What to know before buying motorcycle gear

Step 1

What kind of rider are you?

This changes everything. The gear you need depends almost entirely on how you actually ride, not how you want to ride.

Most riders

City / Casual

Commuting, errands, the occasional longer trip. You need something protective enough to matter in a crash and comfortable enough that you'll wear it on quick rides too. Especially quick rides. That's when people skip the gear. That's when people get hurt.

Regular miles

Highway / Touring

You're putting in real distance. Protection level matters more here. Aim for the higher end of the specs, more on that below.

Not our lane

Track Rider

Firemoto isn't the right brand for you. You need a proper leather race suit from a brand that specializes in track gear. We'll make you a custom leather suit if you email us your measurements (an we have made custom suits in the past), but it's easier to go find a specialist.

Step 2

What does the price actually get you?

For armored casual gear, price maps pretty directly to protection. Here's what you're actually buying at each level.

$100-$150	Partial Kevlar or aramid lining. Usually no armor included, you'd buy that separately. Better than nothing, but not by a huge margin.
$150-$250	Full Kevlar lining + CE Level 1 armor at the elbows and shoulders. This is the entry point for gear that genuinely protects you in a real crash.
$250-$350	Full Kevlar + CE Level 2 armor. Meaningfully more protective. Worth it if you ride highways regularly.
$400+	Leather gear. Premium construction, custom options, maximum abrasion resistance.

If you find full Kevlar and Level 2 armor at $80, something is wrong. Gear priced that far below market is almost always cutting corners on materials, stitching, or the certification itself.

The materials

Kevlar vs. Aramid

You'll see both terms used. Here's the real difference.

Kevlar

Brand name by DuPont

The material in bulletproof vests. Used by the US military. Extensively tested, trusted, more expensive. Used in Firemoto gear for abrasion resistance. Stops the fabric shredding when you slide on pavement.

Aramid

Generic version

Same basic material category, different manufacturer, lower cost. Not bad, but not the same as the named certified version. When a brand just says "aramid lining" without specifying Kevlar, that's the cheaper option.

The armor

CE Level 1 vs. Level 2

CE ratings are independently tested and certified, not just claimed. Here's what the numbers mean in plain English.

L1

Max 35 kN transmitted

Good protection for city riding and everyday crash scenarios. Covers the vast majority of real-world incidents.

L2

Max 20 kN transmitted

Significantly more protective. Less force reaches your body in the same crash. Recommended for regular highway riding.

Lower kN = less impact force reaching your body. Level 2 is the better armor, full stop.

Before you buy

Things people always overlook

01

Fit matters as much as specs. Armor that shifts around when you put it on will shift in a crash. Elbow armor needs to sit on your elbow. Shoulder armor on your shoulder. Move around in it before you trust it.

02

"Armor ready" is not the same as armor included. Some gear has the pockets but no armor inside, sold separately or not mentioned at all. Always read the product description carefully before buying.

03

Abrasion resistance and impact protection are two different things. Kevlar stops fabric from tearing. Armor absorbs the impact. You need both. One without the other leaves a gap.

04

The best gear is the gear you actually wear. A $500 jacket in your closet protects you less than a $200 hoodie on your back. Especially on quick rides. That's when most people skip it, and that's when most people get hurt.

The short version

What should you actually get?

City rider Full Kevlar armored hoodie or jacket, CE Level 1 armor, $150-$250 range. Something comfortable enough you'll never leave it at home.

Highway rider Full Kevlar, CE Level 2 armor. Worth every extra dollar for the miles you're putting in.

Track rider A proper leather suit from a brand that specializes in track gear. Not us, but ask and we'll point you in the right direction.