| The motorcycle is, from many years, a | | | | |
| widespread vehicle, designed for many | | | | The insurances are also important for |
| purposes, such as urban traffic, racing, long | | | | motorcyclists; in many countries the |
| distance travel or sport. The first | | | | insurance companies are forcing the riders to |
| motorcycles were built by Wilhelm Maybach and | | | | undertake a motorcyclist training course. The |
| Gottlieb Daimler, in 1885, in Stuttgart, | | | | appropriate equipments, leather clothes and |
| Germany. It was petroleum powered motorized | | | | gloves, are protecting the rider from rains, |
| bicycle. In 1867, Sylvester Howard Roper, | | | | snow, humidity, cold and shocks. Protective |
| from Massachusetts, designed a vehicle on two | | | | gloves, boots, pants and jackets are made |
| wheels and a steam propulsion, and presented | | | | from nylon, Kevlar or leather. Motorcycle |
| it at fairs. | | | | safety clothing includes carbon fiber knuckle |
| | | | protection. Boots include plastic caps and |
| The Japanese manufacturers are dominating | | | | reinforcements. |
| today the motorcycle production; brands such | | | | |
| as Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda or Kawasaki are | | | | Motorcycle safety clothing provides abrasion, |
| appreciated world wide. There are other | | | | puncture and impact protection; the cowhide |
| famous motorcycle manufacturers, such as | | | | is recommended for the durability and |
| Harley Davidson, Triumph, Ducati or BMW with | | | | strength; kangaroo leather is supple, light |
| growing popularity. Since 2006 a Dutch firm | | | | and resistant. Usually, the motorcyclists |
| produces a diesel powered motorcycle, | | | | wear black leather suits, decorated with |
| reliable and efficient. | | | | metal studs. The classic American motorcycle |
| | | | jacket has epaulets and a few zippers; modern |
| Motorcyclist organizations are organized | | | | leather clothes have armor on the inside to |
| geographically; many raise money for | | | | protect the critical impact zones, such as |
| charities organizing rides or popular events. | | | | spine, knees, or shoulders; the leather |
| People choose a motorcycle to avoid the | | | | clothes are spreading the impact to avoid or |
| effects of huge urban traffic; motorcycles | | | | minimize injuries. |
| are an affordable alternative to other | | | | |
| transport vehicles. In some countries, such | | | | Kevlar, Lycra or Cordura are the most popular |
| as UK, motorcyclists are exempt from charges | | | | textiles used for motorcyclist clothing to |
| in many agglomerated areas, may use the bus | | | | protect them against rain, cold or heat |
| lanes and have dedicated free parking. | | | | because the artificial fabrics take less time |
| | | | to dry out. Some bikers testify than the |
| Motorcycle safety and motorcycle clothing are | | | | artificial textiles are comfortable, |
| vital; the biker is subject to vary accidents | | | | especially in warm weather. Bikers boots are |
| more often than a driver. They have a rate of | | | | made of heavy leather, to protect the bikers |
| crippling and fatal accidents higher than | | | | feet, legs and ankles. The bikers helmet is |
| cars (the ratio is 5.1 to 1 in U.S.). If we | | | | very important to protect his head; many |
| consider the distance traveled, the ration | | | | helmets have also face shields, ear |
| increases dramatically: 33 to 1. The causes | | | | protection and intercom. There is full face |
| of the motorcycle terrible accidents are the | | | | helmets, open face helmets and half helmets, |
| rights of way violations and the frequent use | | | | all reinforced with carbon fiber or Kevlar. |
| of alcohol when riding. The accidents can be | | | | There are also some other types, non |
| prevented with proper training, and | | | | certified, smaller and lighter than |
| separating riding and drinking alcohol. | | | | traditional helmets. |