To fully enjoy your rides, invest in quality riding gear that will protect you in the case of a fall and let you have safe rides.

Essential Riding Gear for Safe Rides:

• Helmet: Helmets are of different types – full-face, half-face, flip-up and enduro. If you will be going on long rides a full-face helmet is advisable. A half-helmet, while protecting your head, will not provide any protection to your face. Here’s a good write-up on why one should choose a full-face helmet. Always check for DOT / ISI certification before buying a helmet.
• Riding Jacket: Riding jackets are made of Leather, Cordura, or Mesh and are designed specially for motorcycle riding. They include removable shoulder, elbow and back armours. Always ensure that you get jackets with good quality CE approved armour. The armour provides protection in the case of fall and the jacket material protects from abrasion.
• Riding Pants / Knee Guards: If you are not wearing riding pants, do wear knee guards to protect the knees and shin in the even of a fall. A lot of riding jacket brands have a set of riding jacket + pants that one can invest in.
• Riding Gloves: Riding gloves protect your hands and enables you to hold the handle bar better. Most riding gloves come with plastic protectors on the knuckles and some sort of leather / non-slip material padding on the palm. Riding gloves should be worn by pillion rider as well.
• Ankle-length Riding Boots: Ankle length boots are a must while riding. These protect from hurting the ankle at the time of a fall or even protect from spraining your ankle. Some good quality riding boots are available from various brands. One can think of investing in those too.

So that covers the essential riding gear that one must have at all times. Remember the adage “All The Gear, All The Time” (ATGATT) that experience bikers go by. Here’s some additional gear that one can have while riding to make your rides more comfortable.

Nice-to-have Riding Gear:

• Hydration Pack: Dehyration is biker’s enemy. Hydration packs carry water and can be worn as a back pack. A 2 litre hydration pack should be more than enough for most riders as it does not increase the weight on the back.
• Buff / Balaclava: Very useful in protecting from dust and wind blast at high speeds. Protects your nose from cold wind blasts while going on those early morning breakfast rides.

That’s it folks. Invest in these gear and make your riding trips comfortable and safe.

Ride hard, ride safe. Cheers!