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.
If you’ve noticed your brake lever feeling kind of spongey or just not been impressed with how your bike stops, then you should think about motorcycle brake upgrades.
Too many of us motorcycle riders are worried about one thing, speed. Going fast is great and all, but you have to be able to slow down and stop, too.
Ari Henning goes through the things you should do to improve your motorcycle’s braking performance, and
Continue reading “The Best Motorcycle Brake Upgrades”The Stylmartin Audax Air Shoes bring stylish sneaker style to the motorcycle world.
Stylemartin is known for taking street style and blending it with the protections and armor of motorcycle gear. The Audax shoes are a perfect example of this.
These shoes aren’t for everyone, but for those who would like to have some bright colors or standout style, these shoes are a great option.
Continue reading “Stylmartin Audax Air Shoes”Motorcycle helmets are much more advanced than they have been in previous years. But what makes them better?
Ryan of FortNine decided to do the hard work and find out. He cuts apart the best motorcycle helmets on sale today to show you what’s inside.
The construction of these helmets is genuinely impressive, and if you want the best helmets, these are it.
Continue reading “Here’s What’s in the Best Motorcycle Helmets of 2021”If you’re after a good pair of riding shoes then look no further than the REAX Fulton Air Riding Shoes.
These shoes offer fantastic full-grain leather construction and provide a style that looks good off and on the bike. The motorcycle shoe construction means that they’re designed to give you good protection, too.
Below you’ll find some in-depth details of the boots, some additional images, and some video reviews of these shoes, and some opinions on how they perform.
Continue reading “REAX Fulton Air Riding Shoes”If you want a pair of motorcycle shoes that are perfect for life on and off the bike, then check out the TCX Dartwood WP Shoes.
These shoes bring a classic street shoe style to the motorcycle community. It’s something TCX has done before, but this might be the best iteration.
Let’s take a closer look at the TCX Dartwood WP shoes and what makes them special.
Continue reading “TCX Dartwood WP Shoes”Are you looking for a killer full-face motorcycle helmet? Then you need to check out Scorpion EXO-ST1400 Carbon Caffeine Helmet.
It’s an extremely high-tech and new helmet that you should probably take note of. The helmet is aggressive, smartly styled, and it provides great protection.
As a top-of-the-line carbon helmet, the helmet here is one of the best out there right now.
Continue reading “Scorpion EXO-ST1400 Carbon Caffeine Helmet”If you’re looking for a new pair of gloves that offer breathability and protection, then the Knox Urbane Pro Gloves might be for you.
These gloves have a construction that is a mixture of textile material, synthetic materials, and leather. It’s this mixture of materials that makes them special.
If you need a good short cuff pair of gloves this riding season, I highly suggest checking these gloves out.
Continue reading “Knox Urbane Pro Gloves”If you’re looking for a good everyday leather motorcycle jacket, then the Dainese San Diego Perforated Leather Jacket is a good choice.
The jacket features perforated leather so that you get some airflow and all the protection you can need.
It’s a great option for anyone who loves a good leather jacket and is willing to pay for premium-priced gear. The San Diego jacket is worth checking out, so let’s take a closer look.
Continue reading “Dainese San Diego Perforated Leather Jacket”I’ve discussed Biltwell’s motorcycle luggage before, but this time I want to talk about a truly impressive motorcycle bag, the Biltwell EXFIL 80 Sissy Bar Bag.
This is the big Biltwell bag and it’s a heck of a nice one. The bag is designed to hang off of the sissy bar, and it has a lot of really nice features and killer construction.
The Biltwell EXFIL 80 Sissy Bar Bag is totally something you should add to your cruiser motorcycle. It can carry all of your gear and tools.
Continue reading “Biltwell EXFIL 80 Sissy Bar Bag”If you don’t want to always lace or zip-up a big old pair of motorcycle boots, then you’ll be happy to know there are several good pairs of motorcycle shoes.
Stylmartin makes one of the better pairs of shoes that have recently come out. The Stylmartin Matt WP Riding Shoes. These shoes blend street style with motorcycle protection and waterproof versatility.
Let’s take a closer look at these shoes below.
Continue reading “Stylmartin Matt WP Riding Shoes”
