Motorcycle Apparel Guides
You may have a motorcycle in your garage, but you'd be foolish to go riding without proper motorcycle gear. If you're not sure what to buy, read some of our reviews and features on the latest and greatest helmets from top brands like Shoei, HJC and Arai and jackets, pants and gloves from companies like Alpinestars, Dainese and Icon.
MO Tested: Dainese Torque 3 Out Air Review
In motorcycles, we frequently see tremendous loyalty in consumables like brake pads and tires. Because of their long life cycle, riding gear isn’t usually thought of as a consumable (except, perhaps, from crash damage), but if you use something long enough, it will eventually wear out. Boots and gloves suffer the stresses of everyday use more than other riding gear and, consequently, fall into this category.
CYA: Best Motorcycle Overpants
You’ve already got the jacket, and hopefully it’s a nice, warm one as Fall will once again begin reasserting itself across the land in a month or two. Or, we hope Fall reasserts itself. Now that you’re sophisticated enough to have gotten that far, maybe it’s time to think about completing the ensemble with one of our picks for best motorcycle overpants. You can get them to add warmth and protection your jeans can’t provide. Or you can get overpants that flow air to keep your lower body cool while adding protection. Or you can get both, via the miracle of removable liners. We rounded up a quick assortment of some nice ones.
The Best Motorcycle Jeans To Keep You Safe And Look Stylish
UPDATE 2/7/2023: We’ve since published a huge three-part motorcycle denim buyer’s guide that features 34 different pairs of denim, with selections for both men and women. Some of them are featured in the story below, but you can see them all by clicking over to the Buyer’s Guide.
Harley-Davidson Boots and Shoes For Women
Sure you know Harley-Davidson is the goliath among motorcycle manufacturers. And in the back of your mind you knew The Motor Company has a huge apparel line. But have you ever stopped to think about how big the apparel line actually is? Probably not. It’s so big, H-D has its own Amazon store dedicated to just footwear. Yep, that’s more that just Harley-Davidson boots.
Crash Tested: Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 Airbag System
Writing a Crash Tested review is never something we want to do, but if I’m going to write one, then this one is especially important. If you weren’t aware, a couple months ago while comparing the Triumph Speed Twin and BMW R nineT, I was hit by a car. I flew over the hood of the car, did a flip in the air, landed on my shoulder, and rolled to a stop. It sucked, but thankfully I was able to walk away, injury-free albeit pretty sore.
MO Tested: Dainese Misano 2 Review
Dainese has long been a purveyor of innovative safety equipment for riders, claiming the first knee sliders in 1979, back protector in 1981, and carbon/Kevlar knuckle protection in 1995. In 2012, the Italian company made another first, becoming the first manufacturer to offer airbag protection in an off-the-rack (or custom) leather racing suit in America, the D-Air Racing. We are now seeing the third generation of D-Air technology used in the current race line-up as well as road applications available in multiple styles of jackets for both men and women.
Best Motorcycle Boots for Cruisers
In the previous century, the manufacturers didn’t want us to call their motorcycles “cruisers,” because they were afraid to be associated with the 1980 Al Pacino film “Cruising,” which was about a serial killer preying on gay men cruising for sex. Today, that plotline could be a selling point, who knows? Things change. Anyway, as you know, cruisers in the motorcycle idiom refers to laid-back American style bikes which tend to be ridden less aggressively than sportbikes, which sort of lessens the need for titanium toe sliders, calf pucks, and Crayon-box color schemes. In other words, these are the kind of boots plenty of normal motorcyclists on cruisers, touring bikes, sport-tourers and standards, don’t mind wearing every day, on the bike and off. We selected a few of the Best Cruiser Motorcycle Boots.
Best Motorcycle Jackets
What makes for the best motorcycle jacket comes down to a lot of different variables, not excluding rider preferences. So rather than tell you that the following jackets are unequivocally the best, we’ve decided to highlight offerings that we’ve previously included in our more focused jacket lists (textile, leather, winter, women’s etc.) to give you a smattering of what Motorcycle.com sees as some of the best jackets currently in production.
MO Tested: Alpinestars Faster 3 Rideknit Riding Shoes
As I write this, Southern California is under an excessive heat warning, with the next three days bringing temps that can soar up to 110ºF (that’s 43ºC for you non-Americans) in my area. Honestly, when the temps get that high, I’d rather hop in a pool than ride a motorcycle. But even if you’re riding on a nice day, engine heat can radiate right to your feet. No matter how the heat gets to your toes, it’s times like these when a highly breathable shoe is a godsend.
