Must-Have Accessories for Motorcycle Commuters
Whether you just want to save a little gas, or you’re looking for a refreshing jolt of adrenaline first thing in the morning, there are a number of reasons to ride your motorcycle to work. But when you start getting into the rhythm of daily riding, you’ll likely realize that your experience will be much better if you get your gear in order. Every little annoyance of ill-fitting clothing or a poorly equipped bike will become much more apparent.
Here at Indian Motorcycle of Orange County, we love riding, and know that part of that is commuting. This short list contains the type of gear that we’ve found most helpful as riders ourselves. When you need to get the best gear, parts, and upgrades for your bike, stop by our dealership and showroom. We’re located in Orange County and serve the areas of Santa Ana, Long Beach, and Los Angeles, California.
One Piece Riding Suit
Southern California isn’t exactly known for its snow storms, but a one piece riding suit can still be helpful! A riding suit will remove the gaps between garments which lead to cold spots that can be very annoying on your ride. A one piece riding suit is also just way more convenient for putting on and taking off than a set of separate riding pants and a riding jacket. You can simply step in and out with ease.
Neck Protection
As we said before, the gaps between clothing get strangely irritating the longer you ride. The space between your collar and your helmet is one of the first places to get cool. There are a lot of solutions for solving this problem, but some are decidedly better than others. Some choose an ascot or bandana to add a little protection, while others go with a scarf. There are also purpose-built collars you can put on to insulate to yourself. Just make sure that whatever you choose, you can secure it completely so it won’t unwind in the wind.
Gloves and Boots
Your first couple trips, you might be tempted to wear the shoes you would normally wear to work. While this will save you a little time getting out the door, it’s not the best idea. The dust and debris that gets kicked up by the road can start to wear down your shoes. Plus, your normal shoes might not be sturdy enough for the task of holding your bike upright when you’re stopped at a light. Try to find some boots that extend far enough up the leg to meet with your pants so that you can eliminate the cold gap that commonly occurs between the two.
Gloves are another crucial piece for commuters. Good gloves will shield your hands from the wind, cold, and debris while also giving you better grip on your handlebars and controls. Try to find a pair with shielding on the outside of the knuckles.
Top-Side Box
As you ride to work, you’ll probably find that you need more cargo room than you initially thought. A backpack is a simple solution to this problem, but backpacks aren’t exactly comfortable to wear while you ride. Instead, go for a top-side cargo box. Many are big enough to fit a full-sized helmet, and when used with saddlebags, you can have a place to store all your riding gear when you head into work.
Windscreen
Not everyone is crazy about the way a windscreen makes their bike look, but the usefulness of a windscreen is hard to deny when you’re riding on a daily basis. A windscreen will take the pressure off your chest and torso as you ride. In rain storms, it will also protect you from the road spray kicked up by other vehicles.
Riding your motorcycle is a fun and fuel-efficient way to get to work so long as you have the right gear. Hopefully this short guide gave you a few ideas about how you can improve your riding gear set up. If you have any more questions, stop by Indian Motorcycle of Orange County. We’re known throughout the Los Angeles area for our excellent customer service and awesome selection of bikes, parts, and accessories. Stop by today if you live in Santa Ana, Long Beach, or Orange County.