The gear to wear, bike checks to make, and riding tips to follow: Here's how to help bring your safety A-game to every motorcycle outing.

To outfit yourself in the safest possible gear, here's what to look for, says Ty van Hooydonk, vice president of communications and rider coach with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

THERIDER

To outfit yourself in the safest possible gear, here's what to look for, says Ty van Hooydonk, vice president of communications and rider coach with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Helmet

  • Style: Your safest choice is a full-face helmet.
  • Rating: Be sure it's certified by the Department of Transportation—check for a DOT sticker on the back. Some helmets provide a higher level of protection (see that list here).
  • Safety feature: Choose one with a face shield; click it down when you're riding to help protect your eyes.
  • Fit: It's essential to have a helmet properly fitted to your head. When in doubt, have a trained professional help you size it.
  • Age: Manufacturers generally recommend replacing your helmet every five years (with some, it's every three years). Things like helmet glue, oils in your hair and normal wear and tear can result in degradation of the helmet.

Jacket

  • Fit: You want a snug fit that allows for easy arm movements.
  • Structure: Strong jackets have armor in the chest, elbows and shoulders; back protection; and double- or triple-stitched seams.
  • Rating: A jacket certified as "CE" has met high safety standards.
  • Extra safety: Some newer high-end jackets have built-in air bags.

Gloves

  • Material: Aramid fiber is tough enough to help protect your hands from asphalt.
  • Structure: Look for armor across the knuckles, wrist and palm, as well as a wrist strap to keep the glove in place.
  • Fingers: You'll get a better fit and grip on the handlebars if the gloves have curved fingers with extra-grip padding.

Pants

  • Fit: Make sure pants fit snugly, especially from the knee down. Pants that attach to the jacket will help ensure that skin is covered.
  • Structure: Look for armor in the hips, as well as extra protection for the knees and shins, plus internal pockets to hold the armor in place.
  • Rating: Wear pants with a CE rating.

Boots

  • Structure: Look for boots with armor over the ankles, as well as shin protection.
  • Size: Boots should be tall and fit snugly.
  • Soles: Bottoms should be tough and nonslip.
  • Toes: Toe boxes should be sturdy. If possible, opt for an extra layer of protection, as operating the shift lever causes wear.

Safety Checks
To Perform
Before Each Ride

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All AboutHelmets

By The Numbers

Helmets By The Numbers

Estimated number of motorcyclists' lives saved by helmets in 2016.

Sources: NHTSA; NHTSA; NHTSA

Estimated number of additional lives that could have been saved in 2016 if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.

%

Percentage of cyclists in 2017 that used DOT-compliant helmets.

%

Percentage of risk of operator deaths that helmets reduce.

How A Helmet Should Fit

Here's what the Motorcycle Safety
Foundation recommends.

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Parts of TheBike

These suggestions for maintenance, add-ons, and theft prevention are just a few ways to help keep your bike running safely. Remember that bikes can be different, and tasks on some may require removing parts to access things like filters and plugs. Always check your owner's manual and/or with a motorcycle professional before making adjustments or doing other work.

Oil Change

DIY maintenance task. Check your owner's manual for specifics, but in general you'll want to ride the bike for about five minutes to warm up the oil so it drains easier. Turn the engine off and put a pan underneath it. Remove the drain plug and the oil fill plug and drain the oil. Then install a new oil filter, replace the drain plug gasket if needed and reinstall the drain plug. Then refill with the recommended amount and type of oil, and replace the oil cap. Recycle the oil at an approved facility.

Source: Paul Olesen of DIY Moto Fix

Air Filter Change

DIY maintenance task. A dirty, clogged air filter can affect your bike's performance. Depending on the bike, the air filter may or may not be easily accessible; reaching it could involve removing the gas tank or other parts. When you get to the air-box, take out and replace the filter, then reinstall anything you removed.

Source: Paul Olesen of DIY Moto Fix

Tire Check

DIY maintenance task. Deep treads and correct pressure are essential for safety; incorrect tire pressure could also affect your gas mileage. Check tire pressure when the tires are cool. Find the proper pressure in the owner's manual (or the sidewall if the tires aren't the originals), then use a gauge to see what the pressure is. Check the tire treads by monitoring the wear indicator—a rubber knob that sits in the tire grooves. When the tread is worn down to the knob, have the tire replaced.

Source: Paul Olesen of DIY Moto Fix

Coolant Change

DIY maintenance task. Coolant helps keep your engine from overheating, freezing, and getting corroded. The bike should be upright when you change the coolant, and some bodywork may need to come off first. Then find the drain bolt, put a pan under the engine, and remove the bolt as well as the radiator cap, to ensure proper drainage. Once the coolant drains, replace the drain bolt, refill the system with coolant using a funnel, replace the radiator cap and reinstall any bodywork you removed. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes, then turn it off. Once it's cool, remove the radiator cap and check the coolant level; top off if needed.

Source: Paul Olesen of DIY Moto Fix

Chain Cleaning

DIY maintenance task. If you have a chain on your bike that isn't sealed, clean it when it gets especially dirty, or as recommended in your owner's manual. Elevate the rear wheel and put the transmission in neutral. Use a brush with gentle bristles to clean the chain; then lubricate it with specially formulated chain lube by rotating the back wheel as you go, to get an even coating. After a few minutes, wipe off any excess lube with a paper towel.

Source: Paul Olesen of DIY Moto Fix

Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS)

High-tech safety option. This system uses sensors to predict when your wheels might lock up, then it applies and reduces brake pressure very rapidly so that they don't. The addition of this feature has been shown to dramatically lower the rate of fatal accidents.

Source: Mitchell Nicholson of Essential Moto

Adaptive Headlights

High-tech safety option. These smart headlights help ensure that you have light where you need it when making turns. Using sensors, adaptive headlights pivot as you turn, so that light always shines where you're going.

Source: Mitchell Nicholson of Essential Moto

Chain/Security Cable

Anti-theft feature. Locking your bike is always a good idea, even when you're just parked at home. Use a chain or security cable to lock your bike to a sturdy, fixed object.

Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau

Ignition Lock And/Or Alarm

Anti-theft feature. An alarm offers an extra layer of protection from motorcycle theft. You can also add an ignition lock or hidden kill switch. These features could even qualify you for a discount on motorcycle insurance.

Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau

Tips ForRiding

Click the icons to read how to handle your bike in some key situations

Navigating Intersections

Passing Other Vehicles

Riding At NightTime

Riding With A Passenger

Riding On Wet Roads

Riding In High Winds

Riding On Rough Roads

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Safety Checks To Perform Before Each Ride