The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Safe and Reliable Motorcycle Gear
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Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month: Choose Safe Gear
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, a time to promote rider education, encourage drivers to watch for motorcycles, and highlight the importance of wearing proper motorcycle gear. To celebrate, we’ve created the ultimate guide to safe, reliable gear—from CE ratings to recommendations for every type of ride.
Understanding Motorcycle Gear Safety Ratings
When choosing motorcycle gear, understanding safety ratings is essential. These certifications show how well a product has been tested for impact and abrasion, helping you select equipment that meets proven safety standards rather than relying on looks or marketing claims.
CE Certification
CE (Conformité Européenne) certified gear meets European safety standards for abrasion, impact, and tear resistance. While not required in the United States, most high-quality apparel sold here adheres to these standards. When shopping, check the label for a motorcycle icon, EN number, and rating.
Be aware of the distinction: “CE tested” means the gear was tested but may not meet the full standard, while “CE approved” indicates it successfully passed all certification tests.
Motorcycle Garment Ratings
Motorcycle garment safety ratings indicate how well riding gear like jackets, pants, and suits have been tested to protect a rider in a crash. These ratings are based on tests that measure abrasion resistance, tear strength, seam strength, and impact protection. Most gear sold in the U.S. follows the CE standard EN 17092 motorcycle garment safety standard.
- AAA – Highest protection. Designed for high-risk riding like track use. Usually made from leather or heavily reinforced textiles.
- AA – High protection. A balance of protection and comfort, commonly used for touring, adventure, and everyday street riding.
- A – Basic protection. Found in lighter riding apparel such as hoodies, riding jeans, and lightweight jackets.
- B – Abrasion protection only. Provides abrasion resistance but does not include impact armor.
- C – Impact protection only. Armor-only garments meant to be worn underneath other riding gear.
Armor Ratings
Motorcycle armor safety ratings indicate how well armor pieces, such as shoulder, elbow, knee, hip, and back protectors, have been tested to absorb impact energy. Armor is tested separately under the EN 1621 standard.
- CE Level 2 – Highest protection. Level 2 armor is built to absorb the most impact.
- CE Level 1 – Moderate protection. Level 1 armor absorbs a moderate amount of impact.
Helmet Ratings
Motorcycle helmet safety ratings indicate how well a helmet has been tested to protect the rider's head during impact. These safety ratings measure impact absorption, penetration resistance, retention strength, and field of vision.
- DOT Standard (FMVSS 218) – The U.S. standard for helmets, testing impact absorption, penetration resistance, strap strength, and field of vision.
- ECE – An international standard from the UN Economic Commission for Europe, testing multiple impacts, angles, and strap/chin bar durability.
- Snell – A voluntary, rigorous standard for high-performance and racing helmets, testing higher-impact thresholds and repeated strikes.
Budget vs. Quality
Motorcycle gear is an investment in your safety. While cheaper, off-brand options may save money upfront, they often lack the testing and quality control needed to provide reliable protection. Choosing gear from a reputable manufacturer helps ensure it’s built and tested to perform in a crash. If you’re on a budget, look for trusted brands that offer apparel within your price range rather than sacrificing quality for cost.
What Motorcycle Gear is Best for What Type of Riding
Casual Street Riding
Casual street riding requires gear that balances comfort and protection. Look for breathable jackets with armor, gloves with reinforced palms, and riding shoes with reinforced soles that are also walkable
- Helmet — An essential for every ride. Full-face helmets offer the highest level of protection, while modular helmets are a popular option for casual riding thanks to their convenience. Their flip-up design allows you to easily switch from full-face to open when grabbing a quick drink, getting fresh air, or talking with another rider.
- Casual Riding Jacket and Pants — A comfortable riding jacket and pants help protect your skin from abrasion in the event of a crash. Some riders prefer armored hoodies and riding jeans for a more casual look, while others opt for lightweight textile jackets and pants that provide added protection without sacrificing comfort.
- Gloves — Gloves are a key piece of equipment that protect your hands in the event of a fall. Look for leather or abrasion-resistant synthetic materials, along with reinforced palms and knuckle protection for better impact and slide resistance.
