GOEZGood motorcycle gear starts with an approved, well-fitting full-face helmet, then gloves, boots, and a jacket and pants with CE-marked armour at the shoulders, elbows, knees and hips. Fit matters as much as features. Wear all of it on every ride, and add reflective or bright details so drivers see you.
Gear is the only protection you have on a motorcycle. It also keeps you warm, dry and comfortable, which keeps you focused. You don't need the most expensive kit — you need the right kit, in the right size, worn every time. Here's what to look for.
How to choose a motorcycle helmet
The helmet is your most important piece of gear. Get this right before anything else.
Helmet types
| Type | Protection | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Full-face | Covers head, face and chin | The most protective everyday choice |
| Modular (flip-up) | Full-face when closed | Convenient at stops; only protects the chin when locked shut |
| Open-face | Head only, no chin bar | Airy and light, but leaves your face and jaw exposed |
| Off-road / adventure | Chin bar, peak, often goggles | Built for dirt and mixed riding |
For most road riders, a full-face helmet is the safest choice.
Approval standards
Only buy a helmet that meets the approval standard where you ride. Two widely known ones are ECE 22.06, used in Europe and many other countries, and DOT in the United States. Look for the label on the helmet or its chin strap, and check your local rules. Avoid second-hand helmets: you can't know if one has been dropped or crashed.
How a helmet should fit
- Measure your head around the widest part, just above your eyebrows, and use the maker's size chart. Head shapes vary, so try several models.
- Snug all round. The cheek pads should press your cheeks, with no gaps at the forehead and no painful pressure points.
- Doesn't move. With the strap fastened, the helmet shouldn't slide when you shake your head, and you shouldn't be able to roll it forward off your head.
- Wear it for a while in the shop. A hot spot after a few minutes becomes a headache after an hour.
Replace a helmet after any significant impact, even if it looks fine, and follow the maker's advice on age and care.
Motorcycle jacket and pants
A riding jacket and pants have two jobs: resist abrasion if you slide, and hold armour in place over the parts that hit first.
- Material. Leather offers strong abrasion resistance. Quality textile is more versatile, often waterproof and better ventilated. Both work when made for riding.
- Armour. Look for CE-marked armour at the shoulders and elbows in the jacket, and at the knees and hips in the pants. Many jackets have a back protector pocket; a CE-marked back protector is a worthwhile add-on.
- Fit in the riding position. Sit on a bike or lean forward in the shop. Armour should stay over your joints, sleeves should cover your wrists and the pants should cover your ankles while seated.
- Connection. A zip that joins jacket and pants stops the jacket riding up in a slide.
- Seasons. Vented or mesh gear for heat, removable liners and a waterproof layer for cold and wet. See riding in the rain for wet weather kit.
Jeans and a hoodie aren't riding gear. If you prefer a casual look, choose riding jeans and jackets designed with abrasion-resistant material and armour.
Motorcycle gloves
When you fall, your hands go out first. Even a slow spill can injure palms and fingers.
- Choose gloves made for motorcycling, with reinforced palms and knuckle protection.
- Longer cuffs (gauntlets) that go over or under your jacket sleeve stop gaps at the wrist.
- A wrist strap keeps the glove on in a crash.
- They should fit snugly, with no loose fingertips, so you can feel the levers.
- Many riders keep two pairs: summer and winter or waterproof.
Motorcycle boots
Ankles and feet are easily hurt. Motorcycle boots should:
- Cover your ankles, with protection over the ankle bones.
- Have a stiff sole that resists twisting and crushing.
- Have a grippy, oil-resistant sole for stops on greasy ground.
- Fasten securely, with no laces that can catch on pegs or levers.
- Still let you feel the gear lever and rear brake.
Visibility and comfort extras
- Bright colours and reflective panels help drivers notice you, day and night. Read more in riding at night.
- Earplugs reduce wind noise and fatigue on longer rides.
- A clear visor and an anti-fog insert for low light and cold mornings.
- Base layers that wick sweat in summer and keep you warm in winter.
ATGATT: all the gear, all the time
ATGATT is a riders' motto: wear all your gear on every ride. Short trips matter just as much, because many crashes happen close to home at ordinary speeds. Gear you leave at home protects nothing, so pick kit that's comfortable enough to wear every time.
On a budget? Buy in this order
- Helmet — approved, new and a good fit. Don't compromise here.
- Gloves — your hands nearly always touch the ground.
- Boots — real motorcycle boots, not trainers.
- Jacket — with CE-marked shoulder and elbow armour.
- Pants — with knee and hip armour.
- Back protector, rain gear and extras as you can.
Look after your gear: wash and reproof textiles as the label says, and store leather away from heat. Before a long trip, run through the motorcycle trip checklist. New to riding? Beginner riding tips are a good next read. And when you're kitted out, record your rides with GOEZ ride tracking.