Beginner's Motorcycle Gear Guide Australia | Shark Leathers

You just got your learner's permit (or the full licence after a long break). You walked into a bike shop, looked at a wall of helmets ranging from $140 to $2,000+, and walked back out without buying anything. That's most people's first gear experience.

The problem isn't the prices. The problem is no one tells you what order to buy in, what's mandatory, what's optional, and where you can save money without compromising safety.

This guide solves that. We've fitted thousands of first riders out of the Helensvale shop. The kit list below is the actual order we recommend, with retail prices from our current catalog (many items often run below RRP on sale, check the product page for current pricing). Total spend at RRP for the complete beginner kit: $1,038 to $1,949. That's not cheap, but it's not the $4,000 some shops will quote either.

The legal minimums in Australia

Before we get into recommendations, the AU legal baseline. As of 2026, every state requires:

• AS/NZS 1698 or ECE 22.06 certified helmet, strap fastened. Failure to wear or properly fasten: $300-$1,200 plus 3 demerit points.
• "Appropriate clothing". interpreted very loosely. Most states won't ticket you for jeans and a t-shirt, but you might get one for thongs and shorts.
• No phone in hand while riding. Bluetooth intercom is the legal solution.

Notably not legally required: jackets, gloves, boots, or specific abrasion ratings. Australia trusts riders to make their own protective gear decisions. That's a feature if you're a sensible adult and a bug if you're 18 and broke.

The complete beginner kit (in order of priority)

1. Helmet ($140 to $700). non-negotiable

This is the only legally required piece of gear. It's also the one you absolutely shouldn't cheap out on, because everything else protects parts of your body that heal. Your skull doesn't.

What to buy at the entry tier ($140-$280):

• LS2 FF353 Rapid II (polycarbonate shell, ECE 22.06, around 1,650g) for $140
• LS2 FF800 Storm II (composite shell, ECE 22.06, lighter than the FF353, better venting) for $270
• Airoh Connor Matt Black (mid-tier composite, ECE 22.06, premium ventilation, classic styling) for $220

At the mid tier ($350-$700):

• AGV AX9 Atlante (race-touring full face, ECE 22.06, lightweight composite) for $699
• AGV AX9 Gloss Black (same lid, classic finish) for $599
• LS2 MX701 Explorer Spire (adventure-helmet hybrid with peak) for $450
• LS2 MX701 Explorer Carbon (lightweight carbon shell) for $700

At the premium tier ($740+):

• LS2 FF901 Advant X Solid (modular flip-up, ECE 22.06, intercom-ready) for $740
• LS2 FF901 Advant X Carbon (carbon shell modular) for $950
• Bell Race Star DLX Carbon (race-spec carbon, ECE 22.06 + Snell) for $1,300

What to skip at this stage: - Race-spec helmets above $1,300. overkill for L plates - Tinted visors as your only visor. you'll need a clear visor for night riding

Fit check: - Measure your head 2cm above your eyebrows - Match to the brand's size chart (each brand sizes differently) - Try it on with the cheek pads firm against your face - Strap on, try to roll the helmet off the back. it shouldn't come off

Read our full helmet sizing and certification guide for the deep dive.

Browse full face helmets or modular helmets if you want flip-up convenience.

2. Jacket ($300 to $500). wear it every ride

A jacket is the second-most important piece of gear. Most spilled riders have abrasion damage to their torso, shoulders and arms. A Class AA textile jacket with CE Level 2 armour protects almost as well as leather at road speeds, and runs much cooler in Australian summer.

What to buy at the entry tier ($150-$330):

• Shark Single Layer Protective Hoodie (aramid-lined hoodie, Class A) for $329
• Macna Flight Jacket (entry textile with CE armour) for $150
• Shark Tract Jacket Black (our own-brand cafe-racer leather, Class AA) for $300
• Shark Project Tourer Jacket (3-season touring textile with thermal liner) for $699

At the mid tier ($350-$500):

• Macna Combat Jacket (tactical-cut textile) for $350
• Macna Habitat Jacket (adventure-touring) for $350
• Difi Sierra Nevada 3 Aerotex (Gore-Tex grade touring) for $430
• Macna Aytee Jacket (tactical mesh-textile hybrid) for $450
• Merlin Barton II D3O (UK heritage cafe-racer with D3O armour) for $500

What to skip: - Full leather race jackets above $600. uncomfortable in AU summer, overkill for L-plate speed - "Fashion" motorcycle jackets without CE armour. useless

Spine armour: the single most important armour upgrade. Most jackets ship with Level 1 spine or NO spine. Add a Level 2 spine insert (Merlin D3O Viper Stealth $70). Non-negotiable.

