[Complete Guide] What's the right clothing for riding a motorcycle? From forbidden attire to how to choose, women's apparel, and advice for different situations

Does prioritizing safety mean sacrificing coolness and style?

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Riding a motorcycle offers the unique thrill of feeling the wind all over your body, something cars can't provide.

Conversely, since you're always exposed, pebbles kicked up by the vehicle in front, or insects in the summer, can easily hit your body.

Therefore, you need clothing that protects your body from flying objects. The key to motorcycle attire is prioritizing safety that protects you first.

There is a wide variety of motorcycle apparel available, from those excelling in design to those excelling in functionality.

For those who want to dress stylishly, coordinating your outfit with the type of motorcycle you ride can create a fashionable look.

Also, the material is an important factor in choosing your clothing.

Explanation of commonly used materials for motorcycle apparel

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Since a motorcycle leaves your entire body exposed, if you happen to get into an accident, your body is likely to be slammed or scraped against the ground.

Therefore, it's a good idea to pay attention to the material when choosing clothing to prevent it from tearing easily in the event of an accident.

Here, we will introduce the properties of materials commonly used in motorcycle apparel.

Polyester/Nylon

Polyester and nylon are synthetic chemical materials made from petroleum, characterized by a rough texture.

Polyester has high strength, low moisture absorption and water absorption, but high sweat and moisture wicking properties, and is also inexpensive.

Because it dries quickly even when wet, it is a material that easily maintains a smooth, dry feel.

Disadvantages include its tendency to build up static electricity, and when subjected to strong friction, it can melt to a glossy finish and stick to the skin.

Leather/Synthetic Leather

Leather, also known as hide, excels in insulation, wind resistance, and durability.

Because it is resistant to tearing even under strong friction, it is often used for leather suits, gloves, and boots.

While both 皮 (kawa) and 革 (kawa) mean "leather," the difference is that 皮 refers to the raw hide of an animal, whereas 革 refers to animal hide that has been tanned and processed.

合皮 (gōhi) is officially read as 合成皮革 (gōsei hikaku), referring to a material artificially made to resemble leather without using any animal hide.

It's interesting that the English term "Fake Leather" directly translates to "imitation leather," accurately describing its essence.

In contrast to synthetic leather, natural leather is sometimes referred to as 本革 (hongawa).

Gore-Tex

Gore-Tex is a material that has been enhanced to its extreme for waterproofing and is often used in rainwear and jackets.

It also offers high wind resistance and breathability, making it comfortable as it prevents stuffiness.

Breathability refers to its ability to release moisture in the form of vapor before it becomes sweat, allowing this pre-sweat vapor to escape while preventing rain and wind from entering.

While Gore-Tex boasts high waterproofing, wind resistance, and excellent breathability, clothing made with Gore-Tex tends to be somewhat expensive.

"CE Level 2" protectors offer peak performance

Protectors are gear that protects the body during a fall, and their performance is indicated by a CE rating.

CE is a European safety standard, and products not meeting this standard cannot be sold in Europe.

CE has different levels, and protectors rated CE Level 2 are recognized as having high safety performance.

While this means "products sold in Europe must meet CE safety standards," in Japan, products can be sold whether they have CE certification or not, so CE is not as relevant for Japanese products.

However, in recent years, there has been a growing trend for even Japanese products sold domestically in Japan to obtain CE certification.

Absolute NO! What clothing should you never wear when riding a motorcycle?

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Riding a motorcycle offers the unique pleasure of feeling the wind, unlike a car, but conversely, unlike a car that protects your body, your entire body is constantly exposed to the outside.

Since pebbles kicked up by the vehicle in front can easily fly up and hit your body, it is even more important to pay attention to your clothing than when driving a car.

Here are some points to be aware of when choosing motorcycle attire:

Riding in just a T-shirt

When riding a motorcycle, your body is exposed, making it easy for pebbles and insects to hit you.

Furthermore, in the event of a fall, your skin can directly contact concrete or asphalt, so riding in just a T-shirt will unnecessarily increase the severity of injuries.

Direct wind on your skin can also cause fatigue, so even in summer, make sure to wear clothing that doesn't expose your skin.

Wear a jet or full-face helmet

A helmet is an item that protects your head and face from flying stones and insects during a fall or while riding.

Half helmets can easily come off during a fall and do not protect the head from friction, so wearing a jet or full-face helmet increases safety.

Don't neglect your footwear

To ride more safely, it's a good idea to pay attention to your footwear, such as wearing boots.

The ankles, in particular, are easily caught between the motorcycle and the ground not only in a fall but also when dropping the bike.

