So you’ve organised your motorcycle licence, bought your first motorbike and discovered the thrill of the open road. But have you invested in high-quality motorbike safety gear that could help protect you in the event of an accident?
When it comes to Australian road fatalities, motorcycles play a disproportionately large role: while nearly 25% of road deaths involve motorcyclists, only 4.5% of vehicles registered in Australia are motorcycles, making them one of the most vulnerable groups on our roads.1 Research shows, however, that wearing protective gear such as a motorcycle helmet, motorcycle jacket and riding gloves may reduce the risk of being injured or hospitalised from an accident.2
To help you get your wardrobe of motorbike safety gear in order, we spoke to Australian Motorcycle Council chairman Shaun Lennard. Lennard’s advice covers garment safety ratings to look for, along with other clothing features and how to ensure a good fit. We also cover important information on motorcycle insurance and how you might cover what can be expensive safety gear.
Motorbike safety gear – what are the legal requirements?
All motorcycle riders in Australia are legally required to wear an approved motorcycle helmet that is correctly fastened on their head,3 though what constitutes an approved motorcycle helmet may vary depending on your location.4 However, all states and territories specify that helmets must be certified as AS/NZS 1698:2006, UN ECE 22-05 or AS 1698-1988 compliant, with evidence of this compliance visible on the helmet in the form of a mark, label or sticker.4
While other forms of rider gear aren’t required to comply with minimum standards of protection, there are resources out there to help riders make informed decisions about their motorcycle safety clothing. For example, MotoCAP is a government-supported resource that tests and rates protective motorcycle gear.5
Their Motorcycle Clothing Assessment Program (MotoCAP) rating scheme was launched online in 2018 and uses a star rating system to assess the protection and thermal comfort levels of motorcycle clothing.6
“It’s absolutely essential for motorcycle riders to consult this website,” says Lennard.
“It’s a world-leading program and one of the best places to get an unbiased assessment of quality safety gear. As many riders say, you’ve got to dress for the slide, not the ride.”
Below are some things to consider when choosing motorcycle safety gear.
Motorcycle helmet
Motorcycle riders in all Australian states and territories must wear an approved helmet.3 Look for an ECE 22-05 label sewn onto the chin strap, or an AS/NZS 1698:2006 or AS 1698-1988 approval label inside the helmet.4
Motorcycle helmet style
According to MotoCAP, there are four styles of motorcycle helmet:7
- Full face helmets cover the entire head, including the face and the chin to offer additional protection.
- Open face helmets cover the top, back and sides of the head but leave the chin exposed and may or may not include a visor to shield the eyes from sun and debris.
- Flip-up helmets combine the features of a full face and open face helmet by generally allowing the chin bar to pivot upwards to reveal the lower face.
- Dual purpose helmets are designed for both on-road and off-road riding, with clearly elongated chin and visor coverage. They are partially open face to give the rider extra protection when wearing goggles and to allow for unobstructed ventilation.7
Motorcycle helmet fit
According to the Motorcycle Council of NSW, about 10% of motorcycle helmets come off in crashes, so finding the right fit is critical.4
“Avoid buying a helmet online, so you can try it on first and make sure it fits perfectly. Adjust the straps and make sure it’s comfortable and doesn’t rotate on your head at all,” says Lennard.
Motorbike helmet safety
MotoCAP recommends choosing a light-coloured helmet for visibility to other drivers during the day and at night. They also caution against purchasing a second hand helmet, as it may have been involved in a crash or been degraded by UV radiation.7
Motorbike helmet cost
The cost of motorcycle helmets can vary greatly. For example, the MotoCAP 2023 Best Safety Award Winner was the Shoei X-SPR Pro motorbike helmet, which retails at $1,299.95.8 Meanwhile, the Best Value Award Winner was the Nitro N501, which has 4-star protection and a price tag of $169.95.9
Motorcycle jacket
“The key to choosing a motorbike jacket you’ll actually want to wear is making sure it is breathable for humid Aussie climates, weatherproof and has armour to protect your shoulders and elbows,” says Lennard.
