If the car owner does not have to think long about what to wear on a trip, then for motorcyclists this question is of supreme importance. First of all, it applies to the lower part of clothing. We mean pants, of course. It’s clear that too slippery or tightening motorcycle pants will interfere with the handling of the bike. So, in addition to the responsible choice of a helmet, you should also carefully approaching choosing motorcycle pants. Well, picking up this accessory has a slew of nuances besides the size. So, let’s consider them in detail.

Key types of motorcycle pants

Perhaps, you think that this accessory is fairly universal for all bikers but it’s not so. Before you get down to choosing the best motorcycle pants of the right size for your fascination trips, you need to get familiar with the main types of them. As you might have already guessed, the main criterion of this classification is a material of which motorcycle pants are made.

Textile pants turn out to be the most common option for bikers. As a rule, they are made of cordura.

These motorcycle pants often come with pockets for built-in protection for the hips and knees. Recently, new textile motorcycle pants emulating jeans fabric have shown up in the market. Despite their casual look, they boast decent protective properties.

Another vivid representative of durable textile products for bikers are so-called enduro motorcycle pants used for various off-road trips. As a rule, they act as part of multilayer protection and are worn over knee braces. These motorcycle pants feature rubber inserts on the hips and knees in addition to suede pads on the inner surfaces of the lower leg. The given protection enables the biker to drastically reduce the wear rate of the pants, by simply generating greater friction in these places.

When cycling through various types of this bike accessory, don’t overlook anti-rain motorcycle pants. Well, it can be either part of the biker’s jumpsuit, or act as an independent element of clothing. Such rain protection for this accessory is made of a thin and waterproof material and worn over regular pants.

Chaps are another widespread type of this vital motorcycle accessory, the history of which brings us to Mexico. Mexican workers and shepherds were used to wearing chaps to protect their legs from prickly plants and dust. Later cowboys recognized the true value of those pants and started to wear them on a regular basis. Cowboys wore chaps not only to protect their legs from mechanical damage but also to considerably increase the service life of the pants over which they are put on.

The invention of Mexican workers was highly praised by modern bikers and now you have an excellent opportunity to purchase motorcycle pants with a very rich history. Just don’t forget to choose the right size.

Extra tips on choosing this accessory

Mind the size of your motorcycle pants. They should have sufficient length to reach your boots, even if the legs are bent at the knees.

The space around the upper part, hips, and waist should be optimal for a comfortable seat.

Regardless of size, really good motorcycle pants have the following distinctive features:
• Durable zipper;
• Internal lining;
• Knee protection;
• A comfortable belt;
• A durable, waterproof top layer;
• A large amount of material on the back of the pants (it should be enough to cover the back when riding the bike).

Unfortunately, regardless of whether a person is professionally engaged in motorcross or just likes to exhibit the very fact of his belonging to the motorcycle world, leg injuries are inevitable. Knees are the most vulnerable body parts here. Such injuries are always associated with expensive treatment and a fairly long recovery period. That’s why even the most experienced bikers prefer to use special motocross knee braces. In case of a road incident, these protective shields can help the owner of the bike to prevent joint displacement as well as other injuries.

However, it doesn’t mean that plastic protection is suitable for use. When choosing motocross knee braces, you need to pay attention to many nuances. First, let’s determine the best design.

Based on the preferred type of ride and the professional level of the biker, there are four categories of motocross knee braces.

Pads for newcomers

These are the simplest and cheapest pads. Unfortunately, it results in their awfully low durability and reliability. Avoid buying this stuff, just following the principle “it’s better than nothing.” These motocross knee braces can let you down at any time.

Semi-professional pads

These pads provide fairly sufficient protection. As a rule, these are hinged motocross knee braces (the hinges are plastic here). They are sold both in pairs and separately. Moreover, they often differ for the left and right legs.
Professional motocross knee braces

These pads feature a more complex and well-thought-out design. In this case, hinges are made of light aluminum or carbon fiber used in aircraft construction. More elastic parts of knee braces are made of heat-resistant plastic, which ensures the highest level of protection.

The best motocross knee braces stabilize the knee joints, thus preventing them from twisting, over-stretching and other hazards. Such models are usually sold individually. They differ for the left and right knees. The best producers of professional motocross knee braces include such brands as FoxPod, Oneal, Evs, and Alpinestars.

