Quality motorcycle gear can significantly reduce your risk of injury and even improve your overall riding experience. But what’s actually worth the investment?
Whether you’re new to motorcycling or looking to upgrade your gear, this guide to motorcycle gear explains the key things to know, and what’s worth investing in.
Why investing in quality motorcycle gear matters
Investing in top-rated motorcycle gear is important for your safety. Motorcyclists are typically more vulnerable than other road users, and suitable gear can significantly reduce your risk of injury if an accident happens.
Wearing a high-quality helmet alone can reduce your risk of death by 37%. Good quality motorcycle gear is also usually made from more durable and abrasion-resistant materials for added protection.
Buying cheaper gear may be tempting, but it’s worth noting that it may lack proper certification or sufficient protection features.
What protective gear do motorcycle riders need?
You may be struggling to decide what motorcycle gear you should invest in to stay safe on the road.
Here’s a rundown of the essential kit:
- Helmet: Wearing a crash helmet made to official ECE 22.05 or ECE 22.06 safety standards is a legal requirement in the UK.
- Trousers: Quality riding trousers can help you stay more comfortable during a ride and protect your lower body in the event of a fall or crash.
- Boots: Robust motorcycle boots can support your ankle when riding, while offering abrasion resistance and impact protection.
- Jacket: A durable leather motorcycle jacket helps to protect your upper body and make your riding experience more comfortable.
- Gloves: Comfortable protective gloves are essential, as your hands or knuckles often hit the ground first after a fall.
The motorcycle gear priority list (what to buy first)
If you’re working with a limited budget and unsure which motorcycle gear to prioritise from the list above, here’s a suggested order for investing in high-quality items:
- Helmet: As mentioned, a quality crash helmet can significantly reduce your risk of severe injury or death.
- Gloves: As your hands will likely take most of the initial impact during a crash, investing in high quality protective gloves should be high on your priority list.
- Jacket: A durable leather jacket helps protect your upper body and spine if you fall or crash.
- Boots: While they often take less impact than your hands, a pair of sturdy motorcycle boots can help to protect your ankles and feet.
- Trousers: A high-quality pair of riding trousers can provide full lower body protection if an unexpected incident happens on the road.
The order we’ve suggested here reflects the most potentially vulnerable areas of your body during a fall or crash.
Motorcycle gear breakdown: what’s worth spending more on
Now that you have a better idea of which motorcycle gear is most important, we’ll explain what we believe is worth investing in and why.
Helmets are always worth the investment
A helmet is the most important piece of gear for motorcycle riders and is a legal requirement on UK roads.
It’s advisable to choose a crash helmet that meets the latest ECE 22.06 standard (or ECE 22.05 as a minimum legal requirement in the UK) and opt for a full-face design for maximum protection.
Finding a suitable fit is more important than brand or price to ensure safety and comfort. Premium helmets also offer improved materials and ventilation, and reduced noise when you’re riding.
Motorcycle jacket
Quality motorcycle jackets can keep you warm in cooler riding conditions while offering protection and abrasion impact.
Motorcycle jackets that offer higher levels of protection are typically made from two durable materials:
- Leather: For maximum abrasion resistance in the event of an accident.
- Textile: For added versatility and a more comfortable riding experience in cooler weather conditions.
Whichever material you prefer, look for jackets with CE-rated armour, effective waterproofing, removable liners, and a good ventilation system.
Higher-end motorcycle jackets are typically worth the extra investment, as they usually last longer and are more suited for all-season use.
Gloves
Your hands are often the first point of contact or impact when you fall on a motorcycle.
Even mid-range gloves can offer strong protection for your hands. To help maximise protection for your budget, consider gloves that include knuckle protection, reinforced palms, and abrasion-resistant materials.
Boots
Trainers or casual footwear offer little to no protection and can leave your feet more vulnerable in the event of a crash, so investing in specialist boots is generally recommended.
Motorcycle boots are typically designed to offer more protection for your ankles, feet, and lower legs compared to everyday footwear. They can also provide additional ankle support while riding.
When choosing motorcycle boots, it can be worth looking for features such as abrasion-resistant materials, reinforced soles, and adequate ankle support.
Motorcycle trousers
Many riders underestimate the importance of lower-body protection. However, wearing suitable trousers could help prevent serious injury to your legs if you’re involved in an accident.
While jeans are comfortable to wear when riding, they offer minimal abrasion resistance or impact protection. Denim can also heat up and stick to your skin during a skid.
Specially designed motorcycle trousers can protect your legs from being significantly injured in an accident, especially during longer or faster rides.
Look for motorcycle trousers made from abrasion-resistant materials as well as knee and hip armour. Water-resistant trousers can also keep you comfortable when riding in the rain.
Cheap vs expensive motorcycle gear: what’s the difference?
As mentioned, not all motorcycle gear is made equal. Investing in the cheapest products on the market isn’t always a good idea, as they may not meet the highest standards.
Here are the key differences between cheap and expensive motorcycle gear:
- Materials: Cheaper motorcycle gear is often made from basic textiles that offer minimal protection. More premium motorcycle kit is typically made with durable materials like premium leather and GORE-TEX.
- Safety standards: Some cheaper motorcycle gear may not be safe enough to protect you during a skid or fall. Ensure your gear meets legal safety standards.
- Durability: Cheaper motorcycle equipment is often flimsy and doesn’t last long. The more expensive products on the market are usually more durable and have a significantly longer lifespan.
- Comfort and fit: Higher-quality motorcycle gear is often made from better materials, which can make it more comfortable and provide a better fit than cheaper alternatives.
Common mistakes when buying motorcycle gear
There are common mistakes that even experienced riders make when shopping for motorcycle gear. Avoid these pitfalls and you can make a good investment for your riding needs:
- Choosing style over protection, durability, and safety
- Buying motorcycle gear that doesn’t fit you properly
- Skipping key protective riding items like trousers or boots
- Investing in non-motorcycle-specific clothing
- Not checking potential purchases for safety certifications
How much should you spend on motorcycle gear?
The amount you should spend on motorcycle gear depends on your specific requirements.
However, at a minimum, you’ll need to invest in a high-quality crash helmet, which typically costs around £60 for a more budget friendly option.
As a general guide:
- Budget gear typically provides basic entry-level protection for those who ride less frequently
- Mid-range safety equipment usually offers a good balance between cost, quality, and safety for regular riders
- Premium equipment usually has a long shelf life while offering the optimum protection and features. It may be worth investing in top-tier gear if you’re a motorcycle commuter or daily rider.
Help protect your bike with motorbike insurance from Devitt
Buying suitable motorcycle gear is only one way to help protect your motorbike adventures. You’ll need insurance coverage too!
If you’re looking for insurance for your ride, we can help. With over 90 years’ experience arranging motorbike insurance for UK riders, we’re well-placed to help you to find a policy that fits your requirements.
Request a quote online or call our team of in-house specialists on 0345 504 0395.
Disclaimer: the sole purpose of this article is to provide guidance on the issues covered. This article is not intended to give legal advice, and, accordingly, it should not be relied upon. It should not be regarded as a comprehensive statement of the law and/or market practice in this area. We make no claims as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein or in the links which were live at the date of publication.
You should not act upon (or should refrain from acting upon) information in this publication without first seeking specific legal and/or specialist advice. Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited trading as Devitt accepts no liability for any inaccuracy, omission or mistake in this publication, nor will we be responsible for any loss which may be suffered as a result of any person relying on the information contained herein.