Now you know the factors involved in getting on two wheels, let’s take a look at what motorcycle gear and safety equipment you will need to keep safe and warm out on the open road.
First of all, you need to be really honest with yourself and decide what the main type of riding is that you are going to be doing.
Did you get on a bike to save time and money on the commute to work?
Are you a budding motorcycle adventurer with aspirations of Pan-European travel?
Are you a big motorsports fan and would like to be seen out on the road in your favourite team’s livery?
Do you love the look and sound of a street bike and just want to immerse yourself in café racer culture?
Whatever your reason is for getting on two wheels, identifying the main type of riding that you will be doing is helpful when deciding what clothing and safety equipment to buy.
Did you get on a bike to save time and money on the commute to work?
Are you a budding motorcycle adventurer with aspirations of Pan-European travel?
Are you a big motorsports fan and would like to be seen out on the road in your favourite team’s livery?
Do you love the look and sound of a street bike and just want to immerse yourself in café racer culture?
Whatever your reason is for getting on two wheels, identifying the main type of riding that you will be doing is helpful when deciding what clothing and safety equipment to buy.
Commuter / Adventure Touring
This type of riding will see riders out in all weather conditions, at any time of the year and usually involves long spells negotiating heavy urban traffic. One thing is for sure, especially here in Scotland……It's going to rain! To that end, clothing and safety equipment need to be comfortable, warm and waterproof whilst, providing the maximum safety for the long exposure the commuter/adventure tourer will have to the elements.
Purpose made textile suits are well suited towards this type of riding. Textile suits incorporate the latest in fabric technology and can include such fabrics as Gore-Tex for water resistance, Outlast for temperature control and Kevlar armour for impact and abrasion protection.
Full-length waterproof boots and gloves are recommended for the commuter/adventure tourer. These boots and gloves incorporate similar fabrics and leather as the textile suits and provide long-lasting protection from the elements as well as safety for the lower limbs and extremities.
Super Sports
Super Sports riders tend to favour life in the fast lane and usually a warm sunny day to push their machines to the limit. Whether on the track or the open road, protection is the main purpose of the one-piece race suit.
One-piece race suits come in a range of sizes and colours and are designed to fit snugly over a rider in the sports riding position. Made from tough cowhide leather, incorporating additional armour sliders on the shoulders, knees and elbows, these suits protect the rider from low lean angles, where the body may come into contact with the ground. One-piece race suits can also be fitted with an airbag protection system that ensures torsional rigidity in the event of a rider coming off their bike at speed.
Full armoured leather boots and gloves are recommended with the one-piece race suit. One-piece race suits are generally not waterproofed or insulated and are not deemed suitable for prolonged riding in adverse weather conditions.
Full armoured leather boots and gloves are recommended with the one-piece race suit. One-piece race suits are generally not waterproofed or insulated and are not deemed suitable for prolonged riding in adverse weather conditions.
Street style
Street style is the fashion conscious side of motorcycling. For those who want to look cool on the street, meeting up with other bikers and friends at cafes and service stations, before going for a quick blast down the coast or through the hills, practicality is key. The street style incorporates the practicality of everyday clothing with the addition of motorcycle armour.
Jackets usually take the form of short leather or long wax skin jackets. Leather is the traditional fabric of choice for the street biker but wax jackets offer a little bit more protection from the elements and are generally tough wearing, although not as tough as leather.
Jackets usually take the form of short leather or long wax skin jackets. Leather is the traditional fabric of choice for the street biker but wax jackets offer a little bit more protection from the elements and are generally tough wearing, although not as tough as leather.
Armoured motorcycle jeans are also a practical item of safety kit, affording the street biker all-day comfort with the addition of Kevlar fabric for abrasion protection. Street boots are often made out of tough leather, with additional protection, designed to be worn all day.
Street gloves are usually lightweight leather with shorter cuffs for practicality when taking on and off.
Street gloves are usually lightweight leather with shorter cuffs for practicality when taking on and off.
Helmets
No matter which type of biker you aspire to be, one thing that links all uses and styles of motorcycling is the helmet. When riding on the UK’s roads, it is a legal requirement for motorcycle riders to wear a certified motorcycle helmet – with the exception of the Sikh religion while wearing a turban.
Your motorcycle helmet is probably the most important purchase you will make as a biker because it protects one of the most vulnerable and exposed areas of the biker’s body – the head.
Your motorcycle helmet is probably the most important purchase you will make as a biker because it protects one of the most vulnerable and exposed areas of the biker’s body – the head.
Helmets come in five main types; Full Faced, Modular, Adventure Dual Sport, Open Faced and Half shell.
Full face helmets are most suited to sports riders and offer the best protection, aerodynamics and ventilation.
Modular helmets offer similar qualities to full face helmets but with a built-in flip-up system to expose the riders face without taking the helmet off. This system is useful for commuting / touring where the rider may be on an off the bike multiple times throughout the journey. Modular helmets are currently in service with many UK Police Forces and the Ministry of Defence.
Adventure Dual Sports helmets are based on the motocross or off-road trials helmets but are designed for road use. They typically incorporate a sunscreen and visor, where trials helmets often require the use of goggles. These helmets are best suited for adventure touring.
Open Face and Half Shell helmets offer the rider the most freedom in terms of face enclosure, however, this comes at the cost of protection. Open face helmets offer riders good fields of vision and can be fitted with either a visor or goggles. Half shell helmets are lightweight and very quick to take on and off but offer users the least protection to the back and side of the head.
It is important to seek the correct advice for your individual requirements when considering purchasing your safety equipment and clothing. Most motorcycle shops stock a good range of clothing and accessories and although you may find a better deal on the Internet, the advice offered by qualified and competent shop staff, many of whom are full-time bikers, is invaluable, not to mention the opportunity to try on various different brands and styles.
A good place to seek advice on all clothing and safety equipment is at; https://www.victordevine.com
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