Jacket style
When choosing a motorcycle jacket, there’s a range of fabrics – leather, denim and other textiles – and styles to choose from.10 The majority of jackets tested on MotoCAP are listed as “all purpose”, but riders can opt for something more specific to their needs – for instance, for sports riding, touring or adventure.9
Jacket fit
MotoCAP recommends trying safety gear on with the clothing you would normally wear while riding, and checking that the fit is snug and comfortable in your normal riding position.11
Jacket safety
When choosing a motorcycle jacket, MotoCAP suggests you consider:
- Abrasion-resistant materials, which could help you avoid cuts, gravel rash and friction burns from contact with the road.11
- Impact protectors – or body armour – which could help absorb and spread the impact of a direct blow in the case of an accident.11 MotoCAP also recommends prioritising the impact protection of your knees, hips, elbows and shoulders.12
- Stitching, ensuring all major seams have two or three lines of stitching to help prevent them bursting on impact.11
- Waterproof gear to prevent rain from getting in.11
- Ventilation points in the chest and back areas of jackets to avoid overheating – however, they recommend avoiding garments with ventilation points on the arms, as they increase the risk of failure on impact with the road.11
Jacket budget
“Don’t be fooled into thinking paying more or choosing the most popular brand automatically means better protection,” says Lennard. “There are many affordable options that have high safety standards.”
Some examples of these include The Rocker from Bikers Gear Australia which retails for $299.00 and the Calibre II from RJAYS, priced at $399.95 – both with a 4-star MotoCAP safety rating.10
Motorcycle pants
Your everyday jeans may cover your legs, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll protect you in a crash. In fact, denim jeans withstand only 0.6 seconds of heavy abrasion in a fall, whereas 1.4mm leather pants will last for 5.8 seconds, according to the Queensland Government’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR Queensland).13
Pants style and fit
MotoCAP classifies pant styles in the same categories as it does for jackets – see above – and they also come in a range of different materials including leather, reinforced denim and other textiles.14
For female riders, MotoCAP warns that 80% of women’s motorcycle leggings and jeggings performed poorly during testing – 70% scored only half a star for protection.15
Pants safety
A rider’s hips and knees can be exposed to high impact and abrasion in a crash, so you might want to consider pants with impact protectors in these areas.16,11 Look for abrasion-resistant fabric that's ideally waterproof and breathable, with durable stitching in a style that's comfortable.12
Pants budget
Just 10 pairs of motorcycle pants have earned a 4- or 5-star MotoCAP safety rating,14 ranging in price from around $300 to more than $700. These include Finn Moto’s 5-star-rated 881 protective jeans, priced at $328, and Rev’It!’s Ignition 4 H20 leather pants, which score 4-stars for safety and 5-stars for breathability, with a $649 price tag.14
Motorcycle gloves
Motorbike gloves can help to protect your hands from abrasions and cuts if they come into contact with the road.17 Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing yours:
Gloves style and fit
If you’re deciding between short or long gloves, MotoCAP notes the latter as better for cooler conditions and for increased protection between the wrist and jacket.18 They recommend trying gloves on with the clothing you would normally wear riding, and checking that they fit comfortably over your jacket sleeves while in a riding position.19 If possible, try them on while holding your motorcycle handlebars to make sure you can feel the controls, clutch and brakes, and to check that you’re able to open and close your visor helmet while wearing them.19
Glove safety
According to MotoCAP, riding gloves should extend 5cm above the wrist and have:19
- Multiple layers of protective material over the palm
- Slider pads on the palm
- Impact protectors for knuckles and palms
- Two or three rows of stitching, with at least one row concealed.19
Gloves budget
Most riding gloves with a 5-star MotoCAP safety rating20 cost $100-$300. For just under $100, you can find 3-star rated gloves, such as Argon’s full-length Rush gloves in tear-resistant goat leather for $99.95.
