The most vital piece of protective equipment and definitely the hardest to buy.

What to check before buying a new motorcycle helmet

• Fit – There are numerous comfort and safety concerns about wearing the wrong size of helmet. Too small and you’ll have extra pressure and will result in severe discomfort. If your helmet is too large and it can result in extra wind noise, it could move around on your head with wind speed or in a worst case scenario, come off in a crash. In store, we’ll help you find the helmet that matches your head.
• Comfort – Your helmet should be snug on your cheeks but not pressing, there should be no gaps between your temples and brow pads. Common areas for misfitting helmet include extra pressure on the forehead or sides. If you buy a helmet online you have no way of knowing how it will sit on your head until it arrives, at Mullan’s motorcycles, we’ll give you the best advice about your helmet.
• Safety – Helmets sold in the UK must satisfy either British Standard 6658 or RCE Regulation 22.05 standards. Look for the SHARP safety rating label either on the inside of helmet or shell to confirm this.
• Noise level – a noisy helmet can result in fatigue which has a direct result on your concentration.

A helmet can seem like a big expense but no one involved in a crash with a good one on has ever regretted spending it!

How often should I replace my helmet?

• You should replace your helmet everytime you drop it and with every crash. This is due to how helmets are designed to take impacts. This is another reason why you should NEVER buy a second-hand helmet as you have no way of knowing the stress that has been dealt to it.

General helmet advice

Keep your motorbike helmet stored in a secure area where it’s not likely to be bumped or dropped. It’s also advisable to keep it out of direct sunlight and heat as these can affect the components of the helmet.

There are multiple styles of motorbike helmets, from scrambler / off road styles to full face or flip helmets. New helmets can come with built-in technology like Bluetooth speakers and microphones for better group touring, listening to music or answering the phone on the go.

With so much choice and so much at stake, it can be hard deciding the style you want, we’ll be happy to have a chat about the right helmet for you anytime in the shop.

Motorbike jackets 

Your motorbike jacket will protect the majority of your body’s vital organs. A short slide on the tarmac without protection can shed through normal clothes and go through to the bone in mere seconds.

Of course, you also want to look great as well as be safe so think carefully about the following before investing in your next jacket. Or ideally, buy more than one for different occasions!

Regardless of which style you end up choosing, remember you’ll get what you pay for.

What kind of motorbike jacket do I need? 

Generally, motorbike jackets are either textile or leather-based and each have their advantages and disadvantages. Leather jackets are generally more suitable for dry climates or for racing conditions, whilst textiles certainly have their advantages in the fast-changing climate of the United Kingdom & Ireland where you’ll be better prepared for all conditions with textile.

Leather

Leather jackets come in many iconic styles, from vintage biker jackets to race suits. The faster you’re going, the more you should consider leather.

Advantages

• Comes in many classic styles – iconic for racing fans
• Stronger than textiles – better abrasion protection
• Take a lot of scuffing without tearing or melting
• Full suit leathers offer the best protection in the event of a crash
• Longer lifespan than Textile

Disadvantages

• Offers less ventilation than textile – hot days can get very sweaty
• Heavier than textile
• Harder to clean – requires specialist products or being dry cleaned.

Textile

Textile jackets are an easy choice for the modern commuter, offering protection from the elements as well as the road. Easily washed and usually much more waterproof than their leather counterparts

Advantages

• Easy to find a waterproof textile jacket
• Lighter than leathers
• Most come with removable thermal liners for dealing with hotter days
• Better for winter riding
• Some jackets have removable padding – can upgrade the armour inside.
• Easier to clean
• Generally cheaper than leather ( similar prices for a great jacket )

Disadvantages

• Burn easier than leather – ie accidentally leaning against a hot pipe or exhaust.
• Can be bulky
• Shorter lifespan than leather (in general)
• Shows dirt more than leather

What kind of gloves should I buy?

Whilst it can be tempting to buy the flashiest gloves or cheapest. It’s not always the most advisable move. When buying you should also consider

• What time of year you do most of your riding
• The Climate in these months

It’s advisable to have a pair of summer & winter gloves and to keep that spare pair closeby on long tours. Winter gloves worn in heat will result in unnecessary discomfort and sweat whereas summers gloves worn in winter is more dangerous. If your gloves aren’t warm enough or waterproof you may suffer from cold or numb hands which will distract you from your riding.

