Essential Motorcycle Gear - Look Good And Stay Safe While Riding Your Motorcycle or Chopper

When riding a motorcycle there are some items you just should not go without.

chopper motorcycle

A helmet

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Bikers seem to lean toward being an independent bunch. You know, they don't seem to like to be told what they should do. Well, as you might expect, many bikers resent the helmet laws and especially the enforcement of helmet laws. Helmets might be somewhat uncomfortable and many people think helmets look stupid.

The government isn't wrong all the time especially about the helmet safety issue. And very little is more uncomfortable than knocking your head off the pavement. Not only that, you'll look even more stupid in the hospital with your head all bandaged up.

Get a helmet that fits

With the new kinds of synthetic materials scientists have discovered and new helmet engineering, helmets have become an engineering marvel. With their strong composite resin shells they really do help protect your head while they let you enjoy the feeling of looking cool - yes, even with a helmet. Various styles and types abound. From the full-face to the open-face and the flip-up, they all have their positive and negative attributes considering the type of biking you do.

You should be wearing a jacket, pants and boots along with your helmet since your head isn't the only part that will slam down on the pavement if the bike lays down. Yup, leather can be very hot and cause you to sweat, so find a clothing design for riding that gives wicking and/or excellent breathing materials and fits well.

Motorcycle jackets have moved way beyond just thick leather. Various composites along with mesh and you got to love this; even electric heating grids can be obtained. You must pay attention to fit since is important for a comfortable ride and it works hand in hand with safety. If you can't be free to move about you won't be able to control your bike properly. You should have no problem finding a style you like - there are many to choose from.

Leather riding pants are known to suffocate the lower half of your body and cramp you style by chafing your... essential gear. Protection is needed, but comfort is also required - try being uncomfortable for those long road trips. Kevlar Keprotec for the groin area and inner thighs are definitely worth looking into. Wicking mesh will help to keep you dry on the hot days you ride. Get waterproofing since you know you will always be getting caught out in the rain.

Motorcycle boots are a must. Any fool who rides in flip-flops, running shoes or dress shoes has never met the highway in a personal fashion and must not care much about their feet and ankles. The styles and the variety available in boots is larger than any of other motorcycle riding accessory.

First, what kind of motorcycle riding you like to do most. Maybe you will be in need of more than one pair of boots in the long run. The basic types of motorcycle boots are street, off-road and racing boots. Pick your type of boot with the type of riding you do in mind. Boots will be stiff, but you don't want rigid boots unless you doing some type of special riding and have a need for them, a need like professional racing.

The old-fashioned, basic, black leather motorcycle boot with rubber soles are definitely an option. Things really have changed since Brando played in the trendsetting biker movie, The Wild One, (based on a true story, in fact). Sure, they still do the job, but they are not your most comfortable choice, and they don't give the best foot and leg protection.

Features such as: Kevlar lining, boots that are easily removed by zippers or ski-boot style buckles, either short or upper-calf in height, and lined with the latest wicking mesh mean the boots today are as high-tech and functional as next year's car. Creature comfort and good fit are very important. Optional shin plates are good, but they are for racers that need that extra metal base plate. There are more colors are available in boots than Dennis Hopper saw on any of his acid trips. Choose a style that fits your personality.

That was a list of the basic protective gear, and there are a host of cool tools and motorcycle add-ons that will allow you to enjoy a ride that will be more comfortable and convenient. Get a trip computer or a Dick Tracy-style watch or handlebar attachment, saddlebags for carrying stuff, repair kits are good to have too... endless stuff. Many needed items are available as well as things just to make you feel good.

Essential Motorcycle Gear - Look Good And Stay Safe While Riding Your Motorcycle or Chopper

CHOPPER

Choppers: An Essential Introduction

A Chopper is a motorcycle that has had its frame altered to give the motorcycle a very distinguished look. Usually these motorcycles have a long stretched out frame and a front end with long forks. Most choppers have a thinner tire in the front and a fatter one at the rear. Most have their rear suspension removed making the seat and the motor ride lower down on the frame. The gas tank is usually sleek and slim giving the motor cycle a cool look. These motorcycles are built for looks not performance and due to this some can be a challenge to ride.

chopper

The evolution of the chopper began with servicemen returning from World War 2. Wanting motorcycles like they had seen in Europe, some of these servicemen started experimenting by making changes in their motorcycle's design. Wanting lighter motorcycles, they began by removing excess parts from their motorcycles keeping only the absolute essentials which enabled the motorcycle to remain functional. These servicemen made no modifications to the bike's frame thus retaining much of its original look. Windshields, fenders, headlights and crash bars were removed and the remaining motorcycle was usually painted black. These stripped down motorcycles were called Bobbers and their main function was to be lighter and quicker than standard motorcycles. Bobbers attracted a great deal of attention!

CHOPPER

In the 1960s and 70s other motorcycle enthusiasts picked up where World War II veterans left off and started altering the stock frames of their motorcycles by cutting and welding them to give their motorcycles a sleeker look. This chopping of the frame gave rise to the name Chopper for these kinds of motorcycles. They found that a longer front end allowed them to have better control over the motorcycle at faster speeds. They started by modifying the degree of the neck rake and lengthening the front end. A traditional chopper is constructed out of a standard factory motorcycle. The unnecessary parts are then discarded and the frame is chopped and welded so that the motor and seating can be lowered and parts added to increase the motorcycles' performance.

Today's choppers are completely modified motorcycles with individual accessories added to create a one-of-a-kind motorcycle. The main difference between a true chopper and a custom motorcycle is that a custom motorcycle usually retains the original frame while the other parts are modified. With choppers, the frame is modified as well. Plus, the raked front end extends the wheel base giving the motorcycle a more stable feel during high speeds and when going down a straight line. Changing the rake and trail of a motorcycle involves modifying the front end design and changing the angle between the neck of the motorcycle and the vertical line from the axis of the wheel.

Today there are companies that offer kits to build your own choppers. These chopper kits consist of all the necessary parts to build a chopper. The main advantage of building a chopper from one of these kits is that it is much less expensive and easier than purchasing a motorcycle, removing all the excess parts and then chopping and welding the body. You can then further customize these choppers by adding on accessories and detailing the gas tank to make your chopper stand out from other motorcycles built from similar kits.

Choppers: An Essential Introduction

CHOPPER