Anyone starting motorcycle lessons tends to think about the bike first. But what you wear is at least as important. In a fall, good riding gear protects you from abrasions, fractures and hypothermia. That is why the CBR sets clear requirements for your gear during the practical motorcycle exam. At RidePro exactly the same requirements apply during every lesson.
The five required items
Helmet
Approved (ECE mark), well fitting and with a fastening strap. A helmet without a visor is only allowed if you wear glasses or sunglasses.
Gloves
Fully cover and protect your hand and wrist.
Jacket
Fully covers and protects your upper body and arms.
Trousers
Fully covers and protects your legs.
Boots or shoes
Sturdy, and cover and protect at least your ankles.
When is your gear definitely fine?
The examiner checks your gear before you start. Protective clothing is always approved if it meets these three points:
- Clothing made specifically for motorcyclists
- With protectors on knees, hips, elbows and shoulders
- With a CE mark
This gets rejected
- A helmet with visible damage or a poor fit
- Jeans without abrasion-resistant material or protectors
- Shoes such as Chelsea boots, All Stars or Air Jordans
- Clothing that is not warm enough in cold weather
Pay particular attention to jeans and shoes. Ordinary jeans tear open within a few metres in a slide, and sneakers do not protect your ankles. Motorcycle jeans with abrasion-resistant lining and protectors do exist, and those are allowed.
Also required during your lessons
You learn to ride best in the gear you will take your exam in. A new helmet or stiff boots feel different the first time, and you do not want to find that out on exam day. That is why we ask for complete, approved riding gear from your intake onwards.
If you turn up without the right riding gear, your lesson does not go ahead, but it is still charged. At the CBR exam the examiner decides: without proper gear you cannot take part.
For hygiene reasons we do not lend out helmets or clothing, so you arrange your own gear.
Tips for buying riding gear
- Always try your helmet on in the shop. It should sit firmly around your head without pressing, and must not turn when you move your head.
- Buy your jacket and trousers from the same brand if possible, so you can zip them together.
- Choose boots or riding shoes in which you can still feel the gear lever and rear brake. Soles that are too thick make shifting difficult.
- Think about the season: if you also ride in spring or autumn, choose gear with a removable thermal lining.
- Second-hand clothing is fine, but never buy a used helmet: damage on the inside is invisible.