- Riding Shoes or Boots — Many brands offer casual riding shoes styled like sneakers or everyday boots, but built with reinforced soles, toe boxes, and ankle protection. They provide important protection on the bike while remaining comfortable enough to walk in once you’re off it.
Track Riding/Racing
Unlike casual street gear, motorcycle gear for track riding and racing is designed to withstand crashes at much higher speeds, with advanced abrasion resistance and impact protection. Many tracks also require specific certifications, so it’s important to choose equipment designed specifically for high-performance riding.
- Helmet — A full-face helmet is required for track riding. Look for models that meet ECE or Snell certifications, which test impact absorption, penetration resistance, and strap retention.
- Racing Suit — Many tracks require a one-piece leather racing suit for track days and races. These suits provide maximum abrasion resistance and typically include CE Level 2 armor in key impact areas. If a one-piece suit isn’t within your budget, choose a AAA-rated jacket and pants designed for high-speed protection.
- Back Protector — A CE-rated back protector helps protect the spine and absorb impact energy during a crash. Most are lightweight, ventilated, and designed to fit comfortably under a racing suit. Many track organizations require riders to wear one.
- Racing Gloves — Racing gloves offer more protection than standard street gloves. Look for a full-gauntlet design, hard knuckle protection, palm sliders, and reinforced leather palms to help protect the hands and wrists.
- Track Racing Boots — Track boots are taller and more protective than casual riding boots, designed to safeguard the ankles, feet, and shins. They typically feature rigid ankle bracing systems, replaceable toe and heel sliders, heat-resistant soles, and reinforced toe boxes and heel cups for maximum support and protection.
Adventure/Off-Road Riding
Adventure riding gear is designed for long-distance comfort and versatility, while also offering protection for off-road conditions. It must shield you from rocks, branches, and other trail hazards while keeping you comfortable across changing temperatures and weather.
- Helmet — Adventure helmets blend features of street and dirt bike helmets. Look for a full-face design with an adjustable peak visor and ventilation for comfort on long trail rides.
- Goggles — If your helmet doesn’t have a visor, goggles are essential to protect your eyes from debris and dust. Choose goggles with ventilation ports to reduce fogging, and consider mirrored or interchangeable lenses for bright sunlight.
- Riding Jacket and Pants — Adventure jackets and pants are made from durable, weather-resistant materials and include armor in key impact areas, plus adjustable ventilation to regulate temperature on long rides.
- Armored Base Layers — Add chest and back armor under your kit for extra protection. These layers help shield vital organs in the event of a crash.
- Gloves — Off-road riding demands gloves that balance protection and dexterity. Look for models that offer solid protection while allowing full finger mobility for precise clutch and brake control.
- Adventure Riding Boots — Adventure boots provide dirt bike-style protection with reinforced toes, shin plates, and ankle support, plus grippy soles for off-road stability. Many include waterproof liners and secure buckles for long-ride comfort and protection.
Choosing the Right Gear
Choosing the right motorcycle gear goes beyond just picking products. It also means considering ride duration, time of day, and how weather conditions affect visibility and temperature during your ride.
Comfort, Mobility, and Layering
The longer you’re on your bike, the more comfort and mobility matter. Motorcycle apparel that fits well and allows a full range of motion helps you control the bike safely and ride longer without fatigue. Look for adjustable features, stretch panels, and lightweight materials that let you move freely without sacrificing protection.
Temperature also plays a big role in comfort and control, so layering is key for cold or changing conditions. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to regulate body temperature, add a thermal mid-layer when it’s chilly, and top it with rainproof gear. Keeping a packable windbreaker on hand is smart for sudden showers or gusty winds, helping you stay comfortable and protected on every ride.
How to Dress for Visibility
The time of day and weather conditions also have a big impact on your visibility, which is crucial for safe riding. Riding early in the morning, late in the evening, or in gloomy weather calls for extra precautions. Opt for light-colored jacket and pants with reflective panels on the back, chest, and arms to stay visible from every angle.
Your One-Stop-Shop for Quality Motorcycle Gear
Find motorcycle gear that delivers quality, comfort, and proven protection at Journey MotoGear, carefully curated for riders’ needs. Every product is handpicked based on personal experience, research, and customer feedback, so you can shop with confidence in the brands we offer.