The New Rider Chronicles: Getting Geared Up
So you got your motorcycle license, now what?
I’m sure you’re itching to get out and ride, but a responsible rider knows you can’t just go hit the highway without a care in the world. Safety is essential as a motorcyclist, and safety starts with the right gear.
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Let’s be real, as a female in a male-dominated sport, our options for gear are limited. Add in the challenge of finding safe apparel in the correct size, and online shopping can easily become a nightmare for any new rider. With the cost of quality and safety coming with a higher price tag than your average pair of jeans, it became clear early on that I’d have to find my first round of gear offline to ensure I was getting the perfect fit.
Luckily, a cool part about working for Cycle Trader is that sometimes you get to attend events like AIMExpo, a major motorcycle trade show with hundreds of vendors all under one roof. While AIMExpo is focused on connecting powersports dealers and manufacturers, exhibitors use the show to unveil some of the newest motorcycle products and innovations of the year. Which means that this year, I got a backstage pass to try on some of the latest gear to hit the market.
Roaming the show floor, my mission was clear: try as many different apparel products and brands as possible. Building a motorcycle wardrobe from scratch is no easy task. I had a long list of items to acquire before getting in the saddle, but a riding jacket was my number one priority. I knew there was a safe jacket out there that would complement my personality as a rider, and if I was going to find the right fit anywhere, it was going to be at AIM.
And like magic, that’s when I stumbled across GunsWear, a French-based vintage motorcycle brand that balances style with comfort and protection. After countless hours of scouring the internet, I’d yet to come across a jacket that felt like “me,” but finally, here was a fashionable statement jacket I could wear on and off the bike. Not only did it make me look the part, it had a perfect fit that made me feel like a true, confident motorcyclist. I’m pretty sure I instantly became GunsWear’s number one fan, not only for their quality European fit, but their one-of-a-kind unique style. And trust me when I say, GunsWear gear isn’t just for the ladies, my boyfriend liked the style so much, he ended up purchasing a jacket, too.
At the end of the show, I’d lucked out with the jacket of my dreams, but I still needed gloves, pants, and boots before I’d feel comfortable on the road. Craving that in-store shopping experience, it was suggested I check out Cycle Gear. Like a kid in a candy store, I was amazed by Cycle Gear’s impressive selection with everything from apparel to accessories, parts, and even tires. Not to mention, their staff was awesome in pointing me in the right direction, even though I had no clue which direction that was. After trying on nearly every item they had to offer, I finally walked away with a full motorcycle wardrobe.
As simple as it sounds, gear shopping isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience and finding the right gear will take some time. What starts out as a fun exercise in shopping for stylish gear can quickly transform into a rabbit hole of options to consider if you haven’t done your homework. So here are my top gear tips to help make your gear shopping experience a breeze:
Gear Tip 1: Prioritize your shopping list.
Every rider should have a good helmet, jacket, pants, shoes, and gloves in their closet, but if you’re starting from scratch, these items can add up quickly. With some of these protective items on the pricier side, prioritize the essential items you need before you can safely get on the road.
Gear Tip 2: Understand your riding needs.
Ask yourself what type of riding you will do most often. Off-road or on-road? Winter riding or summer riding? Long trips or short commutes? Depending on your answers, you may need apparel with more comfort or more protection. For example, if you’re going to be riding in the summer, you may want to opt for a lighter, breathable material, like textile fabric as opposed to heavy leather.
Gear Tip 3: Consider CE gear ratings.
While shopping for gear you may notice a CE rating on the product tag, which indicates that the gear meets European safety standards. The use of CE-approved gear has been unofficially adopted in the U.S., however, CE-gear is not required by law, and apparel brands not selling in the European market may lack these CE-ratings. All CE-approved apparel items are rated on a class scale of “C” through “AAA,” where class C represents the minimum safety requirements and class AAA indicates maximum impact and abrasion protection. All CE-approved armor items, such as knee and elbow pads, are rated as either Level 1 or Level 2, with Level 2 being the maximum protection for impact absorption.
Gear Tip 4: Test multiple gear brands.
Finding the right fit means comfort, and when you’re comfortable, you operate your motorcycle more efficiently. Poor fitting apparel, like loose gloves, can stop you from doing simple things like using your turn signal, or more important things like braking. Trying multiple options in person before buying online can help you find the exact sizes you need to stay safe. While you may not have all-access to an industry trade show, you can do a quick online search to find a list of local motorcycle dealers to try on gear, or consider starting at one of Cycle Gear’s 160 locations for all types of riding apparel. With your sizing and preferred brands figured out, you can confidently purchase gear from anywhere.
Now that you know about the gear you need to ride, learn more about beginner motorcycles in the next part of our New Rider Chronicles: Trying & Buying ‘Cycles.
You can find the nation’s largest selection of new and pre-owned bikes for sale on our online marketplace at CycleTrader.com.
Destinee Cyr
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