Staying safe on your bike doesn’t always mean getting trussed up in a leather suit and spending thousands of pounds. In fact, there is a huge amount of entry to mid-level riding kit out there that’s still perfectly safe and and won’t break the bank.
Here is a collection of perfect starter kit in three different styles, cool and urban casual kit for under £500, a touring or all weather option for under £600 and finally a £1500 outfit that gives the best protection for your buck in 2023.
Best casual riding kit for new riders
Casual riding kit can be a perfect option for nipping to work or college as you won’t always need to get changed when you arrive. Modern riding jeans and urban riding boots look increasingly like normal jeans and boots but with the added benefit of CE ratings.
This outfit is an example of what you could choose and comes in at less than £500 for the whole lot from Sportsbike Shop, too!
1. HJC C10
Best urban motorbike helmet for new riders
Description
This motorcycle helmet
Pros
- Brilliant value
- Very quiet
- Comfortable
- Good ventilation
Cons
- Stiff visor mechanism
2. Weise Stealth hoodie
Best casual style riding jacket for new riders
Description
This [casual style motorbike
Pros
- Casual looking
- Comfortable
Cons
- No weather protection
3. RST Roadster 3
Best motorbike gloves for new riders
Description
These are [summer
Pros
- Great for summer
- Double layer in impact areas
Cons
- Not waterproof or thermal
4. Oxford Original Approved AA Denim Riding Jeans
Best jeans for new riders
Description
Looking and feeling just like fashion jeans, [protective motorcycling
Pros
- Single layer
- AA-rated
- Look great
- Comfortable
Cons
- Some other jeans are AAA-rated
5. DXR Hinckley WP
Best urban boots for new riders
Description
A great choice if you want [urban biking
Pros
- Look like normal boots
- Waterproof
Cons
- Not as good for protection as full boots
Touring or all-weather riding kit for new riders
Not all riders wheel their bikes out on sunny days. Whether you’re a year-round commuter, an intrepid bike tourer or a Deliveroo rider, kit that keeps you warm and dry is an absolute must.
This set will do the trick for less than £600 all in, which is incredible when you consider that top-end textile jackets can run to £1500 on their own.
6. Caberg Tourmax X
Best adventure helmet for new riders
Description
New for 2023, this Caberg also meets the very latest safety standard. It’s known as a [flip-front
Pros
- Convenience of flip front design
- Internal sun visor and peak
- Pinlock included
Cons
- Not the coolest-looking
7. Oxford Hinterland
Best touring jacket for new riders
Description
Bike kit is made from abrasion-proof materials and armour to protect you, but it also has a more
Pros
- Laminated textile
- AA-rated
- Great value
- Removeable thermal liner
Cons
- No back protector included
8. DXR Gentle Leather
Best touring gloves for new riders
Description
When you’re riding in all weathers, opt for a pair of [three-season
Pros
- Waterproof
- Thermal properties
Cons
- Not quite enough for proper winter riding
9. RST S-1 textile
Best touring trousers for new riders
Description
If you’re riding in cooler, potentially wet, conditions you’ll need trousers that provide a little
Pros
- AA-rated
- Waterproof
- Removeable thermal lining
Cons
- Not the best looking
10. Richa Flare WP
Best touring boots for new riders
Description
[Boots intended for
Pros
- Waterproof and breathable
- Comfortable yet protective
Cons
- There are more protective options out there
Best sportsbike kit for new riders
Being a new rider doesn’t always mean life at 15bhp. If you’re over 24 and you’ve taken a full licence, or even if you’re planning some trackdays on your A2 legal sportsbike, you’ll want to consider some proper leathers.
This outfit comes in at under £1200 (or under £900 if you opt to forgo the airbag vest) but will keep you safe on any Sunday blast or track session.
11. Shoei NXR 2
Best sportsbike helmet for new riders
Description
Japanese [motorbike
Pros
- Great value
- Top safety levels
Cons
- There are more 'entry level' options out there
12. RST S-1 two-piece suit
Best two-piece leathers for new riders
Description
For the ultimate in abrasion protection, there’s no better material than leather. Although it’s
Pros
- Maximum abrasion protection
- More convenient than a one-piece
Cons
- No weather protection
13. Held Air 'n' Dry
Best sportsbike gloves for new riders
Description
Family-run German company, Held pioneered [motorcycle
Pros
- Two-chamber design for all-round use
- Breezy side cool and great feel
- Dry side completely dry with Gore-Tex membrane
Cons
- Two chambers fit differently
14. Daytona Strive GTX
Best sportsbike boots for new riders
Description
Handmade in Germany from leather and featuring internal armour and Gore-Tex, these [sporty
Pros
- Excellent protection
- Waterproof
Cons
- There are more exciting designs out there
15. Klim Ai-1
Best airbag vest for new riders
Description
[Airbag
Pros
- Added crash protection
- Can be worn under any jacket
Cons
- Requires a subscription
Things to keep in mind
There’s plenty of tempting offers online for riding kit but just remember that if there’s no mention of CE ratings then steer clear.
The same thing goes for counterfeit kit, too, if you find a brand-new piece of the latest kit from a top brand for peanuts on a random eBay account then probably give that a swerve, too. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
And finally, watch out for some unscrupulous sellers who list the CE abrasion rating of the fabric used for a garment but not for the garment overall. This means that the stitching, seams and fasteners haven’t been tested and they may fail when you need them the most.