Road pads

Such motocross knee braces stand out from others. They are primarily utilized when driving down an asphalt road surface. As for the key design features of these motocross knee braces, we should note their durable material - refractory plastic. Besides this, they are fairly compact, so bikers can wear them under their trousers.

These knee braces are fastened with three straps, one of which is located above the knee joint, on the biker's thigh. As for the remaining two fasteners, they fix the protective equipment on the calf muscle.

When talking about hinged knee braces, they can generate a number of inconveniences for city use. Well, if you put on such pads under your pants, then they will constantly wrap up and wrinkle. Therefore, you’d better opt for standard knee braces made of more durable material.

Finally, you need to pay attention to the substrate of the knee braces you are interested in. Earlier, soft EVE foam was considered the most reliable material. However, today, it has been replaced by more modern SAIF, D3O as well as Forcefield compounds. These materials are capable of absorbing up to 90% of shock loads, thus drastically increasing the overall reliability of your knee braces.

Needless to say, a motorcycle jacket appears to be an essential component of every biker’s gear. It’s because it protects the greater part of your body when riding a bike. Respectively, to pick up the best motorcycle jacket, aside from knowing the right size, you should also be aware of all key types of this accessory.

Tourist textile motorcycle jacket

This textile fairly long clothing provides maximum comfort when traveling long distances.

As a rule, all textile jackets are made of polyester 600D. The given material does not get wet with light rain. On the other hand, this motorcycle jacket is unable to withstand heavy rainfall.

The given material is quite resistant to abrasion. So, if you occasionally find yourself on the asphalt, it won’t be erased.

In these jackets, moisture protection is given the top priority. A moisture-proof and simultaneously breathable membrane is sewn inside the jacket. To successfully withstand all the weather challenges on your way, you can take advantage of a removable insulated lining that can be easily removed if it's hot.
A typical tourist jacket comes with ventilation valves in front and behind. Unfortunately, such jackets can’t ensure sufficient protection of your spine.

Textile city motorcycle jacket

Compared to the tourist one, it’s smaller. It covers the biker’s body to the waist. The functionality is nearly the same as that of the tourist ones. However, here you will have fewer pockets and more sports attributes.

It’s also made of 600D polyester. It also comes with the same membrane, removable insulated liner, built-in protection, ventilation valves.

Textile summer mesh jacket

Unlike the first two, this one doesn’t ensure protection against weather challenges. In particular, it applies to the shoulders, arms, and back. Accordingly, you’ll inevitably get wet in the rainy weather. The given type of motorcycle clothing is designed for hot weather.

Armored motorcycle jacket

That’s the most reliable element of bike protection. If you opt for it, then your elbows, back, and chest will be reliably protected.

Unlike a textile jacket, a leather one is stronger and more reliable and safer when the biker falls on the ground. If you fall being dressed in this stuff, you’ll just end up with minor scuffs.

The leather jacket is fairly warm, despite the fact that it comes with ventilation valves. However, if you reside in a hot country, you’d better opt for a textile motorcycle accessory.

Classic leather motorcycle jacket

The design of this clothing is close to everyday style. It boasts comfortable fit. You can wear this clothing when riding a classic motorcycle or chopper. These perforated jackets come with reliable protection for the back, shoulders, elbows. If you reside in southern regions, you won’t feel any discomfort wearing this stuff.

Sports leather motorcycle jacket

It’s opposite to the classic one. When buying a sports bike jacket, it’s crucial to consider that it fits like your second skin. The given clothing provides the maximum level of protection. Your shoulders and elbows will be reliably protected by metal or plastic inserts. Finally, a sports leather motorcycle jacket features a waterproof breathable membrane.

Extra tips

Take into account these nuances before purchasing this stuff:
• Make sure it’s fairly comfortable and doesn’t constrain movements.
• Ensure it’s durable enough.
• Make sure that protective inserts are reliably attached to it.

Choosing the right size for your bike jacket

In order to find out the size of this clothing, you need to measure it. To be exact, you should measure your waist, chest, and arm. With these measurements at hand, it won’t be a problem to choose the proper size of a bike jacket.