Best kit for the naked motorcycle rider | Let MCN get your kit on with our top picks

The type of gear that is worn by the naked motorcycle rider is probably the most wide and varied style that there is. It tends to be a crossover of sportsbike gear through to a more retro look and maybe some touring kit for the more adventurous rider. This means that the rider can really style themselves entirely to their own taste and requirements.

• Related: Bag a bargain on a used, top-spec middleweight naked

Whatever type of motorcycle gear it is that you are looking for, it is important to understand and check the safety ratings; ECE 22.06 testing standards and SHARP stars for helmets and CE ratings for jackets and trousers, boots and gloves. Then there is the armour ratings to consider, these are often listed separately from the abrasion resistance ratings.

We’ve pulled together a selection of gear that we have tested and think is worth considering in your search.

Helmets

Pretty much any style of helmet will work on a naked style motorcycle but the main thing to consider is wind noise as without any windshield you will be more at the mercy of mother nature. Whether that helmet is a sports style or more of a touring helmet will probably come down to what you like the look of and what type of riding you do. Below are a few that we reviewed and liked at MCN.

Jackets

In terms of which jackets work well for this type of bike, this is going to come down to your priorities and preferences. For example you are probably not going to require a race hump, but you may consider how many pockets there are or whether the jacket is waterproof. Alternatively you may be someone who values the look of the jacket over some of the practicalities.

The main fabrics used are leather and textile, generally leather offers a higher abrasion resistance but textile can offer versatility with ventilation, waterproofing and machine washability that a leather jacket may struggle to offer.

We have made a selection of our tried and tested jackets below to cover a few different options.

Jeans

If you’re a commuting biker or a sunny weekend blast type of rider, this will play a role in which trousers you opt for. Jeans are a go to choice for a lot of people these days as the safety ratings have been improved with better abrasion resistant fabrics. Jeans tend to be more comfortable and casual for on and off the bike and there are lots of ladies options available too. However as a commuter you might be looking for something weatherproof and easy to slip over regular clothes. Below are a selection of our reviewed trousers.

Gloves

There aren’t many differences between the various types of motorcycle gloves. The main choices are gauntlet or short cuff and summer or winter, beyond that it generally comes down to style preference and level of protection against the elements.

Boots

In terms of boot choices for the naked motorcycle rider, you are likely to be looking for something like a casual sportsbike boot or maybe a more street style. Protection level is the main difference between these different styles, with sports style boots often offering shin protection where a more casual street style probably won’t as they tend to be a shorter boot.

A sports boot may have toe sliders also if you are wanting to really push limits of your bike. If however you are wanting a boot that you can stay in all day you may opt for the more relaxed style. If you are commuting in all weathers you may choose a touring boot with its waterproof properties. Below we have selected a few of our tried and tested boots.

Luggage

You may want to carry some additional things with you when riding, especially if you have chosen a jacket with few pockets. There are a few options in terms of luggage, tank bags, rucksacks and tail bags tend to be the most popular for the naked motorbike. Below is our selection of luggage that we liked when we tested it.

Intercoms

Whether you ride alone or with friends you may want to consider an intercom system, to listen to music or keep in touch with others in your riding group. There is a large array of options to choose from, so we have listed a few of our reviewed kit below. Fitting your intercom to your helmet will vary depending on your helmet and the unit that you choose.

Earplugs

No matter what motorcycle you ride, earplugs are another piece of kit to consider, protecting your hearing against wind noise and loud exhausts is important. Getting a pair that fit comfortably is crucial as you do not want the distraction of irritating earplugs getting in the way of your windy roads or track ride. There are lots of options available but the thing to look for is the SNR (single number rating), this is the level of noise reduction offered by the earplugs. The higher the number the more effective they are. This is also backed up by a CE approval of EN352-2, this is the PPE certification for hearing.

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