Here's how I would buy a complete set of high-spec motorcycle riding kit for less than £700!

One of the biggest blockers for potential new riders is cost. From day one of the process when you start your rider training, to taking your test, buying a bike, insuring it… the bills just keep on coming.

We’re all running on a budget, and so it can be tempting to try and save money by cutting corners on bike kit – especially if you’re starting completely from scratch.

Jump to

• The kit list
• How I chose this list
• Why jacket and jeans?
• What about riding in the rain?
• What other kit should I think about?

But buying gear from unknown brands and dubious online retailers could be the worst decision you ever make should the worst happen, and you hit the tarmac. Luckily, there’s no need to do this as these days you can get plenty of trustworthy kit that doesn’t break the bank.

In this page, I’ve put together a full set of riding kit that covers most road riding situations, all for a sum total of £675.93.

How I chose this kit

I believe the key to buying bike kit on a budget is to focus on as broad a spectrum of use cases as possible. Sure, you could find a very cheap pair of mesh summer gloves with a CE certification, but they will only be useable for 5% of your riding (in the UK, at least) so you’ll need a separate waterproof pair – which means your overall glove spend is actually higher.

With that in mind, I’ve aimed for clobber that would just about see you through the weather from spring to autumn – although you would need warmer gloves for longer rides at or below about 10°C.

I’ve also picked the highest CE certification levels I can for the money. That means the higher level 2 options where applicable, AAA for the jacket and jeans and the latest ECE 22.06 for the helmet. Again, it’s personal choice, and you could definitely go cheaper than this by sacrificing safety.

Why jacket and jeans?

The safest kit is the stuff you actually wear. What does that mean? Put simply, it means your bulky, hot, all-season textiles won’t save you in a crash if they’re at home in your wardrobe because it’s 30°C and you couldn’t be bothered to pull them on!

There’s nothing better in summer than a leather jacket and riding jeans – it’s what most of the MCN team wear given the option – and so that’s what I went for here. And you can easily throw a few extra jumpers under and a waterproof over them to extend your riding season.

A leather jacket is also the cheapest route to a AAA certification. It’s possible in textiles, but requires a lot of design, engineering and high-tech fabrics so the garments generally end up being more expensive.

What about riding in the rain?

The gloves and boots I’ve chosen are all waterproof so you will just need to throw the rainsuit on over the top of the jacket and jeans if you’re riding in the wet.

If you’ve bought a bike because you plan to commute in all weathers, I’d recommend finding a way to afford some heated gloves and a proper waterproof textile jacket and trouser combo. It’s a genuine surprise just how cold motorcycling is in a UK winter if you’ve never done it before.

What else do I need?

This core kit list will certainly get you started but there are a few other bits you should consider. I’d recommend earplugs (foam ones start from a few pence), a neck tube (yes, even in summer) and a waterproof rucksack (you can get them from about £20).

If you need to find your way around, then a smartphone mount is an economical alternative to a sat nav, but I really wouldn’t recommend going cheap and cheerful here, phones are expensive! Headphones are also a plausible alternative to a helmet intercom when you’re on a budget.

And don’t forget that you’ll need some bike security, too, especially if you’re parking up at work or college during the day. An alarmed disc lock, good quality chain and bike cover are the best ‘bang-for-your-buck’ starting points.

The kit list

How MCN tests products

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t test our kit to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.

Each of our writers has an in-depth understanding of the needs of today’s biker… because they are one.

If you can’t see a review against an item on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These items will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

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