There are also cases where catching your foot on a curb when turning at an intersection can lead to injury, so it's wise to pay attention to your footwear.

Boots that firmly protect the ankles are ideal, but if you choose high-tops, those with protectors are recommended.

【Basic Knowledge】5 Key Points for Choosing Motorcycle Apparel 

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Here, we explain the key points for choosing motorcycle apparel.

Understand what to look for and the key selection points to ensure a stylish and cool motorcycle life.

1. Protect your joints

Motorcycle apparel must primarily be prepared for potential falls.

Therefore, it is crucial to choose clothing that properly protects areas susceptible to damage during a fall.

Many riders consciously wear gloves to protect their hands and head, but joint areas like elbows are often overlooked.

Since these parts are often the first to contact the ground in a fall, choosing clothing that protects your joints is also essential.

2. Prevent riding wind from contacting your body

While riding a motorcycle, fatigue increases over time, and wind accelerates this fatigue.

Direct wind hitting your body draws away body heat, causing fatigue.

The human body is resistant to heat but not as resistant to cold.

Since motorcycles constantly expose you to wind, countermeasures against wind are crucial.

3. Prepare summer and winter clothing to avoid seasonal impact

Since you will be riding a motorcycle outdoors all the time, you need to prepare appropriate clothing for each season.

Motorcycle apparel for summer

In summer, temperatures are high and you tend to sweat easily.

However, riding in just a T-shirt, even if it's hot, is not recommended as it significantly increases the risk of serious injury in the event of a fall.

As direct wind on the skin can deplete body heat and increase fatigue, choose clothing that covers your skin even in summer.

Quick-drying inner shirts made of polyester and thin gloves are widely available, so it's recommended to utilize these for comfortable gear that protects your skin.

Motorcycle apparel for winter

In winter, body temperature can easily drop, so it's wise to choose highly insulating clothing.

Since air flows from warmer to colder areas, even a small gap in your clothing can let cold air rush in.

To prevent this, it's recommended to layer innerwear or choose a jacket that is tightly sealed and windproof.

While a bit more expensive, jackets made with Gore-Tex material are also highly recommended.

Though not clothing, installing heated grips or knuckle guards on your motorcycle can prevent your hands from getting numb with cold.

4. Choose combinations that aren't unfashionable

Motorcycle apparel must prioritize safety in the event of a fall, against wind while riding, and from pebbles kicked up by vehicles ahead.

Since you are constantly exposed outdoors, there's often a heightened awareness of being "seen by others."

Therefore, it's good to choose clothing that is both safe and fashionable, but nowadays, many stylish clothing options with high safety features are available.

It's advisable to coordinate your outfit with your motorcycle.

5. Ease of removal is also important

Motorcycle riding takes place outdoors, so it is greatly affected by the weather.

Therefore, choosing clothing that can be easily put on and taken off, such as those with zippers, is important.

Also, since storage space on a motorcycle is limited, it's good to prioritize clothing that can be folded compactly for portability.

【By Body Part】Tips for Choosing Motorcycle Apparel!

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Here, we will explain tips for choosing motorcycle apparel by body part, allowing for more detailed selection.

While keeping in mind the key points for each part, clothing choice is also a matter of personal taste, so find attire that matches your own sensibility.

Helmet

A helmet is crucial equipment that protects your head.

While there are full-face helmets, jet helmets, and half helmets (half caps), a full-face helmet is the best choice for safety.

Helmet prices vary widely, and there are both domestic and foreign-made options, but for Japanese riders, choosing a domestically produced helmet is recommended.

Since the head shapes of Japanese and Westerners differ, domestic helmets made to fit Japanese head shapes are a better fit for Japanese people.

Also, make sure to choose a helmet with safety standard markings like JIS, Snell, or SG.

Source: https://bikeman.jp/products/gt-750

This helmet meets SG/PSC safety standards and features an easily removable interior, making it convenient to wash in the summer when you sweat a lot.

Jacket

A jacket prevents skin exposure, reducing fatigue from wind and sun, and also prevents your skin from directly scraping against the ground in case of a fall.

There are various materials such as synthetic leather or leather made of nylon and polyester, but considering durability and skin protection safety, a leather jacket is recommended.

Source: https://bikeman.jp/collections/257

It also prevents wind from entering while riding, and the fact that leather suits are used in races like MotoGP suggests that leather is suitable as rider gear.

Pants

Pants come in various materials, from denim such as jeans to synthetic leather and genuine leather, but it's best to choose durable ones.

Leather pants are highly recommended for both durability and safety, but they can get stuffy on hot days.

Source: https://bikeman.jp/collections/259

Jeans are also suitable, offering durability, good breathability, and feeling natural even off the bike.

