V E N G E A N C E M O T O R C Y C L E S O W N E R S M A N U A L
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Vengeance Motorcycles, Mira Loma, CA USA • 866-483-6432 • www.VengeanceMotorcycles.com
© 2004 Vengeance Performance Products, LLC All Rights Reserved • VOM 2nd Edition Rev 2.0 11/03
What to Wear When You Ride
Proper gear is essential to safe riding. Wearing the right clothing always makes the sport more enjoyable, and more
comfortable, too.
Helmet
Around the block or around the world, it makes sense to leave home with a helmet on your head. IT’S ONE OF THE
BEST ITEMS OF PROTECTION YOU CAN USE.
Helmets come in all sizes, from extra small (XS) to extra large (XL). There are also helmets for children. When you
buy a helmet, make sure it fits properly. Try it on; it should be comfortable to wear, neither too tight nor too loose.
Remember, it is going to spend a lot of time on your head.
Always fasten the helmet strap. If the helmet is not secured, it is doing about as much good as if it were on the shelf at
home.
Did you know that all adult-sized motorcycle helmets now sold in the United States must have a sticker indicating
DOT (Department of Transportation) approval, which means that the helmet meets certain basic impact standards?
Don’t buy a helmet without one; it may not meet standards. Helmets vary greatly in price and style. Buy one that suits
you. Wear it. Fasten it every time you throw a leg over the motorcycle.
A good helmet makes motorcycling a lot more pleasurable because it cuts down on the wind noise and greatly
reduces rider fatigue. The days of heavy or cumbersome helmets are gone; they’re now made of light new materials
with terrific designs and colors to choose from.
If you do drop your helmet onto a hard surface, or it receives a heavy blow, it is probably time to buy a new one. A
motorcycle helmet is designed to absorb the impact of a blow, and a helmet should only do that once. If in doubt, get
a new one.
Eye Protection
Riding with bare eyeballs is a gamble. Your eyes are precious, and it does not take much to injure one.
A fairing on a motorcycle is not eye protection; a bit of sand or tiny piece of glass can whip in behind it and get in your
eye.
Proper eye protection means an approved shield on your helmet, a pair of goggles, or shatterproof glasses. Settling
for less just isn’t worth the risk.
Make sure your eye protection is clean and unscratched. If you use a tinted lens or shield for riding in the bright
sunlight, take a clear one along as well, in case you are riding after dark.
Jacket
Motorcycle jackets are made in many sturdy materials: denim, nylon in its various guises, corduroy, and leather. The
hide of a cow, or any other commonly used leather, offers you the most protection when it comes to abrasion. You
can buy leather jackets with zippered vents, which are comfortable to wear even in hot weather as they allow a breeze
to flow through.
Pants
These should be made of a thick material, such as leather. They resist abrasion and provide protection from the
elements. A pair of loose, light cotton pants that flap in the wind is not very good riding gear. A number of companies
sell leather riding pants, and you can get pants and jacket combinations that zip together.
