Basic Motorcycle Accessories and Gear for Beginners

Helmet

The most important piece of gear you can equip yourself with when you ride is a good helmet. Helmets come in a variety of shapes, from the minimalist half helmets, to the more complete protection of a full face helmet. Half helmets are often considered more comfortable by experienced riders, however they’re less than ideal in colder weather when the open face design leaves your nose exposed to the wind. Full face helmets provide excellent protection at the cost of more weight, however many riders prefer the wind deflection, and buy vented models to help keep from overheating on the road. When buying a helmet, make sure you try them on! A good helmet should fit comfortably without wobbling, or pinching your head. A good fit means better protection, so don’t pick out a helmet that’s a size too big just because it looks cool. Before you purchase your helmet, make sure it is DOT certified, to ensure that its street legal and will provide ample protection in the case of a crash.

Riding Jacket

A Jacket is almost as important as your helmet in terms of safety, and it’s a critical component of your comfort on the road. Riding jackets are come in two main forms: Leather, and textile products. Leather riding jackets are much loved by riders because of leather’s natural ability to resist abrasion in the case of a slide, however many textile materials are treated and enhanced to provide similar qualities. Riding jackets don’t just protect you in the case of a crash, they also help you stay comfortable while you ride by protecting you from the wind, and many jackets also feature vented designs so you can get some airflow over your body to cool off on a warm day. Like a helmet, the fit of your jacket is important to its effectiveness. Your jacket should fit snug, but not tight, allowing you to fully articulate your arms, and turn and twist freely. When you try on a jacket, try it on your bike and make sure you can move comfortably before you buy.

Riding Pants

Blue jeans aren’t going to protect your legs in a crash, so you’re going to need a good set of riding pants. Riding pants are made to provide your legs with the extra armor you need in the case of a crash. Not only are they thick enough to handle the friction of a slide, but they are often made with built in armor to help absorb impacts and keep you in the right shape. Like all of your gear, make sure your riding pants fit comfortably without being baggy or overly tight. Being able to articulate your legs freely between a riding position and having your foot down is important, you don’t want to be that guy who falls over at a stoplight because your pants were too tight. Some riding pants and jackets can be zipped together to create a full riding suit, which can provide better protection that both items separately, however there isn’t always cross-compatibility, so make sure your pants fit with your jacket before you’ve spent the money.

Boots

Your boots have a few responsibilities: First, they need to protect your feet and ankles if you crash. Second, they need to support the weight of you, and a bike, when you put your foot down at a stop without slipping. A good set of boots will have soles that resist twisting, as well as solid ankle support. If your boots don’t lace up above your ankle, get a new set of boots.

Gloves

Gloves are the last piece of critical riding gear. When you hit freeway speeds on your bike it won’t take long for your hands to start to get cold and stiff even in moderate weather, so a good set of riding gloves is critical. Your gloves should have a wrist retention strap, and should overlap with your jacket to form a solid seal. If you’re looking for armor in your riding gloves, look for reinforced palms (many manufacturers armor the knuckles, but it’s your palm that is most likely to impact the pavement). Whatever features you get on your motorcycle gloves, you should make sure that you’re able to freely and comfortably use your bike’s controls without impediment.

Whether you’re looking for some good boots that can protect your feet and ankles, or you’re interested in a brand new pair of riding gloves, Atlantic Motoplex has everything you could need at our Powersport dealership. From riding pants to a riding jacket, you will find the perfect match to your need of protection and style. Your safety on any road is our primary concern for an rider! If you still have questions, you can visit our dealership in Moncton, New Brunswick and only a short ride from the areas of Charlottetown, Fredericton, Saint John, and Bathurst, NB. You can always send us an email or give us a call as well so we can best assist you with your motorcycle accessory and gear needs.