Whether you’re a seasoned motorcyclist or just starting out, having the right gear for your motorcycle touring adventures is important. And whilst many people focus on practical accessories (like puncture repair kits and tyre compressors), we want to emphasise the accessories that keep you comfortable on your travels.
Having the right motorcycle accessories can make all the difference in the comfort and safety of your ride. So here are some of the top motorcycle touring essentials you should consider for your next tour.
Heated Gear
I take my Keis heated gloves on every trip – even in mid-July when temperatures are generally at their highest! Why? Because even in the summer, it can get cold in the mountains.
Heated gloves are an essential accessory for any rider who wants to stay comfortable and warm during rides when the temperature dips. Not only do they prevent numbness and cold-induced pain in the hands, but they also ensure that a rider has a secure grip on the handlebars.
With added warmth to the hands, heated gloves let you focus on the road ahead and enjoy riding it without discomfort.
Depending on the make and model, heated gloves feature waterproofing, adjustable temperature settings, and durable material to withstand harsh weather conditions.
Overall, heated gloves are an investment worth considering for any rider who rides and tours year-round.
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- Keis Heated Motorcycle Gloves: Touring Made Better
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Top Motorcycle Accessories: Base Layers
Base layers regulate body temperature and keep you comfortable on long journeys. With the right base layer, you can stay warm and dry in the winter and sweat-free in the summer.
Base layers are designed to wick moisture away from the skin, which helps keep the body dry – reducing comfort, coldness, and general discomfort.
Additionally, the breathable fabric used in base layers helps in temperature control, allowing you to maintain a comfortable body temperature while on a long ride.
Without base layers, rides in extreme temperatures can become unbearable due to sweating or exposure to cold. Investing in high-quality base layers allows you to maintain a more comfortable and enjoyable riding experience, regardless of the weather.
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Gloves (Summer in winter & winter in summer)
Mesh summer motorcycle gloves are designed to provide breathability and ventilation, making them ideal for riding in hot climates. And they really do make a difference – I can’t recommend them enough.
With perforated mesh material, they ensure your hands stay cool and dry even on hot days.
On the other extreme are winter motorcycle gloves, designed to provide warmth and protection from cold weather. And as with heated gloves, I bring a pair even on summer tours.
They are usually thicker gloves with insulation, waterproofing, and windproofing to keep the hands warm and dry.
Both summer and winter gloves serve different purposes – but can also be useful on the same tour. Bringing both helps ensure a comfortable and safe ride regardless of the weather conditions.
Investing in both summer and winter gloves will help you maintain better control, grip, and comfort while on the road.
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Find the Furygan TD12 gloves on
Top Motorcycle Accessories: Mesh Jacket
A mesh motorcycle jacket can be a lifesaver for riders on long trips. They’re designed to provide excellent airflow, keeping you cool and comfortable during warmer rides. As with summer gloves, I can’t recommend mesh jackets highly enough.
With ventilation holes present throughout the jacket, they provide maximum breathability. On top of this, mesh jackets are usually more lightweight than their winter counterparts and allow natural movement.
Moreover, good mesh jackets come with CE-approved armour to protect you in case of an accident. The versatility, comfort, and protection offered by mesh motorcycle jackets make them a worthy investment for any rider on long trips in the summer.
Related Post: We Tested It: Furygan Genesis Mistral Evo 2 Jacket (Review)
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Hydration System
A hydration system is essential for any motorcyclist enjoying long trips, especially in hot weather. It doesn’t matter what system you use – so long as you have one. Something as easy as carrying plastic water bottles filled up from the hotel will make a huge difference to your comfort levels and performance.
Consider a hydration pack if you want to take it a step further. These packs are designed to provide a convenient and hands-free way to stay hydrated while on the road. They are usually worn as backpacks or waist-packs and include a water reservoir with a hose and bite valve for easy access to water without having to stop the motorcycle.
With their large capacities, hydration bladders can store sufficient water for long road trips, reducing the need for frequent water stops. Although admittedly, they increase the need for toilet stops!
On the plus side, hydration packs can store other essential items such as a phone, map, and snacks, providing easy access to other essentials while on the road and increasing convenience.
Staying hydrated is essential for motorcyclists since it helps improve focus, alertness, and energy levels while reducing the risk of heat exhaustion or dehydration. In our book, hydration packs are a worthwhile investment for bikers looking to stay safe, healthy, and hydrated throughout their journeys.
Related Post: 10 Top Tips For Better Motorcycle Touring Hydration
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Summer Boots
Unlike traditional motorcycle boots, summer boots provide maximum airflow and breathability to keep your feet cool and dry during warm-weather riding.
They are usually made of lightweight and breathable materials such as mesh, nylon, and synthetic fabrics, reducing the overall weight of the boots and providing better flexibility.
Additionally, many summer motorcycle boots use advanced ventilation systems to ensure air circulates through the boot, reducing heat accumulation and preventing sweating.
