Top Motorcycle Gear You Should Invest In

For all its great many positives, there is simply no ignoring that with motorcycling also comes a (mortal) risk. You may have gotten lucky to date, but as the old adage goes, there are two types of riders: those who have crashed and those who haven’t… yet.

Fortunately, there are a number of steps that can be taken to help alleviate and minimize motorcycling’s associated dangers, including a well maintained and suitable bike, proper training, defensive riding techniques, vigilant situational awareness, etc.

At the very top of that list is protective gear. However, ranking the importance of that gear for those looking to pick and choose is surprisingly difficult. Ask yourself, which part of your body are you most willing to sacrifice? How different would your life look minus some fingers or the use of a hand? Can you get by without feet?

That said, #1 on the list is a no-brainer (literally):

Helmet

A helmet should be viewed as optional for a ride as your keys. Wear your helmet. But first, acquire a good one. Seek out one (ideally that offers full face and eye protection) that is designed for the type of riding you do, and is both the correct size and shape for your head, so that it fits snugly and doesn’t bob around, but also doesn’t squeeze you.

Flashy graphics are good and all (and actually quite functional as they help to attract the notice of drivers) but make sure you seek out quality materials and construction.

You don’t necessarily need to buy the most expensive helmet on the shelf, but to ensure it has been properly tested and vetted for safety, look to confirm that it has earned both DOT and Snell certifications.

If you’ve crashed or had the helmet for an extended period of time (five-ish years), invest in a new one.

And most importantly, once you’ve identified and purchased the right helmet – wear it!

After a helmet, motorcyclists will debate the relative importance of each additional piece of gear. All play an important role in keeping you safe, and you could make a convincing argument even if you were to flip the following rankings. So consider the below a rough ranking, with a better answer for #2 being ‘all of them.’

Gloves

Instinct puts your hands out in front of you during any sort of fall, be it from a motorcycle at speed or after stepping on your kids Legos at night. Unfortunately, your hands are relatively fragile for body parts that take on such a heavy workload in your daily life.

Again, fit, materials, and build quality are key.

Armored Jacket

A good jacket will keep you comfortable, dry, and looking sharp even before considering the possibility of a crash. So it has all that going for it. It also takes on the assignment of protecting several vital organs.

Beyond the basics of fit, material, and quality, you can also seriously amp up your protection by wearing a jacket that includes armor and back protection.

The addition of an airbag unit, especially, could be a lifesaver, as they’ve repeatedly proven their effectiveness through the gauntlet of competition.

Boots

Many riders are content to jump on their bikes with everyday shoes and not think twice. However, footwear designed for riding includes additional ankle armor and support and are designed to survive a fall and slide.

They’re also more suitable for riding – built to stick on pegs and take that very specific wear and tear, while gripping firm on a variety of surfaces while holding up the weight of your motorcycle.

Pants

Regular jeans are simply not up to task – lasting for barely more than a half second while sliding across the pavement.

While leather pants may sound like an inconvenience for a quick commute, there now exists an extensive selection of denim and textile options built for the job with interwoven protection and markedly better abrasion resistance than standard issue pants.

Bottom Line

It’s understandable if you looked at the list and started shopping around, that you’re now a little worried about the bottom line. And while there are deals to be found without sacrificing safety, it’s not going to be cheap.

But consider the real bottom line. What’s the cost of an extended hospital stay or a life-altering crash. What price can you put on your life?

Do your research, buy right, and, once again, once you have it, wear it!