Learning how to ride doesn't even start your journey on two-wheels.
First, you need to know what to wear. Not only because you look like a beginner if you ride around in jeans and a hoodie but wearing the right gear regardless of time spent in the saddle means you value your life and respect the journey.
Similar to choosing the best motorcycle for a beginner, likewise you need to know the best motorcycle gear for a beginner. No surprise, the gear you choose won't be much different than a seasoned rider. It all really depends on your budget, comfort and where you plan on riding. The right gear enhances your riding experience and plays a crucial role in your safety.
"The most important initial investment is the gear, not the bike," said Pat Hahn, Advanced Training and Engagement Manager with Team Oregon. a statewide partner of Oregon State University and the Oregon Department of Transportation, that issues a required "motorcycle endorsement" for residents to legally ride in the state. "At least half your budget should go to gear. So, get an inexpensive bike and the best gear you can afford, not the other way around."
Hahn said some motorcycle training programs held on closed courses allow long sleeve T-shirts and jeans because of the low-speed drills. However, students should understand this is not enough to keep you safe on the street or in traffic.
This guide demystifies the essentials of motorcycle gear for beginners and hopefully reduces any indecisiveness by ensuring you're well-prepared for the road ahead.
Squid alert! This guy is not ready to ride.
Beginner Motorcycle Gear
The Motorcycle Helmet
If you have a $10 head go ahead and buy a $10 helmet. Your first line of defense when riding a motorcycle rests on your head. Literally. Whatever your budget, let your motorcycle helmet make up the bulk of it. And not to contradict ourselves, but the $1000 lid doesn't always equate to the safest, either. The best motorcycle helmet for the beginner and the veteran sits comfortably and lets you focus on your ride without you worrying or fidgeting with your head.
Find a DOT certified helmet with the latest safety technology and work your way from there in terms of features and other elements that make the helmet comfortable and rider friendly like the ventilation system and an anti-fog visor, e.g. Pinlock. A heavy helmet strains your neck. If the inner foam irritates pressure points, get one that doesn't. Point being, a pricey helmet generally carries higher-end features that make for a better and lighter fit. But modestly priced ones also come with different elements that fit some riders better than others. So, start trying them on but measure your head so you start with the right size. Read Picking the Best Motorcycle Helmet to get started.
Hahn suggests opting for full face or modular helmets because of the better overall protection instead of the 3/4 and half helmet styles. Once a beginner gains experience then consider a different style if desired.
"I think ventilation is most important for a beginner. It helps cool them in summer and resist fogging in winter," he said. "Heat and foggy visors can wreck the fun."
Suggested helmets include Shoei, HJC, Arai and Bell.
Motorcycle Jacket
Next grab a jacket. Not the one in your closet. You need a motorcycle jacket, one designed and constructed for the rigors of riding and the impact of a crash. Many fabric options exist including leather, mesh and textile. Mesh offers the most ventilation and though many leather options include breathability, resist this popular style for summer riding. Look for CE-rated jackets with armor inserts in the back, shoulders and elbows for versatility in protection and overall comfort.
"One reason to prefer lighter over heavier is you can make a lighter or mesh jacket heavier and warmer, but you can't make a heavy jacket lighter and cooler," Hahn said.
Suggested jackets include Alpinestars, REV'IT! and Dainese.
Motorcycle Pants
Next up: Pants. Indeed, a pair of your rugged at-home jeans works temporarily. See, we're not just trying to push a sale on you! However, you really need a pair of motorcycle pants for ideal protection and weather resistance. Keep in mind, your body buffets against basically a windstorm so even in 70 degrees, eventually without proper resistance, you get cold.
"Wearing motorcycle-specific pants is an indicator of somebody who takes riding seriously," Hahn said.
Motorcycle pants also breathe, letting you ride in comfort, fully decked out in the hot sun. Riding pants provide protection against road debris and road rash in the event of a fall. Like jackets, look for those with available CE-certified armor inserts in the knees (hips too if wanted) and made with material reinforced with Kevlar or other strong fabric like polyester.
