Best learner motorcycle gear

We know that motorcycling is liberating; stimulating; exciting. And for riders of a certain age, getting your licence simply meant riding around the block and not knocking the examiner over when he sprang out from behind a tree to get you to do an emergency stop.

However, rightly or wrongly, nowadays getting your full bike licence is a lot harder. And while many will lament the cost and the time it takes, you cannot deny that by the time a rider is allowed to get on a big bike and ride, they have learned a huge amount and acquired essential skills before tackling the roads on their own.

That process begins with the CBT or Compulsory Basic Training. This isn’t a test as such – you don’t pass but achieve a level of competence to continue to the next stage of getting your licence.

However, depending on your age, you can happily ride up to a 125cc motorcycle with just a CBT to your name and without going any further. You just have to undertake the CBT training every two years and you can stay on 125s for as long as you like.

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The CBT comprises a morning of training in a safe environment – usually a car park – before an accompanied ride out on the roads. And while the training work is relatively low-speed and low-danger, the road ride presents just as many potential hazards as any other ride. So you need some riding kit to get you going.

At this stage, you may not want to invest in the most expensive kit as you may still decide it isn’t for you. However, hopefully – and like so many before you – you might and want to either carry on on smaller bikes or progress to get something larger and more interesting.

So here is a selection of essentials to get you going, whether you stick with just the CBT or develop further.

Smaller bikes are mostly plastic so magnetic plates won’t work but these self-adhesive ones will. And if they won’t stick, then you can tie them on using the holes.

Pros:

Super-cheap

Self-adhesive

Fit anywhere on bike

Cons:

Glue can leave a mark when removed

You’ll be wearing an earpiece to take directions from your instructor but these should cut down on the wind noise while allowing you to hear what they tell you and other traffic around you.

Pros:

Cheap

Easy to use

Come in holder

Cons:

Limited-use plastics

But for a starter, this one by Agrius is a great proposition. It is four-star rated by SHARP (the government testing and rating scheme) for safety, is comfortable and works well. It has acceptable venting, a drop-down sun visor and is Pinlock-ready. Pretty impressive for less than £60.

Pros:

Four SHARP stars for safety

Looks great

Comes in three colourways

Cons:

Pinlock insert is extra

It has a scattering of pockets around it for bits and bobs and has vents in the front to allow cooling air in if things get a little warm. It comes with Level-1 armour in the shoulders and elbows while a back protector is a £19.99 option.

Pros:

Stylish, urban cut

Decent protection

Good value

Cons:

May be too lightweight for colder weather

There is CE approved armour at the knees and padding at the hips and a couple of vents in case the weather warms up a little.

Pros:

Cordura outer

Reissa membrane

CE approved knee armour

Cons:

Only padding at hips

They get great reviews on Sportsbikeshop and are a good starter boot.

Pros:

Excellent online ratings

Proper CE-rated protection

Waterproof

Cons:

Not as protective as taller boots

These from RST are CE rated 1KP with carbon knuckle armour and padding on the fingers as well as on the heel of the palms, the typical ‘landing zone’. They are also waterproof, with RST’s SinAqua breathable membrane to keep your hands warm and dry.

Pros:

CE rated to 1KP

Hard knuckle armour and soft padding

Waterproof and breathable

Cons:

None we can think of

It uses a Cordura outer with a removable quilted thermal liner and a waterproof and breathable membrane. It has loads of adjustment and plenty of pockets.

Pros:

Full-length textile

Waterproof and breathable

Removable thermal liner

Cons:

No vents in case it gets warm

If the CBT is your first time on the road, it will prove invaluable to know what you’re going to be facing and begin learning about how to conduct yourself on the road.

Pros:

Available in a range of formats

The official rules of the road

Useful for new and experienced drivers

Cons:

Heavy-going

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