Long-Distance Motorcycle Riding Gear Guide

Motorcycle Jackets

Joe Rocket Men’s Atomic 5.0 Black Jacket  J&P Part #: 166-2131

A few features of Joe Rocket’s Atomic 5.0 Jacket quickly jump out. Being able to remove its CE-approved elbow and shoulder armor from external pockets and not have to flip sleeves inside out is a great feature. The jacket’s waterproof yet vents well, and this versatility makes it great for long distance motorcycle rides where the weather is constantly changing. For a motorcycle jacket that costs $166.49, it’s got a lot of great features for that price point.

Sedici Marco Mesh Sand/Black Waterproof Jacket   J&P Part #: 550-1393

Mesh jackets allow for maximum airflow. The Sedici Maro Mesh Waterproof Jacket combines plenty of high-flow mesh material with 450D reinforced fabric in areas that need a bit more protection. Two vents smack dab in the middle of the chest can increase airflow on particularly hot days. When the weather takes a turn, the Sedici Marco Mesh Jacket comes with a removable waterproof and windproof liner. It has lots of adjustability to dial in the fit and comes with CE Level 2 armor in the elbows and shoulders, all for less than two Benjamins.

Bilt Men’s Blast Black Waterproof Jacket  J&P Part #: 550-1823

At $129.99, the Bilt Blast Waterproof Jacket is the most affordable jacket on the list. The shell is made of durable denier and it has a permanent waterproof liner and a quilted detachable liner. The Bilt Blast Men’s Waterproof Jacket has vents in the chest, back, and inner arms and even comes with CE-rated armor, a pleasant surprise for the price.

Klim Men’s Badlands Pro Black Jacket  J&P Part #: 400-1474

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Klim Badlands Pro Jacket. Talk about heavy duty! The Klim Badlands Pro Jacket features Gore-Tex 3-layer Pro Laminate so it’s going to withstand whatever elements are thrown its way. It has D30 armor and superfabric in the shoulders, elbows, and forearms and comes with D30 Viper Pro back armor, too. The jacket has lots of pocket for storage and has a built-in hydration bladder compartment and an internal passage to run the hose. I could have used one of these when I was crossing the Mojave a few weeks back. Klim’s Badlands is so well built, the company backs it with a 5 year gear protection guarantee. While it caters to the adventure-touring crowd, it’s a great all-purpose touring jacket that will easily last for several riding seasons no matter what you ride.

Women’s Motorcycle Jackets

Speed & Strength Women’s Street Savvy Oxblood/Black Jacket  J&P Part #: 220-0868

Speed & Strength’s Women’s Street Savvy Jacket is a fashionable combination of leather and waxed cotton canvas. If you practice concealed carry, it’s the only motorcycle jacket on the list with an Armed Response concealed carry pocket, because you can never be too safe these days. The jacket's equipped with a full complement of removable Vault CE-approved armor (elbow, shoulder, and spine protector). The sharply styled Speed & Strength Women’s Street Savvy Jacket has a vest liner with a hoody that’s removable and is a well-made, durable multi-season women's motorcycle jacket.

Fly Racing Street Women’s Butane Black Jacket   J&P Part #: 400-0887

Windproof yet breathable, Fly Racing’s Street Women’s Butane Black Jacket is made from poly fabric material and has Hydraguard waterproofing. It has a removable thermal liner in case evenings get chilly out. In addition to its abrasion-resistant shell, Fly Racing’s Street Butane Jacket comes with CE-approved armor in the elbows, shoulders, and back. The jacket has reflective panels to boost visibility at night and is both stylish and functional.

Bilt Women’s Grace Black Leather Jacket  J&P Part #: 550-1737

Black leather motorcycle jackets never go out of style. The Bilt Women’s Grace Black Leather Jacket is a stylish take on a classic, combining full grain leather with stretchy contour panels. Its quilted liner is removable and has a mobile phone pouch sewn in. The jacket’s front pockets zip shut to protect valuables. It has CE-approved armor in the shoulder and elbows and has a built-in pocket for a back protector which is sold separately.

