Last year brought about new records in motorcycle ownership. Now, 8% of households own at least one motorcycle.
These motorcycle enthusiasts can start the new year off right with a fresh look. Tons of innovative products have hit the market, making it easier to ride in style, safety, and comfort.
So, which new bike products can make your trips more enjoyable and convenient? Read on for our top picks of this year’s 7 best motorcycle accessories and gear.
1. A Badass Bike Lock
Motorcycle theft has declined by 6% within the past year. Yet, it’s still smart to be safe when it comes to securing your bike when not in use.
A bike lock gives you that extra peace of mind when parking your bike somewhere. These motorcycle accessories help to enhance security by immobilizing your bike. This comes in handy to stop someone from trying to steal your bike, either by rolling it driving it away.
Bike locks come in different styles, including disc locks, chain locks, and u-locks. The Kryptonite 000884 Keeper 5S-2 Yellow Disk Lock is a great option.
It features a stapler-style lock with dual reinforced cylinders. It also has a 5 mm pin diameter which is ideal for fitting smaller vent holes.
The lock offers a compact and lightweight weatherproof design. It’s compatible with most top motorcycle brands and also comes in chrome color. The product even comes with a lifetime warranty.
This Kryptonite lock model includes a bright-colored reminder cable. This is to help avoid you trying to drive off without disengaging the lock first.
It also comes with a carrying case and two keys. So, be sure to keep your spare key in a smart location.
The Kryptonite brand offers customers a special Key Safe Program. This allows you to register your keys so you can get replacements should you lose them.
Another popular lock model is the KryptoLok 10-S Disk Lock. This features a 10mm pin diameter and is crafted from hardened drop forged steel. It’s available in yellow, orange, or chrome colors.
An Extra Safety Tip…
A smart safety tip is to use the lock to attach your bike to a secure spot. Wood and other non-durable fence materials are easy for a thief to cut through. Many motorcycle owners use two different style locks to further secure their bike.
It’s also best to lock up your motorcycle in locations where there are other bikes present. Always locking your bike in the same location could attract a thief as well.
2. A Comfortable Vest or Jacket
The right wardrobe is a must for any biker looking to stay comfortable and cool while riding. A vest or jacket is often considered the best motorcycle accessory for this.
Leather is the most popular material of choice for its durability and quality. Yet, many bikers like textile or mesh hybrid options as well.
Newer lightweight jacket designs offer weatherproofing features with improved air circulation. Vents and liners are other motorcycle jacket features to help enhance comfort.
Jacket pockets are also great for holding smaller items when on-the-go. You can find different jacket cuts for a better fit while riding. This includes waist cut or three-quarter cut.
Some vests contain extra padding to help protect you during a fall. Jackets will also offer some padding in the shoulder and elbow areas. Some jackets and vests even contain airbag features should an accident occur.
Schott, Alpinestars, and Rev’It are popular leather motorcycle jacket brands. The Dainese Super Speed Jacket is a top sports jacket to consider.
3. A Safe Helmet
The right helmet is essential to enhance your safety while riding. Using proper safety gear will reduce your risk of injury on a bike. Helmets help increase the chance of survival in an otherwise fatal crash.
Another benefit of helmets is that they make for a smoother and more enjoyable ride. The visor on a helmet keeps wind and insects from bothering you and disrupting your vision.
Helmets offer a durable outer shell to help reduce impact and protect your head. This outer protection most often comes from polycarbonate, carbon fiber, or fiberglass. A helmet will also offer an inner liner for extra comfort and warmth.
Top helmets include the Icon Flash Bang or Airflite Helmet. The AGV K1 Helmet and the Scorpion EXO Adventure Touring Helmet are other great options.
A motorcycle mask can also be worn underneath your helmet. This extra layer helps to keep you warm when riding in colder climates.
4. A Great Pair of Gloves
Gloves are top motorcycle accessories for enhancing your comfort and safety. Gloves give you a better grip on the handlebars. They also reduce blisters and discomfort from handlebar vibration.
Gloves protect you from low-hanging branches, flying debris, and a run-in with asphalt. Wearing gloves will also minimize injuries to your hands during a fall.
Firstgear’s newly released line of men’s gloves is a hit this year. They offer different styles in black color from sizes small to 3XL.
Their Heated Outrider Glove keeps your hands warm and dry through cooler temperatures. They are made from goat leather and are waterproof and moisture-resistant. These gloves feature three different heat settings to help control your comfort level.
The Navigator Glove combines the perfect amount of comfort, warmth, flexibility, and protection. It’s a design made of 420D textile with leather palms.
Navigator Gloves feature lightweight padded foam knuckles with wrist and gauntlet adjusters. They also have fingertip smartphone technology. This allows you to use your phone while wearing gloves.
Firtgear’s Kinetic Gloves are built for performance and mobility. They offer soft leather panels, padded knuckles, and an armored box finger design. This glove style is also available in a Kinetic Short model.
The brand’s new Tech Liners help add extra insulation and comfort. These can be worn with either lined or unlined gloves of your choice.
5. A Backpack or Saddlebag
Bags are must have motorcycle accessories for most riders. They allow you to carry all your essentials right with you while on your bike. This secure gear will keep your stuff safe and organized while traveling.
The best backpacks and bags offer plenty of pockets for better organization. They also feature waterproof compartments for holding electronics.
You can choose from bags that attach to the motorcycle tank, tail, or saddle. Other bags are designed to secure under the motorcycle seat.
The Kriega US-30 Drypack offers a 30-liter carrying capacity. This bag is designed to fit almost all motorcycles and is 100% waterproof. It’s durable and stays secured to your bike with 4 quick-release buckles.
The bag features a flexible design that also allows you to attach extra packs. This can give you more carrying space, up to 70 liters.
It also offers convenient and easy to attach carrying straps. The Kriega US-30 Drypack is even backed by a 10-year warranty.
6. A High-Tech Bluetooth Set
Bluetooth headsets are one of the newer cool motorcycle accessories to have. These are ideal for communicating with others on high-speed rides.
Bluetooth headsets offer extra features to make for more enjoyable riding experiences. They can connect to GPS for providing directions. Bluetooth also allows you to talk on the phone hands-free or listen to music.
The Sena SMH5 Bluetooth Headset is a best seller and was designed for motorcycle use. It features Bluetooth v3.0 specs with excellent sound quality.
The headset also offers wind-noise reduction and noise cancellation. It has up to 8 hours of talk-time and allows use while charging.
The headset features water-resistant capabilities for unexpected weather conditions while riding. It’s even capable of pairing with other Bluetooth brands. The Sena SMH5 Bluetooth Headset is backed by a 2-year warranty as well.
7. A Soft and Durable Seat Protector
A seat protector helps make riding long distances more comfortable. It also protects the delicate leather of your chair, reducing rips from long-term use.
The Coleman MadDog GearComfort Ride Seat Protector offers a quality design at a great price point. Its design creates extra cushioning and support with soft foam. This provides more comfort for your legs and backside when riding for hours at a time.
The product’s ergonomic design secures to the bike seat using three quick-release buckles. The Coleman MadDog GearComfort Ride Seat Protector is also backed by a one year warranty.
A Roundup of This Year’s Best Motorcycle Accessories
The best motorcycle accessories work to enhance style, safety, comfort, and convenience. This list of products offers the best in design, innovation, and quality features. Using these top accessories and gear will help make all your motorcycle trips even more enjoyable.
Using the right accessories and gear is as important as buying the right bike for your lifestyle. If you’re looking for an upgrade, here are the best motorcycle buys for the new year.