My Complete Cycle Gear Review: Helping Fellow Riders Find the Best Gear
As an avid motorcycle enthusiast with over a decade of experience testing riding equipment and parts, I‘ve come to trust Cycle Gear as my go-to retail source.
In this comprehensive review based on extensive firsthand use, I‘ll share a detailed evaluation of Cycle Gear as a company, spotlight top-rated gear in their catalog, outline pros and cons compared to alternatives, and offer helpful buying tips for fellow riders.
Whether you‘re a first-time buyer or seasoned road warrior, read on for my complete Cycle Gear guide so you can find the ideal gear at the right price!
Overview of Cycle Gear Retail Stores and Brand
First, let‘s level-set on who Cycle Gear is and what they offer…
Founded in 1974 and headquartered in California, Cycle Gear has grown into America‘s leading motorcycle superstore focused exclusively on rider gear and parts.
They operate over 200 retail stores across 40 states, plus extensive ecommerce operations at CycleGear.com. Between in-person and online, Cycle Gear gives customers access to the motorcycle equipment brands they need.
As far as product selection goes, Cycle Gear carries basically everything rider related:
- Helmets (full face, modular, open face, dirt bike etc)
- Jackets, pants & riding suits
- Gloves (summer, winter, waterproof options)
- Boots (racing, touring, adventure styles)
- Tires & parts (off-road, street, track tires + parts/accessories)
- Protection (knee guards, armor, airbag vests)
- Bags & cargo (saddle bags, tail bags, storage solutions)
Plus accessories like Bluetooth, stickers, oils, cleaners, covers and more. Top brands featured include Alpinstars, Cardo, GoPro, Icon, Scorpion, Sedici, Shoei, and many others.
Bottom line: if you ride motorcycles or dirt bikes, Cycle Gear aims to be your comprehensive solution for gear.
Next let‘s get into my reviews of specific top rated helmet and riding gear…
Cycle Gear Helmets Reviewed
Your helmet is arguably the most important piece of riding gear when it comes to safety and protection.
Over the years, I‘ve tested pretty much every major helmet brand and model available. When it comes to finding high quality lids with the latest tech at reasonable prices, Cycle Gear continually impresses me.
Based on my firsthand testing and reviews, here are two Cycle Gear helmets I highly recommend:
Shoei Neotec 2 Helmet
Highlights: Modular flip up design, anti-fog face shield, noise reducing layers, aerodynamic shell
Safety Specs: DOT approved, Snell M2015 certification
Price: $750
Shoei is known for premium quality helmets with industry leading innovation. I got my hands on a Neotec 2 recently and took it on 20+ test rides over various terrains. Here are some pros and cons from my experience:
Pros
👍 Super lightweight yet sturdy feel
👍 Flip down internal sun shield useful
👍 Ventilation channels air nicely
👍 Integrated speaker pockets
Cons
👎 Expensive compared to most mods
👎 No-fog shield doesn‘t last
👎 Chin venting could be better
4.7 out of 5 stars – I took off points for the shorter lasting anti fog and chin ventilation. But overall the Neotec 2 offers fantastic visibility, noise reduction for its class, plus that useful flip down visor shield. If your budget allows, it‘s a premium modular pick.
HJC i90 Helmet
Highlights: Lightweight polycarbonate shell, anti-scratch face shield, rapid fire shield replacement
Safety Specs: DOT approved, meets Snell standards
Price: $150 – $180
The HJC i90 is my top value-priced helmet recommendation for riders wanting protection without a premium price tag. Here‘s my analysis:
Pros 👍
👍 Very affordable
👍 Good face shield clarity
👍 Lightweight for its class
👍 Easy to swap parts
Cons 👎
👎 Limited paint options
👎 Minimal vents
👎 No Bluetooth option
4.5 out of 5 stars – For a sub $200 lid, the HJC i90 punches way above its class in comfort, materials, and durability. Ventilation could improve but it‘s a tradeoff for noise reduction. Fantastic budget-friendly choice that still delivers safety.