Browse motorcycle jackets and read our jacket materials and AAA rating guide.

3. Boots ($220 to $500). protect the ankle

Foot and ankle injuries make up a third of motorcycle hospitalisations. Sneakers and work boots don't have the ankle armour, hinged ankle, or impact-rated heel that a proper boot does.

What to buy:

• Falco Airforce - Black (short urban boot, EN 13634, ankle protection, sneaker-style) for $220
• Falco Liberty 3 - Black (mid-height urban, all-day comfort) for $280
• Falco Kaspar - Brown (touring-cut, all-day walkable) for $330
• Falco Viky (women's-fit touring) for $380
• Falco Aviator - Black (race-touring cross-over) for $400
• Falco Marshall - Brown (heritage touring, premium leather) for $400
• Falco Avantour 2 - Brown (full waterproof touring boot, Gore-Tex grade) for $500
• TCX Blend 2 WP Women's (women's-fit waterproof urban) for $350

Cert to look for: CE EN 13634. Any reputable motorcycle boot has it. If it doesn't, walk away.

Browse motorcycle boots and read our motorcycle boots buying guide.

4. Gloves ($50 to $200). palm and knuckle protection

When you fall off a bike, your hands hit the ground first. Always. A pair of mesh-and-leather gloves with knuckle armour and palm sliders absorbs 80 percent of the abrasion damage you'd take to bare hands.

What to buy:

• Shark Flow Gloves (entry summer mesh) for $80

• Shark Bronx Gloves (urban short cuff) for $90
• Shark Kaos Gloves (mid-tier summer mesh) for $70
• Shark Pioneer Gloves (premium Shark short cuff with extra armour) for $90
• Shark Oxley Mesh Glove (ventilated summer) for $100
• Five RS-C (race-spec summer) for $130
• Five Boxer Waterproof (touring/winter) for $150
• Five RFX4 Evo (sport-leaning gauntlet) for $160
• Five X-Rider Evo Waterproof (touring gauntlet) for $200
• Five TFX-2 Waterproof (premium touring gauntlet) for $200

Important: get two pairs eventually. A summer mesh glove for hot months, a thermal waterproof glove for winter. One pair won't be comfortable year-round.

Cert to look for: CE EN 13594. Knuckle armour and palm reinforcement are non-negotiable.

Browse motorcycle gloves for the full range.

5. Pants ($129 to $449). protect the legs

This is the gear most beginners skip. Don't. Highway-speed crashes have shredded denim and torn open thighs more than enough times to make pants a priority.

Two options for beginners:

Option A: Kevlar jeans ($129-$229). look like normal denim, protect at urban speeds. Class A or AA EN 17092 rated. Wear them to work, to the cafe, on the bike.

• Shark Mens Skinny Leg Protective Jeans. $199
• Shark Roamer Protective Jeans. $300
• Shark Mens Straight Leg Protective Jeans. $199
• Shark MOM Relaxed Fit Protective Jeans. $199
• Shark Protective Chinos CE2. $229
• Shark Mens Super Stretch Protective Cargos. $229

Option B: Touring pants ($220-$449). full textile or hybrid, Class AA rated, more protection than jeans.

• Shark Project Tourer Pants. $499
• Shark Mens Tract Pants Black. $280
• Shark Pin Tuck Pants. $229
• Shark Ladies Venture Pro Pants. $319
• Shark Faction Pants. $449

For most beginners we recommend Option A (kevlar jeans). They're the gear you'll actually wear daily.

Browse motorcycle pants and read our kevlar gear and EN 17092 guide.

6. Intercom (optional, $200 to $700)

Not required. Not safety-critical. But if you plan to ride with friends, take phone calls hands-free, or use GPS prompts, an intercom is the legal solution to phone use on the bike.

For beginners, start with:

• Interphone UCOM3 (2-rider Bluetooth, entry tier) for $200
• Interphone UCOM8R Mesh (mesh comm, up to 4-rider) for $480
• Interphone UCOM16 Mesh (premium mesh, up to 24-rider) for $600
• AGV Insyde Communication System (AGV-helmet-specific intercom) for $600

Skip the premium $700+ Cardo units unless you're sure you'll do group touring.

Read our intercom comparison and setup guide.

