Lifestyle Action Sports

Helmets:
You should always wear a “Full Face”, DOT and if possible Snell approved for use in motocross. Generally, the more expense the helmet, the better the protection. However, that is not always the case so do your homework and find out what’s out there. If you do not own or have access to an acceptable helmet you should under no circumstances ride a motorized bike.

A good quality helmet is likely the most important piece of equipment you will buy. Make sure your helmet fits snug, and does not move around on your head when the helmet is moved. The helmet cannot protect properly if it does not fit properly. Make sure the helmet is DOT or Snell certified. Some helmets exceed these standards more than others.

Your helmet is designed to self destruct while protecting your head at the same time. Any time a helmet takes a heavy hit it should be closely inspected for damage. You should check for things like, cracking or compression of the Styrofoam under the padding, stress cracks in the finish, damaged or fraying chin straps.

Snell Memorial Foundation

Goggles:
Most all goggle manufactures’ offer about the same protection for your eyes. They protect from mud, dust, water, other flying debris, and crashes. You should pick a brand that fits to your face and the opening of your helmet. Take advantage of tear-offs or roll-offs, to help keep your vision clear, which helps you to be a safer rider. Don’t forget to clean your goggles after each ride and store them in a way that will minimize the chances for scratches.

Pants/Jersey/Gloves/Kidney Belt:
Much like goggles, most gear manufactures’ products offer about the same protection. You should find some that offers a good fit and does not hinder your ability to move freely. For summer riding you should seriously consider purchasing vented gear. Today’s gear is not only fashionable but very functional as well. You’ll find that a lot of riders sell their gear after a couple of years; this can be a very cost effective way to get geared up.

Boots:
There a lot of boot manufactures to choose from and each one has its own selling points. You should buy the best pair of boots that you can afford. Things to consider are: ankle support, lower leg protection, fit, durability, and the ability to accept knee braces. Boots are very important when it comes to landing off big jumps or putting your foot down in a corner, or worse, a nasty crash. A good pair of boots should easily last 3 years.

Knee Pads/Brace:
The knees are a common injury in Motocross. Many riders prefer to have a brace to protect their knees from twisting, but you should at least be wearing knee/shin guards to soften the impact of a crash.

Chest Protection:
There are two basic types of chest protectors. The hard plastic external shell type, and the soft, under-the-jersey type. The external type is a hard plastic ‘jacket’ that covers the chest and shoulders and sometimes, the back and upper arms as well. These are mainly intended for deflecting roost, (some are even named “roost deflectors”) but also help protect against punctures and impacts if you were to fall on a sharp rock or other hard object, like say maybe a foot peg.

This is the preferred type of protection for this sport and we recommend that all riders wear this type. It is strongly recommended that riders under the age of 16 always and only use this type of protector due to their inexperience. Remember dress for the crash not the ride.

The soft type that is worn under the jersey is designed purely for roost protection. They offer little more than the ability to keep flying dirt and small rocks from leaving bruises. A hard ‘jacket’ type protector will spread the impact of a crash out over a large area and potentially prevent more serious injuries.

Neck Protection:
There are currently two basic types of neck protection. The neck roll and the neck brace. Neck rolls have been around for years and are basically a foam doughnut that is worn around the neck to transfer the load caused by the helmet in case of a crash or fall.

The neck brace claims to very effectively transfer the load from a rider’s helmet and head to his shoulders and torso. This will greatly reduce the likelihood of neck trauma. It also limits the range of motion the riders head and neck can move which will reduce the risk of hyper-extension and hyper-flexion type injuries.

Regardless of which type you choose, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely.

Spine Protection:
This piece of equipment is not used very widely among riders at this time. However as with all protective gear, these have the potential to reduce the range and number of injuries that could happen. Therefore, this as well as all other protective gear should be considered.

In addition to the gear that is listed above, there are several specialty companies that concentrate specifically motocross protection devices. EVS, SixSixOne, Asterisk, and several others offer: wrist braces, wrist supports, ankle supports, knee braces, kidney belts, neck rolls, shoulder supports, chest protectors, and spine protectors.

Bottom line: You wouldn’t go into battle without a weapon, right? So whether you choose to ride as just for fun or competitively, you knowingly engage in a sport that is known to be a very hazardous activity- a sport that is known for the potential for a broad range of injuries, some serious enough to cause paralysis and even death. Choosing to participate in such activities without making knowledgeable, informed, and well thought out decisions about the level of protection necessary to minimize the potential injuries, to you or your child, not only shows carelessness, but irresponsibility as well.

If you’re a rider on a budget or just having trouble making the significant investment it takes for the necessary safety equipment, here’s something for you—just think about your alternatives… Lost wages, hospital bills for injuries not covered by your insurance (this can easily run into the thousands of dollars), medical insurance deductibles, and worse yet the possibility of suffering an injury that could have been prevented or lessened. Paralysis and death are always available for consideration as well.