March-April - Viva Tysons Magazine

78
Spring is in the air... This
time of year motorcycle
enthusiasts take to the
open road and enjoy a
ride now that the warmer
weather has arrived.
You’ve bought that shiny new
motorcycle, taken a safety course
and are ready to hit the open road.
But what else can you do to help
protect yourself? Wear the right gear
- an approved helmet, face or eye
protection and protective clothing.
helmet
Accidents can happen to anyone.
According to the Motorcycle Safety
Foundation (MSF-USA), one our every
five motorcycle accidents results in
head or neck injuries. These injuries
can be reduced by wearing an
approved helmet.
There are two primary types of helmets
- three-quarters and full face. They
provide different levels of coverage. To
make sure you get the most protection
from your helmet, make sure it meets
U. S. Department of Transportation and
Motorcycles –
Riding with the
Right Gear
state standards, that it fits snugly all the
way around and that it has no obvious
defects such as cracks, loose padding or
frayed straps. Whatever type of helmet
you chose, be sure to keep it fastened
securely while riding or it may fly off
your head in an accident.
Eyes and face protection
Wind, dust, dirt, rain, insects and debris
thrown up by other vehicles…you can
protect yourself from these by wearing
a face shield. A plastic shatter-resistant
one will also help protect your face in
the event of an accident. And goggles
will protect your eyes if you’re not
wearing a face shield.
To be effective, your eyes and face
protection must:
• Be free of scratches
• Be resistant to penetration
• Afford a clear view to either side
• Fasten securely so it won’t blow off
• Allow air to pass through to alleviate
fogging
• Permit enough room for sunglasses
or eyeglasses if needed
From Jonna Wooten
State Farm® agent
Protective clothing
The right clothing will help protect
you in an accident, as well as providing
protection from heat, cold, debris
and hot and moving parts of your
motorcycle.
Jacket and pants should cover arms
and legs completely and fit snugly
enough to keep from flapping in the
wind. Leather is the best protection but
sturdy synthetic materials are a good
alternative. Boots or shoes should cover
your ankles. Soles should be hard and
slip-resistant; tuck laces in so they don’t
get caught on your motorcycle. Gloves
will give you a better grip and help
protect your hands in an accident.
Wear the appropriate clothing for the
weather you’ll be experiencing. If you’re
too hot or too cold, you may not be
able to control your motorcycle as well.
There are plenty of things on the
highway that can cause you trouble.
Making sure you have the right gear
will help ensure that you have adequate
protection should an accident occur.
VivaTysons | MARCH - APRIL 2011 vivatysons.com