I m planning to buy a motorbike but want to know rules on the clothes to wear (125cc)?

Question

I m planning to get a 125 bike for going to the and back and to work and back (I m 17) and want to know what the rules for clothes are. I m planning to buy protective gear for longer rides but I m not too keen on wearing it to college as I have no where to put it, would I be able to ride there and back in normal clothes? It s a 10 minute drive.

Answer 1

I like the fact that you're at least thinking of safety kit, so well done. Most, foolishly, don't even bother, so I think you're onto a good path already! Even if I was riding a moped, I would still wear protective kit. Sliding along the road at 30mph hurts the same on a 125cc bike as it does on a 1000cc sportsbike! Crashing is crashing!!



You only need a helmet - legally.



You say you only have a 10 minute ride, which I agree is short. However, it only takes a few seconds of sliding against tarmac to lose a lot of skin.



Here's what I'd recommend;

1. Brand new helmet that meets the ECE regulations and fits well

2. Gloves - protection in the knuckles, palm and fingers. Ideally with some high-abrasion resistant material on key areas (palm, fingers, side of hand). Maybe get two pairs - a thinner summer pair and a thicker, waterproof 'everyday' pair.

3. Boots - preferably over-the-ankle height, but you can get boots that cut off just above the ankle but still have ankle protection. These are more comfortable to walk around all day in - and typically look more like casual footwear.

4. Jacket - ideally waterproof with a removable fleece liner (so you only need 1 jacket all year round) and it MUST have ce-approved armour at the shoulder and elbows, and preferably with some form of back protector as well.

5. Trousers - textile waterproof trousers. Again with ce-approved armour at the knees and ideally the hips.



The above is the sort of kit I have to ride in.



The only extra thing you could get is a pair of Kevlar-lined jeans. These are brilliant! Indeed I only bought a pair to wear to university as I had a similar issue with carrying kit around all day. I wore the Kevlar jeans and a short pair of boots and they were all day comfortable! My jeans are RST and I would highly recommend them. I paid £80 for my pair but they fit very well, have armour and are made from decent quality denim (unlike some of the cheaper alternatives!)



If you perhaps cannot afford the RRP, have a look second hand. The likes of eBay and Gumtree can throw up some great bargains. Because biking is mostly a 'luxury', plenty of people get rid of them from time-to-time or barely ride them. This means that their hardly-worn kit has to go as well, and this is where your bargains come from! Always try kit on before buying it, but as I say you can get some branded kit for great value second hand. One thing I must stress though - ALWAYS BUY YOUR HELMET BRAND NEW FROM A SHOP AND GET ONE THAT FITS YOU WELL.



Good luck and ride safe

--Mikey B--

Answer 2

Well I would wear protective gear just in case. Don't be a squid. I knew this guy who ride bikes all day long any time Ive seen him he was riding. One day a car collided with his bike on the freeway and pushed him feets away from the bike. His motorcycle was wrecked. He got a nasty severe road rash, like literally almost his whole skin of his back, arms, legs etc was ripped off! and a broken foot/leg/ ribs that healed slow he had to be in a wheel chair for months! You know he could've got gear to safe him from those injuries at the most but no. Wanted to look tough and cool wearing abousolutly no gear.



So please I recommend you to get nice gloves, a jacket, maybe some pants, boots and a good helmet. You might know but something could happen within seconds :/



You can always maybe take an extra bag to stuff in your gear so if you're too sweaty and hot from wearing the jacket put it in there or an extra pair of shoes to make your walks comfortable.

Answer 3

You wear the protective motorcycle clothing and helmet to protect you in the case of a crash. Since you don't know when you are going to crash, you should wear the protective clothing every time you ride. By protective clothing, I mean a helmet, gloves, jacket, boots and pants. All of these items need to be made as motorcycle specific protective clothing.



As far as what you HAVE to wear: I believe all states in the US require a helmet for ALL motorcyclists and passengers who are under 18 as well as those who only have their motorcycle permit. Some states mandate helmet use for everyone (California is one of those). In the US, you can wear flipflops and a bikini if you really want to ride in those, though I highly recommend you wear all of the gear all of the time.



