Riding a motorcycle is fun, but it also makes you one of the most vulnerable people on the road. That’s why proper protection is so important. Most of us know wearing a motorcycle helmet is a legal requirement when you ride in the UK. The rules about visors and goggles are less well known, but just as important.

It’s not just helmets that are written into the UK road rules. Visors and goggles, motorcycle gloves, sturdy boots, and protective clothing also get a mention.

So what gear do you need? When did wearing a motorcycle helmet become compulsory? And what’s the deal with motorcycle goggles for open-faced helmets? We’ll answer all of these questions and more in this guide to riding safely and comfortably. Because riding a motorcycle is fun, and it should stay that way.

Motorcycle helmets and gear you can’t ride without

The bare minimum of motorcycle protection on UK roads is a British standard motorcycle helmet. Your head is your greatest asset, best to protect it. Our laws requiring motorcyclists to protect themselves have evolved over time. 

A brief history of UK helmet laws

The British Army made motorcycle helmets compulsory for their duty dispatch riders in 1941. That led to a massive drop in motorcycle-related deaths for the army. Thanks to the army’s foresight, the helmet issue was debated by the House of Commons and then passed into law for all riders in the summer of 1973.

Now, if you ride without a helmet, you’re courting severe injuries and a fine of up to £500. Even pillion passengers need to wear helmets on UK roads. Unless of course, you’re a Sikh wearing a turban. Then you’re exempt from helmet requirements as both rider and a pillion passenger.

But what about the rest of your motorcycle gear?

Visors or goggles are strongly recommended. Your eyes are vulnerable when you’re riding, so they make total sense. But they’re not a legal requirement. Even so, anyone who’s stuck their head out of a train, bus or car window at 30mph or more knows they’re a good idea. It’s easier to see where you’re going when your eyes aren’t being battered by wind, rain, debris or small insects.

The bare minimum for legal riding gear in the UK

Technically, you could legally ride a motorcycle wearing an open-faced helmet and a swimsuit. We wouldn’t recommend it. You’d be putting yourself at great risk of serious injury, not to mention guaranteeing yourself an uncomfortable ride. But you would be on the right side of the law, even if it makes you a spectacle for passing traffic.

Rather than wait for the army to trial further protective gear or parliament to debate it for another thirty years, choose comfort and safety when you ride.

Getting the right head gear to ride safe and legal

The safest motorcycle helmet you can get is one that fits well and meets or exceeds the British Safety or ECE standards (BS 6658:1985, ECE 22.05, or ECE 22.06). The easiest way to do this is to go looking for helmets with SHARP ratings. The independent motorcycle helmet ratings let you find something that meets or exceeds minimum safety standards and your budget fairly easily.

We’d recommend shopping for your lid in person because getting the right fit is so important. Too loose and it won’t protect you when you most need it. Too tight and it will distract you from riding, actually increasing your chances of an accident. Shop around and choose the highest SHARP rating you can afford.

When you try it on, move your head swiftly from side to side. If the helmet slips, it’s too big. If you can’t squeeze two fingers between your jaw and helmet, it’s too small and will become uncomfortable quickly.

Your helmet will break in as the padding compresses a little over time. But it should never become so loose it stops following the movement of your head. Helmets should be replaced every five years or immediately after they’ve been in an accident.

Legal additions to your helmet for safer riding

Being visible plays a big role in protecting yourself as a motorcyclist. If you’re able to be seen easily, you’re far less likely to have vehicles pull out in front of you, cut you up, or swerve into your space.

Wearing a helmet cover can improve your visibility. Be careful when you choose these to make sure they fit your lid snugly. Helmet covers can slip and obstruct your vision at high speeds. As long as they don’t compromise the structural integrity or safety of your helmet, or your view of the road, motorcycle helmet covers are a safe, legal and wise addition to your motorcycle safety gear.

Similarly, motorcycle helmet cameras are a legal and wise addition to your lid. Be mindful of where you place them – you don’t want them to come off and become an additional hazard in an accident. Nor do you want them to compromise your view or the structural integrity of your helmet. Never drill into your helmet and only use manufacturer approved camera mounts. 

Everything you need to know about helmet visors and goggles

Your motorcycle helmet protects the top, back and sides of your head. It can even prevent hearing damage. But you’ll need a visor or goggles to protect your face and improve your view of the road while riding. They’re not compulsory by law. But the Highway Code and DVSA strongly recommend using them.

