How much do you need to spend on motorcycle gear?
This is a question I get fairly often, and I know a lot of folks who will disagree with me here. The answer is not much.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a full set of motorcycle gear. When I say full set, what I mean is a helmet, gloves, boots, jacket, and pants.
Let’s take a look at what you can get away with spending.
Helmet
Okay, there are all sorts of motorcycle helmets out there from a wide variety of manufacturers ranging from around $40 to well over $1,000.
The truth here is that in more cases, you get what you pay for. A cheap ass $55 helmet from China isn’t going to provide much protection. It will fit you poorly and you’re not going to be comfortable or satisfied.
The best helmets in my experience are things like the Shoei GT-Air II. It’s pricey at around $600, but it gives you most of the best features and very high levels of protection.
However, you certainly don’t have to spend six bones. You can spend $100 and get a good helmet from Bell, Biltwell, or many other well-known brands.
Keep an eye out for sales. Last year’s good helmets are this year’s steals.
Gloves
Gloves can be had for as little as $15 all the way up to several hundred dollars. You can get a killer pair of gloves for around $50.
The Alpinestars SMX-1 Air v2 Gloves are a perfect example. They’re like $60 and provide good airflow, protection and style.
I tend to skimp on gloves (something that’s likely not very smart). I like simple, minimalist leather gloves, and won’t spend more than $30. However, you can find quite a few options at this price point. Check some out by clicking here.
Boots
I used to think boots weren’t all that important, but so many accidents involve injuries to the ankle or foot that I’ve changed my tune.
Still, that doesn’t mean you need to spend an arm and a leg. You should be able to find some good boots for around $100. Check out some good options by clicking here.
Jacket
I love shopping for motorcycle jackets. They’re cool, and you can spend quite a lot of money on them. You certainly don’t have to.
Decent motorcycle jackets can be found for around $80. Check out these options.
These jackets won’t be as nice as their high-dollar counterparts, but they will provide basic levels of protection.
When shopping for jackets, look for ones with certified CE armor. If they don’t have it, at least look for a jacket that has pockets for it, especially a back protector.
Pants
Pants are an often overlooked piece of gear, but one slide on your backside in some regular Levis and you’ll change your tune.
Get pants with abrasion resistant material and armor in the knees and hips. Some connection to your jacket is also preferable, but not totally necessary.
Don’t overthink this. There are plenty of pairs of motorcycle jeans out there that will get the job done. You can spend big bucks, but you usually only have to spend about $80. Here are some of the best options.
In Total
Overall, you’re looking at spending like $400 for a full set of motorcycle gear.
You could spend less if you’re able to find decent gear for under the prices listed above, which is possible. I bet if you tried really hard, you could get a full setup for $250.
That means there’s little excuse to ride without gear. As I have mentioned before, I don’t think you need a full gear setup to start riding, but I do think it’s good to have one eventually. At $250 to $400 you should be able to afford it.
