Motorcycle Equipment and Protective Gear
This domain tests what you wear and what the machine must legally carry. The exam is looking for a rider who understands that gear is chosen for a crash, not for a sunny afternoon.
The helmet
A helmet is compulsory for rider and passenger. It must carry an ECE 22.05 or 22.06 approval mark and fit properly: no pressure points, no movement when you shake your head with the strap fastened. Replace a helmet that has taken an impact even if the shell looks perfect, because the liner compresses invisibly. Never buy one second-hand with an unknown history. A scratched or heavily tinted visor is not acceptable at night.
Clothing
- Jacket and trousers in abrasion-resistant textile or leather, with CE armour at the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and a back protector.
- Gloves are not legally required in the Netherlands, but hands are the first thing to hit the road.
- Boots that cover and support the ankle, with a gripping sole.
- Earplugs: wind noise above about 80 km/h causes permanent hearing damage.
- Bright or reflective panels make a real difference in the dark.
What the machine must have
Two independently operating brakes, working lights and reflectors, a horn, a left-hand mirror, a legal exhaust and a speedometer. Tyre tread must be at least 1 mm on a motorcycle. A passenger may only be carried on a machine with a proper seat and footrests.
Worked example
A cheap used helmet at a market looks flawless. But you cannot see whether the polystyrene liner has been compressed in a crash, so it offers no guaranteed protection and you walk away.
Traps that cost marks
Assuming a bicycle helmet qualifies; riding with an unfastened chin strap; and thinking gloves are a legal formality rather than crash protection.