Motocross Riding Gear

After your bike, the second most important thing you will need is the right clothing. There are essentials you must have.

Helmet

Your helmet is the most important piece of safety kit you will ever buy. Buy the best you can afford and make sure it fits correctly. Never buy a helmet secondhand - just because it looks OK on the outside, that doesn't mean it isn't damaged where you can't see.

Boots

Proper motocross boots will stop your legs getting bumps, bruises and knocks. Don't ride out in brand new boots; walk around in them first to break them in.

Gloves

You can get them with or without plastic/Kevlar armour on the knuckles to prevent fingers getting hurt. Have a couple of pair around to stop blistering or hand-cramps when they get wet. Never, ever go out riding in gardening gloves, or a set of Marigolds, or at worst, bare-knuckle because you'll end up hurting yourself.

Pants

Most trousers, or pants as they have come to be known, will have toughened sections on the knees and backside. Motocross pants sometimes come with armour in the knees and hips in case of minor spills.

Shirt

The least essential piece of kit. There's only one rule: don't wear anything tight-fitting because it will rip and whatever ripped it will also make contact with your skin.

Body Armour

Body armour is essential in motocross and enduro racing. Basically, its there to stop your ribs breaking in the event of a big crash. Also, invest in a kidney belt - not only does one of these stop the pain of a bad landing when you don't come off, they work even better if you do.

Goggles

Essential because you only get one set of eyes.... so you need to protect them. There are a load of different types and styles so you need to shop around to find out which ones are the most comfortable on your face (and fit around your crash helmet). Goggles should be CE marked.