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WHAT MOTORBIKE EQUIPMENT SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Tips and advice motorbike

When you ride a motorbike or scooter, your body is immediately exposed in the event of an accident or fall. No matter how much previous experience you have, you’re still at risk. And because it's better to be safe than sorry, your motorbike equipment and clothing must be chosen with care to protect you as much as possible. But how can you make the right choice? Our guide is here to help you.

Protection… and comfort

These two considerations go hand in hand when it comes to getting on your bike with total peace of mind. While protecting your body is a key concern (and we'll look at this point in more detail later), your comfort doesn't have to suffer as a result.

Choosing your motorbike equipment can also be determined by the natural elements you'll be exposed to (the cold, heat, wind, rain, etc.) and your level of comfort (number of pockets, adjustment straps, removable hood, different protective positions, etc.), depending on how you use your motorbike.

Basic equipment

There are now many possible combinations of motorbike equipment and clothing, as we'll see below, and your choice will become increasingly refined with experience. But it's still important to know what basic motorbike equipment you need to protect yourself in the event of an accident.

All bikers should wear this equipment, adapted to their riding needs:

  • An approved helmet (compulsory): see our guide to choosing a helmet
  • Approved gloves (compulsory in some countries)
  • Approved shoes or boots
  • Approved trousers with knee and hip protectors
  • An approved jacket with elbow and shoulder protection
  • Back protection (which can be integrated into a jacket, or worn underneath)
     

Your motorbike equipment must meet both protection standards and the requirements of your riding. Standards are in place to ensure that motorbike clothing and equipment are suitable for their intended use.

How should you choose your motorbike equipment?

There are many different types, depending primarily on how you use your motorbike and the level of protection you want. That's why it's a good idea to start by thinking how you're going to use it.

Motorbike equipment by use

For racing/circuits

For this type of activity, we recommend a level 2 racing back protector with shoulder straps and a level 2 chest protector.

You can also opt for a full leather suit or a jacket/trouser combo that can be zipped together at the waist, and a pair of racing boots with anti-torsion ankle reinforcements.

And to complete your motorbike equipment, choose gloves with long cuffs for extra support in the event of a fall, which are also ergonomically designed to give you a good feel for the controls. 

For touring/adventure:

For touring, versatility is essential. For your motorbike gear, we recommend an 'adventure' outfit consisting of trousers and a jacket, or a 3-layer laminate jacket if you have the budget, because it's lighter, more versatile and more comfortable. Another alternative is multi-layer "three-in-ones" to provide the best possible protection against climatic variations. Or the more affordable 'two-in-one' Adventure combo, which is also designed for practical use.

For urban/daily trips:

If you use your motorbike or scooter for urban trips, you've probably already realised that riding a 2-wheeled vehicle on a daily basis has many benefits: you can travel faster and avoid traffic jams, you produce less pollution than you would if you were driving a car, you take up less road space and it's easier to park. Many people buy a scooter precisely for these reasons, and not necessarily because they enjoy the thrill of two wheels.

Nevertheless, the risk of accidents is still a reality in urban areas, and it's important to have the right protective equipment, whether you're riding a scooter or a motorbike, even for short trips.

For urban travel, your needs may vary depending on your profession. If you're meeting clients, for example, you might prefer a discreet approach that doesn't make you look like a stereotypical biker in boots and leather. These days, it's possible to wear stylish or subtle motorbike gear while still enjoying a very high level of protection.

On the other hand, if your job doesn't restrict the way you dress, you can focus on style by coordinating with the colours of your two-wheeler and maximising your comfort.

Your choice of motorbike equipment may also depend on whether you ride at other times apart from your daily commute, especially for pleasure, as we'll see below.

For recreational/leisure purposes

For this type of use, versatility in response to climatic conditions is of less importance. If you only ride a motorbike for pleasure, such as weekend outings with friends, you may not be looking for waterproof motorbike equipment because it's no fun and potentially more risky to ride in the rain. If it’s wet weather, your planned trip can be postponed to another date. As part of the basic motorbike equipment listed above, you can opt for a leather jacket that's a little sporty and, more importantly, very comfortable.

The airbag: an essential extra that can save lives

Although an airbag doesn't replace the motorbike equipment mentioned above, it does provide effective additional protection. And there’s another major advantage to it: it can be worn underneath clothing. This means its invisibility may appeal to many two-wheeler enthusiasts, including scooter and motorbike riders who commute to work every day.

Original airbag technology was based on a cable attached to the motorbike. When the cable is stretched during a fall, it releases the opening to protect the rider. However, there are limits to this technology, particularly when the accident occurs without the motorcyclist being separated from their bike.

But the development of airbags for two-wheeled vehicles has made huge strides since its invention, in particular with technology that can be adapted to a variety of different disciplines, including racing.

How does it work?

The airbag vest is worn under your jacket or integrated directly into it. A gas-generating cartridge is connected to the airbag and, for the most advanced models, to an electronic box containing algorithms that use sensors to detect any abnormal movement of your body. Thanks to this system, the airbag pocket is usually inflated before impact, even when the rider falls over without being separated from the motorbike.

This type of airbag mainly protects the most vital areas: the chest, abdomen, neck and back, until the arrival of the emergency services.

Conclusion

It's obviously difficult to give precise advice on your motorbike equipment without knowing your specific needs and expectations. But the information and advice provided above may have given you a clearer picture of the options available that might be right for you. Talking to a motorbike equipment professional will allow you to narrow down your choice even further.

Don't forget that your safety on the road also depends on the performance of your tyres. Always make sure they are in good condition and inflated to the correct pressure.

Article written with the technical support of FURYGAN. 

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