ESSENTIAL HARLEY-DAVIDSON® MOTORCYCLE GEAR
You need more than a sense of adventure to ride a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. You need the proper motorcycle gear! It’s a crucial part of staying safe on your Harley motorcycle (but it conveniently improves the comfort of your ride as well!) It can be hard knowing what motorcycle gear you really need and what is just a persuasive salesperson pitch. We rounded up the must-have motorcycle gear below. For all your Harley motorcycle needs, visit Redwood Harley-Davidson®. We proudly serve those in Eureka and Redding, California.
Gloves
Maintaining grip is important for maintaining control of your Harley motorcycle. But as you ride, your grip can get compromised. Cold weather causes fingers to shake. Hot summer sun creates sweaty, slippery palms. Rainy days make your hands slide around. All of these issues make it difficult to manipulate the controls.
Motorcycle gloves block these outside impediments. They guard against the elements so your hands stay warm, dry, and capable of controlling your Harley motorcycle. As a bonus, they offer a bit of extra protection for your skin in the event you crash.
Boots
An often overlooked piece of motorcycle gear is the proper footwear. Too many people throw on an old pair of sneakers or their work boots. But these fail to provide the needed traction and sturdiness you need if you tip over (and need to push yourself back up). Plus, they are often no match for all the risks your feet encounter on the road such as wind, rain, kicked-up debris, and engine heat.
It’s important you take the time to find well-fitting motorcycle boots. If your motorcycle gear doesn’t fit or is uncomfortable, odds are you won’t use it often. You’ll want to try on plenty of boots to ensure you find a good fit. Then you’ll want to wear them around the house to break them in.
Outerwear
When you ride your Harley motorcycle, you expose your skin to the elements. Intense sun rays beat down. Wind whips about. Rain chills you to the bone. Outerwear guards your skin against the weather so you stay protected and comfortable. Seek options that have ventilation for sweat and heat. If you ride in an area that often sees rain, you’ll want waterproof clothing.
Neckerchief
Between the top of your jacket and the bottom of your helmet rests a small patch of skin. It may seem so small that it’s insignificant. But wind, heat, and rain have a way of finding any opening. That small patch of skin becomes a big annoyance. You’ll want a neckerchief or bandana to guard this skin. You can also wet this on hot days to enjoy a bit of cooling relief.
Helmet
You didn’t think we would forget to mention the most important piece of motorcycle gear did you? Never hop aboard your Harley motorcycle without a properly fitting helmet. It’s actually better to have a cheaper, well-fitting helmet than it is to have an expensive ill-fitting one. Make sure your helmet is also accredited by a crash test rating agency. Replace your helmet after five years. This is when the adhesives keeping it in one piece begin to break down.
We hope you found our guide helpful! If you are looking to buy a Harley motorcycle, visit Redwood Harley-Davidson®. We offer a range of new and used motorcycles for sale. Check out our financing options to get you riding your dream bike home sooner. Schedule a test ride so you can get a feel for how the motorcycle handles for you. We proudly serve those in Eureka, Redding, and Ukiah, California as well as Medford, Oregon.