Motorcycle boots
MotoCAP doesn’t currently rate riding footwear but recommends choosing boots that cover the ankle, with impact protection over the ankle and shin.18
Boots style
Some styles of motorcycle boots are made to suit different styles of riding, such as:21
- Touring / Cruiser boots, which are generally mid-height and made from leather
- Riding shoes, which are typically a casual-looking and comfortable shoe style with some safety features
- Racing / track boots, which are extremely reinforced and made from a combination of durable materials
- Sport touring boots, which are similar to track boots but not as heavily armoured to provide more flexibility on long rides
- Adventure / dual sport boots, which are a cross between racing boots and touring boots, combining strap and buckle closures for muddy terrain.21
Boots fit
Got your eye on a pair of motorcycle boots but want to check that they fit? The Good Gear Guide for Motorcycle and Scooter Riders recommends testing that you can walk normally, climb stairs, bend and crouch, as well as operate the gear lever and brake properly.22
Boots safety
According to TMR Queensland, boots should be leather, have zipper or velcro fasteners to prevent them sliding off, and should overlap your pants to provide shin, ankle and instep protection. They also recommend avoiding laces that can get caught in the bike’s pegs, gears or brake levers.23
Boots budget
According to Canstar, high-quality motorcycle boots typically cost between $200 and $1,000.24
Riding boots rated highly by the consumer guide for protection and value for money include BMW’s full-length VentureGrip, which offer shin guard protection and foam-padded ankle guards for $690, and Alpinestar’s SMX boots, featuring abrasion-resistant microfiber and high-density contoured padding to help absorb shocks to the foot area, for $259.95.
What about hearing protection?
While the open road can be thrilling, it can also be loud. According to hearing specialists, wearing earplugs can help reduce wind noise, and some custom earplugs are even designed to protect your hearing while allowing you to hear engine and exhaust notes, as well as warning cues and sirens.25
Insuring your motorbike safety gear
High-quality motorcycle safety clothing can be expensive,18 so some riders may consider a motorcycle insurance policy that also covers their gear. At Youi, “riding gear” is covered under both the Youi Comprehensive motorcycle insurance and Third Party Fire & Theft insurance policies.
“With both of these policies, you may have the option of adding the ‘personal items and riding gear upgrade’ optional cover, which you might consider if you have invested in expensive motorcycle safety clothing,” says Marni Jackson, Youi’s Head of Product for Vehicle, Lifestyle and Leisure.
“This optional cover upgrades you from our standard riding gear cover of up to $1,000 per claim, to a maximum of $2,000 for each riding gear item and up to $5,000 per claim.”26
Before you’re ready to gear up for a ride, consider starting a quote with Youi for insurance that could be a good fit for you, your bike and your motorcycle safety clothing.
1 Source: Transurban – Motorcyclists on our roads: how to share the road safely, April 2024
2 Source: ScienceDirect – Motorcycle protective clothing: Protection from injury or just the weather?, November 2011
3 Source: Government of Western Australia – Motorcycles, Helmets and Gear
4 Source: The Motorcycle Council of NSW Inc. – What you need to know about Helmets
5 Source: MotoCAP – Frequently asked questions
6 Source: Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University – How MotoCAP is transforming an industry, September 2022
7 Source: MotoCAP – Helmets
8 Source: MotoCAP – SHOEI X-SPR Pro
9 Source: MotoCAP – Nitro N501
10 Source: MotoCAP – MotoCAP rated jackets
11 Source: MotoCAP – What to look for in motorcycle jackets and pants
12 Source: MotoCAP – Testing explained
13 Source: Qld Government Department of Transport and Main Roads – What to wear before you hit the road, November 2015
14 Source: MotoCAP – MotoCAP rated pants
15 Source: MotoCAP – Are you choosing style over safety when hitting the road?
16 Source: Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University – A guide to designing and manufacturing motorcycle protective clothing, December 2022
17 Source: Transport Accident Commission – Protective clothing
18 Source: MotoCAP – Price does not equal performance for motorcycle gear
19 Source: MotoCAP – What to look for in motorcycle gloves
20 Source: MotoCAP – MotoCAP rated gloves
21 Source: Bikes Gear Australia – How to choose best Motorcycle Boots?
22 Source: Australian Government – The Good Gear Guide for Motorcycle and Scooter Riders, September 2009
23 Source: Qld Government – Motorcycle safety gear, August 2021
24 Source: Canstar – Motorcycle Boots Compared
25 Source: earLAB – Should you wear earplugs when riding a motorcycle?
26 An additional cost applies and is available with Comprehensive and Third Party Fire & Theft policies. Limits apply. For full details, see the Motorcycle PDS.
