Whether it's the music from Easy Rider or an advertisement showing a motorcycle rider going up the pacific coast highway, part of the mystique of owning a motorcycle is the picture of freedom it represents. Motorcycle riders always look like they are riding along with out a care in the world. It appeals to the weekend warrior in all of us. However, behind the picturesque liberty is a host of things that rider had to do, learn, and buy before they could look so care free. There are several things a beginner has to know before stepping on the starter of a brand new bike.

Pick The Right Bike

All your life you've seen big Harley-Davidsons go by and thought that was the bike for you or you noticed your neighbor with a Kawasaki Vulcan and wanted something that big and sleek. However, it's important you pick a bike that is best for a beginner. Your first motorcycle won't be the only one you ever buy and you shouldn't buy it thinking you can't have a bigger or better one later.

Your first motorcycle should be easy to handle. It's best to start off with something simple, light weight and inexpensive so you can get your boots dirty before expending the big bucks on a heavy hitter. Both Honda and Kawasaki have good beginner bikes. Harley-Davidson's Sportster is the lightest and best bike for a beginner but it is more recommendable that you start with something else and move up to a Harley. Check motorcycle review sites for the best bikes for a newbie. If you ask 50 bikers you might get 50 different answers, but at least they can point you in the best direction.

Get The Right Gear

Most people know they can't hop on a motorcycle with some shorts and a pair of flip-flops and ride safely. There are clothing recommendations you should follow to prevent self injury. A helmet is required to ride a motorcycle safely and in some states is the law. I'm sure you've seen lots of people riding without helmets, but you don't have to pay their medical bills. The next requirement is a good pair of riding gloves. The number one injury motorcyclists receive in any accident or spill is road rash. Let the rocks and dirt imbed in the gloves. Your hands will thank you for it.

Motorcycle boots are also an important part of the ensemble. Sneakers, Crocs or any of the new polyfiber soled shoes are not recommended because the bottoms can melt in the intense heat of the bike. Leather jackets and pants are also a good idea. The myth is that motorcycle riders wear leather because they are rebels and outlaws. The truth is they wear leather to be protected, comfortable and safe.

Take The Right Training

For people who've hitched a ride on the back of someone's bike or rode dirt bikes as a kid there is a tendency to think they know what they're doing and motorcycle riding is "natural". Holding up a heavy piece of hot machinery against head winds and gravity while going 60 MPH is not natural at all. You will need training on learning everything from how to stop and not fall over, to using your body's weight correctly to turn and not fall over. There are many online sites to tell you where to get specialized training in your area.

At first it seems like you'll pay more for the clothes than the motorcycle and you'll never get to have any fun. But once you get the hang of the machine and its requirements, you'll be cruising down the road in style.