Motorcycle Pants

Fly Racing Street Men’s Resistance Oxford Blue Riding Jeans   J&P Part #: 400-1259

If you’re going to be laying down the miles, you’re going to want to be comfortable, and it’s hard to beat the feel of a pair of riding jeans. Fly Racing Street Resistance Oxford Blue Riding Jeans are made of heavyweight denim teamed with Kevlar reinforced panels. CE Level 1 knee armor adds even more protection and it has detachable hip armor pockets, but the recommended CE Barricade hip armor must be bought separately. Succinctly styled and modestly priced, riding jeans are a great addition to any long distance rider’s gear bag.

Street & Steel Men’s Oakland Black Riding Jeans   J&P Part #: 540-2120

If blue’s not your thing, Street & Steel’s Oakland Riding Jeans in black might be more up your alley. Made from stretch denim, heat and tear-resistant aramid fabric add another layer of protection. Snug at the cuff, comfy in the waist, you’d be hard pressed to be able to tell the difference between these and a normal pair of jeans. Removable CE knee pads are a dead giveaway that these jeans were made for riding, though.

Klim Men’s Badlands Pro Gray Pants    J&P Part #: 4001569

Klim’s Badlands Pro Pants are infused with many of the same great features as the Badlands Jacket – highly abrasion-resistant Gore-Tex 3-layer Pro Laminate technology, Aero Pro D30 hip, knee and tailbone armor (yes, even the tailbone armor is CE-rated), and a 5 year gear protection guarantee. Klim’s Badlands Pro Gray Pants have an extra layer of heat resistant leather coverage on the inner thighs and a moisture wicking liner. The pants have four Max Flow vents and plenty of reflective material for night rides. Definitely at the top of the price range, but Klim doesn’t skimp on quality so it’s money smartly invested in your safety.

Firstgear Women's Contour Air Mesh Black Pants   J&P Part #: 305-2318

For all the women out there who like to lay down the miles, Firstgear Women’s Contour Air Mesh Pants are made for long haulers. A poly mesh material is teamed with abrasion-resistant impact panels in the knee and butt. CE-approved Level 1 Knox Micro-Lock armor protect the knees and hips, while its removable liner is both breathable and waterproof. The women’s motorcycle riding pants have rear leg zippers to make getting them on easier and adjust at the waist to tailor the fit once they’re on.

Motorcycle Gloves

Joe Rocket Men’s Briton Black Leather Gloves   J&P Part  #: 240-3351

If you’re like me, I carry two pairs of gloves when I travel long distance, a set of shortys and a pair of gauntlets. On hot days I prefer to have some wind racing up my sleeves, so I wear a standard set of gloves like Joe Rockets Briton Leather Gloves. Flex panels ensure your digits can move freely while cowhide leather, injection molded knuckle armor and padded fingers and palms protect your hands. A zipper and snap cuff closure make them easy to get on, then stay on. Joe Rocket makes a solid pair of riding gloves for just over $50.

Scorpion EXO Men’s Tempest Waterproof Black Gloves  J&P Part #: 100-3579

Every rider should own a set of waterproof gauntlets, especially if you love to road trip. Cold, soggy hands are no fun when you ride, and a pair of Scorpion EXO Tempest Waterproof Gloves will remedy that situation. The waterproofed leather gloves have 100g Thinsulate insulation to keep your hands warm and dry but have perforations on the back of the hand and sides of the fingers so they can breathe in normal riding conditions as well. It even has a little squeegee built onto the index finger to wipe rain off your visor with.

J&P Cycles Black Deerskin Waterproof Gloves  J&P Part #: 692-491

We make a pretty nice pair of waterproof motorcycle gloves here at J&P Cycles, too. Our Black Deerskin Waterproof Gloves have an Enprotex waterproof lining and an elastic band around the wrist to help keep water out. They’re nice and long so they easily slide over a jacket’s sleeves. Did we mention they’re soft and supple so they have that “broken in” feel?

Motorcycle Rain Gear

Frogg Toggs Men’s Java 2.5 Illuminator Rain Jacket (Black)  J&P Part #: 160-2386

Rain gear can mean the difference between slogging through a miserable ride or comfortably pushing through the storm. Frogg Toggs makes some of the best rain gear out there, and its Java 2.5 Illuminator Rain Jacket is one of their top products. From its DriPore Gen 2 waterproof fabric to its fully taped and sealed seams, Frogg Toggs Men’s Java 2.5 Illuminator Rain Jacket gets the job done. It’s got a built-in hoody when you’re off the bike and has plenty of pockets to stash stuff in. Between the piping on the arms to the reflective tape on the front, Frogg Toggs makes sure riders are seen even when it’s dark and stormy out.

