Crash Absorb material that includes internal Nidaplast inserts. These can boost your garments’ impact absorption levels from the inside.
Make sure you buy products that safeguard the extremities of the body, like elbows, knees, hips and shoulders. Motorbike riders wear a lot of leather, as clothes in this material made specifically for bikers are typically thicker than standard leather and can offer better protection than denim.
While denim may look good as you ride around, it won’t protect you from sustaining serious abrasions if you fall off your motorbike. A one-piece suit could be better than separates, which could come apart if you do have an accident.
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