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Bike gloves, a leather jacket, a helmet, riding pants, and tough boots are more than just protective equipment meant to keep you safe. They are an extension of your personality. If you have all the basics but want motorcycle gear that will boost your riding experience, you’re in the right place. This review covers the best motorcycle gear on the market.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Nelson-Rigg Unisex Adult Stormrider Motorcycle Rain Suit
- Best Value: MadDog GearComfort Ride Seat Protector by Coleman
- Honorable Mention: Event Biker Leather Men’s Motorcycle Jacket
- Honorable Mention: COFIT Motorcycle Gloves
- Honorable Mention: Jackets 4 Bikes Men’s Leather Street Motorcycle Gloves
- Honorable Mention: HWK Motorcycle Pants for Men
- Honorable Mention: HHR (HWK) Textile Motorcycle Jacket for Men
- Honorable Mention: Idea Motorcycle Gear Indicator for a Honda
Types of Motorcycle Gear
Cruiser
The gear for cruiser-style bikes has a more upright riding position in mind. This takes into account how your arms and legs are positioned. The helmets take into account your head position and how the wind directs around it. The gear in this category has a more traditional biker feel.
Sport
The gear in this category accommodates the more aggressive riding style and body position that sportbike riders have. The leg lengths are longer, and the arms are articulated. The helmets are shaped differently to account for the change in airflow around the head. This gear tends to be more colorful and embraces a wider range of materials, such as textiles.
Adventure/Dual-Sport
The gear in this category is meant for the hardcore rider that gets off the road and into the wilderness. You’ll find the gear to be more durable and have more compartments for storage. There are also a lot of features included in this gear to help riders be prepared for any type of riding condition.
Best Motorcycle Gear: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Nelson-Rigg Unisex Adult Stormrider Motorcycle Rain Suit
Best Value
MadDog GearComfort Ride Seat Protector by Coleman
Honorable Mention
Event Biker Leather Men's Motorcycle Jacket
Honorable Mention
COFIT Motorcycle Gloves
Honorable Mention
Jackets 4 Bikes Men’s Leather Street Motorcycle Gloves
Honorable Mention
HWK Motorcycle Pants for Men
Honorable Mention
HHR (HWK) Textile Motorcycle Jacket for Men
Honorable Mention
Idea Motorcycle Gear Indicator for a Honda
Our Verdict on the Best Motorcycle Gear
Our top recommendation for the best motorcycle gear is the Nelson-Rigg Unisex Adult Stormrider Motorcycle Rain Suit to keep you dry in the rain.
We also recommend the MadDog GearComfort Ride Seat Protector by Coleman. It’s comfortable and protects your seat from harsh weather conditions.
Benefits of Motorcycle Gear
- Safety. Wearing the right motorcycle gear can help keep you safe while on the road. The right gear can protect you from the heat of the engine or harsh weather. It can also keep you safe in the event of a fall by protecting commonly injured areas.
- Comfort. The right gear can make riding your motorcycle so comfortable that you could do it all day. This includes cushioning on your seat or cooling throughout your riding suit.
- Style. Buy gear that enhances your personal style. It can match the colors of your motorcycle, or you can create a unique style that projects the image you’re striving for.
Motorcycle Gear Pricing
- Under $100: You can find some high-quality smaller pieces of gear in this category, such as gloves. But for the most part, gear in this price range isn’t the best quality. It will have cheap construction and low-quality materials.
- $100 to $500: When it comes to the majority of gear, this is the range quality pieces fall into. This includes jackets, helmets, pants, and boots. You’ll find quality materials with useful features that make riding more comfortable.
- $500 and up: Gear that falls into this category are high-end pieces that feature the best quality materials and the latest innovations in features and technology. Some of the gear in this price range includes high-end leather jackets and race suits.
Key Features
Material
Lower-quality riding gear uses cheaper materials. These can be uncomfortable against your skin and not breathe as well. They’re also not as abrasion-resistant, which means they won’t protect as well. Higher-quality fabrics will conform to your body, encourage airflow, and protect you in the event of a motorcycle accident. The price of the gear will help you determine the quality of the materials used. Common materials used for motorcycle gear are denim, Kevlar, leather, and nylon.
Breathability
It can get really hot while riding, causing you to overheat. Look for breathable materials, mesh panels, and zipper vents. These will increase the airflow through your textile jacket. Your motorcycle helmet should have vents that you can open and close to airflow around your skull. Motorcycle gloves may or may not have venting, depending on the season they’re meant for. Warm weather gloves should have mesh inserts, while winter gloves won’t.
Features
Higher-quality gear tends to come with more features. Quality motorcycle jackets come with armor such as elbow, shoulder, and back protector shells. This will protect you should you come into contact with the open road. Look for motorcycle boots with a sturdy zipper or another method of securing your boots to your feet.
Other Considerations
- Fasteners. One place where motorcycle gear tends to fail is in the fasteners. Plastic fasteners tend to break more easily than metal ones. You need sturdy fasteners that will keep your gear securely in place. This includes metal zippers, the chin strap on your full-face helmet, and the lacing on your boots.
- Element Protection. You need protection from more than just the road; there are also weather elements such as wind, sun, and rain. Look for gear that will block the sun, such as a tinted visor on a full-face helmet. Jackets and pants can have wind protection. There is also water protection, but pay attention to whether the gear is waterproof or water-resistant.
- Technology. You will find modern technology built into motorcycle gear, such as Bluetooth in helmets, USB gloves, or suits that have AC or heat. There is also technology built into fabrics, such as UV resistance. The technology isn’t a necessity, but it makes riding easier, more comfortable, and convenient.
Tips
- When purchasing motorcycle gear, it is important to place your safety above everything else. Most gear is either built for biker safety or biker comfort. Buy products made with high-quality components to guarantee safety.
- When it comes to wearable motorcycle gear, get products that are double-stitched or triple-stitched. A good lining is also important and is a quality of great workmanship.
- All-weather gear will serve you better and save you a considerable amount of money in the long run. That’s because you don’t have to keep changing the gear as the seasons change.
FAQs
Every time you hop on a bike, you should commit to protecting yourself first, and style should come second. Fortunately, a lot of motorcycle gear is designed with style in mind.
Important bike protective gear aligns with safety guidelines. Many manufacturers submit their gear for testing and quality assurance. It is good to check whether the gear you’re purchasing adheres to these guidelines.
A full-body kit does not need to be expensive to be high-quality. With about $500, you can get a high-quality full-body kit that will last for a long time, depending on your riding frequency.
