There is a point every motorcyclist reaches when they realise the bike itself was only the beginning.
You buy the motorcycle, then start thinking about a better helmet. A few cold rides make proper gloves seem sensible. The first unexpected downpour suddenly puts waterproof clothing much higher on the shopping list. Before long, you’ve developed strong opinions about jackets, boots and whether a helmet intercom is genuinely useful.
For UK riders putting that kit together, Webbs Motorcycles offers far more than motorcycles. Its online range covers helmets, protective clothing, footwear and everyday motorcycle accessories, backed by physical showrooms in Lincoln and Peterborough.
Start with the piece of kit you really don’t want to get wrong
Motorcycle helmets are one of those purchases where choice is useful, but only if you know what you’re looking for.
A rider commuting through town may have different priorities from someone spending weekends on long motorway journeys. Some prefer the simplicity of a full-face helmet, while others like the convenience of a flip-front design. Adventure riders have another set of requirements entirely.
The helmet selection at Webbs Motorcycles reflects that variety. The retailer carries full-face, flip-front and open-face motorcycle helmets, with brands including Arai, AGV, Scorpion, HJC, Shoei, Nolan and others appearing across its wider range.
Brand and graphics might catch your eye first, but fit, comfort and intended use deserve more attention. A helmet that feels fine for five minutes can be a very different experience after an hour on the road.
Your riding wardrobe tends to grow with experience
New riders often imagine motorcycle clothing as a fairly simple checklist: jacket, trousers, gloves and boots.
Then you actually start riding in Britain.
A heavy jacket that felt reassuring in March can become uncomfortable in July. Lightweight gear may be great for warmer rides but less appealing when the temperature drops. Waterproof motorcycle clothing becomes much more attractive after you’ve arrived somewhere with soaked jeans.
This is where having different types of riding gear available helps. Webbs Motorcycles stocks men’s and women’s motorcycle clothing, along with waterproofs, thermal clothing and denim riding gear. Its jacket range includes leather, mesh and waterproof textile options, so riders aren’t restricted to one traditional style of motorcycle clothing.
Protective riding jeans are worth mentioning too. Modern motorcycle denim can give riders a more casual look while incorporating protective materials and armour. For someone who doesn’t want to walk around looking ready for a race paddock every time they stop for coffee, that can be a welcome middle ground.
Boots and gloves deserve more attention than they usually get
Helmets and jackets tend to dominate conversations about motorcycle gear, but hands and feet can make or break a ride.
Cold fingers are distracting. Wet gloves are miserable. Boots that pinch slightly in the shop can become extremely irritating during a long day out.
Rather than treating these as finishing touches, it makes sense to choose them around the kind of riding you actually do. Waterproof motorcycle boots may be useful for year-round commuting, while shorter boots can be more convenient for casual riding. Gloves also vary considerably depending on weather, protection and riding style.
The clothing selection at Webbs Motorcycles includes riding boots and gloves alongside the larger pieces of protective equipment, with motorcycle brands such as Sidi, Falco, Alpinestars and RST represented across the store.
Then come the extras you didn’t know you wanted
Once the essential riding kit is sorted, motorcycle accessories become a little more tempting.
Some are purely practical. A bike cover makes sense if your motorcycle spends time outside. Chain care and cleaning products become routine purchases. Luggage can make longer rides easier, while additional motorcycle security can provide extra peace of mind.
Other accessories change the riding experience itself. Phone mounts make navigation easier to follow, and motorcycle intercoms can provide directions, music and communication with other riders.
Webbs currently carries accessories from names such as Cardo, Oxford, Quad Lock and Muc-Off, covering everything from intercom systems and phone mounts to bike covers, luggage and maintenance products.
Build your kit around your riding, not somebody else’s
There is no universal motorcycle setup.
Someone riding to work five days a week needs something different from a person who brings the bike out on sunny Sunday mornings. Touring riders have different priorities again.
That is probably the useful thing about browsing a broad motorcycle retailer. Webbs Motorcycles gives riders enough choice to build their gear around how they actually use their bikes instead of following a fixed checklist.
Start with the equipment that keeps you comfortable and protected. Ride for a while. You’ll soon discover what else you genuinely need.
And, as most motorcyclists eventually learn, there is nearly always something else.