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BEST STREET & CAFE GEAR OF 2024

REVZILLA’S TOP PICKS


What’s not to love about a stripped-down motorcycle that doesn’t hide its best features or personality? The same can be said for cafe racer gear. Today’s motorcyclist has countless choices, from helmets to boots, that promise a modern twist on classic moto style. Thing is, many are more fashion than function — so which gear is right for you?

We’ve rounded up all the best street and cafe gear for the discerning rider. All our picks provide actual protection along with their good looks. No loud branding, flashy logos, or neon triangles here — just cafe class and performance. Cafe racer gear isn’t limited to one specific genre. Street riders on standards, cruisers, choppers, customs, and vintage bikes enjoy top-quality gear with simple lines and go-fast style. The resurging interest in cafe racers and other vintage-style motorcycles keeps a steady stream of new products coming for our consideration. We’ve done our homework to bring you the best.

Best Urban Commuter Motorcycle Gear

Real-deal riding gear for those who hop aboard the bike every day

Shoei RF-1400
Merlin Shenstone Air D30 Jacket
REV'IT! Philly 3 Jeans
REAX Tasker Perforated Gloves
TCX Street 3 Shoes
Shop All

Overview

For our first rider, motorcycling is a part of daily life. Commuting, running errands, and riding with friends after work all happens in the same gear, so this rider will prefer classic style that blends in with most streetwear. That said, our picks can take far more punishment than non-moto apparel. Check out the real deal for those who ride everyday.

Shoei RF-1400 Helmet

The RF-1400 isn’t just the successor to the legendary RF-1200. It’s actually the lightest Shoei full-face available, and it’s jam-packed with features that benefit every kind of street rider. This makes the RF-1400 an exceptional choice for the urban rider who needs a helmet that is both easy to wear and effortless to carry while off the bike. External noise is cut to a minimum thanks to the latest design, and outstanding ventilation serves to keep you cool on the highway or in gridlock. The 3D Max-Dry System II liner wicks away moisture while providing all-day comfort. Additional features that aid everyday riding include a Pinlock EVO anti-fog setup, a breath guard, a chin curtain for cooler days, and four shell sizes to reduce the dreaded “bobblehead” effect that some other helmets cause.

Merlin Shenstone Air D3O Jacket

Looking for a jacket that can seamlessly transition between life on the road and your daily beat on the streets? The Merlin Shenstone Air 3DO jacket is just the ticket. It features Halley Stevensons Cotec fabric for a classic look that also provides adequate abrasion protection. Quilted shoulders walk the line between moto style and classy streetwear.It even includes a removable waterproof liner for soggy days. Subtle vent panels duct air to key zones while riding so you won’t be a sweaty mess when you arrive at work. The armor is stealthy, too. D3O’s slim LP1 shoulder and elbow armor tuck away into the sleeves, and a Viper Stealth back protector hides at the rear. Zip the jacket to your riding pants for even more security.

REV'IT! Philly 3 Jeans

To match the Shenstone’s hidden protective abilities, look to the REV'IT! Philly 3 jeans for moto protection that doesn’t spill the beans on its true purpose. That versatility isn’t just skin-deep, though. These pants earned our top pick because they are legitimately comfortable to wear around while off the bike, especially if you remove the Seesmart CE Level 1 knee armor. That armor is adjustable for the best fit. REV’IT! uses a bit of stretch material in the Cordura denim construction of the Philly 3 jeans for added mobility and comfort. The modern cut looks right at home anywhere a rider might go, making these jeans the perfect choice for the urban rider. Roll up the cuffs to expose some reflective elements in low-light conditions.

REAX Tasker Perforated Gloves

Commuting in warm weather? We recommend the REAX Tasker Perforated gloves. They mix sport glove DNA, short cuff convenience, and the breathable protection of perforated leather at a price that’s hard to ignore. You get protective knuckles, TPR finger inserts, and reinforced outseams to handle the curviest roads on your ride. Creature comforts like touchscreen fingertips, palm pads, wicking liners, and a pre-curved fit make the Tasker Perfs perfect for the daily rider. Tuck them in your pocket or bag while taking care of business around town.

TCX Street 3 Shoes

The TCX Street line of shoes has been a favorite among moto-chameleons since it was first introduced. These riding shoes easily pass for streetwear, but like the other picks in this guide, they pack moto protection where needed. The Street 3s are the most advanced version to date. They use leather uppers with TCX’s T-Dry waterproofing to keep your feet dry and comfortable in all conditions. As for protection, the midsoles get ZPLATE shanks to resist folding in the event of a crash, and ankle cups defend against side strikes. The toes and heels are also beefed up. One final nicety is the oil-resistant outsole that provides confident grip while putting your feet down. Wouldn’t want to slip and drop the bike, would we?