What to look for in your new pair of gloves

• Fit – Your gloves should be comfortable, non-chafing and offer optimum grip. This is usually easier to achieve with summer gloves than winter. If your gloves are too thick and cumbersome that you cannot operate the vehicle correctly – it could be just as dangerous as your hands being too numb to drive. We’ll be happy to talk you through it in the showroom.
• Abrasion resistance – It takes less than a second sliding on the road to remove skin and cause long-term damage to the body – your wrists, fingers and knuckles are particularly fragile and thus having good quality material protecting them is vital.
• Strapping – The glove should not easily be removable when strapped on at the wrist. If the gloves can be pulled off easily when wrist straps are on, they’ll come off equally easily in a crash.
• Waterproof – Gortex & Cordura are excellent waterproof materials which provide great thermal qualities perfect for any winter glove.

Trousers like jackets generally come in textile or leather styles. Though you can also consider casual looking wear styles such as reinforced kevlar jeans – we also stock these in the shop.

What to look for in motorbike trousers

• Good fit – Your trousers should be comfortable and fit well without being tight.
• Integrated body armour. Your hips and knees at minimum should include secure body armour that isn’t loose. This armour should carry the CE label.
• If you’re going with textile – consider a Goretex or Cordura material to ensure your trousers are as waterproof as possible. Ensure the coverage of the material is seamless with flaps to cover the pockets and stop rain getting in.
• Stitching – should be double or triple and be sealed with either leather overlap or plastic coating.
• Zips – shouldn’t rest directly on the skin

General advice for motorbike trousers

Leather looks great in the summer but it’s not too warm in the winter. It’s definitely not suitable for rainy days and will result in a very uncomfortable ride. Wear the right gear for the right occasion.

Trousers with knee protectors built in are a great investment for track days, giving better long-term protection as well as being a good indicator of your knee down ability!

Casual Kevlar trousers 

When these are built right, they can offer great protection against abrasion and can be ideal for casual commuting as they don’t stand out like other motorbike gear. For rainy days or overcast- consider carrying a waterproof over-suit you can pull on in a hurry.

What to look for in your motorbike boots

Comfort – Racing shoes don’t focus on general comfort the same way touring shoes don’t match racing shoes for protection. Racing shoes may provide excellent protection for above the ankle but they’re also not the most comfortable shoe for touring and walking long distances on a lightly packed adventure.

Fit – the fit should be perfect for your feet. Too loose and it will affect your control over the gear lever and brake, too tight and it will be very discomforting.

Flexibility – Boots generally get more flexible with use but if they’re too rigid it’ll be discomforting.

Material – Look for a good thick leather and a waterproof shoe. Having wet feet is a quick way to make a long ride miserable!

Strong sole – the thicker the sole,

What to avoid wearing

Work boots with metal plates or toe caps – whilst these may protect your feet in certain situations, they are just as capable of cutting through your toes.

Flip flops, trainers – the list goes on! Casual footwear was never designed for motorbikes and will come off immediately in a crash and will provide little to no protection in the event of a crash.

General advice

Try on boots wearing the same kind of socks you would normally wear whilst riding.

CE Labelling

The European Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Directive 1989, requires any clothing or personal equipment sold to provide protection from injury, for example motorcycle clothing, to comply with the relevant European Standard. To comply, the gear has to be independently tested and certified. The manufacturer is then issued with a CE (Conformité Européenne) label which shows that the motorcycle clothing conforms to the relevant European standard. The clothing or gear must carry a permanently attached CE label with the number of the Standard.

Quoted from think!

Sharp

SHARP is a consumer information initiative that was launched by the Department for Transport (DfT) in 2007 following research that revealed real differences in the safety performance of motorcycle helmets available in the UK. 

You can find out more about the sharp rating system and what’s involved on the official website, as well as information on the vital importance of ensuring your helmet carries a good sharp rating by explaining how much protection each offers in the event of a crash.

Balaclava / Full face cover

On a cold winters day, additional layering is a must and some of the most important areas to cover up is your neck and ears. Any experienced rider knows the importance of having these and most carry a few spare, just remember to wash them occasionally!