Gear Up: Your Guide To Buying Motorcycle Gear

Last Update: 30 July 2024

Motorcycle gear has always been a powerful symbol in motorcycling culture. Take the classic biker jacket, for example, which remains an iconic piece of style, even for those who don’t ride. Many people wear biker gear purely for its aesthetic appeal, without ever having owned a motorcycle. For you, the motorcycle rider, it is essential to gear up!

YOUR GUIDE TO BUYING MOTORCYCLE GEAR

Motorcycle riding gear is as essential to the experience as the ride itself. It’s crucial to ensure your gear keeps you safe and comfortable. Riding in extreme conditions — whether cold, heat, or rain — can distract you and make your journey unpleasant if you’re not properly equipped with the right motorcycle gear.
The guidelines provided here will help you make the best choices for your specific riding needs, ensuring your initial investment in quality motorcycle gear lasts for years to come!

Each type of motorcycle activity has its own special range of gear. If you ride off-road, or compete on a race-track, you’ll need gear designed for these styles of riding.  Yet the first buying decisions can be a challenge particularly today when there are more options than ever before!

MOTORCYCLE GEAR ESSENTIALS:

• MOTORCYCLE HELMET:   Very important essential gear. It should meet the minimum safety standards being DOT, Snel, BSA and so forth, for your region. Read More About Buying A Helmet
• JACKET:  Your motorcycle jacket should be built with armour in elbows, shoulders and back (internal back protector).
• PANTS: Made for motorcycle riding pants are built with sturdy material and often lined with KEVLAR. They include armour in knees and hip area and allow for flexibility.
• BOOTS:  Riding boots need to come above the ankle and cover the ankles for protection and support. They need to include a grippy sole. Boots without laces and fasten with VELCRO or buckles are best as laces can come undone and even can catch on foot pegs. If you do purchase boots with laces, be sure they tuck away under an additional Velcro closure.
• GLOVES: Gloves are important and leather is your best choice. Gloves designed for motorcycling have many needed features such as reinforcements on the palm, fingertips , knuckles and other vulnerable areas. Your riding gloves need to cover and extend beyond your wrist bone. If not fully leather be sure at very minimum the palms are fully leather. Gloves should have no open areas exposing skin and be flexible enough for good use of levers/controls. Tip: Careful not to buy too small.

LEATHER OR TEXTILE?

LEATHER: Leather has always been, and remains, the top choice for motorcycle riding gear. It’s tough and acts like a reinforced second skin, offering excellent protection against impacts and abrasions. Its durability makes it well worth the investment. You can choose from modern or retro styles right off the rack or opt for custom-made gear, which I personally find to be the best solution (you can also have standard garments tailored for a perfect fit).

One drawback of leather is its limited waterproof capability – as it tends to stay wet when exposed to water. Many brands address this by incorporating a waterproof membrane or removable lining. While leather is breathable, it can be too hot in summer and not warm enough in winter, so layering is often necessary when wearing leather gear.

TEXTILE:  Today’s textile motorcycle gear has evolved significantly from the classic waxed cotton of earlier eras (still made by Belstaff, by the way!). Modern textiles are waterproof, breathable, and reinforced with Kevlar or comparable fibres, providing protection on par with leather. They are designed to be extraordinarily adaptable, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Textile jackets and pants often come with removable linings and have internal pouches for adding or removing armour, making them highly versatile.

YOUR PERSONAL STYLE

You’ve got to be you and indeed your personal style and colour preference(s) should of course be considered and when choosing motorcycle gear. However, the primary consideration should be the type of riding you’ll be doing, as this will guide your gear choices. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of style options — whether you prefer classic, trendy, urban, sporty, vintage, or cruiser looks. Even within enduro or touring gear, there’s a wide variety of options. While many brands specialise in motorcycle gear, each motorcycle manufacturer also offers their own line of high-quality riding gear with diverse choices. And remember, you don’t have to own a BMW to enjoy their fantastic gear!

