subject: Getting Good Safety Products from the Moped Dealer [print this page] Getting Good Safety Products from the Moped Dealer
To a lot of folks, the picture of an adolescent on a moped is of them whizzing by wearing a helmet T-shirt and jeans and very little else in terms of basic safety gear.
I believe possibly the explanation for this is that 50cc mopeds are significantly cheaper than most other motorbikes, therefore the cost of good gloves, jacket, and cushioned pants adds a big proportion to the total cost of the bike.
In addition of course, these youngsters seldom have got the funds to pay for anything other than the most fundamental safety equipment.
So very quickly, I would just like to list the four items that you should consider essential as well as the helmet which of course is a legal requirement.
I could probably cope with a bad knee for a week or two, a broken foot, even a couple of fractured ribs. But being totally unable to use either hand has got to be one of the most debilitating injuries you can have. As well as being incredibly painful due to the number of nerve endings in your palm.
Next on my list would be an armoured jacket. A good quality weatherproof jacket with shoulder , elbow and lower back armour. If you fall, it is more than likely that you will roll, and may come into contact with the curb or even your bike as it slides alongside you. The bits of you that stick out in your upper body such as your elbows and shoulders are likely to get damaged. The padding for these areas is very unobtrusive in a nice jacket, and of course it will also help keep you warm should you ride in colder weather. A good jacket that will last a few years will cost well under ?80.
Next, we move on to the legs. As a child you will probably have memories of your knees being covered with plasters. Getting cuts and grazes on your knees when ever you fall is just part of life. No matter what circumstances you fall under, you will almost definitely absorb some of the impact on your knees. I speak from personal experience when I say that need protection is essential, two broken or cracked kneecaps are incredibly painful (yes, more painful even than your hands).
Knee protection need not cost much, some basic pads may set you back ?20, but imagine the pain you will potentially save yourself from. It's just one of those things, no matter how you fall, your knees will almost certainly get some of the impact.
Finally on my list of essential safety equipment is a pair of decent riding boots. Okay, these may not be the most important things, but you will be surprised the number of times that you slide after having a motorbike accident, contact with your motorbike, other vehicles or the curb are common. The bones on your ankle are again quite fragile, and can be twisted and broken. A good pair of motorcycle shoes that allow good flexibility as well as giving you protection from impact and weather is the final item on my list of "must-have" safety equipment.
It's easy to forget safety equipment when you are budgeting for a new 50cc moped. But for the sake of your future health and well-being it's definitely worth factoring in the four items I have listed above. Remember, if you are buying your scooter from a dealer, they may have discount offers at the time of sale. They may even throw some of this equipment in for free. Even if they don't offer, don't be afraid to ask. Most dealers will offer discount if they are sure of making a sale on a new moped.
Of course, it goes without saying that your helmet is the most important thing. But for a little more cash you can protect the rest of your body, and ensure that you have years of safe and pain-free moped riding ahead of you.
