The excitement of buying your first bike only increases with the act of “equipping yourself” with all of your protective gear. It is a ceremony that many motorcyclists enjoy as part of the thrill of motorcycling. A personal protective wardrobe for any motorcyclist these days includes leather gloves, a leather jacket, leather pants, and boots. And of course, a helmet. That excitement only increases when you first get on your new bike. It could be a Honda StepThru or a Vespa Scooter … or it could be a new Harley Softail or the CBR 1000RR race car, or the versatile Ducati Multistrada.

Whatever it is … protection is paramount. Most countries require you to wear a helmet. If you are a serious rider, you should take protection seriously. The only requirement by law in the US is that you wear a helmet, but the other items are highly recommended. Motorcycle gloves are generally made of leather. You can wear gauntlets that reduce drafts in colder weather or you can go for fingerless leather gloves for summer riding. On the other hand, racing gloves have a pre-curved finger section with armor added to the glove for maximum protection.

If you want to ride long distances in comfort and performance, then you will choose a touring motorcycle. Probably equipped with saddlebags for storage. If you want to navigate the highway with your feet in the front and supported by a grab bar, then you will choose a helicopter. If you want to duck behind the fairing with your feet on the rear seats so that oncoming traffic thinks you are a bike without a rider, then you will go for a cafe sports racer. If you want to stand up and ride because you don’t have a seat, you will choose a motocross or trail bike. If you want to ride the city streets in an upright position with your feet on a platform and small, low wheels, then you will choose a moped or scooter.

Regardless of the type of machine you choose, protection is paramount. Your toes and feet must be able to work together in unison to allow you to accelerate and brake efficiently so that you can take corners and curves efficiently. Your fingers and feet are exposed to the wind and you must protect them.

Handlebars are the business part of the motorcycle and come in different shapes and sizes, from hangers to clips. This is where the motorcycle’s mechanism is centered, because it is the area where the accelerator, brake, clutch, horn and rear-view mirrors are placed. You must have warm hands to be able to maneuver. Leather motorcycle gloves are the most important component you will use on your bike. This is where you manipulate the situation and plan your strategies that make the motorcycle the queen of the road.