There is no greater feeling than riding a motorcycle and feeling the wind on your face. The thrill that a motorcycle gives is something that other forms of transportation can not. However, riding a motorcycle is an activity that can turn very dangerous. Problems with the motorcycle or the road can lead to serious injuries. A lot of people get involved in fatal motorcycle accidents yearly. Still, this doesn't mean that you should stop riding your motorcycle. Protective clothing can help to minimize the risk associated with riding a motorcycle. By protecting different parts of the body, they help the rider to feel safe and secure.  

Some of the most essential protective clothing for riding your motorcycle is:

1. Helmets

This is by far the most important protective clothing there is. It protects the skull from harm, which makes it very important. The human head is something that can easily be affected by external forces. By riding your motorcycle, you are exposing your head to these external forces. A sudden impact on the head can cause minor issues like concussions or major issues like fractured skulls.

Therefore, your head must be well protected when you are riding your motorcycle. Helmets are designed to crumple and take most of the impact in case anything happens.

2. Jackets

When you think about it, the cooling sensation that comes from riding a motorcycle isn't all that good. It can cause different health issues that can affect the lungs. If this is mixed with the cold that comes from riding in the rain, the results could be disastrous. Jackets are therefore the perfect protective clothing to take care of this. They are comfortable and warm, making the rider feel hot when traveling in cold weather. Also, most jackets are waterproof, so you can ride your motorcycle even when it is raining.

3. Boots

Even though it is worn on the leg, this helps to make the rider feel safe. A boot helps to protect the ankle of the rider. Accidents can cause a lot of damage to the legs and ankles. They can crush the legs and ankles of riders. Boots with solid soles help to reduce the impact of such accidents. Also, some boots come with shin protection, which protects the shin whenever it hits the brakes.

4. Gloves

Gloves are useful protective clothing for any motorcycle rider. They help to give a good grip on the motorcycle when the rider is riding. Also, the gloves help to keep the hands warm and toasty.

5. Pants

Pants are an underrated, yet fairly useful protective clothing. They help to protect the upper legs by keeping them warm and protecting the skin from harm. Some pants are padded at the hips and knees, to protect those parts from excessive impact. Good pants are light and comfortable, yet stable and secure to make the rider stable on the motorcycle.

Conclusion

The thrill of riding a motorcycle should not make you forget to be safe on it. It is best to wear light and comfortable protective clothing to protect you from unexpected occurrences.

Finally, click here to get the best motorcycle gear on BMW Motorrad.

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Equipped with Touratech parts – covering everything from the suspension system to luggage, protection and ergonomics – the Husqvarna Norden 901 is the perfect motorcycle for demanding adventure trips. For riders with a taste for the exclusive, Touratech has created the Norden 901 WTE Black - an adventure bike with a perfectly coordinated equipment package for world touring.
 
With the Norden 901, the offroad sports brand, Husqvarna, ventures into the hotly contested touring adventure bike segment. The Norden naturally has a bunch of offroad genes, from which adventure riders benefit on their adventurous trips. These include long spring travel, high-quality wire-spoke wheels in 21/18-inch design, and, of course, the potent two-cylinder that can handle everything from fast track rides to tricky trails.
True to the motto "Make good things even better", the Touratech developers took the Husqvarna Norden 901 to task after intensive test rides. The result is a range of accessories that has been thought through down to the last detail, making the Husky an indestructible offroad tourer.
 
Suspension elements to meet the highest demands
When it comes to tackling really demanding routes with a heavy load or even with a partner, we recommend the premium upgrade for your suspension system with components from Touratech Suspension. Both the shock absorber and the cartridge kit for the fork are designed for maximum stress and offer extensive adjustment options. Touratech Suspension also provides high-quality components for vehicle lowering.
 
Large choice of luggage solutions
The be-all and end-all on a big trip is, of course, a trail-proof case system. Touratech offers two versions of the indestructible stainless steel rack: the standard version as well as one for a pannier shaped to fit snugly around the exhaust and decrease the width of the rear. ZEGA aluminium panniers are available in a wide variety of designs. Luggage racks and top case racks are available for the Norden 901 in the Touratech range, as well as a selection of high-quality soft luggage
 
Extensive protector equipment
Crash bars for the fairing and tank, hand protectors, a hard part and a grille to reinforce the standard engine guard, as well as various mini protectors for sensitive assemblies, protect the vehicle during tough offroad use.
 