Buying chinos or jeans from Workman or Uniqlo is also a cost-effective and recommended option.

Gloves

Gloves come in various types, including full-hand leather gloves, fingerless gloves, and mesh gloves.

While there are breathable gloves suitable for different seasons, for higher safety, leather gloves with built-in protectors are recommended.

Also, with the increasing use of smartphones and navigation, you'll need to operate touch panels, so it's a good idea to choose touch-panel compatible gloves.

Source: https://bikeman.jp/collections/258

Gloves with protectors in the knuckle area, which is prone to impact during a fall, are recommended.

Boots

Motorcycle boots not only protect the ankle area but also feature specially designed soles to facilitate foot placement on the steps.

Regular casual sneakers don't guard the ankles, and some can be slippery when wet and placed on the steps, so it's safer to choose motorcycle-specific ones.

Source: https://bikeman.jp/collections/245

Protector

Protectors are gear that protects the body from impacts.

There are various types, including those that protect the back and chest, and those that protect joints such as the elbows.

In the past, many types were worn over clothing, but recently, there are many inner-type protectors that are thin yet provide solid protection, broadening the range of choices.

Wearing an inner-type protector can enhance safety without compromising fashion.

Source: https://bikeman.jp/collections/22 

【By Genre】Motorcycle Apparel That's Not Unfashionable

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For motorcycle apparel, which is often seen by others, many people want to prioritize both safety and fashion.

Here, we will introduce stylish motorcycle apparel by bike type that ensures safety.

American/Classic

American and classic motorcycles, which cruise gracefully across the land, are characterized by their sturdy, heavy feel.

Black or dark brown leather gear, which enhances their robust presence, suits them well.

For pants, dark-colored jeans can also match the bike seamlessly, in addition to leather pants.

Naked/Streetfighter

Naked and streetfighter bikes typically match most clothing without any sense of incongruity, so there's not much need to overthink your attire.

While your favorite clothes are fine, using overly bright colors might make you stand out too much, so it's best to choose while considering the balance with your bike.

Supersport (Full-cowl bike)

A full-cowl sports bike looks great with a leather racing suit, but it's quite an effort to ride in a leather suit all the time.

Since the bike's appeal is its sportiness, it's best to wear clothing that doesn't create wind resistance.

A hoodie flapping left and right behind the helmet due to the wind doesn't look very cool.

It's best to choose clothing that fits snugly against your skin and doesn't flap.

Off-road

For off-road bikes, casual everyday wear is fine for city riding.

Those who are particular can also wear off-road specific attire for city riding.

When riding on a race track, there's always a risk of falling, so full-body protectors covering the chest to back, elbows, and shins, as well as an off-road helmet with a long visor, are essential.

【By Scene】Motorcycle Apparel Suitable for Each Situation

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Here, we introduce clothing suitable for different motorcycle riding situations (scenes).

Motorcycle apparel for city riding

For city riding, there's no strict need to adhere to specific attire.

Everyday clothes are fine, as long as they don't expose your skin.

Motorcycle apparel for touring

Touring involves long hours on the motorcycle, so it's important to wear clothing that protects you from the wind, while also allowing enough freedom of movement for sightseeing when you dismount.

While riding, the wind keeps you cool, but walking around sightseeing can make you sweat, so it's a good idea to prepare clothing that can be easily put on and taken off.

Motorcycle apparel for track riding and mountain passes

For riding on circuits or winding mountain roads, a leather racing suit or similar is recommended for safety in case of a fall.

For those who want to further enhance safety, a spine protector is also recommended.

Motorcycle apparel for riding in the rain

On rainy days, rainwear is necessary to prevent getting wet and cold.

During the rainy season or summer, wearing rainwear can cause stuffiness and sweating, but Gore-Tex rainwear allows internal heat to escape.

While a bit pricey, it's highly recommended, especially for touring, as you might wear rainwear for extended periods.

Recommended clothing for female riders

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While the number of female riders has increased recently, there are certain types of clothing unique to women that are not suitable for motorcycling.

These include "heeled shoes," "shorts," and "skirts."

Heeled shoes make brake and shift operation difficult and can easily cause your feet to slip off the footpegs, so avoid them for safety reasons.

Since the basic rule for motorcycling is to expose as little skin as possible, shorts are also unsuitable for riding, and skirts can flutter and spread out, posing a danger.

Furthermore, there's a risk of burns from the exhaust pipes or low-temperature burns from skin contact with hot parts of the motorcycle frame.

Low-temperature burns can leave lasting marks, which women concerned about their skin would want to avoid.

To prevent such incidents, it's best to avoid riding in shorts or skirts and instead wear comfortable jeans or similar attire.