We don’t know much, but we know that, at least, is not true. It’s evident from early photos that riders wore whatever they felt to be practical at the time.  Since no riding “uniform” was defined in those early days (and no authority existed to make such recommendations), it was a case of anything goes, where footwear was concerned.
Before long, however, common sense led motorcyclists to realize that an awful lot of potentially preventable foot injuries were happening, due to a lack of adequate shielding and protection of those vulnerable tootsies.
Naturally enough, first impulses were not to re-invent the wheel, but to look at already available forms of foot protection—like those worn by cowboys and jockeys, and like those with a reliable reputation of serving explorers, adventurers, outdoorsmen, and engineers. Twentieth century engineer boots, as a matter of fact, had themselves evolved from footwear that had been around for centuries, defending the digits, feet, calves and thighs of surveyors, soldiers, and, yes, engineers, from brutal elements as well as injury from attacking objects or organisms.
These readymade footwear solutions served riders well for a time; but there’s always that restless yearning for something better—something customized to better perform its vital duty.  Something “just for motorcyclists”.
So, over the years, the equation developed:
Engineer boots + Various minor adjustments = Traditional “motorcycle boot”   
According to www.onlyriders.com , stovepipe legs on bikers’ boots became standard in the 1930s and ’40’s. “These were so popular and practical that militaries across the globe adopted this style of “riding boot” for motorcycle soldiers.  Buckles around the instep and at the top served to keep these boots securely fastened, but they also gave motorcycle boots the unique character that appealed to the general population.”
This character, in fact, defines the boot most often associated with Marlon Brando and the Bad Boy Bikers of the ‘50’s—and probably the one the Cheers sang about in their unforgettable 1955 hit:
“He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots
And a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back.
He had a hopped-up ’cycle that took off like a gun;
That fool was the terror of Highway 101.”
Still later, in the ’60s, sources agree, the round-toed engineer boots gave way to harness boots, which typically have square toes and cosmetic accoutrements like leather straps and rings. Some riders in search of really serious protection (and a seriously rugged look, to boot) even began opting for logger boots with steel toes and their “heavy, robust design.”
Jeremy Granger, Marketing Director for Ridge Footwear, defines the traditional biker boot as a heavy, all-leather black boot, eight inches tall or more—a slip-on design with a big sole that can be resoled.
“Traditional motorcycle boot-makers used a heavy leather because they wanted the protection it offered; and they used a taller shank to prevent the wearer’s pants from riding up above the boot top when they were riding.”
Granger points to currently available traditional biker styles that are still big and heavy, with buckles, but explains the change in biker demographics that makes these styles less practical and popular today.
“In the early ’90’s, Harley-Davidson’s image went from the Bad Boy Biker bike to, suddenly, the bike that everybody wanted to have. Superstars, attorneys, doctors, and average working people wanted to ride Harleys, and got rid of their Hondas and Yamahas in order to do so.
“From our standpoint in the footwear business, and as avid bikers, we started noticing that the biker profile was changing.  Bike events at places like Sturgis, Daytona, and Myrtle Beach became more prevalent.  People were riding or driving to these events, then walking a lot of territory as they visited a lot of different vendors and activities.”
More and more riders were taking day trips to social get-together motorcycle events and walking all the festivities, Granger noted, and thus their footwear needs were changing.
“The days of the traditional biker boot are becoming extinct,” said Granger. “You see very few hard core bikers any more. Most of the guys that ride bikes as recreation are wearing coats and ties during the week—or they’re out working on a construction site or something, and on the weekend they turn into a biker. My Dad is one of those, he’s had multiple Boss Hosses, and he comes to work in an office all week long and he doesn’t look like a biker, but he’s been riding a bike his whole life.”
To effectively monitor these demographic changes, Ridge execs did some research at the rallies and festivals they attended, paying special attention to what riders were wearing on their feet.
“We saw people riding in tennis shoes; we saw people in the coastal regions riding in flipflops. I don’t recommend that,” commented Granger.
The priority of all these riders, however, was clearly comfort. So, responsively, three years ago Ridge Footwear began developing motorcycle boots  “that carried the characteristics necessary in a riding boot, but are comfortable enough to allow people to walk an event all day and not wear them out lugging around a big, heavy, bulky boot that probably doesn’t fit that well, anyway.”
Ridge’s solution was a line of boots that “feel like tennis shoes, but deliver needed protection and support. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and more.”
They added inside zippers and waterproof riding boots—creating what Granger called “a lazy man’s boot.”  Now, he reflects, nearly all their top-sellers are zipper designs.
Overall, today’s motorcycle boots boast superior materials that provide better insulation, moisture wicking and waterproof membranes to keep feet dry, and synthetic rubber soles that are exceptionally oil-resistant.

