I recently posted FortNine’s video about beginner motorcycle gear to my motorcycle blog Wind Burned Eyes. I found the video to be a good watch.
It takes a different approach from the typical ATGATT crowd, and I actually find it rather refreshing.
Don’t get me wrong, I would advise all riders to wear full gear all of the time. However, I do think it’s a little unrealistic for you to expect a new rider to fully suit up each and every ride.
Motorcycle Gear for New Riders Doesn’t Have to be an All or Nothing Situation
I think about me personally, when I bought my first bike, I didn’t have a ton of money. I bought the motorcycle (a 2008 Chinese-manufactured kit bike) for $1058.
It pretty much wiped me out, and I had enough money to get a decent helmet—an older version of this HJC IS-Cruiser helmet. From there, I put on some heavy work boots that I wore working at a machine shop, and some leather yard gloves and a thick flannel shirt.
My gear journey started with a helmet only. And that’s the first thing I would recommend for any rider. From there, boots are your next best thing. Then gloves, a jacket, and finally motorcycle pants.
I had a comment on my Wind Burned Eyes blog that suggested motorcycle pants should be on there or more important.
I get the thought process there, but most new riders eat it at very low speeds, which means they’re not going to go sliding across the pavement quickly. They simply don’t usually need the abrasion resistance that comes with designated motorcycle pants.
As my own motorcycle riding has progressed, I now have several different gear setups. With that said, when a new rider asks me what I would advise they start with, I tell them a helmet every single time.
If you’re in need of a good helmet, check out the helmet category on Wind Burned Eyes or head over to Web Bike World (I write for both publications) and browse the reviewed or profiled options there.