ARMOUR UP

When choosing motorcycle gear, it’s crucial to ensure that any armor included has the CE approval stamp, which confirms that the materials meet safety standards similar to those used for helmets. Take the time to check the armor — yes, pull it out and inspect it. While older leather styles and vintage motorcycle garments may not have armor, modern gear often includes it for added protection. Armor provides essential reinforcement for your knees, elbows, hips, and back. Additionally, you can purchase upper body armor vests to wear underneath or over your jacket for extra protection.

Your motorcycle gear has many demands to meet! It needs to ensure your comfort amidst diverse and ever-changing environments and keep you safe!

Vicki Gray

Your motorcycle clothing has many demands to satisfy. It’s to keep you comfortable in various environments but needs to keep you safe. You need it to keep you warm and dry, but cool and ventilated in the warmer seasons. Even more important, it should protect you if you come off your motorcycle or scooter. And finally you want it to fit well, not be too big and gather air – and look stylish too!

MOTORCYCLE RAIN GEAR

Instead of opting for a waterproof riding suit, you might prefer a separate rain suit designed specifically for motorcyclists. These suits are made to be worn over any gear and only need to be used when it rains or in cold, gusty conditions. Rain suits are typically equipped with built-in reflectors or bright colors to enhance your visibility to other drivers in dark, rainy weather. They are designed to fit well, with secure closures at the wrists and ankles, and often feature double closure systems to ensure you stay dry inside.

Keep in mind that your rain suit is worn over your usual protective gear, so make sure not to buy a size that’s too small. It should easily slip on and off over your boots and ideally without having to remove your helmet. The suit should be roomy enough to allow freedom of movement while riding, but not so large that it fills with air or flaps in the wind. Be sure to try it on over your gear before purchasing and test it out to ensure a comfortable fit before hitting the road.

Rain suits usually pack away into an included easy-to-carry pouch to make them transportable. This makes them even easier to stow in the top of your panniers or easy to grab from your tank bag

ONE OR TWO-PIECE RIDING SUIT?

When you’re riding, a one-piece suit offers better protection from everything including weather, but once you get off the motorcycle it can be cumbersome and make even toilet stops more difficult. If you go for the convenience of a two-piece suit, where the jacket and pants zip together, ensure these fasteners overlap well preventing rain or air from getting in.

RIDING ON THE TRACK?

If you enjoy taking your sport bike on the track, leather is your best option, and many lapping events do not permit textile gear. The ideal choice is an overall or a one-piece suit. A two-piece suit that zips together is the next best thing, but be aware that in the event of a high-speed crash, the stress from sliding can cause the zipper to fail, potentially detaching your pants and leaving you unprotected. For this reason, a one-piece suit is usually required for track days and is often a regulation if you decide to get into motorcycle racing.

GEAR COSTS AND YOUR BUDGET

Buying your complete motorcycle outfit can seem expensive, but motorcycle gear is durable and will last for several years. Consider it an investment in your riding safety and pleasure. The golden rule to follow is – you get what you pay for!  This is the same for most sporting goods. Some manufacturers such as BMW or gear brands such as Dainese or REV’IT! are known for a higher end product, but as in their name alone, you can trust you’re getting top quality and design.

MORE GEAR TIPS

• Try It On; Sit On A Bike. Try It On; Sit On A Bike: When trying on jackets, pants, or riding suits, sit on a motorcycle to get a realistic feel. Check if sleeves cover your wrists, if the jacket rides up at your back, if the pants are comfortable for long rides, if you can turn your head freely, and if there’s room for warm clothes underneath.
• ATGATT: (All The Gear All The Time) Always wear proper motorcycle gear to protect yourself. Riding without it is risky, as even a t-shirt can be shredded in milliseconds during a skid.
• Where to Buy: Riding gear can be purchased through your local dealership, but you can also find large selections of new or nearly new items online even through your local dealerships website. However, trying gear on before you buy is the best practice. And never buy a helmet used, or online.
• Opt For Visibility. Purchase gear with reflective trim or pair your gear with a high-visibility vest or cross body belt to enhance your visibility to other drivers.  Being visible is one of the main goals to your riding safety.
• Gear for Different Riding Styles: Your gear should match your riding style. Touring or cruiser motorcycles require different gear than enduro, motocross, or track/sport riding. Expand your gear wardrobe accordingly.

Have fun looking like an pro,  being comfortable, and riding safe on every ride!

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