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.
Having a good GPS for your motorcycle is a smart move. If you’re looking for a GPS then you should really check out the Garmin Montana 700 GPS.
Garmin’s Montana 700 GPS features routable mapping for roads and trails, and it can be one of your most vital companions on any ride, especially if you’re in new territory.
Let’s take a closer look at this GPS system and what it can offer motorcyclists.
Continue reading “Garmin Montana 700 GPS”The Merlin Barton II Jacket is a great option for anyone looking for a stylish jacket that provides good protection.
The jacket looks as good on the bike as off and it also has the goods to be handy if you happen to go down.
This jacket is a waxed cotton jacket, and it performs well all around. Let’s take a closer look at what this jacket offers.
Continue reading “Merlin Barton II Jacket”With the Scorpion EXO Morpheus Reversible Jacket, you get two jackets in one. The flannel side of the jacket looks great, and then flip the other side out and you have a black textile jacket.
It’s this duality that makes the motorcycle jacket good. Well, that and the fact that it’s made with high-quality materials and some soft elbow armor.
This is a versatile jacket that will look good on and off the bike, and if you just want one jacket that offers a couple good options, this is it.
Continue reading “Scorpion EXO Morpheus Reversible Jacket”The HJC RPHA 70 ST is a great helmet that’s designed to be something of an in-between for sport and touring riders.
Basically, if you’re a sport-touring guy or girl, you’re going to absolutely love this helmet. It’s one of the best out there for your kind of riding.
That said, anyone who likes to ride long distances or ride at all can benefit from wearing this motorcycle helmet. It’s just a good all around full-face helmet.
Continue reading “HJC RPHA 70 ST Helmet”The Shoei RF-1400 Helmet is the lid that has come to replace the venerable Shoei RF-1200 Helmet.
As good as the old helmet was, it was just that—old. The new Shoei RF-1400 takes the full-face helmet offering from Shoei to new heights. It’s a heck of a new lid and there’s a lot of buzz out there about it.
If you’re in the market for a premium full-face helmet, this might just be the helmet you’re looking for.
Continue reading “Shoei RF-1400 Helmet”If you’re looking for some good cruiser boots or cafe racer boots, then you should check out the Street & Steel Oakland Boots.
These boots are part of Revzilla’s exclusive Street & Steel brand. Because Revzilla and Cycle Gear are teamed up, you’ll find these boots at both retailers but not on Amazon or other motorcycle boot retailers.
These are some high-quality leather motorcycle boots that blend high-levels of protection with classic work-wear style.
Continue reading “Street & Steel Oakland Boots”If you’re a fan of the classic leather motorcycle jacket, then you need to check out the Street & Steel Dakota Leather Jacket.
Street & Steel is a Revzilla exclusive brand (Cycle Gear and Revzilla are both Comoto companies so you’ll find this at Cycle Gear, too). This means it’s a unique offering, and it also means that Revzilla can offer a killer jacket at a super reasonable price.
If you’re looking for that classic look with the asymmetrical zipper and all of the old-school goodies, but want new-school construction, this is a jacket to consider.
Continue reading “Street & Steel Dakota Jacket”Obviously, motorcycle helmets for new riders are important. They’re important for any rider not just new riders.
I usually consider every other piece of gear optional. While it would be good if every rider lived that ATGATT life, the simple fact of the matter is that most don’t and won’t.
However, every single person on two wheels should be wearing a helmet at all times. Some guys don’t like wearing a helmet, and that’s usually when I say you just haven’t found the right helmet. Here are my picks for the best motorcycle helmets for new riders.
Continue reading “Best Motorcycle Helmets for New Riders”When it comes to finding the best motorcycle pants for new riders, the formula is simple. You want something that offers good materials and protection for a fair price.
It also helps if the pants don’t look stupid, too. A good route to go, and one that I recommend to all riders, both new and experienced, are the various jeans options out there. While motorcycle jeans aren’t perfect for every situation they, do offer good protection, and some offer armor as well.
That said, in some cases, you can just never go wrong with a good pair of designated motorcycle pants that aren’t jeans. Below, you’ll find both. All at reasonable prices, and all perfect for new riders.
Continue reading “Best Motorcycle Pants for New Riders”If you want a full-face helmet that’s super lightweight that won’t break the bank, then the Sedici Strada II Primo Carbon Helmet is for you.
This Sedici helmet features a special blend of carbon fiber, and the helmet offers some great features otherwise, too.
Let’s take a closer look at the details of this Sedici helmet, some images of it, and some video reviews.
Continue reading “Sedici Strada II Primo Carbon Helmet”
