Motorcycle gear is not just about looking cool while riding. It’s a critical aspect of safety and comfort on the road. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a beginner, equipping yourself with the right gear is essential.
This guide will walk you through the must-have motorcycle gear, covering everything from helmets to luggage, ensuring you’re fully prepared for your next ride.
Motorcycle helmets are the most crucial piece of safety equipment for any rider. They are designed to protect your head in an accident, potentially saving your life. There are several types of motorcycle helmets, each with its own advantages.
These helmets offer the most protection, covering the entire head and face. They are ideal for high-speed riding and long-distance trips.
Read about the best full-face helmets.
Also known as three-quarter helmets, these cover the top, back, and sides of your head but leave your face exposed. They are popular for city riding and lower speeds.
Read about the best open-face helmets.
A hybrid between full-face and open-face helmets, modular helmets have a chin bar that can be flipped up, offering versatility.
Read about the best modular helmets.
Half helmets cover only the top of the head and are lightweight and offer minimal protection. They are often favored by cruiser riders.
Read about the best half helmets.
Look for helmets that meet DOT, ECE, or Snell safety standards. These certifications ensure the helmet has passed rigorous safety tests.
A helmet should fit snugly but not too tight. It should feel comfortable on long rides without causing pressure points.
Good airflow is crucial, especially on hot days. Look for helmets with adjustable vents.
A clear, scratch-resistant visor is essential for good visibility. Some helmets come with tinted or anti-fog visors for added convenience.
Investing in a high-quality helmet can make a significant difference in your safety and riding experience. Always replace your helmet after an impact, even if there are no visible signs of damage.
Read all of my motorcycle helmet articles.
A motorcycle jacket is more than just a fashion statement; it’s a critical piece of protective gear that safeguards you from the elements and potential injuries. A good motorcycle jacket can provide abrasion resistance, impact protection, and even climate control.
The classic choice for motorcycle jackets, leather offers excellent abrasion resistance and durability. It’s particularly popular among cruiser and sportbike riders.
Read about the best leather motorcycle jackets.
Textile jackets, often made from materials like Cordura or Kevlar, offer versatility and are usually more breathable and lightweight than leather. They often come with waterproof liners, making them ideal for touring and adventure riding.
Read about the best textile motorcycle jackets.
Mesh jackets are designed for hot weather, providing maximum ventilation while still offering some protection.
Look for jackets with CE-rated armor in the shoulders, elbows, and back. Some jackets offer the option to upgrade to higher-level protection.
The jacket should fit snugly without restricting movement. It should also be long enough to cover your lower back when in a riding position.
For all-season comfort, consider jackets with adjustable vents. Some jackets come with removable liners for added versatility.
A good motorcycle jacket will have plenty of secure pockets for storing small items like keys, phones, and wallets.
Your jacket should offer a balance between style, comfort, and protection. It’s an investment in your safety, so choose wisely and ensure it suits your riding style and conditions.
Read all of my motorcycle jacket articles.
Motorcycle pants are an often-overlooked piece of gear, but they play a vital role in protecting your lower body during a ride. Just like jackets, motorcycle pants are designed to offer abrasion resistance, impact protection, and comfort.
Leather pants provide excellent abrasion resistance and are a favorite among sportbike riders for their durability and close fit.
Textile pants offer more versatility and are often waterproof or breathable, making them ideal for various weather conditions. They are a good choice for touring and adventure riding.
These look like regular jeans but have Kevlar reinforcements in key areas, offering a balance between style and protection. They are popular among casual riders and commuters.
Ensure the pants come with CE-rated armor in the knees and hips. Some pants offer adjustable armor pockets for a custom fit.
Motorcycle pants should be comfortable and allow full range of motion. They should also fit well over your boots and not ride up while you’re on the bike.
If you ride in various weather conditions, consider pants with waterproof and breathable membranes. Some pants have removable thermal liners for added warmth in cold weather.
Look for pants with secure closures, such as YKK zippers and adjustable waistbands, to ensure a snug fit.
