Safety > Vehicles and equipment > Motorcycles >

Proper gear for riding a motorcycle

Required equipment | Protective gear

Required equipment

Headlight

• Must be a white light, bright enough to reveal a person or object 350 feet away
• Must be lighted at all times, day or night
• Modulating headlights are permitted for daylight operation only

Tail light

• Must be a red light visible for at least 500 feet

Brake light

• Must be constant red or amber light
• Must be visible for at least 300 feet

Muffler

• Must be properly functioning for constant operation
• Must be properly maintained to prevent excessive, unusual noise or annoying smoke

Horn

• Must be audible for at least 200 feet

Brake

• Cycle must have at least one brake capable of stopping within 50 feet at 20 mph under normal conditions

Rear view mirror

• Location of the mirror must show a rear view of the roadway for at least 200 feet

Handlebars

• May rise no more than 30 inches above the lowest point on the tip of the driver's seat when seat is occupied
• Improvised, defective or repaired handlebars are prohibited

Protective gear

Protective clothing
Motorcyclists are strongly urged to wear full protective gear, including:

• A full face helmet
• Leather or heavy duty long sleeve jacket
• Leather or heavy long pants
• Over-the-ankle boots
• Full fingered leather gloves

Eye protection
Motorcyclists are required to wear any of the following eye protection: 

• A protective face shield attached to the helmet
• Glasses
• Goggles

If the windshield rises 15 or more inches above the handlebars eye protection is not required but is strongly suggested.

Helmets

• Required for all operators and passengers under the age of 18
• Operators are subject to fines and demerit points for carrying passengers (on a motorcycle or in a sidecar) under the age of 18 who aren't wearing a properly fitted helmet
• Helmets are required for all operators with motorcycle instruction permits and their passengers
• Strongly recommended for use by all motorcycle and moped riders
• Must meet or exceed US DOT minimum standards

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Questions about the content of this page:
Greg Patzer, gregory.patzer@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: October 13, 2008