Getting into motorcycling is like opening the door to a whole new world. The excitement of getting on the open road is so close … and then there’s the reality check of walking into a gear shop.
Racks of helmets, walls of jackets, rows of boots that look like they belong to astronauts, and heaps of gadgets you didn’t even know existed. It’s exciting until you see the price tags and realise that good quality riding gear is super expensive! So, what do you actually need right now?
Let’s keep it simple. There are five things every new rider should get before hitting the road. First and the most obvious: a helmet. Not a cheap one from the bargain bin, but something with a proper safety rating and a snug fit. A full-face helmet is a good place to start. It’ll protect your whole head, including that smile you’ll be wearing on your first proper ride.
Depending on where you are in the world, different standards apply to helmet safety requirements. Click the link here for a full rundown on choosing a helmet, “How to Choose the Best Motorcycle Helmet in 2025: Safety, Fit, Style and Features Guide”.
Next comes the jacket. Think of it as your second skin. When you go down, it’s the difference between walking away and leaving half your elbows on the tarmac. If you can afford it, go for leather, and if not grab a textile jacket with armour in the elbows, shoulders, and back. Bonus points if it can handle different weather, because rain always shows up when you least want it to.
Check out our in depth article on riding Jackets, “The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Perfect Motorcycle Jacket”.
Gloves might seem like an afterthought, but try falling without them and you’ll only make that mistake once. Get a pair with reinforced palms and knuckle protection. Mesh for summer, insulated for winter. Simple.
If you want less sweaty hands, “Grip It and Rip It: The Rider’s Guide to Motorcycle Gloves”.
Then there’s boots. Sneakers look cool until your ankle twists or the gear shifter chews through the top of your shoe. Proper riding boots cover your ankles, grip the pegs, and save your toes. You’ll thank them the first time you put your foot down on a patch of gravel. Look for reinforced inside edges near the toes for clutch operation, extra padding but breathable and a set you can tighten firmly around your ankles.
Well of course we have an article on that also, “Kickstart your Safety with Motorcycle Foot Protection, Full Buyers Guide”
Finally, pants. Denim on its own? Useless. If you slide, it’ll shred in seconds. At minimum, grab a pair of riding jeans with Kevlar reinforcement and armour at the knees. There are heaps of stylish and high quality pairs of pants out there, so save you trendy Levi’s from the dirt, oil and potentially melting into your skin.
You know the drill, “Motorcycle Pants 101: Cover Your Assets (Properly)”
Once you’ve got these basics sorted, everything else is just gravy. Bluetooth headsets, rain gear, luggage systems …. they’re great, but you don’t need them on day one. Heated gear? Save it for when you’re doing winter miles. Full race leathers? Unless you’re spending weekends at the track, forget it. And don’t get distracted by all the shiny gadgets. They won’t keep you upright, they’ll just keep your wallet empty. Less money = less riding, and less riding is non bueno.
There are a few handy accessories and bits of gear that really do make riding all that more enjoyable, “Motorcycle Gear & Accessories Guide: The Extras That Make Riding Better” and definitely worth it once you’ve landed the basics.
So here’s the bottom line: start with the essentials (helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, and pants) and focus your budget on getting the best you can afford. That’s your ticket to riding safely and actually enjoying yourself. These are not just for safety, they’re expressions of who you are just like the clothes you wear or the jewelry you accessorise with.
Remember that the rest can come later, once you know what kind of rider you’re going to be or whether riding is even for you. Because at the end of the day, the best gear is the stuff you’ll wear every single ride. No excuses.