Investing in a good pair of motorcycle pants can save your skin in case of a fall. They also add an extra layer of comfort on long rides, making them a must-have in any rider’s wardrobe.
Read all of my motorcycle pants articles.
Motorcycle boots are designed to protect your feet, ankles, and lower legs from injuries in the event of a crash. They also provide support and stability when you’re riding and when you put your feet down at stops.
Designed for sportbike riders, racing boots offer maximum protection with features like reinforced toe sliders, ankle support, and anti-twist soles.
These boots prioritize comfort for long rides. They are often waterproof and have extra padding for added comfort.
Often resembling regular work boots, cruiser boots are sturdy and offer good protection while blending in with casual attire.
Built for off-road and adventure riding, these boots offer a balance between protection and flexibility, with rugged soles for better grip on uneven terrain.
Look for boots with reinforced toe boxes, ankle support, and shin guards. Anti-slip soles are also crucial for maintaining grip on various surfaces.
If you ride in all weather conditions, waterproof boots are a must. Gore-Tex is a popular material for waterproof motorcycle boots.
Boots should fit snugly but allow for some movement. Make sure they are comfortable enough for walking around off the bike as well.
Velcro straps, buckles, and zippers are common closure systems. Ensure the closure is secure and easy to use.
A good pair of motorcycle boots can make all the difference in your riding experience. They not only protect your feet and ankles but also enhance your overall comfort on long rides.
Read all of my motorcycle boots articles.
Motorcycle gloves are crucial for protecting your hands from injuries, weather conditions, and improving your grip on the controls. The right pair of gloves can make a significant difference in your riding experience.
Designed for sportbike riders, these gloves offer maximum protection with features like knuckle guards, palm sliders, and reinforced stitching.
These gloves are built for comfort on long rides. They often have extra padding and are made from materials that provide insulation and waterproofing.
Lightweight and breathable, off-road gloves offer protection against abrasions and impacts while allowing maximum flexibility.
These gloves are insulated to keep your hands warm in cold weather. They are usually waterproof and windproof, making them ideal for winter riding.
Look for gloves with reinforced knuckles, palm sliders, and abrasion-resistant materials. Some gloves also offer impact protection on the fingers.
Gloves should fit snugly but not be too tight. They should allow for full range of motion and not restrict your ability to operate the controls.
For all-season riding, consider gloves with waterproof and thermal liners. Ventilated gloves are great for hot weather.
The gloves should offer a good grip on the handlebars and controls. Look for gloves with textured palms or silicone grips.
Investing in quality motorcycle gloves is essential for hand protection and riding comfort. Whether you’re riding in the summer heat or winter cold, there’s a pair of gloves suited to your needs.
Read all of my motorcycle gloves articles.
Motorcycle luggage is essential for carrying your belongings securely while riding. Whether you’re going on a long tour or just commuting to work, having the right luggage can make your ride more convenient and enjoyable.
These are mounted on the sides of the motorcycle and offer a good balance between capacity and accessibility. They come in hard and soft variants.
Mounted on the fuel tank, these bags are great for carrying small items like maps, wallets, and phones. Some tank bags are magnetic, while others use straps.
Attached to the rear of the motorcycle, tail bags offer extra storage without the need for a full luggage system. They are ideal for short trips.
Similar to saddlebags but typically larger and more rigid, panniers are great for long-distance touring. They provide ample storage
Read all of my motorcycle luggage articles.
Below are all of the latest articles on motorcycle gear.
Sometimes you just don’t want to strap on your motorcycle boots and that’s where a good pair of motorcycle shoes, like the Speed and Strength Black 9 Moto Shoes, comes into play.
These shoes I’ve talked about before in a roundup of the best motorcycle shoes under $100. They’re a really nice pair of shoes, so I thought they were worth taking a closer look.
Here’s you’ll find the shoe’s details, some images, video, and reviews.
Continue reading “Speed and Strength Black 9 Moto Shoes”Looking for a good leather jacket for your next motorcycle ride? Check out the First Manufacturing Turbine Jacket.