What Qualities Should a Motorcycle Boot Have?
When you’re shopping for a riding boot, what should you look for? The Internet is brimming with expert advice on the subject; here’s the Cliff’s Notes version:
*Soles should be durable and slip-resistant, especially on oil-slick pavement.  You want something that won’t slide out from under you when you put your feet down at a stop.
Resoleable boots, says Granger, come with an extremely bulky durable welted Goodyear outsole that makes the boot heavy and somewhat stiff, although admittedly this is the most serviceable outsole available. “There’s a fine line between the comfort you want and durability that you need.  At Ridge, we are using more of the lighter weight one-piece soles, which consist of a comfortable EVA or polyurethane midsole, permanently bonded to a sturdy carbon rubber outsole. These are not resoleable; when they’re worn out, you throw the boot away.”
He points out that from a practical standpoint, it’s hard to find cobblers nowadays, even if you prefer to have boots or shoes resoled.
*Ankle support is essential.  In the early days of motorcycle boots, they were straight-up leather slip-on boots, like cowboy boots you slide on and off.  “The problem was,” says Granger, “There was no support there.  That’s why lace-ups are important; they give you a nice tight fit.  With the zipper boots, you can enjoy both—the great fit and custom support of the lace-up style, with the ease of zipping in and out of it without re-lacing it each time.”
*Protection for toes and ankles. Although steel toed boots immediately leap to mind, many of today’s hard leather toe caps can protect without the weight and bulk of steel toes. Even the most skilled and careful rider can wind up laying a bike down.  A good boot can spare clothing, skin, and flesh from the worst of flying debris, burns, and rough impacts.
*Adhesion: Boots need to stay on your feet to do their job.  The advent of the side-zipper boot has virtually ended the long argument between lace-up and slip-on advocates. Slip-ons can just as easily slip off under stress—when you’d rather they didn’t.  On the other hand, laces can come untied and get hung up in moving parts, creating a serious hazard.  Today, most lace-ups are designed to be easily tucked safely inside once they’re tied—and the tight custom fit and support lacing provides can be maintained easily without relacing if the boot also comes with an inside zipper for quick and easy off and on.
*Weather resistance: Is waterproof necessary?  Some people need waterproof leather boots; others who don’t plan to ride in the rain don’t need or want that protection—or the extra weight that comes with it.  These folks are usually happier with a boot with breathable nylon, for instance, notes Granger, so that it’s more comfortable for walking around.

Of Special Interest to Women
The women’s motorcycle industry is booming—many more women are taking up riding than ever before, and the Internet features an abundance of web sites that focus on the special needs of female bikers.  
The boom is fueled in part by the ease of customizations that make motorcycles easier to manage for women with slighter, smaller frames. Bikes can be lowered closer to the ground, handlebars can be extended further, etc.
Granger reports that within the last seven or eight years, many women’s biker boot styles have begun to appear, too. “Many of them have a traditional look, but they’re modified with bigger heels and attractive cosmetic features like chrome buckles. The designs focus on style rather than function, however,” he observes. “My mother, for instance, rides as a passenger with my dad, and she sometimes wears a slip-on style that doesn’t even have a backstrap behind her heel.
“I would imagine that as more women start riding on their own, they will start wearing more functional boots rather than thin, stylish boots, because now they’re in a position where they have to put their feet down at every stop, and they have to know that their feet are nice and steady on the pegs and on the floorboards.  They’ll also want to be confident that they’re wearing something they can shift with.”
The fashion-focused boots currently available to women aren’t always slip-proof on oily surfaces, and the popular boxy toe styles may not even fit under a shifter, he points out, predicting a move toward functionality and away from fashion for serious women riders.

The bottom line is—wear what works best for you and your riding style; but be careful when weighing those options.  As all good Boss Hoss riders do, be sure to put safety first!
(Thanks to Ridge Footwear for their input into this story—and the products that have already won over a number of Boss Hoss riders.  Check them out at www.Ridgeoutdoors.com ; and don’t miss owner Rob Granger’s profile on page ___!)

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In case you experience of a motorcycle accident the chances of you safely escaping a disastrous end or not essentially depends on many things including what protective gear you are wearing. One of the important things that govern your safety during an accident is a pair of biker boots.

Although there is a lot of awareness and understanding about wearing a helmet and its benefits in case of accidents, many motorbike riders prefer not to wear it. This carelessness is aggravated to higher levels in case of other less popular but equally important motorbike protection gear such as gloves and boots. While driving, a good, well built, solid pair of motorcycle boots is as important as having a helmet.

The feet of a biker suffers from a lot of friction due to harsh road conditions, road heat and friction from road while stopping the motorbike. Apart from solid build for handling all the friction and heat from the road, it is important for a motorcycle boot to be ankle high to protect the ankles from rotational torque by giving them support. Without a proper set of motorcycle boots, a motorcycle rider would feel a lot of strain on the toe area because of the stress that is induced while in end over and end roll on a highway.

