Riding a motorcycle is one of the more exhilarating methods of traveling, but it’s also more dangerous than being in a car, especially if you don’t have the right protective gear. You can significantly reduce the risk of severe injury if you take the time to pick out some safety gear to wear while on your motorcycle.
There are a lot of different options in protective gear, so it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking at. Here, we’ll go over some of the more popular types of protective gear to help you make the right choices and get the gear that will best protect you.
Helmets
The variety of motorcycle helmets on the market is staggering. Aside from the visual factor, choosing a helmet that you like the looks of, there are a few other things to keep in mind. Size is very important. Your head should fit snugly within the helmet. If you can slip it over your head, then it’s too big, it should need to be pulled on. The soft foam inside will form to fit your head as you wear it, to provide greater protection.
Look for a helmet that starts right above the eyebrows when on. Anything higher up will not give adequate protection. You have a choice between a full face helmet, which offers the best protection, a three quarters helmet and a flip up helmet, which allows you to move the faceplate up to expose the face. This last one may be more expensive, but it does offer the advantage of being able to simply lift the faceplate rather than remove the entire helmet to speak or drink something.
Gloves
There are two main reasons to wear gloves while riding. The first is to keep your hands warm, particularly while riding during winter, when the icy wind can quickly numb them and prevent the proper sensations needed to control the motorcycle. The second is protection should you take a tumble. Fingers and the flesh on the hands are very fragile and you need as much protection as possible.
The best gloves for motorcycle riding include Kevlar pads on the backs, with extra grip on the palms for maximum control. You will probably need a lighter pair for summer use and heavier ones for winter, or opt to wear a light pair of cotton gloves under the Kevlar ones.
Boots
When shopping for boots to use on your motorcycle, keep in mind whether you’ll need to walk or not. The best protection comes at a price, limited mobility. If you’ll be walking as well as riding, then look for heavy duty boots that are built for cross-country endurance. These will give strong ankle support and have thick, resistant soles to protect your feet should an accident occur.
For motocross riding, consider using specialized boots that protect as much of the leg as possible, with rigidity. These are definitely not practical for walking in, however, so keep that in mind.
Pants
There is much more to your body than simply head, hands and feet and it pays to protect the rest of it as well. Your legs will be at risk, as they are so close to the bike, so proper pants can help protect them.
Finding a pair of pants that looks good, is comfortable to wear in summer and still provides enough protection for sliding across the road is next to impossible. It really all comes down to what type of riding you’ll be doing. For the riskier rides, Kevlar padded pants are probably your best bet. These usually come with extra pads on exposed areas like the knees which aren’t exactly visually pleasing, but do offer extra protection.
For more formal rides, there are now jeans with Kevlar fibers woven into them that provide extra protection should you be dumped off the bike. Other options include leather pants and motocross pants, both of which tend to be quite hot in warmer weather. You may also opt for leather chaps, which cover and protect the legs, but allow for maximum movement.
Jackets
Choosing a good jacket is also very important. This is what will keep your torso and arms protected. You’ll find that there are two main options, synthetic and leather. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Leather jackets tend to be well built and last for a long time, decades, even. They are the classic protective wear associated with motorcycles, so many more traditional motorcyclists prefer leather. These tend to be quite protective and are made more so by protective pads sewn to the inside of the jackets. However, they aren’t very reliable under rain and tend not to protect as well as synthetic from the cold. The darker colors of leather tend to prevent visibility, which can be an added danger, particularly in the evening.
Synthetic jackets are usually more expensive, but offer better protection. Unfortunately, despite the higher protective rate, they tend to wear out faster than leather. Synthetic fibers make these jackets warmer in the winter and ensure that they are completely waterproof, which is a major bonus if you are planning on a long trip. The brighter colors of synthetic jackets also mean that you will be more visible on the road.
Choosing your protective gear for motorcycle riding is one of the most important steps you can take toward staying safe. Make sure that you take the time to research and try the various types of protective gear. Everything should fit well and be comfortable, but still offer the highest level of protection possible.
No one wants to think about having an accident, but these things do happen and with a motorcycle, you simply don’t have the same protection around you as you would in a more substantial vehicle. That doesn’t mean taking unnecessary risks is required, however. There is plenty of gear that can be used to keep your body and skin intact as you enjoy riding.

2008 has come and gone, many things have changed. We elected the 44th and first black president of the United States, the economy has sunk to a historical low, we’re all living in shacks and looking for new jobs. One thing hasn’t changed however and that is the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Yes indeed no matter how things change you can always count on the Sturgis Rally to lift your spirits. This year being the 69th is set for August 3rd – 9th. Are You Ready! Don’t count on the world stopping and waiting for you, it’s time to make your plans. Before we know it, August will be here and we’ll be right back in the middle of Main Street madness and partying mayhem, loving every minute of it!

