Helmet first, and not narrowly first
It is the one piece that is worn on every ride without exception, the one whose fit cannot be adjusted by anything except itself, and the one where trying it on matters more than reading about it. Spend the largest single share here, and spend it on the model that fits your head shape rather than the one with the best specification. A helmet that presses after forty minutes is a helmet worn less.
Gloves second
Because hands go out first, instinctively, and because a glove is cheap relative to what it covers. A summer pair is enough to start with if you are starting in summer; a winter pair is a separate purchase and not an upgrade of the same thing.
A jacket third, with its armour checked
Before comparing jackets on price, take the back protector out of the pocket and look at it. On a great many jackets it is a foam pad rather than certified armour, and the certified insert is a separate purchase — which changes the real price of the jacket you were comparing.
Boots fourth, and this is where people stop
Ankles are the most commonly injured and the most commonly unprotected part of a new rider, because boots are the piece that feels least urgent. A short riding boot that looks ordinary is worn far more often than a tall touring boot that does not, and the standard marking is what separates riding footwear from a trainer with a logo.
Trousers fifth, honestly
They are the piece most often skipped, and the reason is that jeans feel like clothing and riding trousers feel like equipment. What to look for if you do buy them: height-adjustable knee armour pockets, which decide whether the armour lands on the knee when the leg is bent around the machine.
What genuinely waits
Luggage, until you know what you carry. A second visor, until you have ridden at dusk. An intercom, until you have ridden with someone. A cover, until winter. None of these improves a ride you are already taking.
What costs nothing and is worth doing now
Check the tyre pressures cold, against the figure in the machine’s manual. Check the chain slack in the position that manual specifies. Do the helmet strap up properly every time. Read the manual once, cover to cover — it contains most of the figures this site tells you to look up.
Questions riders send in about this
Is second-hand kit a false economy?
For anything except a helmet it is a normal way to buy, and the markings are still readable on used gear. A helmet has a service life its maker publishes and a history you cannot see, which is why it is the one piece usually bought new.
How much of a budget should the helmet take?
More than feels comfortable, because it is worn every ride and cannot be adjusted for fit. Beyond that, price on this shelf buys weight, noise, ventilation and spares availability rather than approval.
Last reviewed 18 September 2026