For professional bikers and motorists alike, boots are very important and part of their essential item list. Collecting motorcycle boots can be a big hobby for motorbike riders; in fact this passion can be comparable to what women have for their shoes. On long rides or while riding to places that do not have very friendly roads, motorcycle boots provide help to motorcyclists by providing them comfort and protection. These boots add a style statement to your motorcycling experience and protect your feet too.

Like one of the most preferred motorbikes in the world, Harley Davidson motorcycle boots are used the most. Harley Davidson motorcycle boots compliment the Harley Davidson motorbike by giving the same comfort and the style that Harley provides. While giving an excellent comfort level, these leather boots give a very rugged, macho feel.

Harley Davidson boots are available in many stores and motorcycle dealerships which offer a huge selection of boots with varied styles and designs. One also has the option of ordering a Harley Davidson motorcycle boot made especially with good quality materials to provide maximum comfort and offer good protection against bruises and abrasions while driving. These customized boots are usually costly but offer a unique experience. These boots are guaranteed to protect your feet in case of an accident and also help you avoid muffler burns.

While looking for motorcycle boots for your feet, one must note that time should be taken to find a pair that not only looks great on you and your motorcycle but is also comfortable to wear in long rides. Features like water resistance, and thicker soles should be preferred. Typically, the riding style and bike type decides the boot that one should wear. With Harley Davidson motorcycle boots, one not only feels good but also feels safe while driving their motorcycle.

Are you a biker? Do you own a Harley? Ever met with a motorcycle accident on the road? Do you have proper pairs of boots to protect your feet while you're motorcycling on the freeway? Buy one, because safety comes first.

The better the pair of motorcycle boots, the better the chances of keeping your feet intact, since accidents can lead to severe injuries to the feet and possible amputations.

Harley Davidson motorcycle boots come in varying designs and types and are made out of the best quality materials and have the highest standards. The feet are well protected from any accident when you wear the boots. We guess you'd rather wear the boots rather than lose that foot of yours!

The Harley Effect

Harley Davidson's a fashionable brand that can always make heads turn on a normal road! These boots are stylish, trendy, and a sure attention grabber! If you're looking for comfort and style, Harley Davidson motorcycle boots are the perfect companion while driving. They look wonderful, and they are thick enough to save your feet from the super-hot exhaust pipe! If you're driving in the summer, these boots will help you keep them away from the wrath of the sun! Professional bikers and Harley Davidson owners usually advise bikers to wear these special boots. Boots are available for both women as well as men and if you go online to the Harley website, you'll have a large variety.

We'll tell you what safety features you can expect in Harley boots:

•They are for rough use and are very tough
•They provide a really safe protection for your feet during accidents.
•Are long lasting
•Have soles that never slip and have good ankle protection and support
•Have toe sliders that help you while putting on the shoe
•Are for aggressive riding purposes
•Great styling, unequalled quality and superb performance
•Available at great prices

Harley Davidson motorcycle boots are a great add to your set of clothes and are a must buy if you own a Harley Davidson motorbike. Enthusiasts have been satisfied by this product and are always in great demand, and can be found in several colors to match that bike of yours!

Harley Davidson Boots: Safety Features and Importance

These boots not only act as a shield, shielding your feet from injury, but are usually comfortable enough to wear all day and are very durable as well.

Most Harley Davidson boots are waterproof and can be worn while riding the bike even in rainy weather. This waterproofing helps the feet from getting wet or developing fungal infections of any kind. The boot also helps keep the ankle in one piece by having plastic pads and padding to keep the anklebones intact incase you fall over in the plight of an accident. These anklebone pads add to the comfort and are flexible so that you can adjust it according to the comfort you want to have while driving.

Remember, Harley Davidson believes your feet are more expensive than those bikes! That's why, Harley Davidson believes in protecting the feet from any ill effects of motorbike accidents. So next time you are going biking, don't forget to don your brand new pair of Harley Davidson motorcycle boots and maybe a stylish leather motorcycle jacket so you'll look like a biker dude! After all, happy feet are all we need!