Motorcycle Gear Care & Maintenance Guide

Motorcycle gear is expensive. Proper maintenance extends lifespan from years to decades. Neglected gear fails early and may not protect when needed. Here's how to care for each type.

Helmet Care: Clean the outer shell with automotive polish or dedicated helmet cleaner. Never use harsh solvents, petrol, or abrasive materials. They can damage the shell structure invisibly.

Remove the interior liner and wash by hand in lukewarm water with mild detergent. Most modern helmets have removable, washable liners. Air dry completely before refitting; never use heat.

Clean visors with water and microfibre cloth only. Paper towels and dry cloths cause scratches. Never use glass cleaner or household chemicals on visors.

Store helmets away from direct sunlight and heat. UV degrades shell materials. Heat softens EPS foam. A helmet bag in a cool location is ideal.

Textile Jacket and Trouser Care: Remove all armour before washing. Most armour shouldn't be machine washed.

Wash textile gear on a delicate cycle at 30°C with technical detergent (Nikwax Tech Wash or similar). Never use regular detergent or fabric softener. Both damage waterproof membranes.

Air dry only. Never tumble dry. Heat destroys membranes and may shrink materials.

Re-proof waterproof membranes annually with Nikwax TX.Direct or equivalent. This restores water repellency to the outer fabric.

Check seam tape annually. If tape is peeling, re-seal with seam sealer before the next wet ride.

Leather Care: Wipe leather clean after rides to remove road grime and bug splatter. Use a damp cloth, not soaking wet.

Condition leather every 2-3 months with quality leather conditioner (Renapur, Bickmore, or similar). This keeps leather supple and prevents cracking. Work conditioner into all seams and flex points.

If leather gets wet, dry it slowly at room temperature. Never use heat sources like radiators, hair dryers, or direct sunlight. Heat causes leather to crack and shrink.

Store leather hanging, not folded. Folds become permanent creases and weaken the material.

Glove Care: Leather gloves need conditioning like jackets. Work conditioner into finger joints where cracking occurs first.

Textile gloves can be hand washed in lukewarm water with mild soap. Air dry stuffed with paper to hold shape.

Wet gloves should dry naturally before storage. Damp gloves in bags grow mould.

Boot Care: Wipe boots clean after rides. Mud and road salt accelerate material breakdown.

Leather boots need conditioning. Gore-Tex boots need occasional membrane treatment (Nikwax recommended by most manufacturers).

Store boots upright with boot trees or stuffed with paper to maintain shape. Collapsed boots develop permanent creases.

Armour Care: Most soft armour (D3O, SAS-TEC) can be wiped clean with damp cloth. Don't submerge in water.

Hard armour can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Check for cracks or damage regularly.

Replace armour showing visible damage. It's designed to protect once. Damaged armour may not absorb impact effectively.

Storage Between Seasons: Clean all gear thoroughly before storage. Dirt and sweat left for months causes permanent damage.

Store in cool, dry, dark location. Avoid garages prone to temperature swings or dampness.

Helmet goes in a bag. Jacket and trousers hang (never folded). Boots stand upright. Gloves lie flat or hang.

Our Recommendation: Create a maintenance routine. Post-ride wipe-down takes 2 minutes. Monthly conditioning takes 15 minutes. Annual re-proofing and deep clean takes an afternoon.

Well-maintained gear lasts 5-10 years or longer. Neglected gear fails in 2-3 years. The time investment pays for itself. For specific product care, check manufacturer recommendations or ask in our quiz for maintenance tips.