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).

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.

Before you start choosing moto gloves of the right size and according to your preferences, get familiar with the most common types of this accessory.

There are the following major types of motorcycle gloves:

Textile: They are versatile and comfortable. They are made of durable textiles. They can be either very light for hot weather, or have a warm lining and a waterproof membrane.

Leather: They are made of durable leather. These motorcycle gloves are resistant to abrasion and tear, thus ensuring the highest level of safety.

Combined: These motorcycle gloves combine the best characteristics of leather and textile ones. Genuine leather inserts provide sufficient strength and durability, while textile inserts ensure excellent ventilation.

Motorcycle gloves: types of use

Here above we’ve just mentioned the basic types of this accessory. However, it’s not the only classification of motorcycle gloves. Besides the size and material, we should also consider their use.

Sports motorcycle gloves

As a rule, they are made of leather due to its resistance to abrasion and have many plastic protection elements in the most vulnerable areas. They effectively protect the wrists, palms, and knuckles thanks to the protective inserts.

The ring finger and little finger in these bike gloves are often sewn together for greater reliability. They ensure great safety but you should pay for this by the lack of comfort.

Tourist motorcycle gloves

They are made of leather, textile or combined materials. Such gloves are comfortable in any weather thanks to a waterproof breathable membrane such as Gore-Tex, Drystar or similar. Some models feature a removable warm lining, expanding the temperature range of their use from cool spring and autumn to hot mid-summer.

Motocross and enduro motorcycle gloves

Motorcross gloves are fairly comfortable. They are often made from suede and other materials. Ensuring great ease of handling, they don’t protect against damage.

On the contrary, made of dense fabric and leather, enduro bike gloves outperform motocross ones in terms of protection. Special attention is given to knuckle protection.

How to choose the right size

Of course, when choosing bike gloves, it’s crucial to choose the proper size. For this purpose, you require measuring the widest part of the palm at the base of your thumb. Thus, you will find out the exact size of your motorcycle gloves. With this knowledge, it will be much easier to choose the accessory fitting your arms.

Bike gloves care

Motorcycle gloves should be washed on a regular basis. Constant pollution leads to their rapid wear and tear. You require washing them carefully. Avoid twisting the wet glove because it can tear. Instead, you’d better soak it in a soap solution. After that, wash the dirt off the outside of the glove under the running water. Wash the inside with hands in the same solution.

Extra tips on choosing bike gloves
• To prevent fingers from freezing, pay attention to the quality of the seams. High-quality bike gloves have double seams.
• The presence of a cuff will be a great advantage when used in cold weather.
• Gloves should be reliably fixed on the hand. They shouldn’t be loose.
• If you are looking for the most versatile gloves, consider those in which the lining is removed. It’s very convenient to remove it in hot weather or for washing. Needless to say, it greatly increases the seasonality of their use.
• Put them on to assess how comfortable. The fingers should have the proper length. They shouldn’t restrict handling. Otherwise, it can provoke a road incident.