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“Live to Ride, Ride to Live,” is perhaps one of the most well know slogan of Harley Davidson and is the motto that many of us live by as we sit astride our bikes each day. The feeling of wind in our faces, the glorious rumble of the bike beneath us and the smell of leather are just a few of the perks that make riding a motorcycle one of the most thrilling and enjoyable experiences.

Riding is of course fun but it is also considered one of the most dangerous pastimes. Of course, the good thing is that a variety of safety precautions can be taken that ensure this fun is just a bit safer. Most of the gear on the market today is not only fashionable but also is designed to keep us safe when we are on the road.

Gear aside, of course the bike must be well maintained to avoid faulty components that might cause you to lose control of the bike. In the past, motorcycle manufacturers thought bikes were just meant to be faster. After a couple of accidents, though, it was time to change their view. They turned to making bikes that went faster but were safer. In addition to making sure your bike is in top condition, here are just a few ways that motorcycle fashion trends have evolved with safety as the concerning factor.

Head Protection

The government also tightened the rules of motorcycling. That’s why you must wear helmets in most (but not all) U.S. states, which help to reduce the impact of a fall. Helmets were put into particular focus as the most important safety staple. Early helmets were bigger and uncomfortable. Sometimes they were themselves the cause of some accidents due to poor visibility and breathing difficulties. Designers came up with smaller headgear that could reduce chances of a concussion and were fun to wear. They were more padded and had proper ventilation. Wasn’t that a blessing!

Transparent Covers

Decades ago, you would be a good candidate for respiratory ailments, such as pneumonia due to the rush of cold air you sucked in as you rode your bikes. It was necessary for the helmets to evolve and mitigate this problem. Earlier made helmets would fully cover your face without room for breathing. Now they have transparent covers on the front side of the helmets. At first, the transparent covers were immovable. With time however, the designers replaced these with retractable transparent covers, which could be used to cover your face whenever you needed to. Others use only goggles to cover your eyes and stop flying insects from blinding you. Now thankfully, you can let air in without having to remove the whole helmet. Helmets are now stylish and safe.

Body protection

Apart from the head, the rest of your body needs protection from falls, impact or extreme weather. The clothes manufacturers are making motorcycle apparel that helps you withstand the rush of cold air and falls. The clothes are more colorful and stylish. They come in different designs for the jackets and the pants. With time, riding boots and gloves were added to protect your hands and feet. The gloves were initially very big but due to difficulties in gripping the handles, the sizes were reduced but were more padded. The elastic gloves now fit your hands perfectly.

Remember always be safe and ride on!

Sam grew up on the back of her dad’s Harley and while she lives in a state that doesn’t have a helmet law, she never rides without one. She is also a contributing writer for Jafrum, a site that offers the latest riding clothes including the safest and stylish motorcycle helmets the industry has to offer.

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