Gear I use for Everyday Riding & Weekend Getaways
This is not a “perfect motorcycle gear” list.
This is the gear I actually use for my everyday rides, short city trips and weekend getaways with TITAN – My Yamaha MT07.
I ride in and around Amsterdam, which means my gear has to deal with real-world conditions: traffic, changing weather, short rides, longer weekend escapes, rain, wind, parking security and comfort. I care about protection, but I also care about gear that I will actually wear consistently.
Some items here are simple. Some are more important than they look. And over time, this page will evolve as I test more gear, upgrade my setup and learn what works best for my riding style.
Quick Guide List
My Current Riding Gear Setup
| Category | Gear I Use | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Helmet | MT Atom | Everyday head protection and comfort |
| Winter Gloves | REV’IT! Boxxer 2 H2O | Cold and wet-weather riding |
| Other-Season Gloves | REV’IT! Mosca 2 H20 | Light, ventilated riding |
| Jacket | REV’IT! Shade 2 H2O | Main riding protection |
| Pants | MotoTech Riding Pants | Lower-body protection |
| Boots | Alpinestars Sektor H2O | Riding-focused footwear |
| Phone Mount | Quad Lock | Navigation and phone access |
| Helmet Lock | Combination Cable Lock | Quick helmet security |
| Chain Lock | Thatcham Magnum Lock | Parking security |
| Disc Lock | KRASER Disc Lock | Quick anti-theft layer |
| Earplugs | Noizezz Earplugs | Wind-noise reduction |
| Rain Pants | REV’IT! Acid 4 H2O Rain pants | Wet-weather backup |
| Backpack | Everyday Riding Backpack | Carrying daily essentials |
Helmet: MT Atom Modular/Flip-Up
The MT Atom is my everyday helmet.
For me, a helmet has to do three things well: feel secure, be comfortable enough to actually wear and work in normal day-to-day riding situations. I do not want gear that looks good in theory but becomes annoying after 30 minutes on the bike.
The MT Atom fits my current riding life well because I use the bike for a mix of city rides, casual trips and weekend getaways. It is practical, simple and does the job without making the riding experience complicated.
What I like most is that it is a sensible everyday helmet. It looks good, feels practical and is easy to flip up and down when needed.
Best for:
Daily riders, city rides, casual touring and riders who want a practical helmet without overthinking it.
My rider experience:
When I leave home, I do not want to spend five minutes adjusting everything. I want to put my helmet on, get into the riding mindset and go. This helmet fits that role in my setup.
What I would improve or check before recommending:
Helmet fit is personal. I would always recommend trying a helmet on before buying, because the best helmet is not the one with the best spec sheet. It is the one that fits your head properly.
Winter Gloves: REV’IT! Boxxer 2 H2O
These are my cold-weather gloves.
Winter riding is where gloves start to matter a lot. Cold fingers can ruin a ride quickly, especially when you are dealing with clutch control, braking and city traffic. The Boxxer 2 H2O is designed as a winter/wet-weather glove, with waterproofing and insulation being the main purpose.
For Amsterdam weather, that matters. Some days are not extremely cold, but the combination of wind, moisture and speed can make your hands feel cold much faster than expected.
Best for:
Cold-weather riding, wet commutes, winter city rides and riders who want more hand comfort when the temperature drops.
My rider experience:
These are the gloves I reach for when I know the ride will be cold or wet. They are not my “light and breezy” gloves. They are the pair I wear when comfort and protection from the weather matter more.
What I would improve or check before recommending:
Winter gloves are always a balance. More warmth usually means less direct feel on the controls. That is normal, but it is something every rider should test for themselves.
Other-Season Gloves: REV’IT! Mosca 2 H2O
For normal riding days, light rain and mixed weather, I use the REV’IT! Mosca 2 H2O gloves.
These are short-cuff, waterproof riding gloves designed for riders who want something practical without the bulk of full winter gloves. REV’IT describes them as a waterproof version of the Mosca 2, with wind and waterproof protection from a hydratex liner.
For me, these gloves are about everyday usability. They are easy to put on, comfortable for regular rides and useful when the weather is not warm enough for ventilated gloves but not cold enough for heavy winter gloves.
Best for:
Spring, autumn, mild winter days, short city rides, commuting, casual weekend rides and days when there is a chance of rain.
My rider experience:
These are the gloves I use when I want something simple, comfortable and weather-ready. They still feel light compared to proper winter gloves, but they give me more protection from wind and rain than normal summer gloves. For everyday riding in unpredictable weather, that makes them a very useful pair to have.
