| Harpers Motorcycle Clothing, Helmets, Leathers, Accessories
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| OUR LONDON STORE IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO ESSENTIAL STRUCTURAL WORK TO THE BUILDING. EXPECTED RE-OPENING AUTUMN 2010. CONTACT OUR LEIGH ON SEA STORE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. We have also lowered all our prices to account for the increase in VAT rate. Motorcycle clothing shop featuring many of the best products in motorcycle racing and touring. Products include wolf leathers (made in house), arlen ness, berik, alpinestars, rst, agv, shoei, rev'it, oxford, motrax, sidi, spada, richa and many more. Helmets, leathers and waterproofs available in mens, ladies and childrens sizes. Sale items up to 70% off RRP. Items sent and delivered to your door on a daily basis. |
PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL BEFORE VISTING STORE TO CHECK AVAILABILITY OF SIZES/STYLES AS SOME ITEMS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN STORE.
................................................The importance of having the correct equipment when riding...........................................................
Nothing beats riding on an open road and it can be easy to get lost in the moment and forget all about safety. However, accidents do happen, which is why it is vital we prepare with a suitable level of motorbike insurance and the correct riding equipment.
According to Department of Transport figures for 2008, some regions of the UK reported a 30 per cent rise in the number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured on their roads. While wearing the right equipment may not prevent an accident occurring, it could be potentially life saving should the worst happen.
What equipment do you need?
Clearly the more protective gear the better, but there are some essentials that should be part of every biker's equipment:
A leather jacket that closes tightly around the wrists.
Full fingered gloves.
Long leather trousers.
Robust footwear with ankle protection
A helmet (with a visor)
Why is a helmet so important?
A motorbike helmet is probably the single most important safety consideration. Bikers are more vulnerable than drivers and other motorists in crash situations and head injuries are the most prevalent cause of death in motorbike accidents.
In some cases a helmet could literally prove the difference between life and death because it absorbs much of the impact when a crash occurs. Indeed most countries, including the UK, now have laws requiring bikers to wear helmets while riding.
The majority of motorbike helmets are constructed from plastic and designed with special crumple zones; while more expensive helmets tend to be made with carbon fibre and Kevlar. The interior is usually padded to offer added protection and to provide a more secure fit; and most helmets are designed to crack in certain areas should an accident occur to absorb more of the impact. There are many different types of motorbike helmet available including:
Full face helmets: This provides a face shield to cover the rider's face from debris and insects that could affect vision while also reducing a potential injury to the head or face if an accident occurs.
Modular helmets: Basically the same as a full face helmet but the front portion can be pivoted upwards.
Motocross helmets: Designed for dirt bike riders, these provide added protection for the chin area and a visor. Additional goggles are usually recommended.
Half helmets: These are generally only recommended when travelling for short distances and additional goggles are usually required.
Open face helmets: These cover the head but there is no chin bar or protection for the face. As such, goggles are usually recommended although you could get an open face helmet fitted with a face shield.
What about protective clothing?
While the helmet may be the most important element of bike equipment, you should not overlook protective clothing too. Here are some considerations:
Make yourself visible
Whatever gear you choose, ensure it is easy to spot for other motorists as a large number of motorbike accidents are caused by poor visibility. Choose bright, reflective clothing.
Protect your body
Jackets and trousers should be made of durable material such as leather to provide some sort of abrasion in the event that you fall off the bike, if a fire occurs or if you make accidental contact with the hot areas of the bike. Thick, tough leather provides the most resistance in the event of a crash, while fabrics such as Kevlar, ballistic nylon and cordura are also suitable. Trousers should be made of the same materials and should incorporate additional protection for the knees and hips. Airbag system technology is often incorporated into jackets and vests for added protection.
Protect your feet and ankles
Don't be tempted to ride in a pair of trainers - you need tough, strong but moderately flexible boots that also provide good grip and ankle support. Choose boots that are specifically classified as motorcycle boots as they are constructed with special seams and techniques for abrasion and protection against injury. You could also consider adding reflective tape to your boots to add to your visibility while riding at night.
Protect your hands
In addition to providing protection against injury, gloves can also provide a better grip while riding particularly in extreme weather. Motorbike gloves are normally designed with additional padding and may cover the wrist area too for added protection.
The importance of riding safely
While it's vital to ensure you're well kitted out for riding, it's also important to ride safely at all times. Don't allow yourself to be distracted by other road users even if they are inconsiderate; take extra care when riding around bends and don't overtake unless you have a clear view of the road ahead. Keep yourself fit and healthy and don't ride after consuming alcohol. Remember too that it pays to be a safe biker as staying accident free can lower bike insurance premiums as you build up a no-claims discount.
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