Ergonomics and individualisation
Windscreen spoilers, brake lever extensions and handlebar risers are important components for improving comfort and individualising ergonomics.
 
Norden 901 World Travel Edition Black
For riders who desire a machine that is perfectly equipped technically as well as being visually unique, Touratech has created the Husqvarna Norden 901 WTE Black. In keeping with the concept of the World Travel Edition (WTE), this machine is fully equipped with the best parts and geared up to kick off on a world tour. In the design field, numerous black parts underline the powerful appearance of the Norden 901.
Touratech's experts have put together an accessory package for the WTE Black with perfectly matched components. Depending on customer wishes, the range of equipment can be individualised.
The Husqvarna Norden 901 WTE Black is built in the Touratech master workshop and based on either a machine supplied by the customer or a new vehicle

Further information

So long as people choose to ride motorbikes, there will be a need for professionals offering repairs.
If you own a repair shop, it can be a lucrative business when run correctly. Yet, there is always room for improvement, and if you would like your business to grow, you should consider some of the many options that can help you to expand. This article will cover some top tips for how you can grow your customer base and improve the efficiency of your workshop.

Tip 1: Ensure your repair shop is organised  
The more efficient you are, the more profitable your business will be as you can service more motorcycles in a smaller amount of time. Being organised will help to keep tools accessible and easy to find, helping to cut out those aggravating moments when you need to stop working and search for something. One way to keep things tidy and mobile is by using a tool chest on wheels so that you can always have the items you need close by and easily moved around.  

Tip 2: Update your skills and offer new services
As new bike models are continuously released onto the market, you will need to keep up to scratch with improved technologies and changes to mechanics. For instance, if you are not trained in sports bikes repairs, you could be losing out on customers that could secure more income for your business. You can improve your skills by regularly attending workshops and training sessions and learning from industry professionals.

Tip 3: Hire some help
It might be a good idea to consider expanding your team and hiring someone else to help you out in the repair shop - especially if you have had to turn away potential customers due to not having enough time or resources to do the work. Perhaps an apprentice would be the right fit for your budget? Or you may want to take on someone more experienced? Whatever option you choose, consider the workload you currently have and how quickly you can grow with the resources that are available to you.

Tip 4: Plan your year
Motorcycles are seasonal vehicles for many owners, meaning demand for your services, and therefore income, may slow down during certain times of the year - especially winter. Many more people get their bikes out during spring, summer and early autumn. During these warmer months, when there is more business for your shop you should consider extending your opening hours or taking on temporary staff to manage the workload. In the colder months, it may be more worthwhile working on longer-term projects for a select few clients. Another good way to stay ahead of the game is to try and secure work in your pipeline moving into the off-seasons while you are seeing clients regularly.

Tip 5: Digital presence and marketing for your business
We live in a digital age where competition is fierce, and many professionals will share content online to increase awareness of their brand. Sharing videos online or creating tailored content aimed at your target audience via a website or social media can be a great way to make a name for yourself and reach a large audience online. Your site and social media channels are also a good place to include customer testimonials that pay tribute to your hard work.

Owning a business is no easy feat and growing one is even more challenging. If you want to become a well-known name, it’s crucial that you adopt a proactive approach to work and try to improve the quality and range of your services. These five simple tricks should help you to move towards becoming a top player in the industry.

Have fun and good luck!

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• Ben and Wellonomics partner to produce pioneering wellbeing app and web portal
• BenWell enables employees to measure their wellbeing in real-time and gives employers timely insight into mental and physical health of their team
• Personalised resources are provided to each individual, tailored to their wellbeing needs

To mark the beginning of World Wellbeing Week, Ben, the automotive industry charity, is proud to announce the nationwide launch of BenWell – its pioneering new wellbeing platform, developed specifically for the automotive industry in partnership with Wellonomics.

Underpinning BenWell is an insight-led app and web portal which automotive businesses can use to take the emotional and physical temperature of their team, enabling companies to better support their employees with their wellbeing.

