Beginners guide to motorcycle clothing | How to choose your riding kit

If you're looking to buy your first set of motorcycle riding kit, or you want to know more about how to choose the best value and safest bike clothing to suit YOUR budget, this video takes you through choosing a motorbike helmet, jacket, trouser, gloves and boots.

00:00 Intro
02:20 Choosing the best motorcycle helmet for you
14:07 Picking a motorbike jacket
21:41 Getting the right bike gloves
25:46 Finding riding jeans that fit
31:32 Choosing the best motorcycle boots for you
34:10 What did Anthony choose?

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LET’S CONNECT!

[phillipdale]

I’m a bit surprised you’ve not mentioned the ability to be seen by colour choice ! Especially for a new rider, his choices are all dark, yes it is a personal choice.

[cp]

I took my daughter to sportsbikeshop in Milton Keynes last year to buy her first set of biking kit. The SBS store were very patient with us and just as helpful and supportive as they were in your video over a few hours. Their prices were very good too…..but it didn’t stop my daughter spending all my money with Shoei and Alpinestars😞😂😂😂

[grahamhiggins]

There’s a lot to be said for buying the best kit you can afford, if you’re going to aim for a full A licence. Saves you having to upgrade later as so many of us did, and paying twice.

[baconbiketours]

Good on him for buying good quality gear for a 125. Protection is still important regardless of the cc.

Only 2 points I would raise are all the kit is dark so poor visibility and a cheap waterproof oversuit is a must. Just because you don't plan to ride in the rain doesn't mean you won't.

But, I would agree you always get great customer service from sportsbikeshop compared to the other big chains.

[uiewgf]

Sophie is so amazing in this video. Informative, friendly, helpful, charismatic. This is exactly what new, or even old returning, buyers of motorcycle gear need. Though I do agree with other comments that visibility is a must, even if customers are always right in matters of taste.

[douglasradowick]

As a first time rider at 59 years of age. I agree: buy what you can afford, and, , upgrade as you're able. Don't skimp on the riding protection gear!🏍️🥰😇👍😎🇺🇸🦅 Doug

[cloud]

My kit as a new rider that I've been building and buying for roughly 2 months now -
Forma Adventure Low boots
Merlin Gable in Oxblood (absolutely incredible jacket)
SUMO Lee Parks Design gloves
AGV K6s helmet
Iron Workers Cargo pant
I've spent a lot of money - way more than $500...BUT...I plan on using my gear for literal years to come and it's some of the most protective out there. My opinion on gear - watch TONS of youtube videos and learn from 'those who have been there' like I did. I've saved so much money by NOT buying crap gear that it's allowed me to afford buying quality gear. If you can't afford a hospital stay then you better be able to afford decent gear.

[philatkinson]

I did the same yesterday, popped to their MK store. Spent a few hours getting fitted and trying on different sizes etc.
I bought AGV K5-S helmet, alpinestars leather jacket, jeans, gloves and boots.
Ordered all for home delivery, it's turned up today. Greet staff and great service

[davebethell]

Great content, hopefully this will help people narrow down the huge array of items on sale.
I've wasted a lot of money on kit over the years, as a general rule buy cheap buy twice, but I don't like being suckered in by 'fashion' brands which are expensive but without great quality.
Hopefully the below will help prevent someone making the same expensive mistakes I have.

I struggle to get the elbow armour to stay in place, and often rolls around my arm, so having the armour close to the body works far better for me. Which is why the Knox Urban Pro / Honister is an excellent solution.
Then if you want to add further abrasion resistant layers or waterproof layers over the top you can.
I really rate Knox items, as they are well made and well thought out.
If you buy the protective (AAA) Knox Honister, you can save money on the outer coat layer by buying a simple outdoor jacket (Berghaus, Craghoppers, etc) which will add some wind and rain protection. Overall this will be better value than buying a jacket for summer, and another for colder months.
A layering system is ideal to ensure you can adapt your riding gear for all year around.
I find leather is great at being protective, but doesn't work very well in our climate.

Generally I ride in jeans, but will only buy Hood, as these are well made and protective. Now available in AAA.

Then add waterproofs over the top if it's wet. Scott are fantastic.

