5 Pieces of Motorcycle Gear for Beginners & Beyond

Looking to purchase your first piece of motorcycle gear or in need of a few upgrades? We break down the most critical elements to look for in your new gear.

Whenever someone is preparing to get started on two wheels, most of their attention is on what bike to get. Shopping for your first or even 100th bike is often the most intriguing part—you can probably imagine the feeling of freedom as you hit the open road. Being excited about your bike is completely understandable, but all too often, riders get caught up in the idea of a new bike and forget about the importance of durable, protective gear. With the right gear, you can experience the thrill of the ride while knowing you’re protected. 

Riding a motorcycle is dangerous (especially for beginners), but that’s also part of the reason behind the thrill and excitement. Even a minor crash can cause injury, which is why high-quality motorcycle gear is an absolute must.

Good motorcycle gear also protects you from the unpredictability of your environment. A full-face helmet will protect your head and face in the event of a crash—it will also protect your face from being pelted by bugs on a summer evening ride. Motorcycle gear does much more than protect you from injury; it also makes the entire riding experience better by providing a certain level of comfort.

Motorcycle Gear for Beginners: The 5 Essentials

By now, you’re probably curious to know, “what motorcycle gear do I need?”

The essential pieces of gear include a helmet, gloves, jacket, boots, and pants. We break down why each piece is necessary and the important elements to look for, so you can feel confident knowing you're protected.

 1. Motorcycle Helmet

The first piece of gear to buy is a helmet. When shopping for a helmet, you might notice the range of coverage and styles available. There are full-face helmets: which enclose the entire head and face; open face helmets: which cover the entire head and ears but leave the face exposed; and finally, half-helmets which only cover the top of the head. There are even modular helmets, which open at the jaw to expose your face quickly when required. We recommend a helmet with full-face protection. A full-face helmet will help prevent any face injuries from sliding across the not so forgiving pavement in the event of a crash. Not only will a full-face helmet protect you during an accident, but it will also shield your face from bugs, rocks, and even rain.

For beginners we recommend the HJC i10 Solid Helmet or the Zox Zenith Full Face Solid Helmet.

2. Motorcycle Gloves

The second most important piece of gear is gloves. When you fall in a motorcycle accident or anywhere else, the instinctive reaction is to put your hands out. Motorcycle gloves are designed to protect your hands from impact and road abrasion and act as a barrier between the elements and your skin. Additionally, a good pair of gloves will enhance your grip on the handlebars by protecting against sweaty, slippery hands. Well padded gloves can even help cushion your hands from the vibration of the motorcycle on long rides.

Motorcycle gloves are designed to keep you comfortable and safe, something that gloves from your local hardware store aren’t capable of.

Here are some of our top picks when it comes to gloves: the Five Stunt Evo Leather Air Gloves, the Teknic Chicane Glove, and the Spidi G-Warrior Gloves.

3. Motorcycle Jacket

A good motorcycle jacket will be made from a durable material designed to handle a slide without wearing through. Jackets also come with embedded armour to help protect you from unwanted impact. Ideally, the elbows, shoulders, and back have armour.

Leather is the most abrasion-resistant material for a motorcycle jacket, but it isn’t as practical in the heat or rain. Textile isn’t as abrasion-resistant as leather, but it performs better in the elements. You will want to choose a jacket that suits your riding style and protection needs.

The fit of your jacket plays a critical role in how well it will protect you. It’s important to ensure your jacket has a snug fit while ensuring body armour is positioned comfortably and covering the elbows, shoulder, and back areas.

Our favourite motorcycle jackets for protection against abrasion and impact are the Olympia Dallas Mesh Tech Jacket and the Joe Rocket Rasp Leather Jacket.

4. Motorcycle Boots

The main thing to consider when buying motorcycle boots is that they provide protection over the ankle. With motorcycle accidents, it’s common for your feet and ankles to take on a lot of impact, and you’ll want your bones protected. You may have even heard stories of people wearing sneakers while riding, and when they crash, their shoes fly off their feet! You wouldn’t want to have your feet exposed to 100km an hour pavement.

Lastly, the boots you wear while riding should be sturdy and made with a grippy sole. When riding, you’ll often need to put your foot down on slippery or grimy roads, and you certainly wouldn’t want to fall.

These are our favourite boots for over the ankle protection: the TCX Street Ace Waterproof Boot and the Joe Rocket Alter EgoTM Touring Boot.

5. Motorcycle Pants

Motorcycle pants are the piece of gear that many riders choose to forego, likely because many people believe that jeans are enough protection, but this is not the case. Regular fashion jeans will shred after sliding a couple of feet on the pavement.

Similarly to motorcycle jackets, motorcycle pants come in two primary materials, leather or textile and often feature armour in high-impact areas such as the knees and hips. It’s common for motorcycle pants and jackets from the same manufacturer to have a waist zipper that can attach the two pieces to prevent the jacket from riding up your back and exposing your skin. Motorcycle jeans often include abrasion-resistant materials woven into the fabric in high contact areas along with knee and hip armour—sometimes sold separately.

We offer a variety of motorcycle pant options but we recommend this pair for beginner riders: the Scorpion Exo Covert Jeans.

Now You Know What to Wear on a Motorcycle—Get Ready for Your Most Comfortable Ride

If you're a beginner, or a seasoned rider looking to purchase motorcycle gear, remember what you're shopping for—protection and comfort.

Get the gear you need and hit the road with total confidence.

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