What I would improve or check before recommending:
They are waterproof gloves, but they are not full winter gloves. If the temperature drops a lot, or if I plan to ride for a long time in cold rain, I would choose something warmer and more insulated.
Jacket: REV’IT! Shade 2 H2O
This is my main riding jacket.
The REV’IT! Shade 2 H2O is the jacket I use for most of my everyday rides. It has the kind of balance I look for in riding gear: protective enough to trust, comfortable enough to wear often and casual enough that it does not feel like race gear.
For me, a riding jacket is one of the most important pieces of gear because it is something I wear almost every time I get on the bike. It has to protect me, but it also has to work in real life: city rides, weekend roads, changing weather and normal daily use.
I like gear that helps me feel prepared without making the ride feel complicated. The Shade 2 H2O fits that role well. It has an urban look, weather protection and enough practicality to make it feel like part of my regular riding routine.
Best for:
Urban riders, everyday riding, casual touring, commuting, weekend rides and riders who want one main jacket for mixed use.
My rider experience:
This jacket fits the kind of riding I do now: practical, regular and real-world. It feels like a jacket I can actually live with, not something I only wear for special rides. I like that it gives me protection and weather confidence while still looking simple and easy to wear.
What I would improve or check before recommending:
Before recommending it fully, I would check whether the back protector is included or needs to be added separately. If it only comes prepared for a back protector, I would strongly consider upgrading that because back protection is worth having in a main riding jacket.
Pants: MotoTech Riding Pants
These are my current riding pants.
Pants are easy to underestimate, especially for short rides. But once you start taking riding seriously, you realise that jeans alone are not enough for the kind of protection you actually want on a motorcycle.
My MotoTech pants are part of my basic protection setup. I use them because I want lower-body protection without making the whole ride feel like a big event.
Best for:
Daily riding, weekend trips and riders who want to move beyond normal jeans.
My rider experience:
For me, riding pants are about discipline. It is tempting to skip them on short rides, but short rides are still real rides. Its not “just a quick ride.”
What I would improve or check before recommending:
Before recommending any riding pants, I would check the exact model, CE rating, knee and hip protection, abrasion resistance and comfort on the bike. Good riding pants should protect well without restricting movement.
Boots: Alpinestars Sektor H2O
The Alpinestars Sektor H2O boots are my current riding footwear.
I like them because they feel more practical than full touring boots for everyday use, while still being designed properly for motorcycling. They are lightweight, protective and easier to live with when I need to walk around after parking the bike.
For my current riding life, that balance matters. I want footwear that feels secure on the bike, suitable in mixed weather and does not feel too bulky for normal city rides or casual weekend use.
Best for:
Urban riding, commuting, casual rides, short trips, light rain and riders who want motorcycle-specific footwear that still feels wearable off the bike.
My rider experience:
These boots fit my current lifestyle well. They are simple, practical and easy to use for normal rides. I like that they give me the confidence of proper riding footwear without making every ride feel like a full touring setup.
What I would improve or check before recommending:
For long-distance touring, heavy rain or very cold weather, I would compare them with taller and more weather-focused boots. They are practical everyday riding shoes, but maximum weather protection and everyday comfort are not always the same thing.
Phone Mount: Quad Lock
My Quad Lock setup is one of the most useful everyday accessories on the bike.
Navigation matters, especially when riding in and around the Netherlands or planning weekend routes. Quad Lock’s motorcycle handlebar mount is designed as a secure smartphone mount for motorcycles.
For me, the main benefit is convenience. I do not want my phone moving around while I am trying to follow directions. I want it mounted clearly and securely so I can focus on riding.
Best for:
Navigation, commuting, weekend routes and riders who use their phone for maps.
My rider experience:
This is one of those items that becomes normal very quickly. Once you have a proper phone mount, going back feels inconvenient.
What I would improve or check before recommending:
Use the correct mount for your bike and phone. Also consider a vibration dampener, especially if your phone camera is sensitive to motorcycle vibrations.
Helmet Lock: Number Combination Cable Lock
This is a small item, but it is very useful and comes handy always.
A helmet lock is not about maximum security. It is about convenience during short stops. If I am grabbing a coffee, taking a quick break or walking around for a short time, I do not always want to carry my helmet everywhere.
The number combination cable lock gives me a simple way to secure the helmet to the bike.
Best for:
Short stops, coffee breaks, quick errands and casual rides.
My rider experience:
This is not the strongest security item in my setup and I do not treat it like one. But for quick stops, it makes life easier.
What I would improve or check before recommending:
Do not use this as your only serious security solution. It is a convenience lock, not a full anti-theft system.
