[BlueSkyJaunte]

Oh, I ALWAYS wear a lid, gloves, armored jacket, boots, and minimum of denim pants. Sorry, it's such a habit I don't even think about it. Try on helmets and wear each tester for a while--last thing you want is one that gives you a headache. Different heads fit different brands. I'm a Shoei-head, but I can't wear any thing by Arai.

Again, I would avoid anything w/ plastic for your first bike. You WILL drop it, and nothing is more annoying than scratched up/cracked plastic.

As for safety, the best policy is to pretend that everyone is AIMING for you. It's kept me alive so far...despite others' efforts to the contrary.