Just picked up a new bike or scooter and wondering what gear you need before your first ride? Here’s a checklist of essential riding gear every rider should have for safety and comfort:
Everyone knows that a helmet is the most basic and important riding equipment a person must have. People often use them just to avoid traffic challans or fines, but safety should always be the priority. Here’s a list of basic safety gear every two-wheeler owner must have.
Helmet: Either you’re riding a bike or a scooter, a helmet is always necessary and the most basic gear a rider needs to wear. This is the golden rule that is the same for the pillion. There are different kinds of helmets, like full-face, open-face (which people usually avoid), half-shell, off-roading, and many others. It depends on you what suits your needs. A basic half-face or full-face might be perfect for you if you’re a daily commuter. And if you want both features in a single helmet, then modular helmets solve the purpose. Each type has its advantages depending on the riding style and level of protection needed. A DOT and ISI-certified helmet is always the best to go with.Â
Gloves: In the must-have list, another gear are gloves. Similar to helmets, there are also different kinds of gloves: half cuff, gauntlet, adventure, etc. As the gloves provide better grip and protection, they also reduce hand fatigue during long drives. The gloves during long rides come into play when sweaty or numb hands start losing control over the handlebars. They improve grip, enhancing handling. Gloves come in a different price range, starting from Rs 500.
Jacket: No, not the usual jacket to keep yourself warm, but to avoid wind blast, providing you comfort and safety for long rides. When you ride a two-wheeler, there’s a lot of air resistance, which takes a toll on your body after a few minutes. However, you can protect yourself from the wind blast with a jacket. Talking about protection, some riding jackets come with built-in armour for shoulders, elbows, and back, while others give space for you to buy it separately. Riding jackets reduce the risk of severe injuries in case of a fall or collision, providing safety from abrasion.
Knee guard: If you’re one riding a two-wheeler for longer distances, then a knee guard makes a lot of sense as it gives you great impact protection. In case you fall, your knees are highly vulnerable for injuries. Knee guard provides a shield against road rash, impact, and abrasions by providing reinforced padding. Knee guards help reduce fatigue and discomfort, allowing for smoother long rides.
There are other safety gears as well, which you can wear before going for a ride to make it smooth and comfortable, like biking shoes, which people usually don’t consider much. There are many reasons to include it in your list. Do watch out for ExpressDrives.com for an update on riding shoes.