Helmet Comparisons
To see how the Neotec and i90 stack up to each other, check out this breakdown:
| Feature | Shoei Neotec 2 | HJC i90 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Flip up modular | Full face |
| Weight | 5 lbs | 3.8 lbs |
| Shell material | Premium level | Polycarbonate |
| Safety rating | Snell approved | Meets standards |
| Price | $750 | $150 – $180 |
Both deliver fantastic protection given their segments – the Neotec 2 for premium modular, and i90 in budget full face. Let‘s move onto jackets and other riding gear…
Essential Riding Gear for Protection
Similar to helmets, the motorcycle jackets, pants, boots and gloves you ride with impact your comfort and safety in the event of spills.
Here I‘ll review two combinations I‘ve tested from Cycle Gear that offer versatile 4-season protection:
Sedici Alexi Waterproof Jacket + Trenton Pants
This Sedici combo delivers reliable all-weather protection across a wide temperature range thanks to its HydrateX waterproof yet breathable membrane.
I recently took the Alexi jacket and Trenton pants on a late fall mountain ride that involved cold rain. But thanks to the sealed insulation I stayed perfectly warm and dry despite the wet conditions for 3+ hours.
Both pieces have removable thermal liners to adapt warmth for summer through winter usage. They include class leading CE approved armor shields on the elbows, shoulders, hips and knees for abrasion protection.
Durability is also top notch thanks to triple stitching across high stress zones. And the included reflective accents help keep you visible to traffic when riding in low light dusk or evening conditions.
Price: Jacket $240, Pants $190
Considering the weather protection, armor integration and versatile 4 season design, both the Sedici Alexi jacket and Trenton pants deliver fantastic value for riders wanting robust gear without breaking the bank.
Tour Master Transition Series 4 Jacket, Pants & Gloves
If you ride year round through variable conditions, Tour Master‘s Transition 4 jacket, pant and glove combo is built to handle it all.
This highly breathable yet fully waterproof gear keeps me bone dry in the heaviest downpours thanks to its sealed internal Hydratex liner. Yet ventilation zones prevent overheating across high exertion summer rides.
The jacket and pants have plenty of adjustability via snaps and Velcro straps to customize fit dialed in based on your body type. And the pre-curved sleeve and leg design allows flexibility whether sitting or standing on your bike.
Across all three pieces you get Grade A armor protection on shoulders, elbows, knees, hips and knuckles. This takes the sting out of spills and slides while offering reassuring impact absorption.
For riding where conditions quickly change, I‘ve been continually impressed by the Transition series gear year after year. It offers premium quality construction without the 4 figure price tag.
For riders dealing with variability in weather, temperature and terrain, the Transition combo is my top recommendation.
Price: Jacket $340, Pants $270, Gloves $95
Guide to Ordering and Returns
Now that I‘ve covered my reviews of Cycle Gear‘s top helmets, jackets, pants and other gear, let‘s discuss policies and support around ordering:
- 🚚 Free shipping on orders over $49
- ✅ Orders shipped quickly within 3 business days on average
- 💳 All major payment methods accepted
- 🔄 Generous 90 day return policy on unused items
I‘m happy to report my personal support experiences have been very positive:
- Helpful website chat team for order inquiries
- Easy self-service returns portal
- Retail store staff very knowledgeable
Between the huge gear selection, flexible delivery and returns, Cycle Gear makes getting quality equipment rather painless overall.
5 Key Buying Tips for Fellow Riders
To wrap up this review, here are my top tips for fellow motorcycle enthusiasts when gear shopping at Cycle Gear:
🛒 Start by browsing clearance items – can find premium equipment discounted
🧦 Carefully compare sizing charts if buying apparel – varies a bit by brand
💬 Use live customer support chat for any order or delivery questions
✔️ Don‘t forget to check membership perks before buying for discounts
🎉 Shop holiday sales events for best prices – Black Friday has epic deals
So there‘s my complete guide to finding the best motorcycle gear at Cycle Gear! Whether shopping online or visiting your local store, I hope these reviews, comparisons and tips help you in your buying journey.
Ride on safely my fellow motorcycle enthusiasts!
