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NEW RIDER GUIDE

Best motorcycle gear for beginners

Just passed your CBT, or about to? Here's the kit the UK's bike experts recommend for new riders, with today's cheapest price for each, checked around the clock across 7 shops.

Picks from MCN · BikeSocial · RideTo · Begin Motorcycling

HJC C10HelmetHJC C10£69.00Oxford Mondial Advanced JacketJacketOxford Mondial Advanced Jacket£199.99Oxford Mondial Advanced TrousersTrousersOxford Mondial Advanced Trousers£149.99Weise Street FightGlovesWeise Street Fight£54.99Richa Slick WaterproofBootsRicha Slick Waterproof£68.98
Full kit from£542.95today's cheapest UK prices

How much to budget

Rough starting prices from BikeSocial. Spend more on the helmet first, then the jacket.

Helmet
from £80
Jacket + trousers
from £150
Gloves
from £20
Boots
from £50

Not buying today? Join the Discord, pick your sizes, and we'll ping you when any of these drops in price.

Helmet

Spend the most here. Any helmet sold in the UK has to pass ECE testing; the SHARP rating (out of 5 stars) tells you how well it did in extra crash tests. Fit matters more than brand, so try sizes on in a shop if you can.

Also great

AGV K1 S

BikeSocial rated the AGV K1 for its wide visor and sporty shape. The K1 S is the current version.

Recommended by BikeSocial

£124.99£149.00 -16%cheapest at Moto CentralCompare prices

Jacket

Textile is the easy first choice: waterproof, warm with the liner in, and cheaper than leather. Look for a CE rating (A, AA or AAA) and armour in the shoulders and elbows. A back protector is often sold separately and is worth adding.

Also great

RST S1 Leather Jacket

MCN's pick if you want leather: AAA-rated with a sporty fit. It takes a while to break in, and the back protector is extra.

Recommended by MCN

£174.39£249.99 -30%cheapest at Moto CentralCompare prices

Trousers

Textile trousers that match your jacket keep you dry and armoured at the knees and hips. If you'd rather look normal off the bike, go for riding jeans rated AAA.

Gloves

If you'll ride all year, plan on two pairs: a light summer glove and a warm, waterproof winter one. Look for knuckle armour and a CE rating.

Boots

Full-height boots protect your ankles and shins best. Armoured riding shoes are a good middle ground if you mostly ride in town and want to walk around normally. Trainers aren't enough, and in the UK waterproof is worth paying for.

Before you buy

  1. 1

    Fit comes first

    A helmet should feel snug all round with no pressure points; jackets and trousers should keep the armour over your joints when you're in the riding position. Try things on in a shop if you can.

  2. 2

    Check the labels

    Clothing is CE-rated A, AA or AAA (AAA is the toughest). Helmets carry an ECE 22.06 label, and many have a SHARP crash-test score out of 5 stars.

  3. 3

    Add a back protector

    Most jackets come with a foam pad or an empty pocket where the back protector goes. A proper CE protector costs about £20 to £40 and is one of the cheapest upgrades you can make.

  4. 4

    Think about winter

    UK riding means rain and cold. Waterproof boots and a pair of winter gloves make the difference between riding all year and parking the bike in October.

Questions new riders ask

What gear do I need for my CBT?

By law you only need a helmet, but most training schools also ask for boots that cover your ankles, gloves and a sturdy jacket, and many lend helmets and jackets for the day. Check with your school before you buy.

Textile or leather?

For most new riders, textile: it's waterproof, warmer, cheaper and more comfortable for everyday riding. Leather gives the best abrasion protection and suits sporty bikes and track days, but it isn't waterproof.

Is cheap gear safe?

Anything with a CE label has passed the same lab tests for its level. Paying more usually gets you better comfort, waterproofing and durability rather than basic crash protection, so a well-fitting budget jacket beats a badly fitting expensive one.

When is gear cheapest?

Black Friday and the end-of-season sales in late summer and January are the big ones, but shops drop prices all year. Join our Discord, pick your sizes, and we'll ping you when any of these drops.

Get pinged the moment a deal lands in your size. Pick your products and sizes, and only hear about those.

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