It really doesn't matter what motorcycle you are riding. That 125cc bike will get you up to 40mph or more and crashing at that speed will hurt. A lot! Especially if you aren't wearing protective gear. An example: Go out to a paved or gravel parking lot in your jeans and t-shirt. Run as fast as you can (maybe 10-15mph) and throw yourself on the ground. Don't want to do that? Ask yourself why not.

Answer 4

In the UK, the law is you have to wear a helmet, that's it. NEVER EVER buy a second hand or "as new" helmet, get one in a box, from a shop.

Personally, I wear a helmet (obviously) good thick leather jacket. in winter I wear a pair of sidi motorcycle boots, some days in summer I wear trainers (with the laces tucked in) simply because motorcycle boots are bloody awful to walk around in. DO NOT under any circumstance wear steel toecaps. Sure you may break your foot, but at least you won't guillotine off your toes. I usually just wear jeans or cargoes, I do have a pair of leather trousers that zip in to my jacket but I haven't worn those for at least 5 years. Gloves.,.. it will depend on the season. it make sense to have pull wet weather gear for longer tripe, but just a pair or waterproof trousers otherwise (they roll up small). On a motorcycle you're are more likely just to get bumps and bruises in an error of judgement. Best to have some levers, indicator and mirrors at home ready tor change over (and when you sell it, if you have a few spares, that's good).

Answer 5

You must legally wear a helmet (brand new NEVER second hand!!) and I would recommend wearing gloves too and textile trousers but a motocross top instead of a heavy jacket would be ideal if you have no where for everything but just think of the consequences if you come off and go tearing down the Tarmac at 50mph, your back will be fuxked up and I also reccomend wearing boots that come part way up your shins as they're more reliable and sturdy :)

Answer 6

There is no need to wear matching clothes while you must wear helmet for security purpose. Honda CB Shine is a better mileage and pick up bike. Some specs are:



Displacement (cc) - 124.7

Engine Type - 4 Stroke, Si Engine

Maximum Power - 10.54 BHP @ 7500 RPM

Maximum Torque - 11 NM @ 5500 RPM

Starter System - Self Start/Kick Start

Fuel Delivery System - Carburetor

Ignition - Digital CDI

Cooling System - Air-Cooled

Top Speed - 93

Gears - 4-Speed

Clutch - Multi-plate Wet Clutch

Bore (mm) - 52.4

Stroke (mm) - 57.8

Answer 7

Ideally, you should wear 'full gear' in order to get the best protection. This will include:

A good helmet that fits well.

Full finger gloves with hard knuckles and possibly palm sliders.

A jacket with CE-rated armor in the elbows, shoulders and back.

Abrasive-resistant riding pants, preferably with knee armor.

Some type of high-neck boot, preferably steel-toed.

Answer 8

Sh!t happens quick. You may think that a short ride down to the neighborhood store is no big deal but IF some little 7 year old is rushing out between parked cars into the street, what are you doing to do?

Sure you try to avoid hitting him/her (and thankfully you do) but you could go down avoiding them or you could go down hitting them.

WEAR the best protection you can afford, helmet for sure, gloves, boots and the most protective gear or clothing you can afford.

Answer 9

The only rules for clothes it buy the best gear you can afford because when you start sliding on the pavement in your jeans and t-shirt you will wish you had invested the money in proper gear.

Helmet and windshield or safety glasses are a requirement in most states. Gloves and boots are a good idea too - your feet and hands can take a beating even in a small mishap.

Answer 10

Helmet (the best are snail tested), preferably full faced (I like modular), with a retractable sun visor.

Boots

Suit (jacket and pants that zip)- light colors keep you cooler and remember if you can remove layers you can better control how hot and cold you can ride in.

Gloves- good knuckle protection, leather grip, form fitting.

Answer 11

RULES! WE don't need no stinkin' RULES! We wear enough protective gear that we are comfortable about the managed risk. You can go sit on your stinkin' Rules!



I have one rule.... All the gear....All the time!

Answer 12

there are no rules, you could wear a speedo to ride. no one would care.Plus why are you getting such a small bike.this will barely do the speed limit.Do ge a good light pair of gloves though.