Chain Lock: Thatcham ART Magnum
This is part of my main bike security setup.
A chain lock is useful because it lets me secure the bike to a fixed object, making it harder for someone to simply lift the motorcycle and take it away. For me, this is not exciting gear, but it is necessary gear.
Motorcycle security is never perfect, but layers help. A strong chain lock gives me more peace of mind when the bike is parked at home, during longer stops or in areas where I want extra protection.
Best for:
Home parking, overnight parking, longer stops, fixed-object locking and higher-risk areas.
My rider experience:
I see this as practical protection for the bike. It is not glamorous, but it protects the thing that makes the whole riding life possible. That alone makes it worth having.
What I would improve or check before recommending:
Before recommending it fully, I would confirm the exact model, chain thickness, weight and security rating. A heavier chain usually offers better protection, but it is also less convenient to carry, so the right choice depends on where and how you park.
Disc Lock: KRASER Disc Lock
The KRASER disc lock is my quick anti-theft layer.
A disc lock is useful for short stops because it is compact, quick to apply and easier to carry than a heavy chain. I use it as an extra layer, not as my only protection.
Best for:
Short stops, errands, visible parking and adding one more security step.
My rider experience:
The disc lock gives me a small peace-of-mind boost when I park. It is quick, easy and does not take much effort, which means I am more likely to actually use it.
What I would improve or check before recommending:
Always use a reminder cable if needed. Forgetting a disc lock is a painful mistake you only want to avoid.
Earplugs: Noizezz Earplugs
Earplugs are one of the most underrated pieces of motorcycle gear.
A lot of riders think only about the engine sound, but wind noise can become tiring fast. Noizezz describes its motorcycle earplugs as filtering harmful noise from exhaust, engine and wind while still allowing ambient sound through.
For me, earplugs make riding calmer. They reduce the harshness of the ride and help me stay more relaxed, especially on longer roads or windy days.
Best for:
Weekend rides, highway riding, windy days and riders who want less fatigue.
My rider experience:
This is one of those small upgrades that changes how a ride feels. Less noise means less stress, and less stress means I can enjoy the ride more.
What I would improve or check before recommending:
Fit matters. If earplugs hurt or stick out under the helmet, you will not use them consistently.
Rain Pants: REV’IT! Acid 4 H2O Rain Pants
Rain pants are my backup plan for Dutch weather.
The Netherlands can change quickly. You can leave in dry weather and still end up riding home in rain. REV’IT’s Acid 4 H2O rain pants are designed as waterproof overpants that can be packed compactly and slipped over jeans or motorcycle pants.
That is exactly the kind of item I want for weekend getaways: simple, packable and useful when the weather turns.
Best for:
Rainy rides, weekend trips, commuting and riders who do not always wear waterproof riding pants.
My rider experience:
Rain pants are not exciting until you need them. Then they become one of the smartest things you packed.
What I would improve or check before recommending:
Make sure they are easy to put on over your existing pants and boots. If rain gear is too annoying to use, it stays in the bag.
Backpack: Everyday Riding Backpack
My backpack carries the small things that make riding easier.
For everyday riding and weekend getaways, I use it for essentials like documents, water, extra layers, camera accessories, rain gear or small personal items.
A good riding backpack should not distract. It should sit comfortably, stay secure and not make the ride feel awkward.
Best for:
Daily essentials, short trips, camera gear and weekend rides.
My rider experience:
I try not to overpack. The more I carry, the more complicated the ride feels. My goal is simple: carry what I need, leave what I do not.
What I would improve or check before recommending:
For longer rides, I would eventually compare this with tail bags or luggage systems. A backpack is convenient, but it is not always the best option for distance.
My Simple Gear Philosophy
I do not believe every rider needs the most expensive gear.
But I do believe every rider needs gear they will actually wear.
For me, the best setup is the one that balances protection, comfort, practicality and consistency. If the gear is too uncomfortable, too complicated or too annoying, you will start skipping it. And once you start skipping it, the gear is not helping you.
My current setup is not final. It will evolve as I ride more, test more and learn more. But this is the gear that supports my riding life right now.
Ride Safe, Stay Humble & Keep Learning.
Many of these lessons come from my own journey with TITAN – My Yamaha MT-07, the bike that continues to teach me patience, focus and respect for the road.
Follow along as I document MT-07 life in Amsterdam — safer riding, real progress, honest lessons and motorcycle stories from the road. If you are new to motorcycling or want to build better habits before every ride, start with my full guide: Essential Motorcycle Safety Tips for Beginners.
Before your next ride,
Do the basics right.
