Whether you have just found your dream bike or are just getting ready to start shopping around, you’ll soon find that there is an overabundance of motorcycle clothing and accessories to complete your experience. It has been said that there are almost as many options for different types of motorcycle clothing as there are for clothing in general. With so many different options, it can be confusing and almost mind-boggling to try to figure out what you’ll need and what will be most appropriate for your particular bike and riding experience.
The good news is that with the advent of the internet, shopping for motorcycle clothing and accessories has never been easier or more convenient. By using the Web, you can shop around and compare prices, shipping costs and times, etc. Before you start shopping, read on to have an idea of some of the basics and what to look for.
Jacket
Your needs in terms of a motorcycle jacket will vary a bit depending on certain factors. The main factors will be the geographical area of where you live and/or ride, and whether you need maximum comfort for longer rides or just something easy for quick commutes. Consider your lifestyle and how your new motorcycle will fit into it.
A leather motorcycle jacket is classic and also very good for protection. However, jackets made from animal hide can be expensive and get very hot, especially during longer rides. Another suitable material for riding jackets is Cordura, which is reinforced fabric. If you choose this option, you’ll want to make sure the impact areas (shoulders, back, elbows) are padded.
You will want to choose a motorcycle jacket that can be versatile enough to use through a wide range of weather conditions. Look for a jacket that contains a zip-out liner (available as a vest liner or full liner) and also vents that can provide good air movement during hot days.
Helmet
The helmet is by far the single most crucial piece of motorcycle gear and it’s importance should not be overlooked. The job of the motorcycle helmet is to save your life should something go wrong. There are different types of motorcycle helmets with different levels of padding, shapes, styles, etc. Below is a list of some of the more popular ones.
Beanie (Pudding Bowl)
This type of helmet is easy to put on and take off, but provides only the minimum amount of protection for the head (mostly the top of the head). The Beanie (or Pudding Bowl) helmet is designed not to obstruct any part of your peripheral vision or your hearing, but long rides can be loud if you only wear a Beanie helmet.