Recently I have realised that the helmets I have worn are too large.
I know its a common mistake bikers make, so I would definitely recommend going into a store to try on.
I have along oval head shape, which means the majority of helmets don't work for me. So to get the correct depth of helmet (front to back) I bought a larger size, but this just creates too much space at the sides. I ended up with an Icon for £200, which replaces my £550 Shoei, and fits snuggly around the full circumference of my head.
The website Billys Crash Helmets is a great source of information regarding head shape. It helped point me in the direction of which manufacturers and models to look at.

Although I do advocate paying more usually means getting better kit, helmets are a tad different. For helmets it's really important that you don't go for a specific make or style. Even a well built quality lid won't much use if it doesn't fit correctly. You will be better off in a well fitting £100 item rather than a poor fitting £700 race rep helmet.

Buying protective kit is necessary. Buy the best gear you can afford, and hope you'll never need to rely on it.
Safe riding everyone.

[quacktac]

I've found that with a couple of exceptions, most gear shops are generally really helpful.

[HippoDrones]

This was a great video for new and more seasoned riders. Kit is often overlooked when getting started, and people spend all their funds on the bike, and have nothing left for kit. I love the SportsbikeShop, always get fantastic customer service and no pressure or upselling from the sales staff, and incredible stock.
I love that there is so much choice now with the more urban styled kit, it is so much more comfortable than leather or textile, and can offer good protection while looking great too.
When I started biking at 16yrs old back in 1991 buying kit wasn't an option, so I had a hand me down helmet from my dad that was from the 1960's, had a cork lining, some old firemans boots that were too big and gauntleted unlined leather gloves that were like funnels whenever it rained as the gauntlents would send all the water from the sleaves of my denim jacket into the gloves... Yet I still carried on riding! Hahaha...
Thankfully nowadays, I can afford some safer kit and have leathers and textiles for different riding, but mainly wear urban stuff on tarmac, at least when it is dry out.

[jamesgodden]

Great video as always. Love these kit focused videos. Been riding for nearly 20 years and in the beginning I'd just pick what (I thought) looked good and fitted my tiny budget! Nowadays knowing there's places like Sportsbikeshop and these Bikesocial vids really helps you make an informed purchase. Think I'll be visiting one of the branches in the spring to help me pick a new leather jacket ready for this year's TT!

Keep the quality coming!! Love it!

[petermartin]

As a MT bike rider taking first steps into motorised 2 wheels, this was incredibly helpful. Watched this twice and also the vid on jeans, keep up the excellent vids Bennetts

[AndyWWW]

My budget option choices in November 2023. HJC i90 helmet in white (148) which included the pinlock as i wear spectacles, rather than the MT i thought I wanted. Armr Moto Kiso textile jacket with white stripes(65), Armr Moto Tottorri textile trousers(40), Oxford Spartan gloves(20) and Richa Zenith boots(72). Total 345. All waterproof because November and UK. Jacket trousers and gloves from bricks and mortar bike shops selling on ebay, everything else from SBS. Also the HJC intercom (85) and Alpine Tour earplugs (15).

[garethstarkey]

I live in ireland and had some issues so I phone up and spoke to Sophie who was amazing and very helpful. I even got gear for my friend and wife and sportsbikeshop has been absolutely spot on.

[tracktime]

Bennetts bike social are really knocking it out the ball park!! some brilliant vids lately I'm impressed keep it up

[Kromhell]

After loosing a patella to mountainbiking, my first kit for motorcycling was the kind the teutonic knights would have had during the day 🤣🤣.
Long story short, full leathers with D3O and best boots and are ripping apart from how much riding I do, the rest is keeping in tip top shape, so buying good quality pays off in the long run...
A good helmet should be a must if you want to enjoy more the ride ... A 20-40 mph quiet helmet is going to feel like a jumbo jet engine at 120 mph ....

[Rickd-jhiw]

Maybe it depends on climate, but I would have opted for a textile jacket with a removable waterproof liner, for the versatility. Leather is heavy, hot in the summer, and useless in the rain. As a beginner a good textile with removable liner is lighter, cooler on hot days, better in the rain, and can be better in the cold with the liner and a sweater underneath. Leather can offer better protection at high speeds, but for around town riding, the textile is sufficient.

[davidbevan]

Excellent. I would love to see this type of content on a regular basis. Great job

[MrMickjbriggs]

Christ, when I started riding 33 years ago I had a hand me down helmet that didn't fit, a pair of work boots & that was it. Compared to what I wear these days I might as well have been naked. Good on him for starting out properly.