Best Motorcycle Accessories: Enjoy the Ride With a Few Extras

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The great thing about motorcycle accessories is that there are so many to choose from. The worst thing about motorcycle accessories is that there are so many to choose from. Whether you’re looking for gear for yourself or a loved one, you can pick from a variety of items, from safety gear that protects your body to cleaning products that keep your bike looking good to exhaust pipes that enhance performance. Motorcycle accessories can include everything from helmets and gloves to GPS units and Bluetooth headsets. You’re lucky if you have a rider in your life because there’s no shortage of items to give him or her. If you’re having a tough time picking out the right equipment, we have some suggestions below.

Our Methodology

I’ve ridden motorcycles for about 20 years. I know the types of items you need for riding, and it doesn’t include a kitschy bottle opener with a Harley-Davidson logo on it. While those kinds of gifts are fun, they’re not exactly practical. What you do need, in addition to protective gear, are items that make long trips more bearable and everyday commutes more enjoyable. I included brand names and equipment in a variety of different prices. While I was unable to test all the gear on this list, I have used similar items and also read user feedback to see how they perform in real-life conditions. For more information on our methodology, go here. 

Best Motorcycle Accessories Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: Nelson Rigg Deluxe All Season Cover

Best Value: Stockton Roadside Tool Kit

Best for Touring: Nelson-Rigg Stormrider Rain Suit

Best for Commuting: Oxford M1R Micro Magnetic Tank Bag

Best for Camping: Alps Mountaineering Zephyr 2-Person Tent

Best for Ducati: Shoei RF-1400 Helmet

Best for Honda: Sena 10C Pro Bluetooth Headset & Camera

Best for Harley-Davidson: Vance & Hines Shortshots Staggered Exhaust

Best Overall

Nelson Rigg Deluxe All-Season Cover

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Best Value

Stockton Roadside Tool Kit

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Best for Touring

Nelson-Rigg Stormrider Rain Suit

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Best for Commuting

Oxford M1R Micro Magnetic Tank Bag

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Best for Camping

Alps Mountaineering Zephyr Two-Person Tent

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Best for Ducati

Shoei RF-1400 Helmet

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Best for Honda

Sena 10C Pro Bluetooth Headset and Camera

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Best for Harley-Davidson

Vance & Hines Shortshots Staggered Exhaust

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Verdict

The Nelson Rigg Deluxe All Season Cover comes in a variety of sizes to fit most bikes, and it’s not as personal as clothing, which stylistically varies from person to person. The cover is a great light-duty option and protects bikes from dust, curious onlookers, and mild weather fluctuations. For a more budget-friendly pick, consider the very useful Stockton Roadside Tool Kit.

Consider Secondhand

When we start shopping for tools and products, we never overlook the secondhand market. In fact, it’s usually the first place I look. Whether you’re scrolling through Amazon’s Renewed section, eBay for car parts or tools, or flipping through the pages of Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, you have hundreds of thousands of used tools, parts, and gear ready to be shipped to your doorstep. Refurbished to like-new status, they’ll be willing to give you many more years of faithful service all while saving you money. 

Secondhand Tips

To make your secondhand search easier, here are two tips for finding the best deals and making sure your new-to-you stuff wasn’t destroyed by the previous owner. 

• Avoid buying secondhand helmets as you may not know if they’ve been dropped or if their safety has otherwise been compromised.
• Examine the item thoroughly for excessive wear and tear and make sure any blemishes are surface only and don’t affect the integrity of the gear.

Things to Consider Before Buying Motorcycle Accessories

Motorcycle accessories serve a variety of purposes. You can choose safety-related gear such as helmets, airbag vests, or armored jackets. There’s bike equipment, including shocks, exhausts, and windshields. There are storage options, such as saddlebags and fork tool bags. And there are numerous aftermarket motorcycle accessories that make riding more comfortable, such as seat pads and throttle controllers. 

Pricing 

Motorcycle accessories and gear vary widely in pricing. You can buy small items such as tire pressure gauges, cleaning products, and hats for less than $20. On the other end of the spectrum, expect to pay hundreds of dollars for exhaust upgrades, good helmets, and Bluetooth headsets. In between, you can buy a nice pair of boots or camping equipment for a couple hundred bucks. 

FAQs 

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.

Q: What should every motorcyclist have? 

A:  New and established bikers should own protective clothing, including a full-face helmet, gloves, boots, and eye protection. It’s also a good idea to have a bag for items such as your cell phone, wallet, a bottle of water, and an extra layer of clothing.

Q: What to keep with you on a motorcycle? 

A:  It’s a good idea to keep your insurance and registration on your bike along with a small toolkit in the event that you have a minor roadside emergency.

Q: What type of accessories do motorcyclists need? 

A: It can be convenient to have a Bluetooth headset for communicating with other riders and a GPS unit to get you where you’re going. If you plan ahead, however, you shouldn’t need to rely on modern technology to reach your destination.

Q. What should I buy for a motorcycle rider?

A: First, find out if they need anything. Good gift ideas for bikers include cleaning products and detailing kits, heated gloves if they ride in cold weather, a packable toolkit, or a gift card to a local dealer or online motorcycle shop.