Motorcycle trips can be a wonderful experience for any rider especially if that trip involves beautiful scenery, a great route with perfect roads, and perfect weather. They can also become a nightmare if you find yourself to be improperly equipped and unprepared to handle any type of weather situation that may occur. One of my favorite trips took place in Tennessee and extended southeast to western North Carolina. Throughout this trip I was able to see some of the most beautiful countryside that Tennessee and North Carolina have to offer. The mountains and rolling rocky landscape all seemed so surreal to me when comparing them to the primarily flat agricultural landscape that exists in the upper Midwestern state of Wisconsin.
The days started out cool and crisp and I found myself doubting that I had dressed appropriately as I felt the chill of the morning air run through me. My long sleeve shirt and light neoprene jacket combo didn”t quite seem to be doing the trick. The shorty motorcycle helmet I was wearing also proved inadequate as the cool air whipped past my neck and ears, contributing to the chill that was flowing through my body. I had packed my full face motorcycle helmet, but it was strapped to the luggage rack on the back of my motorcycle, and there wouldn”t be a stop for quite some time. Just when I thought I would have to pull over on my own to switch helmets, and possibly throw on a heavier jacket, the coolness seemed to subside and the warm air would start to flow in. Finally, I began to feel relief from the coolness that the morning had brought on. I had learned an important lesson about the mornings in this type of landscape, and that is that you should not dress based on the temperature that is forecasted because the low lying areas surrounding the mountains tend to be much cooler. Perhaps the right thing to do would have been to start out the morning trip wearing a heavier jacket and a full face helmet, or at least a heavier jacket and maybe a face mask to accompany the half helmet. Continue reading ‘Being Preparing For A Motorcycle Trip – A Personal Reflection’ »
Posts tagged ‘shorty helmet’
Imagine the thought of your loved ones receiving the terrible news of your fatal accident and how it could have been prevented if you were wearing a motorcycle helmet. Motorcycle helmets are one of the most important pieces of safety equipment that you can have when you ride a motorcycle. The length of the trip is completely irrelevant because you simply never know when an accident could occur. Why take the risk? Sure it might mess up your hair, or it may not look cool to some people, but at least you’ll be safer than if you weren’t wearing one. Plus, chances are you’ll save your loved ones from having to deal with all of the emotional pain and suffering as well.
Motorcycle helmets come in a variety of shapes, sizes, styles, and colors, which means that choosing the right one for you can sometimes be quite confusing. The important thing to remember is that you should always look for helmets that meet DOT standards and specifications. No, this does not mean that the DOT approves the helmet. It simply means that the helmet meets or exceeds the minimum safety standards set forth by the DOT and will help in protecting you in the event of a crash. DOT motorcycle helmets are often times required in some cases. One example would be if you are going to take a riders course to get your motorcycle license. More often than not you will be required to bring your own DOT motorcycle helmet. Another motorcycle helmet characteristic to consider when making a purchase is the material that the helmet is composed of. A good solid helmet will be made of fiber-reinforced composites (fiberglass) or a thermoplastic like polycarbonate. Regular old plastic helmets will not do the trick. If you’re not sure what the helmet is made of, here is a simple test that you can try out to get an idea if the helmet is good enough to buy. Turn the helmet over, grab the edges of the shell just below the ear pockets, and pull outward with both hands. A strong helmet should not bow easily. If it does, you probably should try out a different helmet. Continue reading ‘Something You Should Know About Motorcycle Helmets’ »
Motorcycle trips can be a wonderful experience for any rider especially if that trip involves beautiful scenery, a great route with perfect roads, and perfect weather. They can also become a nightmare if you find yourself to be improperly equipped and unprepared to handle any type of weather situation that may occur. One of my favorite trips took place in Tennessee and extended southeast to western North Carolina. Throughout this trip I was able to see some of the most beautiful countryside that Tennessee and North Carolina have to offer. The mountains and rolling rocky landscape all seemed so surreal to me when comparing them to the primarily flat agricultural landscape that exists in the upper Midwestern state of Wisconsin. Continue reading ‘Being Preparing For A Motorcycle Trip – A Personal Reflection’ »
Imagine the thought of your loved ones receiving the terrible news of your fatal accident and how it could have been prevented if you were wearing a motorcycle helmet. Motorcycle helmets are one of the most important pieces of safety equipment that you can have when you ride a motorcycle. The length of the trip is completely irrelevant because you simply never know when an accident could occur. Why take the risk? Sure it might mess up your hair, or it may not look cool to some people, but at least you’ll be safer than if you weren’t wearing one. Plus, chances are you’ll save your loved ones from having to deal with all of the emotional pain and suffering as well. Continue reading ‘Something You Should Know About Motorcycle Helmets’ »