So, if you’re going to take your vision and the recommendations seriously, you’ll need to have British Standard, ECE 22.05, or ECE 22.06 safety ratings for your eye protection. And you’ll want to take good care of them too. Here’s how:

Replacement, maintenance and care for motorcycle visors and goggles

Motorcycle visors and goggles can get chips and scratches, just like a car windscreen. Dust, small stones and other debris hitting your visor or goggles will impair your visibility over time. Protective films go some way to reducing the impact of everyday use. Regular TLC and replacing your visor if damaged will extend the life and safety of your helmet.

When should you replace your visor?

If your visor becomes scratched or damaged to the point it’s getting difficult to easily see through, it’s time for a replacement. Regular helmet care, cleaning and visor protection usually means your visor lasts as long as your helmet. But accidents like stones flicking up from passing vehicles could mean you need a replacement visor sooner.

You’ll need to replace like for like if your visor becomes damaged. That’s because the shape, release tabs and leavers vary between styles and brands. If you do have to replace yours, search YouTube for detailed instructions on how to do it. Replacement visors can be expensive, so it’s better to take care of the one you have.

How do you clean a motorcycle helmet visor (or goggles)?

It’s best to treat your motorcycle helmet’s visor, or goggles, in a similar way as a pair of spectacles. We’re talking soft cloths, not placing your lid visor-down on surfaces, and avoiding bumps and sticky fingers.

Never dry-wipe your visor or goggles. It will scratch them and possibly damage protective coatings.

• Spray visor solution, window cleaner, or a little water on your visor or goggle lens
• Let the moisture sit for a while to soften any debris or bugs stuck there
• Rub the surface of your visor (or goggles) with a soft cloth until the moisture has disappeared and you can’t see any smears. Microfibre cloths are great for this
• Repeat the process on the other side of the visor or goggle lenses, just as you would if you were cleaning a window

Adding protective coatings to visors and goggles

Protective coatings are a great way to extend the life of your visor, improve visibility, and enhance comfort in the case of visor tints.

Protective coatings like scratch resistant films, anti-fog treatments and tints can be applied to your motorcycle helmet when you buy it. But you can also purchase these separately and put them on yourself, here’s how…

• Remove the visor from your helmet
• Place a soft towel or cloth on your work surface to protect the visor
• Carefully clean and dry both sides with visor cleaner or warm soapy water
• Carefully dry both sides with a soft, lint-free or microfibre cloth
• Degrease the surface to ensure a firm bond can be made between the visor and protective coating

There are various kinds of protective and tinted coatings. Some come as sprays that repel water to improve visibility. These are applied to the visor and then buffed to create a streak-free finish. Others come as sheets of protective films. These are a little more difficult to apply, but not impossible; follow the above steps and then…

• Carefully peel the backing from the film
• Line the film up with the edge of your visor
• Slowly and carefully smooth the film across your visor, squeezing out bubbles and creases as you go by using a bank card or squeegee

Take your time as you apply films to visors and goggles as these are difficult to remove and reposition. Many brands selling protective and tinted films that you can apply on your own, have video instructions. Watch these before attempting to apply one yourself.

How much should I spend on protective motorcycle gear?

Fully kitting yourself out in new protective motorcycle gear could cost more than £1,000. Second-hand and you could be fully covered for under £300.

You can properly protect yourself without going into debt. Legal and compliant motorcycle helmets range from less than £100 to over £300. The price doesn’t necessarily correspond to the level of protection. Shop around and look for the highest level of protection you can afford when it comes to your motorcycle helmet and visor.

As for the rest of your gear, picking up motorcycle boots, gloves and protective clothing doesn’t need to cost a bomb either. It’s possible to pick up second-hand motorcycle leathers and other gear at your local car boot or from online platforms like Facebook marketplace. Avoid second-hand motorcycle helmets as it’s impossible for you to be sure that they’re structurally safe.

You can purchase all other motorcycle gear, from your gloves to your boots safely as second-hand items. Check seams, armour and padding before parting with your cash. Whichever route you choose, we’d recommend purchasing gloves, boots and protective jacket and trousers as soon as you’re able to take to the road. Keep it fun on the road by always riding with protection.