J&P Cycles Two-Piece Top Quality Rain Suit   J&P Part #: 150-0473

Made of 100% waterproof nylon, J&P Cycles Two-Piece Rain Suit is a jacket and pants combo that rolls up for easy packing in the fold-out storage pouch. This pouch can be worn conveniently around your waist so you don’t have to fish the rain suit out of the bottom of a saddlebag if you know rain's a comin'. The big orange stripe is highly visible during the day while the gray stripes that border it are reflective for night rides. Boot straps make sure the bottom of the pants aren’t flapping around and keep spray from creeping up your leg. Easy to roll up into its storage pouch and stash in a saddlebag so you’re ready when the clouds inevitably break open.

Nelson-Rigg AS-3000 Aston Black Two-Piece Rain Suit   J&P Part #: 713-469

Nelson-Rigg makes a fine two-piece waterproof rain suit in its own right. The jacket’s extra long and its hook-and-loop storm flap comes way down below the waist. It has three large exterior waterproof pockets and a soft corduroy inner collar that holds a hidden hoody. The Nelson-Rigg AS-3000 Aston Black Two-Piece Rain Suit has a polyester outer shell and nylon-lined sleeves. The pants have heat-resistant material to help protect against those brief, incidental touches of hot exhausts.

Frogg Toggs Frogg Feet Black Shoe Covers   J&P Part #: 160-2298

If you live in a state like me where you know you’re going to get rained on, I suggest tossing a pair of Frogg Toggs Frogg Feet Shoe Covers in your saddlebag. They slip on easily over your boots and do a bang-up job of keeping your feet dry. I’ve worn rain suits and arrived at my destination with wet, soggy feet.  Frogg Toggs Frogg Feet can remedy the problem for a measly $13.

Motorcycle Luggage

Nelson-Rigg Route 1 Traveler Tour Trunk   J&P Part #: 240-4441

Sometimes a Tour-Pak and saddlebags just aren’t quite enough. That’s where the Nelson-Rigg Route 1 Traveler Tour Trunk comes into play. It mounts right on top of most touring luggage racks and expands to a volume of 73.5 liters, more than big enough for two full-face helmets. It comes with a waterproof cover and mounts easily. If you’re the type that’s on the road for weeks on end, a little extra storage space is always welcome.

Kuryakyn Momentum Hitchhiker Trunk Rack Bag   J&P Part #: 921-271

Kuryakyn’s Momentum Hitchhiker Trunk Rack Bag also mounts easily on a touring luggage rack thanks to its combination of elastic shock cords with hook-and-loop fasteners. Not quite as capacious as the Nelson Riggs Hitchhiker, its 23” inches long by 14” wide and 9” high. It has an external bungee storage system for bedrolls and the like and has a couple of extra forward-facing external pockets a passenger can access while in motion. It also has Molle modular attachment points for further utility.

Saddlemen BR3400 Tactical Back Seat Sissy Bar Bag   J&P Part #: 305-2708

Saddlemen’s BR3400 Tactical Back Seat Sissy Bar is a great option for riders who love to travel but don’t ride a bagger or tourer. It has a big top-loading main compartment so you can access stuff once it’s strapped down. The BR3400 Tactical Sissy Bar Bag also has a padded laptop storage compartment and six external pockets, two which expand. Molle modular attachment points boost its capacity capabilities even more. It’s got a built-in, adjustable backrest pad and comes with a rain cover with security tethers. Well-made and smartly designed, it’s an excellent bag for long hauls.

Icon Crosswalk Backpack  J&P Part #: 510-1758

Sometimes riders need to bring along just a little something extra. That was me riding to Sturgis. My saddlebags were crammed with enough stuff for 10 days on the road but I didn’t have enough room for my camera and computer. So I tossed them in an Icon Crosswalk Backpack. It’s designed to stash a helmet and laptop in when you’re not on the bike, but it worked perfectly for my camera and computer. The padded shoulder straps are comfortable and it’s a bit rounder to help out aerodynamics when it’s sitting on your back. Every rider needs a good backpack and the Icon Crosswalk is purpose-built with motorcyclists in mind.