The open design of these boots also means the air can flow through the footwear, reducing heat accumulation and providing a comfortable ride.
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Find the Alpinestars SMX boots on
Top Motorcycle Accessories: Earplugs
Riding for extended periods can expose riders to excessive engine or wind noise. And this can ultimately lead to hearing loss, fatigue, or discomfort such as tinnitus. Earplugs can help reduce the noise level by up to 30 decibels, making the ride quieter and more comfortable while protecting your hearing.
Many earplugs designed for motorcyclists are made from a soft and pliable material, ensuring a customised fit that is comfortable whilst reducing pressure points in the ear canal.
They also come in different shapes and sizes, catering to different needs. And some even feature filtering technology that protects your hearing without blocking the essential sounds such as emergency service sirens, alarms or communication systems.
With these features, riders can enjoy more extended journeys with less fatigue and discomfort, improving their overall health and safety.
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Visor Cleaner
A clean and clear visor is crucial for safety on the road as it provides an unobstructed view of the surroundings, reducing the risk of an accident.
We all know the annoyances that result from bug splats and general crud sticking to your visor. But it can also be a distraction.
Visor cleaners are specially formulated sprays designed to remove the grime and marks from visors without leaving any residue. They work to dissolve mud, bugs, and debris from the visor, ensuring it is clean and crystal clear.
With a clean and clear visor, riders can enjoy a safer and more enjoyable journey without worrying about visibility issues – and without staring at whatever bug is splattered on there instead of the road.
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Top Motorcycle Accessories: Decent Comms Unit
Comms systems facilitate communication between riders, providing a wide range of benefits, such as improving communication between riders, enhancing safety, and increasing comfort.
With a communication system, riders can easily communicate with each other throughout the ride. And as many now maintain the connection over multiple kilometres, riders needn’t ride on top of each other anymore! It’s also super useful in traffic when bikers tend to get separated.
Comms units are also good for group rides where riders can communicate about road conditions, fuel stops, or other related issues, ensuring the journey is safer, enjoyable, and more organised.
Moreover, communication systems allow riders to listen to music or receive audio directions from a GPS, improving the overall comfort of the trip.
Additionally, most communication systems feature noise-cancelling technology that automatically adjusts the audio level per the surrounding noise level, ensuring clear communication at all times.
Related: The Best Motorcycle Bluetooth Headsets: Budget To Premium
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USB Socket or Power Bank
These devices provide a convenient way to keep electrical items charged and running while on the road, such as mobile phones, cameras, and GPS units.
With a power bank or USB socket, you no longer have to worry about running out of battery power when travelling, reducing overall anxiety and the hassle of looking for charging points.
These small devices come in various sizes and many are compact and lightweight, making them easy to mount onto the motorcycle without adding additional weight.
Power banks are also efficient, providing multiple charges for various devices while reducing the number of batteries you need to carry.
With these features, USB sockets or power banks add convenience to a long trip, enhance rider comfort levels, and reduce the stress and hassle of searching for electrical points in remote areas. They’re certainly motorcycle accessories worth having!
Top Motorcycle Accessories: Pinlock
A Pinlock visor is an accessory that can make motorcycle travel more comfortable, particularly during foggy or rainy conditions. A Pinlock is a thin, transparent insert with a hydrophilic coating and is placed inside the helmet visor.
This coating draws moisture away from the visor, preventing fogging and ensuring clear visibility in any weather. Without a Pinlock, you could experience significant difficulty seeing due to the fogged-up visor.
This not only increases the risk of an accident but also causes fatigue and stress. By providing fog-free vision, the Pinlock insert ensures a safer and more comfortable ride.
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Waterproofs
Waterproofs are a crucial accessory for any motorcyclist travelling in any area at any time of year! Riding for extended periods in wet or cold weather can lead to discomfort, fatigue, and loss of alertness and concentration whilst generally making the journey less enjoyable.
When caught in the rain, waterproofs keep you dry, allowing you to remain warm and comfortable during the journey. And most waterproofs are lightweight and can easily be packed in your luggage or worn over your gear, taking very little space.
By remaining warm and dry, you can enjoy a safer, more comfortable journey, reducing fatigue and ensuring alertness for the road ahead.
Related Posts:
- Motorcycle Waterproofs: Your Ultimate Buying Guide
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Find the Alpinestars Hurricane suit on
Top Motorcycle Accessories for Your Next Long Trip: Conclusion
In conclusion, staying comfortable on long motorcycle trips is essential for safety and a pleasant journey. The right accessories, such as the ones listed above, are necessary to protect against the elements and ensure you remain warm, cool, dry and comfortable on your travels.
Comfort is key when maintaining alertness and comfort on an extended ride, ultimately leading to a safer trip. Investing in these accessories can help motorcyclists make the most comfortable journey possible and enjoy a safer riding experience every time.