There is a vast range of bike clothing for sale and it is your personal preference on what you want to wear.  By law a fastened motorbike helmet  is all you need to ride your bike. That being said we would recommend you buy at least a helmet, motorbike jacket, motorbike gloves, sturdy non holed jeans and sturdy boots as your minimum, the prices of which can range greatly. If the unexpected does occur and you have a fall from your bike your clothing is your only protection from the road. Therefore buying the correct gear is extremely important. 

We have a minimum clothing requirement in order for you to take part in training with us:

• Road legal helmet
• Sturdy foot wear with ankle protection that can't be slipped off (hiking boot) or bike boots
• Non holed thick jeans/heavy work trousers or bike trousers
• A motorbike jacket
• Motorbike gloves

If you do not have your own motorbike helmet, jacket, or gloves we can provide these for your training, but would need prior notice to do so. You will also need to fill out an additional disclaimer on your training day in order to borrow our protective clothing. We do not supply any bottom half equipment. You will be unable to train with us if you turn up improperly dressed and will forfeit your deposit for that days training. For your own comfort if you have wired earphones with a 3.5mm mini jack, it would be helpful to bring these with you on your training day. These will be used for your radio contact to your instructor on your road session but we can supply them if required. If you are unsure or have any questions regarding protective motorcycle clothing don't hesitate to get in touch. Alternatively the best way to find out about the clothing available is to head to a shop itself where you can try on some gear and the staff can answer any questions you may have. J&S Accessories Edinburgh | J&S Accessories 

Helmets / Visors

 A wide range of helmets are available to buy, the prices of which can vary greatly. As long as it has a standard mark (see bellow for UK standards marks) on it and it fits you properly, it is legal to use in this country and is going to do it's job. There is also an independent sharp test which tests all helmets in different scenarios, the results of which you can find online: SHARP - THE HELMET SAFETY SCHEME. A solid white helmet has been proven to be the best colour to make you most visible to other road users and a full face helmet gives the best protection. Helmet visors are not a legal requirement but if your helmet has one it must have an EC mark. 

In the UK motorcycle helmets must meet one of the following standards:

• British Standard BS 6658:1985: The helmet must carry the BSI Kitemark  
   
• UNECE Regulation 22.05: The helmet must be marked with a UN "E" mark and the first two digits of the approval number must be "05"  
   
• European Economic Area member standard: The helmet must offer at least the same safety and protection as BS 6658:1985 and carry a mark equivalent to the BSI Kitemark

The fit of your helmet is incredibly important. It should be tight on the cheeks but not on your forehead head as this can lead to headaches. If your helmet is too loose it will rattle when you're riding, effecting your vision and will not give you the correct protection in a fall. Different manufacturers have different moulds so make sure you try on a selection of helmets for at least 5 minutes each before purchasing to find the right shape for you. Once you have purchased your helmet it is just as important to look after it in the correct way so that it will keep you protected. They are designed to absorb 1 big hit meaning if you drop your helmet, from your bike seat/handle bars, off a table or seat for example, you need to consider if it is now safe to use or will need replaced. Manufacturers also suggest you replace your helmet every 4-5 years to give you maximum protection. 

Jackets, Trousers and Gloves

As stated above the more abrasive resistant your clothing is the better protection it will give you if you have a fall from your bike. Many different materials are used in the manufacturing of motorbike clothing which can be confusing and it can take a bit of trial and error to work out which type of clothing you prefer. The clothing must protect you in the instance of a crash and from day to day on road hazards such as flying road chippings, as well as keeping you at the correct temperature for the weather conditions.

Leather has always been a popular choice for motorbike gear as a good quality one can provide better road protection than any other material. However in order for it to stay in good condition it does require a lot of maintenance, it can prove to be too hot in summer conditions, it is not water resistant so an extra waterproof layer would need to be applied in wet conditions and it can also feel rather stiff and a little uncomfortable until you have worn it in. Due to this textiles such as kevlar, cordura and dyneema  have become increasingly popular in the motorcycle industry. They are incredibly versatile, practical and a huge strength of textiles is that they can usually be worn year round unlike their leather counterparts. They are lightweight and can easily be adjusted to provide extra weather protection. As with your helmet the best way to find out what protective clothing works for you is to head to a shop and try it all on. 

What you wear under your jacket and trousers is just as important when you are out on the road to keep you at a comfortable temperature. Bellow is a table which depicts the temperatures you will be hit with while travelling at certain speeds. It is really useful to have a look at this before setting out on your bike to work out what undergarments you will require to keep you at the correct temperature. 

Your gloves are another essential part of your safety gear. Your hands will be doing a lot to control your bike so you need to make sure they are comfortable and warm. Again glove sizes and materials vary greatly so it is best to go into a shop and try some on to get the correct fit and fabric for you. 

Bike Footwear

Motorbike footwear is specially designed to help you ride comfortably and protect you. In the instance of a crash they should stay on your feet, protecting them from the road whereas most normal footwear such as trainers or soft shoes may come off and do not have as much if any abrasion protection.

 Why specialised motorbike footwear is better than standard footwear

• They should stay on your feet in a fall
• They give ankle protection from stone chips, the weather, the road etc
• They have padding on the gear shift toe 

A healed boot can be good for bigger feet as they can give you a good natural pivot point on your ankle against the foot peg which can be handy for the back brake and gear shifter. While a flatter boot can be better for smaller feet so that you can move your feet more freely to reach your leavers. If you get footwear with laces make sure they are laced tightly with no dangling laces to get tangled in pedals. 

Although you may think steel toed boots designed for building sites would give you good protection these should be avoided as the steel cap will make your toes cold and give you no feel for your foot controls.

Reflective gear be seen

Be it a vest or belts being easier to spot is never bad thing.