New rider? Here is exactly what to buy first

Stop overthinking it

Walk into any moto shop or open any website and the choices are paralyzing. Hundreds of helmets, dozens of jacket styles, a wall of gloves. New riders freeze, then either overspend or buy nothing.

Here is the cure. Buy these items, in this priority order. You do not need everything at once, but you do need them before you ride hard.

The non negotiable five

These five pieces are the minimum to ride protected. Buy them before anything else.

1. 01Helmet. A full face with DOT and ECE certification. Number one priority, always. Your skull does not heal like skin.
2. 02Gloves. Full gauntlet with knuckle and palm protection. Cheap insurance for the first thing that hits the ground.
3. 03Jacket. Textile or leather with CE armour at the shoulders and elbows. Back protector pocket is a must.
4. 04Pants. Riding jeans with armour or textile overpants. Not regular denim, ever.
5. 05Boots. Over the ankle with a stiff sole and oil resistance. Ankles break easily and heal slowly.

If you only have money for one thing today, buy the helmet. If you have money for two, add gloves. Build the rest as your budget allows, but do not ride fast or far until all five are covered.

The smart extras

Once the core five are sorted, these make riding safer and far more pleasant.

• A back protector insert if your jacket only came with a foam pad. Upgrade to a CE Level 2 insert.
• Earplugs. Wind noise at highway speed permanently damages hearing and exhausts you. Cheap, disposable, essential.
• A clear and a tinted visor so you are covered day and night.
• Rain gear or a jacket with a waterproof liner. Canadian weather turns fast.

What you do not need yet

Save your money. Skip these until you actually know you need them.

• A second bike specific jacket for fashion reasons.
• A premium intercom system before you have riding buddies to talk to.
• Heated gear, unless you are committed to riding cold shoulder seasons.
• A race replica helmet at triple the price of a safe mid tier one.

Buy for fit, not for the photo

The best gear is the gear that fits you. Armour that sits on your actual joints, a helmet snug on your cheeks, gloves you can still work the controls in. Fit beats brand every time.

Not sure where to start? Our team fits new riders every week and will walk you through the five essentials without upselling you junk. Browse the essentials in our store or come in for a proper fitting.