Biker Lifestyle Accessories
The Accessories Lifestyle page for motorcyclists gathers what is worn under the gear and what keeps it in good condition: technical base layers Sixs in short or long sleeves, windproof base layers RST with a Windstopper membrane, replacement laces Falco for boots. Small items that change the comfort of a ride, whether it's a daily city commute or a long journey on holiday roads.
What is worn under the jacket and in the boots ensures the comfort of every ride.
Base Layer Sixs: Short Sleeves or Long Sleeves
The choice between short sleeves and long sleeves mainly depends on the temperature and the protections worn. The short-sleeved base layer Sixs is suitable for warm days, under a ventilated jacket, when the main thing is to wick away sweat from the torso. The long-sleeved version covers the arms up to the wrists: it prevents direct contact of the elbow pads with the skin and keeps the forearms warm when cold air rushes into the sleeves at a stable speed.
In both cases, the fit is close to the body, without thick seams where the jacket presses, like on the shoulders and lower back. A base layer that is too loose would create folds underneath the back protector and hold moisture.
Sixs, carbon fibres in the fabric
Sixs is an Italian brand founded in 2009 in Bagnara di Romagna, near Ravenna, specializing from the start in technical sports underwear. Its name is an acronym for an Italian phrase that can be translated as innovative solutions through sport. Its uniqueness lies in the integration of carbon fibres into the fabric, a patented technology in Europe and made in Italy.
According to the brand, carbon helps distribute body heat and dissipate static electricity, maintaining a consistent feel under the leather or textile of a jacket. The same base layers work for cycling, running, and skiing: versatile pieces for a motorcyclist who also engages in other sports.
Windproof Base Layer RST: Block the Cold Air
On a motorcycle, the cold comes more from the temperature than from the relative wind: at high speeds, air seeps in through the collar, closures, and seams, cooling the torso much faster than when stationary. The windproof base layer RST addresses this issue with a Windstopper membrane that stops the air while allowing sweat vapour to escape.
RST, a British brand located in Derbyshire, was founded in 1988 by Jonny Towers and started with a range of gloves before expanding to cover all motorcyclist gear. Its base layer fits under a summer jacket to extend rides in autumn or under a winter jacket for long journeys on motorways, where cold air sneaks in the most.
The Equipment of the Motorcyclist
The equipment is completed with gloves, jackets and vests, trousers, boots and shoes, rain and cold clothing, high-tech accessories, on the motorcyclist equipment page.
Laces Falco: Maintaining the Boot Fit
A worn lace should be replaced before it breaks, as it regulates the tightness of the shaft around the instep and ankle. On a motorcycle boot, it rubs against the selector, endures heat from the engine, and is exposed to water and mud splashes: it wears out faster than on a pair of city shoes. The laces Falco are designed specifically for the brand's boots and shoes.
Falco is an Italian manufacturer located in the district of sports footwear in Montebelluna, near Venice, where the Gianni Falco company was established in 1990, after years dedicated to tennis and jogging shoes. Changing both laces at the same time ensures an identical fit on both feet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to wash a technical motorcycle base layer?
A machine wash at thirty degrees, inside out and without fabric softener preserves the fabric's ability to wick away sweat. It air-dries in a few hours, away from a radiator or tumble dryer, which damage elastic fibres.
What size to choose for a base layer worn under a jacket?
Stick to your usual size: the base layer should fit snugly without obstructing breathing. Between two sizes, the smaller one absorbs moisture better, unless the shoulders or sleeves pull when in a riding position, arms stretched towards the handlebars.
Does a windproof base layer replace a thermal lining?
Not quite: it blocks the air and retains the heat produced by the body, but it insulates less than a thick lining. In very cold weather, it can be combined with the lining of the jacket; in mid-season, it’s often sufficient on its own under a jacket.
Do you need a base layer on a motorcycle even in summer?
Yes, a thin short-sleeved base layer is more pleasant than a cotton t-shirt under a ventilated jacket. It dries while riding, reduces the feeling of sticky skin, and prevents the protective gear from rubbing during long rides.
How to choose the length of a motorcycle boot lace?
Measure the old lace from end to end or count the pairs of eyelets and hooks: the taller the shaft, the longer the lace needs to be. A lace that is too long drags and may get caught in the selector, which is a risk to avoid.