With a sleek and modern design, this jacket from First Manufacturing blends some classic leather jacket styling with up-to-date construction and fashion. The Turbine jacket is a good looking one with the specs to keep you safe, too.
Let’s take a closer look at this jacket, its features, and also take in some reviews and videos.
Continue reading “First Manufacturing Turbine Jacket”If you want to start working on your motorcycle, you’ll need your own set of tools. And that means building your own motorcycle tool kit.
A lot of my readers will know Ari Henning who has written for a wide variety of publications and has become known for the videos he does with Spenser Robert and Zack Courts. He’s now with Revzilla, putting out great content. I talked to the guys about their move in an article for Web Bike World.
Recently, Ari dove into the topic of building your own motorcycle tool kit. He had a lot of useful things to say.
Continue reading “Building Your Own Motorcycle Tool Kit With Ari Henning”I’ve been on an open-face motorcycle helmet kick recently. I really like the designs that are out there, and there are often great graphics, too. That’s the case for the LS2 Bombrider Helmet.
The helmet has a kind of WWII vintage quality to the graphic. It has a pinup girl sitting on a bomb on the side of it. This paired with the classic design of the LS2 Spitfire makes it look really good.
Let’s take a look at the details of the helmet and all that it has to offer.
Continue reading “LS2 Spitfire Bombrider Helmet”Take a look at one of the coolest open-face helmets out there that you’re bound to find. This is the Nolan N21 Visor Joie De Vivre.
I was originally drawn to this because of the graphic, but it’s a helmet that has a lot of substance to go with its flashy styling. It blends vintage styling with modern construction and would be a great helmet for just about any motorcycle or scooter.
Let’s take a closer look. I’ll outline the helmet’s details, list some images, and add some videos.
Continue reading “Nolan N21 Visor Joie De Vivre Helmet”Are you looking for a killer leather jacket that will catch eyes and keep you protected? Check out the Roland Sands Clash Jacket. It’s the perfect jacket for the style conscious rider who tosses a leg over a cruiser or cafe racer.
This jacket is just one of the nice jackets from Roland Sands Design, but it’s perhaps one of the best. It’s been out for several years now and has been proven to be good at what it was designed for—looking good and keeping you safe in a crash.
Let’s dive into the details of this jacket below, and then we’ll jump into some of the reviews that are out there as well as the images.
Continue reading “Roland Sands Clash Jacket”Harley-Davidson is known for its motorcycles, but the company makes and sells a ton of gear, too.
And not just motorcycle gear. The company sells a lot of casual clothing, including shoes. I thought it would be good to take a look at the best Harley-Davidson shoes out there.
These are my favorites, and I also noticed that they are some of the most highly rated shoes on Harley’s website.
Continue reading “Casual Moto Wear: 5 Best Harley-Davidson Shoes”When you need some extra storage for your bike, simply turn to motorcycle tail bags. This diverse grouping of motorcycle luggage makes taking the things you need with you on your ride easy.
Because of their position and uses, there are motorcycle tail bags for pretty much every bike out there.
Let’s take a closer look at this motorcycle luggage type and some of the best options out there.
Continue reading “5 Best Motorcycle Tail Bags”At some point when you’re out riding, you will get stuck in the rain, and that’s when you need some good motorcycle gear—specifically good rain gear—if you want to stay dry and comfortable.
You can pony up the big bucks for riding gear that’s waterproof, but I’ve found it’s actually better to get yourself some motorcycle rain gear that you can stuff in a saddlebag or top case and pull out when you need it.
With that in mind, I thought it best to take a closer look at rain gear and make some recommendations.
Continue reading “Getting the Right Motorcycle Rain Gear”The 4th of July is a huge day for celebrations, and because it’s America’s Independence Day, plenty of companies offer some of the best deals on motorcycle gear.
This year, Revzilla is offering some fantastic deals on motorcycle gear to help riders celebrate America’s Independence.
I thought it worth it to take a look at some of the best offerings from this retailer so you can score some sweet gear this 4th of July.
Continue reading “Awesome 4th of July Deals on Motorcycle Gear”
