Choosing the right motorcycle gear: a guide for every biker

"Motorcycle gear" isn't one specification — a jacket built for a daily city commute and one built for a track day solve completely different problems. Before locking a spec for your own range, it's worth being clear on which rider you're actually building for.

Commuter riders

Stop-start city riding means shorter exposure to high-speed impact but constant exposure to weather and low-speed drops. The priority here is a lighter shell (mesh or mid-weight textile), packability for riders who carry the jacket off the bike, and reliable weatherproofing over maximum abrasion rating. CE Level 1 armour at the shoulders and elbows is usually the right balance of protection and everyday comfort.

Adventure and touring riders

Hours in the saddle across changing conditions shift the spec toward venting that actually opens and closes, a genuine waterproof-breathable membrane rather than a coated liner, and load-bearing pockets that hold their shape over a full day. Comfort over distance matters as much as peak abrasion resistance — a jacket that's technically stronger but unbearable after three hours doesn't get worn.

Track and race riders

This is the one category where nothing is traded for comfort. Full leather construction, CE Level 2 armour at every impact point, an aggressive race-cut fit with no excess fabric to catch, and reinforced stitching throughout — the assumption built into the spec is that the garment will be tested at speed, not just worn.

If you're not sure which category your buyers actually fall into, that's the first thing we work through before drafting a tech pack — the wrong spec for the wrong rider is the most common reason a first production run doesn't sell through.