Many of us begin planning for “next year” soon after leaving “this year”. The excitement and memories are hard to let go, new friends are made and old acquaintances are renewed, deciding to come back and do it all over again is a no brainer. Some folks will be coming for the first time, and others will just show up. No matter what group you fit, you are sure to make some wonderful memories, new friends and have a fantastic time.

The beauty of the Black Hills is breathtaking and the roads are pure joy for a biker. There are many places on this planet that offer this kind of riding but Western South Dakota in August is unbeatable. Incredible roads like Iron Mountain, Needles Highway, Spearfish Canyon and the Wildlife Loop take you to amazing destinations. Rides to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Bear Butte State Park, the Badlands and Devil’s Tower National Monument are truly incredible rides you are sure to enjoy. Highway 14A’s big, wide turns transport you to the infamous town of Deadwood and the mining town of Lead, and the awesome Highway 385 meanders past towns like Hill City, Silver City and Custer, all contained in the Black Hills National Forest. These rides are awe-inspiring and amazing and are a joy that will be remembered until the day you (insert own word or phrase here).

In addition to the roads and day trips there are many events: concerts, races, and bike shows, five blocks of Main Street bikes-only street vibe, the 7th Annual Mayor’s Ride, Michael Lichter’s annual exhibit, the 6th Annual World Championship of Custom Bike Building, free style stunters, the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, organized rides, the Limpnickie Lot, some pretty impressive watering holes, custom legends, blue skies, warm and sunny days. There are many other of motorcycle related events to keep participants occupied. Boss Hoss demo rides are featured throughout the event. Burnout competitions are popular with spectators and are offered a few times during the week at the Full Throttle Saloon. There are demos and exhibits throughout the day each day of the event and shows featuring custom bikes from around the country. There will also be many vendors on hand offering everything from motorcycle related merchandise to tattoos as well as great food and of course your favorite beverages are plentiful.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an experience of a lifetime, if you haven’t started your planning now is the time to begin. The town of Sturgis has a population of less than 7,000 so it is understandable that an event attracting over half a million bikers would create logistical problems with lodging concerns. If you are planning to attend, it is wise to make reservations for accommodations well in advance of your trip to ensure you can secure a room close to the main site of the rally. Below is a list of some great places where your sleeping accommodations can be made.

To find lodging in the Sturgis area go to:  http://www.blackhillsmotels.com/.

Camping is the most popular option for those attending the rally (mostly because there is not enough lodging for everyone), don’t sweat it though, some of the best parties are in the camp grounds! Nearby campgrounds include the following:

Big Rig RV Park: – features wireless Internet access and spacious lots of 60’ and 100’ close to the rally site.

Bulldog Campground: – features RV camping as well as cabins which accommodate 2-8 guests. This campground is located five miles from Sturgis and features nightly entertainment and happy hour as well as an onsite restaurant.

Creekside Campground: – located 4 miles from Sturgis, this campground features RV camping, tent camping as well as cabins. Highlights of the campground include an onsite store selling food and beverages and easy highway access.

Glencoe Camp Resort: – has been catering to Sturgis participants for over 20 years. This campground has over 160 acres of camping with ample shade. In 2006 they will unveil a 34 acre outdoor amphitheater which will feature live music all week long. A 24 hour restaurant is also onsite for the convenience of campers.

Hog Heaven Campground: – with over 150 acres of camping, this campground situated in the Black Hills is an ideal location for Sturgis participants. The campground is open from July 31st through Aug. 13th this year and will host live bands providing entertainment for guests.

Katmandu Campground: – features 250 RV sites, cabins and 50 acres of camping. Located just two miles from Sturgis, this location is convenient for participants. Highlighted amenities include laundry facilities and wireless Internet access.

Sturgis View Campground: – located only 1.5 miles from downtown Sturgis. This campground is famous for its spectacular views. Other highlights include RV camping, cabins and ample acreage for tent camping.

For more information about these accommodations do a web search using the respective venue name as the key phrase.

One Word of CautionDon’t want to be a downer here but please be advised. An unfortunate aspect of Sturgis is the frequent occurrence of the disappearance of motorcycles.  Estimates indicate approximately a $250,000 worth of motorcycles are stolen each year. Considering today’s prices this is equivalent to 3 to 10 bikes or so. That’s not many considering there could be 200,000 bikes at the event. However if it’s your bike that gets stolen this fact will only make you feel worse. Motorcycles on the higher end of the price spectrum as well as custom bikes and show models are those most likely to be stolen, but all participants should take precautions to avoid becoming a victim.

There are many great websites available with complete event information and news to help you plan a great and enjoyable adventure. For more information about Sturgis 2009 do a web search on key phrase “Sturgis Motorcycle Rally”.