Rider Preparation and Protective Gear
Gear is your only crash protection
A motorcycle offers no crumple zone, so what you wear is the safety system. Start with a helmet that is certified for on-road use, fits snugly enough that the skin on your forehead moves with the shell, and is fastened every single ride, even for a trip around the block. A face shield or goggles satisfies eye-protection rules; sunglasses alone usually do not, and a windshield does not replace eye protection. Add a sturdy jacket and long pants, full-fingered gloves, and boots that cover the ankle. Bright colors and reflective material make you easier to see at night and in rain, and hearing protection reduces the fatigue and distraction that wind noise creates on longer rides.
Traps to expect
Question writers love absolutes. Watch for options that say gear is optional for experienced riders, that a passenger does not need a helmet, or that a leather vest counts as protective clothing. Also be suspicious of any answer that treats visibility as a matter of luck rather than a choice you control through clothing, headlight use, and lane position.
Rule of thumb
Dress for the slide, not the ride. Before you start the engine, ask whether you would be willing to slide across pavement in what you have on. If the answer is no, change something.
Preparation also includes the rider: never ride when tired, angry, or impaired, and plan your route so you are not making decisions in heavy traffic for the first time.