The complete kit at three budget tiers

Tier 1: Tight budget. $1,038 total (RRP)

For learner riders on a strict budget who still want CE-rated everything. Many items frequently on sale below RRP.

All CE rated. Order over $200 ships free Australia-wide. Sale pricing across the Shark own-brand range can bring this total to well under $1,000 when running.

Tier 2: Sensible spend. $1,678 total (RRP)

The "do this once and forget it for 3 years" budget. Better cert ratings, more comfort.

Best balance of cost and protection for daily commuter use.

Tier 3: Premium. $1,929 total (RRP)

The "I'm doing this properly" tier. Higher cert ratings, premium comfort, lasts 5-10 years.

Premium across the board. Comfort and longevity that justify the cost over 5+ years. Add an Interphone UCOM8R Mesh ($480) for a full $2,429 setup that includes mesh intercom.

What to buy first, second, third

If you can't buy everything at once (most can't), here's the sensible order:

1. Helmet. non-negotiable. Buy first.
2. Jacket with CE Level 2 armour + spine insert. second priority. The torso has the most exposed surface area.
3. Boots. third. Ankle protection is the single most common injury type.
4. Gloves. fourth. Hands always hit first but the protection cost is low.
5. Pants. fifth. Most often skipped, most often the difference between a $200 fix and a hospital visit.

If your budget is $500, buy a $270 helmet and a $180 hoodie. Don't buy a $500 helmet and ride in a t-shirt.

Common beginner mistakes

Buying the helmet too big

The most common fitment mistake. New riders try a helmet, it feels firm against the cheeks, and they ask for a size up. The next size fits "comfortably". Then they ride for 3 months, the foam compacts 3mm, and the helmet is now loose. Loose helmet = rotates in a crash = less protection.

Rule: if the cheek pads bite firm and there's no painful pressure point, the size is correct. Foam loosens 10-15% in the first 20 hours of wear.

Skipping the spine insert

Most jackets ship with Level 1 spine armour. Or none at all. The spine is the highest-consequence impact zone on the upper body. Always upgrade to Level 2 spine ($70 insert) or ensure the jacket ships with it.

Cheap import gear without certs

You'll see motorcycle gear on AliExpress, Amazon and dodgy local sellers without CE, EN or AS/NZS certs. Don't. The price difference vs entry-tier name-brand kit is $50-$100 and the protection difference is significant.

Buying a $1,500 race suit as your first gear

If you've just got your L plates, you don't need AAA-rated race leather. A Class AA textile jacket protects you at the speeds you ride at L-plate pace. Save the race suit money for after you've done your first 5,000 km.

Riding without gloves in summer

Heat is not an excuse. A perforated summer glove ($50-$70 from Shark's range) flows enough air to be comfortable at 32 degrees, and the protection difference vs bare hands is a hospital trip.

Wearing the wrong-spec hoodie at highway speed

A kevlar hoodie (Class A under EN 17092) is rated for urban-speed protection (45 km/h slide). Wearing it on the M1 at 110 km/h gives you abrasion protection at urban speed only. For highway riding, use a Class AA jacket.

What we recommend NOT to buy yet

• Backpack with luggage. wait until you've done a few rides and know what you actually carry
• Heated gear. wait until you've ridden a winter and know if you actually need it
• Track-day specific kit. you don't need a one-piece race suit yet. Buy after you've decided to do track days seriously.

The verdict

Total beginner gear spend: $1,038 to $1,949 (RRP) for sensible coverage that lasts 3-5 years. Many of these items run on sale for 30-50% off across the Shark own-brand range, so real-world purchase totals are often $300-$700 below the RRP figures here. Don't try to do it in one transaction. Buy in priority order:

1. Helmet first (LS2 FF800 Storm II at $270 is the sensible default)
2. Jacket second (Shark Project Tourer Jacket at $699 with Level 2 spine added)
3. Boots third (Falco Liberty 3 at $280 for urban, or Falco Avantour 2 at $500 for touring)
4. Gloves fourth (Five RFX4 Evo at $160 for the do-everything first pair)
5. Pants fifth (Shark Mens Straight Leg Protective Jeans at $199)

Don't cheap out on the cert. Don't size up "for comfort". Don't skip the spine insert.

We've fitted thousands of L-plate riders through the Helensvale shop and we'll fit yours too. Drop in if you're on the Gold Coast, or order online with free shipping over $200 Australia-wide.

Shop all motorcycle gear or start with the most important piece: a helmet.