One Kit To Do It All: Best 4 Season Motorcycle Jackets
The perfect solution for being able to ride year-round would be to have gear that can handle all four seasons. Wait – we do! That’s exactly what this list is about. Well, at least your upper half, anyway. What you’ll find below are our picks for four-season motorcycle jackets. You’ll notice as you scroll down that most of these jackets are touring-oriented. The reason is pretty simple: those are typically the riders that will face the gamut of weather extremes on just one ride. So, if a jacket will work for them in extreme conditions, chances are they’ll handle your ride to work in December just fine. Assuming you’re not working from home, that is.
These Alpinestars Closeouts Ramp Discounts Up to 40%
The deals on motorcycle gear keep coming and going, but just today we received the announcement that Revzilla is further slashing its prices on closeout Alpinestars gear, and there’s a lot of good stuff in the mix to choose from. In total the list runs 83 items long, including boots, gloves, jackets, and even a handful of full race suits. Granted some of these items are lower on the discount totem pole—in the 10-15% range, but there is still a lot to choose from in the 30-40% range, including many items that are not limited in terms of sizing and availability. Here’s a quick look at some of our favorite pieces in the sale.
Move Fast: Save an Extra 5% On Revzilla's Closeout Deals Today
We’re keeping it brief because time is limited on this one. Revzilla’s closeout deals are always a good place to shop a bargain, but as an added bonus they’ve offered up a promo code to save you even more as you get geared up for spring. With the code PRESEASON19 you’ll save an additional 5% on marked down helmets, jackets, gloves, boots, and other gear from your favorite brands, including SIDI, Alpinestars, Icon, and plenty more. Beyond that they’re also discounting parts and accessories, so even if new tires, brakes, or a battery (for example) are on your shopping list, you can save more on that stuff as well. The full sale is an astounding 3,685 items long, so you’re gonna want to get browsing fast. That said, even without the additional 5% savings, there are plenty of good deals here.
Get Adventure-Ready On A Budget-We Found Klim Riding Gear On Sale
There are many of us that have the adventurous spirit. We crave going places that tend to fall into the extreme category, regardless of the weather, terrain or road conditions. Klim developed gear for motorcycle, off-road and snowmobiles that allows you to feed the need for adventure. With Klim, you can trust that your gear will exceed your needs of protection and comfort. The thing is, with all that Klim puts into their products, it comes at a cost. Klim gear is not cheap by any means. Here’s the good news, Revzilla has select Klim products on sale, saving you money and getting you into some seriously amazing gear.
We Found Some Great End Of Year Deals On Gear You Shouldn't Miss
Congratulations to all of you who’ve survived the holiday season (relatively) unscathed—you deserve a reward, and some of the web’s biggest moto gear retailers have got you covered. Both Revzilla and Cycle Gear (among others) have been discounting some of your favorite motorcycle gear as we count down the final days of 2018. In the case of Revzilla, their aptly named “ Holiday Hangover Sale” covers a range of riding gear and casual gear from a ton of different brands. Cycle Gear on the other hand is looking ahead to 2019, and their multi-category sale seems to have been meant as an early 2019 promo that they decided to launch early. This January Clearance Sale deals in riding gear, helmets, bike parts, and other goodies. Of the range of deals, here are a handful that stood out to us as being worth a closer look.
More Moto Savings-Get Up To 20% on Bell Helmets
It’s not even Black Friday yet, and Revzilla has gone full bore into sales mode across their site. We’ve already reported on other holiday savings, but over the weekend they announced a 20% off sale on a selection of Bell Helmets. Of the 20+ offerings up for grabs, we’re pretty stoked about the graphics on the well-reviewed Bell Qualifier DLX Devil May Care helmet, currently marked down to $199.99.
The Revzilla Motorcycle Accessories Gift Guide is Live (Already)
While some brands are just starting to ramp up their Black Friday activations, it looks like Revzilla decided to hit fast-forward, instead launching their new Holiday Gift guide featuring all things motorcycle accessories. Not everything is on sale just yet, but the extensive list does have some reasonable savings packed into the list on items that would make great holiday gifts, stocking stuffers, or even just gifts for yourself.
