Mention Webbs Motorcycles to someone who knows the name and there is a good chance they will think about the bikes first. That makes sense. The company has been around since the 1960s, operates showrooms in Lincoln and Peterborough, and has a long history with Triumph and Yamaha motorcycles.
But buying the bike is only one part of riding. Once you start thinking about a decent helmet, a jacket that can handle British weather, gloves, boots and the handful of accessories that make everyday riding easier, the shopping list gets considerably longer.
That is where Webbs Motorcycles becomes more interesting than its name might initially suggest.
The helmet selection is surprisingly broad
A helmet is one purchase where having plenty of choice genuinely matters. Two helmets can look almost identical on a screen and feel completely different once you put them on.
The helmet range at Webbs Motorcycles covers hundreds of options rather than a small collection added as an afterthought. Riders can find brands such as HJC, Scorpion and others, with choices covering different budgets and riding styles.
There are full-face helmets for everyday road riding, sportier options, adventure styles and different graphics for riders who want something less anonymous than plain black.
Of course, appearance should come after fit and comfort. Anyone spending several hours on a motorcycle knows how quickly a slightly uncomfortable helmet becomes a very uncomfortable one.
Riding clothing that looks beyond sunny weekends
Motorcycle clothing has a difficult job. It needs to offer protection without making every journey feel like an endurance test.
The clothing side of Webbs Motorcycles covers both men’s and women’s riding gear, including motorcycle jackets, trousers, gloves, boots and waterproof options. There is also casual motorcycle clothing for those occasions when full riding kit obviously isn’t necessary.
What makes a wider selection useful is the ability to shop around your actual riding habits. Someone commuting through November rain has very different priorities from a rider taking a sports bike out on dry Sunday mornings.
A waterproof textile jacket and trousers might make far more sense for the commuter. A summer rider may care more about ventilation. Then there are riders who want motorcycle gear that still looks reasonably normal when they get off the bike.
There isn’t one correct setup, and there probably shouldn’t be.
The small accessories are often the things you use most
Big purchases get most of the attention, but some of the most useful motorcycle products aren’t particularly exciting when you first buy them.
A bike cover is a good example. So is chain lube. Neither is going to have you staring at the parcel waiting for delivery, but both can become part of your regular routine.
The accessories department at Webbs Motorcycles includes practical items from brands such as Oxford and Muc-Off, alongside phone mounts and motorcycle intercom systems from names including Quad Lock and Cardo.
Intercoms in particular have become much more useful for riders who travel regularly. Being able to hear navigation instructions without repeatedly checking a phone is convenient, while rider-to-rider communication can make group journeys considerably less awkward.
These aren’t essential purchases for everyone, but they are exactly the sort of things riders tend to add once they have spent more time with their bike.
There is plenty here for Triumph riders too
Webbs has been associated with Triumph for decades, so it isn’t surprising to see that relationship extending beyond motorcycle sales.
Triumph riders can browse branded clothing and riding equipment, including jackets, gloves, T-shirts, hoodies, caps and other gear. Webbs Motorcycles also operates official Triumph dealerships in Lincoln and Peterborough, which gives the brand a much deeper connection to motorcycles than a general online clothing retailer.
That distinction matters if you’re the sort of rider who prefers buying equipment from a motorcycle specialist rather than a shop that happens to have a motorcycle category.
It works whether you’re replacing one item or starting from scratch
Experienced riders usually know exactly what they need. Maybe the old gloves have finally given up, the helmet is due for replacement, or a better waterproof jacket is needed before winter.
New riders face a different problem. Everything seems necessary at once.
For someone building their first set of riding gear, it makes sense to concentrate on proper protective equipment before getting distracted by accessories. Start with a correctly fitting helmet, suitable jacket, trousers, gloves and riding boots. The phone mounts, intercoms and other conveniences can come later.
Having bikes, riding gear and accessories in one place is ultimately the main appeal of Webbs Motorcycles. You might arrive looking for a motorcycle, but there is enough beyond the showroom floor to sort out much of the rest of your riding setup as well.
And for many riders, finding the right gear ends up being almost as important as choosing the bike itself.