Photos from Google Images

As much as some people may want to, they can not just hop on a motorcycle and go. There are several safety precautions to take. Shorts, and sandals are not a wise choice. Ask the riders who got burned. The driver or rider should wear a full helmet.

1. Lay out all items of clothing. Thin, long sleeve shirt, leather vest, jacket, chaps, boots, gloves, helmet, bandana, goggles, hairdini (optional).

2. Be sure to wear a thin sweatshirt or cotton sleeveless before putting on any protective clothing. DO NOT put boots on before changing into chaps. It is hard to get chaps over boots.

3. Hold chaps upright a little above waist. Comfort is another reason to wear pants, instead of shorts. Evidently, chaps rubbing on bare legs do not feel good.

4. Wrap belt around waist, adjust to fit a little loose. When sitting on the motorcycle, the waistline tightens around the stomach. This is why the belt should always be slightly loose.

5. At this point of the process hold the chap up and taught.

6. Pull the sleeve around a leg.

7. Notice a zipper beginning at the top of the leg. Connect the two and zip until the zipper is just above snaps (buttons).

8. Next there will be a sequence of buttons. It is easier to begin with the bottom button. Then continue to snap the rest.

9. Repeat steps 5 – 8 for other leg.

10. Now, put the vest on one arm at a time.

11. Snap buttons first, ending with the top. (Tie the hanging suede strings to adjust your vest)

12. Time for hair, whether short or long. Have short hair? Skip to step 18.Long hair should be put in a low ponytail within a hairdini. It is good to have a low ponytail, because if it is placed too high, the helmet will not fit secure on the head. A hairdini is a thin, leather piece that wraps around hair. Again, it is equipped with silver snap up buttons. If you have longer hair and choose not to wear this accessory, braid it. It will save you a lot of time solving snarls and split-ends.

13. If wearing a hairdini, cut the piece until it is the length of hair or an inch shorter.

14. Use a small hair-tie. Pull hair through it twice or until it stays in place.

15. Set hairdini piece on ponytail button side up.

16. There will be a small, plastic hook on inside of accessory. Slide the hook through one loop of the hair-tie. If hook goes through both loops, the hairpiece will come out of the hair.

17. Close the hairdini. Again, begin at the bottom button.

18. Choose a bandana to tie around head. Wearing a bandana keeps the top of the head cool and it’s fashionable.

19. There are two small straps and one large flap at the end of a biker bandana.

20. Tie the two straps in a loose, double knot. The knot should rest on the back of the neck.

21. Have the large flap above the knot. If it is a regular bandana, fold it in half and tie the two side corners.

22. At this time, put on boots one foot at a time.

23. Now, put on the jacket. Yes. IT MUST BE LEATHER. It does not only protect your body, but your sense of smell when driving in country land. Luckily, riders can rest their nose on the driver’s shoulder. It covers the odor of farm animal manure. Sorry drivers. You’ll have to tough it out.

23. Zip jacket just below the neck. Keeping the coat zipped this high keeps wind, bugs and stones out.

24. If goggles or shades are available wear them. It prevents dust, wind and other elements from entering the eyes.

25. Put goggles behind ears. For those with ponytails, experiment with the placement of the strap. Is it more comfortable above or below the ponytail?

26. Adjust goggles to fit comfortably.

27. Finally the most important safety device is a full helmet.

28. Hold the helmet by its chinstraps. Chinstraps are located near the open area.

29. There will be two small rings on the left chinstrap. They are called “D rings”

30. This is probably the most tedious step of the safety preparations. Nothing is difficult, but is important to properly fasten it.

31. Place the helmet on top of head.

32. Hold the left chinstrap with left hand and the right chinstrap with right hand.

33. Bring the strap without the rings towards the chinstrap with them.

34. Slide the strap through BOTH rings.

35. Pull the strap OVER the outer ring and bring it through the inside ring.

36. Adjust until chinstraps are snug against jaw line to chin by continuing to pull strap. The helmet should barely move on top the head.

37. Gloves are good to wear, for protection and grip. Cut-off’s are nice for sunny days. Whereas, the full length is better for cooler days and nights. It is difficult to do any of the above steps while wearing them. For this reason, put gloves on last.

Be careful not to touch any chrome on the bike. It is HOTTT! For whatever reason someone decides not to wear a leather jacket, he or she should apply and re-apply a fair amount of sunscreen. Regardless of sleeves or no sleeves, don’t forget the face. It is more sensitive to the sun and wind. Now you know how to be safe on the motorcycle. Take off. Be safe. Avoid bugs and stones. Ride free!