Each month, employees spend less than 10 minutes answering questions across six key personal wellbeing areas, and five management areas. Once completed, their personal dashboard gives a real-time view of their wellbeing and offers tailored support and guidance from experts in each area, accessed via mobile, tablet or desktop.

From an employer perspective, individual survey results are anonymised but, by tracking key wellbeing indicators via the dashboard, employers get a real time overview of how their employees are feeling about life at home and work, taking the guesswork out of wellbeing and enabling them to be proactive in their response.

If any potential wellbeing issues are identified, employers can create targeted solutions that address their people’s needs, building greater employee satisfaction, retention and productivity for the business.

Ben has been working on the development of this platform since 2021 with wellbeing data specialists Wellonomics, and the new BenWell platform will now be rolled out to automotive businesses across the UK.

In addition to the app and web portal, the complete BenWell package also includes:

• Access to printed wellbeing documentation on a wide range of topics for use around the workplace
• Access to HR Manager Lite from Lawgistics – a HR and compliance platform designed for automotive employers that might not have their own HR function
• Access to a portfolio of Ben Training courses to help teams build self-awareness and good habits that promote resilient mental health

Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income at Ben, said: “For over 115 years, Ben has been on the front line of the automotive industry, supporting members of our automotive family through the toughest times of their lives. And in 2022, we know that this support is needed more than ever before.

“Our most recent industry survey showed us that 94% of automotive workers have been personally affected by a health and wellbeing issue in the last 12 months. That figure is astonishing. Not only does this mean our automotive colleagues have been struggling, it also means that businesses are suffering too. Employee absence, reductions in productivity, low team morale – all of these things are caused by wellbeing issues and ultimately affect the health of your business.

“By partnering with data specialists Wellonomics, we have combined our unique insight into the automotive community with industry-leading technology to produce a platform that we truly believe will help to improve the wellbeing of the automotive family as a whole. We encourage employers to find out more about BenWell and explore the many ways it can help the people in your business who most need it.”

Glen Thurgood, CEO at Wellonomics shared: “It is a real honour to partner with Ben and the product of our successful collaboration is BenWell.  We are enormously excited as BenWell is officially launched today and sincerely look forward to being of service to all businesses and people within the automotive family.”

For more information about BenWell click here.

And remember, if you or someone you know is struggling - you can chat with us online, or call our free and confidential helpline on 08081 311 333 (Mon- Fri 8am - 8pm).

When any member of our automotive family is struggling or in crisis, we all rally to support them.

About Ben:
Ben is the charity dedicated to supporting the people of the automotive industry, providing support for life for them and their family dependents.

Ben supports individuals to navigate through life’s challenges, empowering them to make positive, lasting change. Ben works with people to improve their lives by enhancing their health and wellbeing through its free and confidential online self-help, helpline and support services. 

Ben also operates continuing care and support for those in later life, which isn’t dependent on an automotive industry connection, via its residential care centres, day centre and retirement village. www.ben.org.uk. 

Indian Motorcycle has launched an initiative aimed at incentivising owners to get out and ride more this summer, with the introduction of the Indian Motorcycle Rally programme.

With entry available to any existing Indian Motorcycle owner, and as part of the brand’s Indian Motorcycle Riders Group, owners who participate are challenged to visit all 20 UK and Eire dealerships up until Nov 30, gaining stamps on their unique Indian Motorcycle Rally Passport, recording their journey mileage with a national ranking to reward the highest number of stages and miles completed.

Claire D’auria of Indian Motorcycle UK announced the UK’s inclusion in the programme, commenting, “The Indian Motorcycle Rally programme is running right across Europe, and so we are delighted to offer our UK and Eire customers the chance to participate.

“Ultimately, it’s an excuse to get out and ride, but it’s a great way for the IMR community to come together and visit different parts of the country. Riders can even get in touch with the local IMRG before their ride to find out about places of interest and great roads along the way.”

Indian Motorcycle owners interested in participating can register for free on https://indianmotorcyclerally.eu/UK/discover.php, then log each of their journeys after receiving their Indian Motorcycle Rally passport (provided by the local Indian Motorcycle dealer) via a stamp at each dealership visit.

The Rally is open to owners of all Indian Motorcycle models who are also registered with Indian Motorcycle Riders (IMR) and runs until the 30th November 2022.