Two wheels move the soul

A Few Words About Motorcycle Gear

We mainly ride for touring, in various weather conditions and natural circumstances, which is why we opted for textile clothing. We've had both successful and less successful purchases, and our closet also includes leather elements for city rides.

After several years, we see that the basic mistake was buying clothes that were too big or in inappropriate colors (for our 'adventures'). What should you pay attention to when choosing motorcycle gear?

• First and foremost - safety. This means whether the jacket and pants feature durable construction, appropriate protectors, and reflective materials that ensure better visibility on the road.
• Secondly - comfort: whether the clothes fit well, whether leather or textile would be better, whether they have reinforcements in areas particularly prone to abrasion.
• Thirdly - functionality: in what weather conditions you plan to ride, whether you ride sportily or for touring, whether the clothes have ventilation zippers - which quickly improve air circulation on warmer days.

Safety

Most protectors are so-called foam ones - sold with clothing, they're just regular foam that will only protect you from sitting on a cold curb. Another type is hard protectors, which you'll most often find in sports leather gear, in armor and chest protectors designed for off-road and motocross.

The most popular are soft protectors, elastomers (e.g., Sas-Tec and D3O). Their outstanding advantage is that during normal use, they're soft like plasticine. However, during a sudden impact, they instantly harden, dispersing kinetic energy. It's a bit like an experiment with non-Newtonian fluid.

Comfort

Comfort in three words: fit, color, and material.

Check if the suit has adjustable circumference, protector height, suspenders - all to best fit the clothing to your body shape. Remember that if clothes are too loose, in case of a fall, the protectors won't stay in place, they'll shift, rotate, and won't serve their purpose.

Wondering which color to choose? Dark will make you look slimmer ;) and light will reflect sunlight. This is particularly important on warm and sunny days.

Leather or textile? Those focused on asphalt sports usually choose leather (it fits well to the body, resistant to long-term friction and tearing). Those focused on touring and long journeys opt for textile clothing.

Functionality

As grandma used to say - weather is treacherous, dress in layers.

We fully agree with this and recommend this principle to those who enjoy longer journeys. Often, on a beautiful sunny day, a dark cloud can surprise us, and we need to quickly put on liners.

Choosing the layering style - you'll buy one universal suit that, depending on whether you wear just the outer layer or the membrane and thermal liner, will work well in both summer season and at low temperatures.

Gloves and Boots

Boots are probably the easiest piece of gear to choose. The main decision I had to make was whether to go for high or low boots.

When trying on motorcycle gloves, remember to clench your hands as you do while riding. If you don't feel comfortable, it's not your size. If you buy too small, you'll feel discomfort around your nails. If you buy too large, excess material in the middle of your hand will cause calluses.

No Helmet, No Ride

Currently, I use the Arai Tour X4, which works well for both adventure and off-road riding: it has a detachable peak (I valued the same option in the Bell helmet). You can use it without a visor but with goggles or without the peak. It's very comfortable and provides good visibility. It's comfortable, well-fitted, and has super-efficient ventilation. Some ask if it isn't loud. Well, there are no quiet helmets. They're all loud, more or less.

Travel Essentials

Never Leave Without - What do we always carry with us? First, a first aid kit, second, tools, third, good mood - muaaaa ;)

Moto Compass - Beeline Moto - a pocket navigation device. It looks beautiful, I regret not having an unboxing video - because the manufacturer put effort into pleasant UX right from the unpacking level. As for functionality - for long journeys, I think Garmins work better, where you can see the map. Beeline is an alternative that's easy to install on the handlebar and only shows direction and the next maneuver.

The Art of Packing - Opinions are divided, some prefer hard cases, some textile bags. I'm in the second group. Why? Because they're lighter and safer in case of a fall.

Capturing Moments - You'll see more from a bird's eye view. For recording, I use DJI Mavic Air (its main advantage - small. Main disadvantage - battery) and GoPro Hero 7 - harness, crash bar mount, jaw mount - that's the basics. What doesn't work? Suction Cup. Additionally, I simply record with my phone - Google Pixel 4 XL.