If you plan to commute, many styles fit over your street clothes making it easy and convenient to slip in and out of your riding gear. And guess what? Riding jeans exist. So, if you like the look and feel of denim, choose from plenty of options plus most look good off the bike as they do on.
Suggested pants include Joe Rocket, Klim, Alpinestars, ICON.
Motorcycle Gloves
Those who regularly garden, golf or play baseball know the importance of wearing gloves. Add motorcycle riding to the list. A good pair of gloves grip, prevent blisters, protect from the elements and asphalt burn in the event of a crash, and reduce fatigue by shielding your hands from wind and absorbing vibration.
Just about any set of gloves designed for motorcycle riding will do. Look for those with reinforced knuckle and palm protection, that breathe. Hot hands get tired fast so get ones that provide airflow. Many options exist including shorty, fingerless and gauntlet in leather, mesh and textile so decide on a style and work your hands in from there. By the way, gloves should fit snug.
"Good motorcycle gloves have secure wrist closures," Hahn said suggesting beginners look at gauntlet gloves. "Gloves that can come off in a crash are useless. They have to stay put no matter how far your bike throws you."
Suggested gloves include Alpinestars, Tourmaster, Cortech and Joe Rocket.
Motorcycle Boots
Finally, your boots. Yes, you may see riders wearing sneakers. We call them squids. Not the sneakers, the rider. Don't be a squid. In the event of a crash, your feet (and that ankle bone that sticks out) usually bear the brunt of the impact and if you skid along pavement expect to have little in terms of a foot or ankle bone left, if you don't wear the proper riding gear.
Motorcycle boots protect your feet, ankles and lower legs against impacts and abrasions in addition to ankle support (think foot stand at a red light), flexibility to engage the shift and brake pedals and wind resistance. Likely one of the more uncomfortable pieces of your riding gear, motorcycle boots take a bit to get used to so find a pair that breathes and lets you walk relatively normal, even if you don't use them as everyday wear. Indeed, some boots and riding shoes double as casual wear but consider those styles after you get experience.
Motorcycle boots should cover your ankles and preferably your lower legs. One style some riders prefer cover up to the ankle bone and resemble high tops. Your choice whether you want boots/riding shoes that lace up or fasten by buckle. Look for boots with toe, ankle and shin armor or reinforced inserts to protect vulnerable areas. Most breathe well except for waterproof versions and all generally have slip-free soles that keep you gripped to the foot pedals.
"Boots is a place a lot of riders skimp on," Hahn said. "But reality is even a cheap pair like $100 Tourmasters offer a thousand times better protection than street shoes, and they cost half that of a decent pair of high-tops."
Suggested boots include Alpinestars, Stylmartin, Sidi and Noru.
Motorcycle Rain Gear
We don't recommend starting your journey in wet weather so we will resist recommending rain riding gear because a beginner rider should stick to a car until he or she gains the confidence on the bike to ride when it rains. Most motorcyclists leave their ride at home when it rains anyway, so even veteran bikers understand their limits and testing the boundaries of safe riding but once you get a handle on the bike and become a regular rider, expect to own two or even three sets of gear to address different riding conditions.
Ear Plugs
Finally, don't forget a most important piece of riding gear. It costs a few dollars and will make all the difference in your riding enjoyment and pay dividends over your lifetime. Ear plugs. Save your hearing from engine noise, the wind and traffic. Hearing protection also helps lesson fatigue during and at the end of long rides.
See how much more the white gear stands out from black gear?
A comfortable ride equals an enjoyable ride. Relish the excitement of hitting the open road but don't let it derail you from the most important aspect to riding before you ever throw a leg over: Gear up with the appropriate riding protection that fits and guards you from variable road conditions and in the event of a fall.
Finally, Hahn said be conspicuous. Not inconspicuous. Being easy to see in traffic makes your life easier and results in less surprises. If you really like your new black leather jacket then grab an inexpensive reflective vest that slips over it. Avoid black helmets, too. They blend in with traffic as do gray, navy, and maroon colors.
"My simple advice," Hahn said. "Is a white helmet and reflective vest or high viz jacket with lots of fluorescent orange or yellow."
And remember, dress for the crash.