Best Cafe Racer-Style Motorcycle Gear

Undisputed "king of cool" picks to wear aboard your retro-inspired machine

Biltwell Lane Splitter Helmet
Roland Sands Seventy4 Anaheim CE Jacket
Klim K Forty 3 Jeans - Shop Now
Street & Steel Eastwood 2 Gloves
TCX Blend 2 Boots
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Overview

If our first rider type is heading to the coffee shop before work, our second rider can be found there after hours on any given bike night. Street riders who want the best cafe-styled gear keep their bikes looking and performing their best. Their gear is held to the same standard. The pieces in this collection have a little more flash than the commuter’s gear to keep pace with the best cafe racers and customs on the road.

Biltwell Lane Splitter Helmet

The Biltwell Lane Splitter is the undisputed king of cool cafe helmets. Channeling the very best of vintage and racing style in a modern package, the Lane Splitter features hand-stitched interior padding for a plush experience. The ventilation scheme, one of Biltwell’s best, is baked into the shell for improved airflow. A large face shield and eyeport gives plenty of visibility as you slice and dice traffic, and Biltwell offers a range of different face shield options to match your preferences… and maybe even your bike! One final feature that puts the Lane Splitter above other retro helmets is the addition of speaker pockets for a Bluetooth unit of your choice: an essential for navigation, calls, and tunes while riding your rad racer.

Roland Sands Seventy4 Anaheim CE Jacket

The Anaheim CE jacket from Roland Sands’ Seventy4 series is our favorite jacket for today’s cafe rider. It adds moto-specific protection to a timeless style with a hefty denim main construction and heavy duty snaps. Sleeves are lined with fleece for warmth and aramid for abrasion resistance. Impact protection is provided by unobtrusive CE Level s armor at the shoulders and elbows. The Anaheim CE scores big points for its brawny execution and spartan branding. What cafe or custom doesn’t look good with denim like this? A removable hood and a concealed carry pocket seal the deal.

Klim K Forty 3 Jeans

We love these riding jeans for their ability to blend in around town while providing solid protection on two wheels. The Klim K Forty 3 Jeans utilize a single layer of abrasion and cut resistant denim, rather than multiple layers of fabric like other jeans. This makes them lighter, cooler, and less bulky than many other options out there. Removable knee and hip armor adds to the protective abilities of these jeans while still allowing the kind of versatility we look for in riding jeans.

Street & Steel Eastwood 2 Deerskin Gloves

Street & Steel’s Eastwood gloves are as timeless and rugged as their namesake. Premium deerskin provides natural grip with plenty of precurve and suppleness for speedy break-in. Accordion stretch panels at the backs of the hands add comfort without ruining the vintage aesthetic. Perforations keep air flowing during white-knuckle rides. Got your phone out for a quick Instagram photoshoot? AX Connect fingertips are touchscreen-compatible. Cafe riders will reach for the Eastwoods before every ride, no doubt about it. These gloves have earned every bit of their reputation.

TCX Blend 2 Boots

The TCX Blend 2 boots are a welcome update to the iconic Blend line. These riding boots suit any motorcycle on the road today, but we like these waterproof, breathable beauties best around town while riding a bike with some personality. These top-rated boots get leather uppers, a T-Dry waterproof membrane, strategic reinforcements, and oil-resistant soles for relentless grip. They wear hard, too. Ours held up admirably while we put them through their paces in the real world. A good cafe racer demands a proper set of boots, and no other option offers the same balance of style and genuine practicality. Only TCX could be so dominant in this segment, because they practically perfected it.



Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cafe racer motorcycle?

Streamlined to the point of bare necessity, the origin story of the cafe racer goes back to dear old Blighty (that's England, by the way.) Road-going motorcycles of the 1960s were stripped back by their young thrill-seeking owners as they raced from (you guessed it!) coffee shop to coffee shop. Clubman handlebars helped hunch the riders over, gaining both some extra speed and one key element in the cafe racer checklist. The entire riding segment really is truly timeless and today's cafe racers take to modifying vintage machines of the 1970s and '80s or adopting retro-inspired bikes from brands like Triumph.

What makes a good cafe racer helmet, jacket and so on?

The casual-looking apparel is a crucial part of the package. Cafe racers doing the steeple chase from one coffee spot to the next are typically in well-populated urban areas. Thus, they need cafe racer motorcycle gear that's as effective in the saddle as it is around town. Hence, you'll find retro-inspired jackets, jeans, open-face helmets, short-cuff gloves and work boot-lookalikes. The kicker here is that these items have been carefully constructed by some of the best brands in the game — they know how it needs to fit and feel in the saddle.

What do you wear on a cafe racer motorcycle?

Speed largely comes secondary, as these bikes are all about being seen. Don't get us wrong: cafe-d KZ1000s from the '70s can haul the mail. It's just that so much time and energy has been sunk into the build by the owner that slowing down to appreciate a creation born at home in the shop doesn't need to rip down the highway. That all said, the motorcycle apparel you'd wear on a motorcycle isn't as laser-focused as road racing gear. There are no airbags here, nor a need for aerodynamic carbon fiber helmets. Looking cool is half the battle, and our picks above will most definitely suffice.


SHOP ALL OF THE BEST STREET & CAFE GEAR
SHOP ALL OF THE BEST STREET & CAFE GEAR