Whether you’re one of the brave humans who layer up and ride through the winter or choose to hibernate during the cold months with your bike safely hooked up to a trickle charger, the longer days of summer are always welcomed. While you eagerly await encouraging notifications from your weather app and incessantly mark the calendar for any incoming warm fronts, you might as well get ready. Warm weather riding gear can make the difference between an okay “first ride” of the season and a truly great one — it’s all about comfort and protection.

Bell Eliminator Helmet

The vintage helmet style has been done to death at this point, but Bell has added a new twist. The Eliminator dips into Bell’s rich history of auto racing for inspiration. Its old-school always-open venting is great for hot days, though if you get caught in the rain, you’ll definitley get wet. However, it’s hard to beat the Bell Eliminator’s bang for buck factor as it’s still a highly rated lid. Most importantly, it’s both DOT and ECE rated.

Dainese Bardo Perforated Jacket

Textile motorcycle jackets, while incredibly breathable, are an aacquired taste. Leather jackets, on the other hand, ooze style but aren’t exactly the first choice on a hot day’s ride. That is, unless, you pick up a preforated leather jacket like the Dainese Bardo which provides protection, subtle style and airflow in abundance.

Rev’It Arch Gloves

The key to a future-favorite summer riding glove is the balance of protection and airflow. Rev’It employs the perfect amount of leather, mesh and neoprene in the right places to ensure comfort never entroaches on style and vice versa.

Aether Ramble Pants

Aether’s reputation of designing products at the intersection minimalism, functionality, style is top-notch, and exemplified by the Ramble pants. It’s not very often you find pants that can seamlessly transition from a commute through morning traffic to sitting in on an office meeting.

Rokker Urban Racer Boots

You see a lot of motorcycle-styled boots out there that broadcast timeless design but back it up with absolutely no utility. Hand-made in Portugal, the Rokker Urban Racer Boots are real motorcycle boots because ankle, heel, and toe protection are expertly hidden under well-styled, water-repellant cow hide.

Looking For a New Bike?

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This past year was full of great bikes built for both off-road and on. From an unbelievably high-horsepower hyperbike to a svelte Swedish electric new-comer to a slew of adventure bikes, these are 10 of the best bikes we rode in 2018. Read the Story