What Motorcycle Accessory Should I Buy? (2024 Beginner’s Guide)
New riders need safety gear to stay safe on the road. Aftermarket accessories can also improve motorcycle performance. Learn how to choose the right gear and where to buy it in this article.
Things to Consider When Purchasing Motorcycle Gear
Your answers to the questions below will help you figure out the types of accessories that will meet your needs.
- Which types of gear are a must-have? All riders in the UK are legally required to wear a helmet, so you must have that. In addition, there are other essential kits like wearable gear, which will help reduce the risk of injury in the event of a crash and anti-theft locks that help protect your motorbike from thieves.
- How will the motorcycle be used? For example, someone planning to ride on the carriageway often will need tall windshields to protect from wind blasts. In contrast, a long-distance adventure rider will need the extra storage provided by top boxes and panniers.
- What’s the ideal budget? It’s practically impossible to set an authoritative price because riders have different needs, and the gear's quality varies from brand to brand, affecting the prices. Yet, we recommend that a beginner prepare between £700 to £1000 to be adequately equipped with essential wearable and security accessories.
- Who to buy from? This article will go a long way to helping you out since we will provide links to all the products recommended below. However, if you choose to buy elsewhere, only purchase products from reputable websites with many customer reviews, detailed product descriptions, and a credible return policy.
Essential Motorcycle Gear for Beginners
In this article, we only cover essential gear that every biker will need. We have other articles on each major motorcycle brand about model-specific accessories, like windshields, fairings, crash bars, top boxes, lighting systems, etc.
Anti-theft Gear
Security locks come in different shapes and with varying abilities because it's only with a multi-layered system that you can keep your machine secure in every scenario. Having multiple locks also creates multiple dilemmas for a lurking thief who has to choose between your bike and other options that may be less protected.
Portable Locks
You are most vulnerable to push-away thefts —when the thief moves your bike from its parking spot to a hidden location to ride it away once the coast is clear— during those quick stops you make in the city to grab a coffee, run a quick errand, or deliver a parcel as a courier rider.
With a portable lock set up in seconds, you can ensure your bike is protected and errands are within stringent time limits.
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Best Overall |
Runner-up |
Budget Option |
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£199 |
£179.99 |
£69.98 |
Disc Lock
This is a heavier, less flexible, and more time-consuming alternative to portable locks. Its strength is that it is a larger and more visible deterrent. It also protects your machine by fixing your wheel in place to prevent movement.
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Best Overall |
Runner-up |
Budget Option |
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£217.07 |
£59.99 |
£23.99 |
Security Chains
Motorcycle security chains are heavier than the preceding locks and more suitable for prolonged stops and overnight security. They will be used with your portable lock, GPS tracker, and motorcycle cover to provide a formidable multi-layered deterrent.
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Best Overall |
Runner-up |
Budget Option |
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£258.99 |
£59.99 |
£27.98 |
Motorcycle Cover
If your machine is parked on the street, it helps protect it from the wind and rain and the prying eyes of opportunistic thieves looking for easy targets. The thieves are more likely to avoid a covered bike since they don’t know if targeting it is worth the effort.
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Best Overall |
Runner-up |
Budget Option |
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£69.88 |
£23.99 |
£19.99 |
Ground Anchor
This is to be used at home for chaining your motorbike or scooter to your garage floor. It ensures that even if thieves break in when you are away from home, they won’t be able to ride off with your machine without cutting through your multiple locks and your chain, which will attract attention.
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Best Overall |
Runner-up |
Budget Option |
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£99.99 |
£59.99 |
£24.99 |
Garage Door Defender
It adds another layer of protection and makes it difficult for the thief to even get into your garage in the first place. Once activated, bolts from the lock will spring into place to make it harder for anyone to force your garage door open.
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Best Overall |
Runner-up |
Budget Option |
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£73.99 |
£55 |
£32.95 |
GPS Trackers
If your motorbike does get stolen, a tracker ensures that apart from being notified as soon as the incident occurs, you and the police will be able to trace the current location of your machine in real-time.
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Runner-up |
Budget Option |
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£299 purchase price and £99 annual subscription fee |
£359 purchase price and £119 annual subscription fee |
£129 purchase price plus £36 annual subscription fee |
Protective Wearable Gear
Wearable riding gear is designed to shield your body from injury in the event of a crash, and it also protects you from harsh weather elements — sun, rain, wind, and debris. Given that you will be using your gear on a near-daily basis, you must ensure you buy gear that not only does the job it is designed to do, but also fits your stylistic preferences.
Helmets
It protects your face and eyes from the wind and insects when riding and shields your head from injury in a crash. You can pick from seven types of motorcycle helmets, but we highly recommend full-face helmets due to their higher level of protection.
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Best Overall |
Runner-up |
Budget Option |
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£99.99 |
£80.99 |
£58.19 |
Riding Gloves
Gloves make it easier to operate your bike controls and protect your hand from injury when it touches down in a crash.
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Best Overall |
Runner-up |
Budget Option |
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£179.62 |
£47.49 |
£39.97 |
Motorcycle Jacket
It provides weather resistance when you are on the road, and also protects your chest, back and arms in the event of an injury. There are different types of bike jackets on the market, and the best option for you will depend on your stylistic preferences and weather conditions.
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Best Overall |
Runner-up |
Budget Option |
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£199.99 |
£139.99 |
£97.49 |
Motorcycle Trousers
Motorcycle jeans will ensure your lower body is covered, and work with your jacket to protect you from wind and rain.
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Best Overall |
Runner-up |
Budget Option |
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£109.99 |
£99.99 |
£59.99 |
Motorcycle Riding Boots
Your boots protect your ankles and feet when you are using your body to support your bike’s weight. They also protect your legs in the event of a motorcycle accident or if you mistakenly drop your bike on your foot.
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Best Overall |
Runner-up |
Budget Option |
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£79.99 |
£99.99 |
£44.99 |
Winter Wearable Gear
Winter motorcycle gear exists to keep you warm and protected as you ride out during cold weather.
Heated Gloves
They use pre-charged batteries or connect to your motorcycle battery to heat your palms to keep them warm while you ride.
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Best Overall |
Runner-up |
Budget Option |
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£179.99 |
£195 |
£39.99 |
Heated Jackets
It keeps you warm and focused in cold weather. Your jacket will come with the cables you need to connect it to your motorcycle or scooter.
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Best Overall |
Runner-up |
Budget Option |
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£209.98 |
£359.99 |
£65.99 |
Heated Grips
Your heated grip can be a lifesaver when the temperature drops and the chill starts to numb your fingers — even through your heated glove.
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Best Overall |
Runner-up |
Budget Option |
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£129.99 |
£79.99 |
£64.99 |
Wrapping Up
This article has shown you all the essential motorcycle gear you will need as a beginner. All you need to do now is to get your helmet, portable EasyBlock wheel lock, locks for overnight security, and essential riding gear for physical protection.
