A lot of us will be spending a lot more time off the motorcycle than usual so it’s a great time to get on top of your gear’s maintenance for when you’re back out there again. Gear maintenance is as important as the choice of gear you make, however it is also fair to say that new technology has completely outmoded some types of gear.
This is point of contention for some bikers; some are unwilling to part with their favourite pieces of kit for a multitude of reasons, be they cost, waste or sheer love for the piece of gear. Some gear, especially helmets, should have a strict time limit attached to them however thanks to their construction and reduction in effectiveness. This blog will go through what you can do to keep things going longer, but also let you know when you should consider swapping something out.
First up, the helmet; this is one of the easiest pieces of gear to simply say yay or nay to. Ideally any helmet you buy has only been made within the past few months, however it is possible to get bargains on apparently new helmets that have in fact been sat around for years. Sure, they’ve not been used but the passage of time still has an effect on this most crucial bit of kit. 5 years is the rule you should follow – 5 years from the start of use or 7 years from the date of manufacture until you should ditch the helmet and buy a new one. Helmets are basically the only piece of gear where it’s an absolute no-no to buy a used one – a helmet can hide damage from a drop very easily. Speaking of drops, it’s advisable to replace a helmet if you drop it; it seems harsh but you should simply make doubly sure you don’t drop the thing! A helmet is a one-use bit of kit; in absorbing a big impact it irreversibly damages the impact liner and shell rendering it nearly useless for another impact.
Other damage and ageing can occur to the helmet beyond time going by and drops/impacts, and these are things you can control. UV light has a strong long term effect on most gear, and helmets are no different – it can affect the rigidity of the outer shell, however in the UK this shouldn’t be too much trouble! Maintaining the polished painted surface of the shell also makes it less susceptible to surface scratches, so keeping on top of cleaning and treatment can keep your helmet looking better for longer, and is especially crucial for the visor. Finally, many helmets include a removable, washable liner that really will help keep the smell out. Popping it in the washer inside a pillow case on a gentle cycle and allowing it to dry naturally is usually the advice to follow, and is well worth it if you’ve at least a couple days between rides.
Moving onto other bits of gear, and it’s where the waters muddy slightly. The main materials you will encounter are leather and various synthetic fabrics which can be maintained for very long periods of time if they’re looked after properly.
Leathers are obviously made of natural materials which means they can degrade quite easily without being looked after. All gear gets dirty over time, that’s a simple side effect of being out on a bike, however leathers run the risk of drying out and cracking which irreversibly compromises its integrity. Keeping on top of cleaning and conditioning the leather will negate this issue thus massively extending the lifespan of the garment. Using the gear in strong UV light increases the speed of this process so will need looking after more regularly, and using the gear after it’s been rained on without it drying naturally also accelerates this (do not use a hairdryer either!!). It might seem like leathers requires a lot of faffy maintenance, but it remains some of the best protection you can buy so the basic maintenance routine is a worthwhile one.
Sometimes however, you can’t keep on top of this or the gear simply reaches a limit. Cracking leather is the first sign, but it’s also worth keeping an eye on stitching which is as important as the leather itself. Some tailors will be able to replace patches of leather reaching the end of its life, but if one part is showing its age it’s fair to say other parts will be soon too. A good tailor will be able to tell you this, and be able to effect any reasonable repairs. Boots can take a pounding also, look after them the same way you would a normal pair of shoes of the same material with polishes and sprays to keep things problem-free.
Textiles are a different kettle of fish, but the overarching rule of just keeping things cleaned and maintained remains true here, the products you use differ is all. UV light and poor maintenance will make short work of any used and abused gear, but one massive advantage a lot of textile gear has is that it can be washed in the washing machine! Nikwax make a range of treatments that can be sprayed on the jacket to renew waterproofing as well as wash-in solutions.
With all gear there is one simple rule – check it and if you don’t think it’s safe get a second opinion (a tailor or decent dealer) to see whether it’s salvageable or needs replacing. Old gear might fit you like a second skin but new tech means that it’s absolutely worth looking at newer stuff with improved waterproofing, slimmer but more effective armour and even airbags that are completely integrated into jackets. You can even get gear that looks like normal streetwear, but packs all the tech you can find in the latest and greatest sports gear.
The Bike Stop shop in Stevenage is currently temporarily closed, but our online shop is still alive, well and taking orders and calls and now Monday to Friday! We’re even doing a 10% off promotion – just enter the code ‘TOGETHER’ at checkout. You can check out our full range on our website with free delivery for any order over £25 on the UK mainland, and delivery possible to almost anywhere else. Not only that but our ‘No Quibble’ returns policy allows for returns within a 365 day period – see our returns page for more details.
