Motorcycle Riding Gear

ATGATT. You’ve heard it before, but what does it mean? “All the gear, all the time.” Ok, sure, but what gear? What are the essential pieces of gear you need to ride safely and comfortably on your gorgeous and stylish Harley-Davidson® motorcycle? At Chicago Harley-Davidson Wrigleyville, conveniently located across from Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois - Home of the Cubs - we’ve put together this brief guide to help you gear up and get out there looking your best and feeling snug as a bug in a rug. When you’re ready to level up your motorcycle experience, come visit our dealership! We’ve got a great selection of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles and gear at competitive prices, and our friendly sales team will be happy to help you find the perfect bike. 

Head

Although Illinois law doesn’t require helmets, we strongly urge you to wear one on all your rides. Have you ever dropped a watermelon on a concrete floor? Imagine that’s your head. Falling off or crashing a motorcycle at any speed without a helmet on will lead to severe injury and very likely death from your head’s impact with the pavement. 

How do you choose a helmet? Buy one that is DOT-compliant, which you’ll find on a sticker on the back of the helmet. When trying on a new helmet, make sure it doesn’t rattle around when you shake your head. It should be snug without pinching. You also need to make sure you’re buying a helmet appropriate for your head shape - oval or round are most common, but there are helmets specifically designed to fit different shapes of head.

Neck

A lot of riders forget neck protection, but it can really make a ride more comfortable, especially when the weather’s not great. In cold weather, wearing a gaiter or balaclava will help keep the cold and wind out. In hot weather, a bandana or moisture-wicking neck gaiter will help prevent sunburn and keep your neck cool. 

Upper Body

You need a good quality armored jacket, especially if you’re going to be riding at speed for long periods of time. Just like a helmet, an armored jacket might make the difference between severe injury and survivable injury in a crash. And being in the Windy City, where winters can get pretty fierce, you already know you need a good jacket if you want to ride in the cold. Buy a good insulated jacket and wear it with a warm base layer, and you’ll be toasty warm. When it gets warm outside again, switch to a lightweight, perforated jacket - but stick with one that has good armor in the back and arms. 

Hands

A good pair of gloves can prevent blisters, protect your hands from inclement weather, and shield your hands in a crash. Look for gloves with knuckle protection, and buy a dedicated pair for winter and summer riding. In a Chicago winter, you’ll want to look for either claw-type gloves or super-warm mittens. These might make it a little awkward to manipulate your handlebar controls, but they’ll also keep your hands much warmer than a 5-fingered glove could ever hope to do. 

Legs

As we’ve said, armor is critical, and your legs are no exception. Many riders choose to slip on a pair of armored overpants that fit over jeans or slacks, and that way they can easily remove the overpants at the end of a ride. In cold weather, look for wind-resistant and waterproof overpants that’ll help keep your legs warm and protected. Alternatively, you can buy armored jeans or leather chaps to keep the cold out.

Feet

If you just slip on some old sneakers and go for a ride, you’re going to be in for a world of hurt. First of all, those sneakers won’t have proper grip. Secondly, they don’t have proper protection. Buy a dedicated pair of riding boots, and your feet will really thank you when they’re not horribly disfigured in a crash. For summer riding, look for vented boots that promote good airflow and have moisture-wicking insoles to keep your feet from getting swampy on long, hot rides. For winter riding, a warm pair of wool socks and a pair of insulated, waterproof boots can really keep your toes from freezing. 

So that’s what ATGATT means - gearing up so you can ride comfortably and safely - all the time. Every ride. At Chicago Harley-Davidson of Wrigleyville, we’ve got a great selection of gear, and we’ll be happy to find you what you need for your style of riding. Come see us today!