Gear Up For Next Season-Up To 65% Off At Revzilla
As we roll into fall, you’re looking at primetime motorcycle gear shopping. With roughly half the continent reaching the end of riding season, motorcycle helmets, jackets, and other types of motorcycle gear are popping up on sale across the web. In particular, Revzilla.com has recently opened up a significant closeout sale featuring all sorts of gear from Dainese, Alpinestars, Icon, and many of your other favorite brands, with savings ranging from 20% to 65% off!
Atwyld: Inspired by the Void and Built for the Voyage
Atwyld is a motorcycle gear and apparel brand by women, for women, and they make some really nice fashion-forward gear that’s not only stylish – both on and off the bike – but is fully functional in the protection department, too. It’s built to withstand really anything you ladies, or the road can throw at it, and it’s all made here in the U.S.
MO Tested: Alpinestars Brera Leather Jacket Review
Look good, feel good, ride good. From the moment I first saw it, I knew I needed to have it. The Alpinestars Brera leather jacket is quite possibly one of the best looking, most stylish motorcycle jackets on the market. Throw built-in, slim-fitting CE certified Bio Armor on your elbows and shoulders, and you’ve pretty much got yourself the total package.
MO Tested: Racer Sprint Gloves
Racer’s newest short-cuff glove is the Racer Sprint, a well-ventilated summer glove that should offer plenty of protection to keep your digits comfortable and safe. We received the Sprint glove mid-September of this year, and they have been my go-to hand protection ever since. Being that California has relatively warm temperatures, I have had no issue using these gloves during press launches, shootouts, and personal rides.
MO Tested: Black Brand Street Team Jacket
B-b-b-b-baaad, bad to the bone. George Thorogood & The Destroyers’ 1982 hit song is what I hear when Black Brand motorcycle clothing company comes to mind. They say they are “a group that is not for everyone,” and go on to elaborate, “You need to be the wolf, not the sheep to ride in Black Brand.” With its rebellious, nonconformist attitude, it’s without question that Black Brand’s bold tagline is directly aimed at the V-Twin/Cruiser market, where the brand believes there is a void in riding apparel options.
Top 10 Best Motorsports Watches
Much as there is a difference between the performance of an Aprilia V4 and a Royal Enfield single, donning the proper timepiece is a necessity in the world of professional motorsports. Certain watch elements are handy for spectators wishing to monitor laptimes, including accuracy, durability and readability. Stopwatch functions (which most non-moon phase chronographs have integrated), sapphire crystals (for the scratch resistance necessary in harsh trackside environments) and reliable illumination (for night and/or endurance races) are critical. Whether sprinting the quarter mile or tackling a 24-hour attempt, here are the top 10 watches for motorsport enthusiasts.
MO Tested: Black Brand Street Team Jacket
Of the usual spiel targeted at cruiser riders about being independent and a maverick, riding apparel company Black Brand might have the best tagline yet: “You need to be the wolf, not the sheep to ride in Black Brand.” Those wolves, in the eyes of Black Brand, are those in the mid-line market. These riders don’t necessarily want the bulk or price of ultra-protective riding gear, but they also want something more substantial than bargain-priced items with no protection and shoddy quality. And for the cruiser riders especially rooted in their patriotism, Black Brand also wants you to know that proceeds from each purchase goes to helping returning veterans thanks to BB’s partnership with Home for Our Troops.
Sliders 4.0 Riding Jeans Review
What’s America’s favorite kind of clothing? It would have to be denim blue jeans. Everywhere you go, folks are wearing them. The same could be said about motorcyclists on the street. If they’re covering their legs with something other than a dedicated riding suit, you can expect to see jeans. As comfortable and durable as jeans are, sliding down the interstate at 65 mph dramatically exceeds their job description. Cotton can only provide so much abrasion protection. So, what’s a rider to do? Go through life looking like a transformer, knowing that they’re protected from impact and abrasion but vulnerable to arrest by the style police?
2014 Fieldsheer Riding Gear
Motorcycle apparel manufacturer, Fieldsheer, has announced its 2014 product lineup. The modest collection of 17 items touts proprietary materials adventurous motorcyclists will want to note prior to purchasing any new riding gear. A particular quality that stands out is the zippered connectivity of removable liners from the cuffs at the bottom of the jacket sleeves; so much better than snaps or buttons.