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Everyone has different expectations when choosing motorcycle gear.
Some use their motorcycle every day in the city, some go on long-distance rides, and some prefer weekend pleasure rides.
Therefore, there is no single right answer for everyone when choosing motorcycle gear.
However, some evaluation errors can lead to choices that are not suitable for the rider's needs or that do not correctly understand the level of safety offered by the gear.
Because choosing the right gear is not just a product preference, but a process of correctly evaluating our riding habits and needs.
1. Deciding Based Only on Appearance and Comfort
Motorcycle gear can be produced today with designs that are much closer to everyday clothing.
This is a great advantage for riders.
Because we use gear more often when it feels comfortable and fits into our daily lives.
However, one of the most common evaluation errors here is focusing only on appearance or comfort when making a choice.
The fact that pants look like jeans or a jacket feels like everyday wear does not, on its own, provide information about the level of protection it offers.
When evaluating motorcycle gear;
- the safety certifications it has,
- the level of protective pads,
- the materials used,
- the standards the gear was tested against
should be evaluated together.
Appearance and comfort are important.
However, good motorcycle gear should properly combine everyday comfort with safety.
In our previous article on SoHo Journal, “What Does the CE Mark Mean in Motorcycle Gear?”, we covered in detail what the CE mark used in gear means.
2. Thinking That Thicker Fabric Is Always Safer
One of the common thoughts when choosing motorcycle gear is evaluating the product's safety solely by fabric thickness.
Thicker fabric may feel more durable at first glance.
However, the level of protection in motorcycle gear is not determined by thickness alone.
The safety performance of a piece of gear;
- the structure of the material used,
- its resistance to abrasion,
- seam strength,
- the safety tests it passed
is evaluated together.
Similarly, it is not correct to say that gear that feels lighter or thinner is automatically unsafe.
Thanks to developing material technologies, it is possible to achieve specific safety levels with different fabric structures.
Therefore, the real question is:
“How thick is this gear?”
not,
“What level of safety does this gear meet?”
should be.
If you are wondering what the A, AA, and AAA levels mean, you can check out our article on SoHo Journal, “What Are the A, AA, and AAA Safety Levels in Motorcycle Gear?”.
3. Seeing Protective Pads as Secondary
Another topic as important as the outer surface in motorcycle gear is the protectors that perform at the moment of impact.
The purpose of the protectors used in the knee, hip, shoulder, or elbow areas is to help reduce the transmission of energy to the body in the event of a possible impact.
However, not all protectors are at the same level.
For protectors;
- being in the correct area,
- being at the appropriate level,
- maintaining the correct position during riding
is important.
Therefore, instead of just saying “it has protection,” knowing the level and structure of the protector used provides a more accurate evaluation.
We covered this topic in more detail in our article on SoHo Journal, “What Are the Differences Between Level 1 and Level 2 Protectors?”.
4. Seeing the Material Name Alone as Sufficient
Kevlar, aramid, and similar technical materials are concepts we hear often in motorcycle gear.
When used correctly, these materials can make significant contributions to the performance of the gear.
However, it may not be correct to decide about the entire piece of gear based solely on a material name.
Because motorcycle gear is a whole.
The fabric used, protection areas, seam structure, and design should be evaluated together.
If you want to learn more about Kevlar and its use in motorcycle gear, you can check out our article, “What Are Kevlar Motorcycle Pants? Do They Really Make a Difference?”.
5. Ignoring Usage Conditions
Every motorcycle rider has different usage habits.
One rider may go on long-distance rides, while another may use their motorcycle mainly in the city.
Therefore, when choosing gear, we need to look not only at the product but also at our own usage conditions.
“I only ride short distances.”
“I don’t ride very fast.”
“Something lighter will be enough for me.”
thoughts like these may cross the minds of many riders.
However, motorcycle risk is not evaluated solely by distance or speed.
Traffic conditions, road conditions, and unexpected situations should also be considered in gear selection.
The important point here is to make a choice knowing what the gear we choose offers us.
We covered how we can evaluate the balance of safety and comfort in the summer months in our article, “What to Consider When Choosing Motorcycle Gear in the Summer Months?”.
Conclusion
Choosing motorcycle gear is a personal preference.
The important thing is not to choose the same gear for everyone, but to know what the gear we use offers us.
Choosing a product at the A, AA, or AAA level depends on the rider's usage expectations.
The most important thing is to be able to make this choice consciously.
As SoHo Riders, we believe that safe riding begins with the right gear.
Therefore, our goal is not only to produce gear, but to share the right information that will help riders choose their gear consciously.
SoHo Journal Note
This article was prepared to make common evaluation errors when choosing motorcycle gear more understandable.
Choosing the right gear begins not only with what we use, but with knowing why we use it.
Author: Soho Riders Team
Related product
You can see the structure described in this article in the Falcon: EN 17092-3:2020 Class AA certified, knee and hip EN 1621-1 Level 2 protection included in the price, 13 oz denim with para-aramid panels.
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