What’s hot and what’s not when it comes to womens motorcycle fashion. If you’re out on the bike it’s important that safety is always your primary concern. That’s not to say you can’t look good as well, but in the past, the gear that looked good and was safe has been a little thin on the ground. Fortunately, this is slowly changing and there is a range of products out there that are designed especially for women, that not only look good but have your safety at their heart.
What Should Women Wear on a Motorcycle? – Womens Motorcycle Fashion
If you want to stay safe on a motorcycle then the only gear you should be wearing is appropriate motorcycle clothing, which includes:
1. Helmet
As always, the head comes first. No one should be riding without a helmet, no matter how quick the trip is. It only takes a split second for something to go wrong, so it’s best not to take the chance. Helmets are the best way to reduce the risk of brain injury if something goes wrong.
When choosing a helmet, always go with a full-face helmet, and steer clear of the three-quarter and half helmets, as the level of protection they offer just doesn’t cut it when compared with the full-face helmet.
2. Long Pants
If you’re a regular rider, then it’s worth investing in some leather bike pants. They are heads and shoulders above all the competitors. Leather pants offer protection against the abrasive road, they’re flame-resistant, and you can be confident that they’ll save you some skin in the event of an accident.
When you’re not a regular rider, you’re probably not going to want to shell out for bike pants. At bare minimum heavy denim jeans should be worn, but this is not ideal. It will, however, help protect your legs from the engine and exhaust heat.
3. Long-Sleeved Jacket
When it comes to the top half of your body, the story is the same. Leather trumps all, although some of the synthetic products like kevlar stack up pretty well. For those that insist they don’t want to wear a jacket, then at a bare minimum, it’s vital that you wear long sleeves. Remember your arms are a target for road debris that fly up from the road that can cause some nasty damage, which is another good reason for the long sleeves.
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4. Boots
Although a lot of women aren’t fanning a pair of boots over the ankles is essential. One of the main reasons women aren’t big fans of boots to date is there hasn’t been a great range to choose from, but there is a heap of places online with some reasonably fashionable choices these days. Remember your feet come in contact with the ground most often when riding so it always pays to protect them.
5. Gloves
Gloves are often something that riders forget about but they’re a life (or hand) saver if you come off. For a relatively low cost, a decent pair of riding gloves is worth their weight in gold.
Whenever you head out riding the best rule is to cover up as much of your skin as possible. The rules for men and women are the same and are all about ensuring you’re safe if something goes wrong on the bike. While covering up over the summer months can be frustrating, covering up will also make you less exposed to the sun.
What Women Shouldn’t Wear on a Motorcycle?
The list of what you shouldn’t wear on a motorcycle is just as important as what you should wear and equally important. Once again it all comes down to safety. So, what are some of the main things you shouldn’t wear on a motorcycle:
1. Skirts
There are several reasons why skirts on a motorcycle are a no-go. Firstly, have you ever tried to get on and off a motorcycle wearing a skirt? It isn’t easy (or particularly elegant). Secondly, fuller skirts have the potential to blow in the wind and could impede your vision or distract you while riding. And lastly, if you come off, skirts offer little protection, and you are likely to be looking at a serious loss of skin.
2. Shorts
Although shorts don’t have the mobility issues associated with skirts, they should also be on the no-go list simply because they leave too much of your legs exposed to the elements. It’s not just the skin you could lose if you come off, it’s also the lack of protection you have against getting burnt from the heat of the exhaust or motor.
3. High Heels
No, just, no. High heels and motorcycles just don’t mix. Wearing flat boots ensures that you can control the clutch pedal properly or if you’re a passenger ensure that your feet stay on the footpegs.
One of the most important things on a motorcycle is being able to ground your foot or feet properly when you stop. Doing this in high heels can be difficult due to stability issues, so best to err on the side of safety.
4. Dangly Jewelry
It may sound silly but things like dangly earrings or bracelets can be a safety risk. They have the potential to get snagged on helmets or parts of the bike and aren’t worth the risk, so best to steer clear.
5. Tight Braids or Buns in Hair
This one’s more of a comfort issue than anything. Remember when you’re doing your hair that a helmet is still to go on, so try to avoid any pressure points that are likely to become uncomfortable. While you might get away with it on a short down to the shops and back, on any ride longer than that they tend to get mighty uncomfortable.
6. Headphones
These are a real no-go. You’re pretty exposed to the elements sitting on the back of a motorcycle. When you ride your senses are all working together to give your brain a heads up on any potential safety issues. Hearing what’s coming up behind you or what’s happening around you is essential. If you’ve got music playing in your ears, you are depriving yourself of one of your key senses and sources of safety information.
7. Handbags or Purses
It’s the potential for them to flap around that’s the real concern. This creates an issue for you as the rider and has the potential to be a hazard to other road users so it is best to steer clear and go for a backpack or saddlebags if there’s stuff that you can’t do without.
At the end of the day what you wear on a motorcycle comes down to common sense. If you’re not sure about an item, think about how much protection this will offer me in the event of an accident. For regular riders, proper safety gear is a must. If riding is irregular or a one-off, it’s a little more difficult but aims to cover as much of your skin as possible.
Information for this article was partially sourced and researched from the following authoritative Government, educational, corporate, and nonprofit organizations:
Motorcycle safety – the rider and the gear
About the Author:
Michael Parrotte started his career in the motorcycle industry by importing AGV Helmets into the North American market. He was then appointed the Vice President of AGV Helmets America, total he worked with AGV Helmets for 25 years. In addition, he functioned as a consultant for KBC Helmets, Vemar Helmets, Suomy Helmets, Marushin Helmets, KYT Helmets, and Sparx Helmets.
In 1985, He is the Founder of AGV Sports Group, Inc. cooperation with AGV Helmets in Valenza Italy
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FM/L
