It’s been 70 years today since Indiagot its Independence.Although one of the things our country has not been able to free itself from is unsafe riding etiquettes, resulting in accidents and deaths. No, we haven’t found a solution to help the ‘bantai rider’ yet, but we did make a list of basic safety gear needed when riding a motorcycle.
The Helmet
The most integral safety gear is the helmet. Why? Because you won’t exactly be able to ride headless, right? Not only does it save your head in the event of a crash but youalso avoidthe hefty fine imposed by the government for helmet-less riding. Some manufacturers also provide a free helmet when you purchase a motorcycle.
Also, you could buy a decent helmet with proper safety certification in under Rs 5000. One such example is the Zeus Speedster ZS-811. The helmet provides adequate safety with an ECE 22.05 certification and uses a double-D ring fastening mechanism. The helmet is light in weight and on your wallet. Weighing 1.53kg, the helmet’s pricing starts from Rs 4,400 for solid colours and goes up to Rs 4,600 for graphics. The Zeus ZS-811 is available in small to XL sizes and can be bought from select riding gear stores across the country.
The Gloves
MotoGP racers are taught how to fall if things go wrong. We sincerely wish to see you get there someday, although for now, let’s focus on regular day riding. Given the number of potholes on our roads, the day won’t be far when one of you, future-MotoGP racers,takeatumbleoff your bike. Most times you fall, your hand high-fives the asphalt first; and wearing gloves ensures that you’re able to twist the throttle again.
Gloves like the Royal Enfield Spiti are useful for everyday riding thanks to the short gauntlet and breathable mesh material. The outer shell of the glove is made of high-grade leather while the glove features a thermoformed knuckle protector, PU coated leather on the palm, and a 100 per cent polyester tricot lining. The gloves also get a touch-screen sensitive material on the index finger and thumb. Existing biker-Pokémon Go fanatics, cheers! The Royal Enfield Spiti gloves are priced for Rs 3,200 a pair which makes it quite a grab, literally.
The Boots
Riding boots are the ultimate protection for your limbs. They feature protection right from the ankle to the toes. All that protection demands a lot of money, and with proper boots starting from approximately Rs 6,000 the prices are not very affordable to everyone.
While you save up for the Alpinestars S-MX6 or TCX S-Speed boots, you could alternatively opt for work safety shoes. These shoes are not only sturdy but also offer decent amount of protection at a reasonable price. Work shoes are equipped with a metal front and are made to be durable while not burning a hole in your pocket. You could buy one for around Rs 1100-1500.
Gearing up mentally
Staying safe is the top priority for a rider, but gearing up mentally and riding defensively is the best way to prevent accidents. Always make sure that you are visible to other traffic and not in the driver’s blind spot. When you’ve made yourself visible, make sure you also overtake with utmost attention. Be careful about junctions, which are where more than half of the motorcycle accidents occur.
When you’re on a bike, riding, as well as paying attention to everything around you is the skill that makes you a good rider. Always remember that even Batman was vulnerable to falling off his motorcycle due to aggressive riding.
There isn’t much that can match up to the freedom that a motorcycle offers you – Happy Independence day to you!
