Protective equipment, clothing and carrying passengers or loads (hlífar, fatnaður og farmur)
What this domain tests
The equipment rules that are legal requirements rather than choices, and the handling consequences of a passenger or a load.
Helmet and clothing
A helmet is compulsory for rider and passenger, must be an approved type (ECE 22.05 or 22.06), must fit properly and must be fastened. A helmet that has taken an impact is finished, even if it looks intact. A scratched or tinted visor that is illegal at night is a common exam point. Beyond the legal minimum, abrasion-resistant jacket and trousers, gloves, sturdy boots and a back protector turn a slide into a story instead of a hospital stay. High-visibility clothing matters in Iceland's long dark periods and in tunnels.
Passengers
Only carry a passenger if the machine has a proper pillion seat and footrests. The passenger must be able to reach the footrests and hold on, must wear a helmet, and should be briefed: lean with the rider, keep feet on the pegs even when stopped, and do not put a foot down. A pillion changes braking, cornering and headlamp aim - add tyre pressure and rear preload as the handbook specifies.
Loads
Loads must be secured so they cannot shift, must not obstruct lights, reflector, number plate, mirrors or steering, must stay within the manufacturer's limits, and must be balanced side to side. Loose strap ends near a wheel or chain are a classic cause of a locked rear wheel.
Worked example
A rider straps a tent to the pillion seat with an elastic bungee whose metal hook hangs free near the rear wheel. Under load the hook can catch the spokes or the chain and lock the wheel. The correct fix is a proper cargo net or cam straps with all loose ends tucked away, checked by hand before setting off.
Traps
"It's only a short trip" without a helmet. Carrying a child who cannot reach the footrests. Overloading the rear until the headlamp points at the sky. Assuming a pillion does not change how the bike brakes.