Essential Riding Gear For A Safe Road Trip

Body Armour

Riding Suit: It comprises a jacket and lower made of abrasion-resistant material, with built-in padding for protection against crash. Good quality suits come with ventilation channels and removable insulation layer.

Cost: Rs 80,000-2.50 lakh.

Brands: Alpinestars, BMW Motorrad, DSG, ViaTerra.

Riding Pants: These offer a more relaxed fit compared to the lowers of a riding suit. They are also made of abrasion-resistant fabric with padding in the knees and hips, giving you better protection than regular jeans.

Cost: Rs ,000-30,000.

Brands: Rynox, Raida, Royal Enfield, Alpinestars, DSG, ViaTerra.

Knee Guards: If you are not buying riding pants, then knee guards are an absolute must. They will protect your knees and shins in case of a crash.

Cost: Rs 1,000-12,000.

Brands: Alpinestars, Rynox, Cramster, Acerbis, Mototech.

Full-Faced Helmet: A good helmet is a life-saver and will protect you from a severe head injury. Buy one with a good padding and ISI mark.

Cost: Rs 4,000-12,000.

Brands: Axor, Acerbis, Studds, Steelbird.

Riding Boots: Made of nylon, leather, polymers, or other composites, they protect your feet in case of a crash. Go for mid- or full-length water-resistant boots with sturdy soles and proper ankle support to prevent twisting and crushing.

Cost: Rs 12,000-85,000.

Brands: Rynox, Sidi, Korda, Alpinestars, ototech, Royal Enfield.

Gloves: Get a pair with knuckle protection and good palm padding for added safety.

Cost: Rs 2,500-16,000.

Brands: Rynox, ViaTerra, Reise Moto, Royal Enfield, TVS, Alpinestars.

Water-Resistant Socks: These will keep your feet dry while crossing streams or during a heavy downpour.

Cost: Rs 3,000- 5,000.

Brands: Rynox, Acerbis.

Raincoat: A riding suit/jacket/pant is not waterproof. Even a light drizzle over a prolonged period will soak them making them heavy and wet, and your ride uncomfortable. Buy one or two size larger to go over your riding suit/jacket/pants.

Cost: Rs 1,500-5,000.

Brands: Decathlon, Royal Enfield, Rynox, TVS, Motowolf, Nikavi, ViaTerra, H2GO.

Gadgets

360 degree phone mount: This will keep your device secured for quick map navigation.

Cost: Rs 200-500.

Brands: Ambrane, Portronics, Zebronics.

Bluetooth Helmet Intercoms: It will let you listen to navigation prompts and stay connected with your fellow riders, making coordination smoother.

Cost: Rs 7,500-25,000.

Brands: Sena, Midland, Ejeas.

Portable Chargers: On long rides, charging spots can be difficult to come by. Get a high-capacity power bank with at least 20,000 mAh capacity to keep your phone, camera, and intercom running.

Cost: Rs 1,500-11,000.

Brands: Portronics, Ambrane, Duracell, Dell, Apple.

Action Camera: Capture live action of the rides. Also serves as evidence in case of accident on the road.

Cost: Rs 30,000-50,000.

Brands: GoPro, Insta 360, DJI.

Luggage and Storage

Saddle Bags: These provide ample storage for your essentials and help distribute weight evenly on the bike. Go for a waterproof, abrasion resistant pair that can handle rough weather and long distances.

Cost: Rs 3,000-5,000.

Brands: ViaTerra, Rynox, Carbonado, Cramster.

Tank Bag: Tank bags come with magnetic base for a secure attachment to the tank on rough roads. Many also come with a transparent pouch to view maps.

Cost: Rs 1,500-3,000.

Brands: Gods, ViaTerra, Trip Machine.

Waist Pouch: Carry a waist pouch to keep your phone, chargers, keys, wallets and other essentials.

Cost: Rs 1,000-3,000.

Brands: ViaTerra, Carbonado, Cramster, Rynox, Decathlon, Samsonite, American Tourister.

Bungee Cord: These will help you secure your bags, jerry cans firmly to the bike.

Cost: Rs 250-500.

Brands: Available at any general store.

Jerry Can: Petrol pumps may be difficult to find on certain stretches. Carry a 5-litre can with washer and large spout for easy filling and pouring. Secure tightly with cords on the rear or side.

Cost: Rs 250-500.

Brands: Available at any general store.

Hydration Bag: This consists of a pouch with tube to allow you to stay hydrated while on the ride. Fill only with water. They are unsuitable for other liquids.

Cost: Rs 2,000-4,000.

Brands: Strauss, Tripole, ViaTerra.

Personal Items

Snacks and Energy Bars:

Energy bars provide a quick boost of energy and help you stay alert and focused during long stretches on the road.

Cost: Rs 50-100.

Safety Kits

First Aid Kit: This should include crepe bandages, bandages, antiseptic wipes, burn cream, painkillers, adhesive tape, scissors and tweezers. Useful in case of emergencies.

Cost: Rs 500-1,000.

Visibility Markers: Vests with reflective tapes make you more visible to other vehicles at night or in foggy conditions, reducing the chances of accident.

Cost: Rs 500.

Emergency Contacts: Keep a physical list of emergency contacts in your pocket. It will help responders reach your family in case of an accident.

Tool Kits

Basic Toolkit: Carry a set of wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, and spares, such as bulbs, clutch and accelerator wires.

Cost: Rs 1,000-2,000.

Brands: Taparia, Tata Agrico, Bosch.

Tyre Essentials: Keep an air pump, pressure gauge, puncture repair kit (for tubeless tyres), sealant and spare tube. These let you fix punctures as well as maintain tyre pressure on rides.

Cost: Rs 1,000-4,000.

Brands: Get one from a spare parts shop.

Fog Lamps: Fog lamps improve visibility in low-light or foggy conditions.

Cost: Rs 1,000-6,000.

Brands: Hella, HJG, Maddog, Osram.

Apps

Google Maps, Apple Maps: A must-have for real-time traffic updates, route suggestions, and offline maps for navigation.

Eat Sleep Ride: This tracks your rides, mileage, speed, and lets you share real-time location with fellow riders and family. It's useful for logging trips and staying connected during group tours.