Top pick
Bell Bullitt
The original retro full-face. Visordown found it quiet, comfortable and stylish, if pricey for the spec, and Auto Trader includes it in its café racer gear guide.
Recommended by Auto TraderRead the Visordown review ↗
Helmet
A retro full-face gives you the classic look and a chin bar. Open-face helmets look the part too, but leave your face and jaw exposed, so all three picks here are full-face.
Also great
Shoei Glamster 06
A compact retro full-face that scored the full 5 stars in SHARP, the government's crash tests.
Also great
HJC V10
MCN rates it as a retro-styled lid with the comfort and practicality of a sports-touring helmet, for a lot less than the big names.
Jacket
Wax cotton is the classic café look and copes with British weather; leather gives the best protection in a slide. Most retro jackets don't come with a back protector, so budget for one.
Top pick
Oxford Hardy 2.0 Wax Jacket
MCN gave it 5 stars: a proper wax-cotton jacket, rated AA, that works for pub runs and commuting alike. The back protector is extra.
Also great
RST Brixton Jacket
Wax-cotton style with Kevlar inside. Modern Classic Bikes praised the build quality for the money and found it cool enough for summer; the back protector is extra.
Also great
Richa Scrambler 2 Jacket
MCN gave the original Scrambler 5 stars for quality and value after 12,000 miles in everything from heatwaves to snow. The Scrambler 2 is its replacement.
Jeans
Riding jeans are the obvious choice. Check the CE rating on the label: AAA is the toughest, A the most basic.
Top pick
Spada Ronin Jeans
Rated AAA, the top level, in raw indigo denim. MCN called them stylish, well built and fair value; check the size guide, as fit varies.
Also great
RST Tapered-Fit CE Jeans
Slim-fit Kevlar jeans rated AA. Modern Classic Bikes found them comfortable and convincing as everyday denim, with armour that isn't bulky.
Also great
Richa Hammer 2 Jeans
The budget pair. BikeSocial called them a bargain and comfy all day; they're CE-rated A, the entry level, so best for town riding.
Gloves
Short-cuff leather gloves are the café racer classic. They're best for summer and town riding, as the short cuff protects your wrist less than a full gauntlet.
Top pick
Furygan TD Vintage D3O
Soft buffalo leather with D3O knuckle protection. BikeSocial rated them a good summer glove for the look and the fit.
Also great
Furygan James D3O
BikeSocial's tester kept coming back to these: stylish, comfortable and secure, with a D3O knuckle insert. The short cuff limits protection.
Also great
Spada Wyatt Gloves
The budget pair, around £35. BikeSocial called them great value with real knuckle armour, even if the finish feels basic.
Boots
Retro boots and riding shoes look normal off the bike but hide armour at the toe, heel and ankle. They protect less than full sports boots, so they suit town and B-road riding best.
Top pick
DXR Hinckley
MCN's tester did 2,500 miles on a Ducati Scrambler in them and gave 5/5 for quality and value: retro looks, laces plus a side zip, and far more protection than casual boots.
Also great
Alpinestars J-6 Waterproof
Armoured riding shoes that pass for trainers. BikeSocial's tester wore them on and off the bike every day; less protection than a full boot, but far more than normal shoes.
Before you buy
- 1
Look for the CE label
Retro gear hides its armour well, so check the label: jackets, jeans and gloves should be CE-rated, and helmets need an ECE 22.06 sticker.
- 2
Add a back protector
Most retro jackets have an empty back-protector pocket. A CE protector costs about £20 to £40 and slots straight in.
- 3
Look after wax cotton
Wax jackets shed rain because of the wax. Re-wax them every season or two to keep them working.
- 4
Size jeans carefully
Riding jeans fit differently from normal ones, and the knee armour needs to sit on your knee when you're seated. Check the size guide and the returns policy.
Café racer gear questions
Are open-face helmets safe?
They pass the same ECE tests, but they leave your chin and face uncovered, and the chin is one of the areas most often hit in a crash. A retro full-face like the ones above gives you the look with a chin bar.
Is wax cotton waterproof?
It's water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, and keeps out most showers while the wax is fresh. Some wax jackets add a waterproof membrane inside for proper rain.
Are riding jeans as safe as leathers?
No. Even AAA-rated jeans give less slide protection than leather, but they're far better than normal denim and fine for most road riding. Check the CE rating on the label.
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.
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