The trouble with gifts for motorcycle riders is that most riders already own the big items. The helmet fits, the jacket is broken in, and the boots were picked for a reason. What they rarely buy for themselves are the small things they would use on every ride. This guide sorts ideas by how a person actually rides, so the gift fits the rider and not just the hobby.
Gifts for Motorcycle Riders: Start With How They Ride
Four questions narrow the list fast:
- Do they ride to work or the store? They want gear that does not look like gear.
- Do they ride long days? Comfort over hours matters more than any single feature.
- Do they carry a passenger? The back seat needs a gift too.
- Are they new? They are still building a kit, so they will notice the gaps.
Everything below gets used on every ride. That is what separates a gift that gets worn from one that ends up in a drawer.
For the Rider Who Wears Their Gear Every Day
A commuter wears the same pair of pants five days a week and walks into the office or a coffee shop in them. The right gift works on the bike and passes for ordinary cargo pants off it. RoadVault riding pants are cut that way: a breathable shell, 4-way stretch, six pockets, vent zippers and adjustable ankles that go over most riding boots. They come in men's and women's cuts.
For the Rider Who Does Long Days
Long days wear on two things: the seat and the waistband. A gel seat cushion straps over the seat the rider already has in under a minute, with no tools and no seat removal, and its open honeycomb structure lets air move underneath. Many riders talk themselves out of buying one, which is why it works as a gift. Our guide on how to choose a motorcycle seat cushion for long rides shows what to check on their seat first.
For the waistband, the Tactical Belt has a friction buckle with no prong to press in when they lean over the tank, and a 38 mm nylon strap that adjusts without holes. Give it with the pants or on its own.
If they ride two-up, remember the back seat. It is smaller and harder than the rider's, and the gel passenger cushion is made for it. The rider gets the credit, and the passenger is the one who notices.
What to Skip, and How to Size the Gifts That Need It
Skip fit-critical gear. Helmets, boots and gloves depend on head shape, foot shape and personal taste. Leave them to the rider unless they have told you the exact model and size.
Skip the novelty items. Slogan mugs and gag gifts rarely survive the first month.
Size pants carefully. RoadVault's size guide says to match the rider's natural waist and, between two sizes, to size up. Men's and women's cuts share one size table, from XXS to 4XL, and our plus size motorcycle pants guide walks through the measurements for bigger riders. If you cannot find their size without spoiling the surprise, give something that does not depend on the waist, such as a seat cushion for the rider or the passenger cushion for whoever rides behind.
Common Questions
What is a good gift for a new motorcycle rider?
Pick something they will use on the first ride and may not have thought of. Pants are a piece new riders often skip, because ordinary jeans seem like they will do. Our guide to motorcycle riding gear for beginners covers what to buy first, and a belt or seat cushion is an easy add-on.
What are good gifts for women who ride motorcycles?
The same rule applies: match the gift to how the rider rides. RoadVault has a women's cut that shares the men's size table, and the belt and seat cushions work for any rider.
What is a good Christmas gift for a motorcycle rider?
Anything they will use on every ride. A seat cushion for long days or a belt for the pants they already own are easy picks, and riding pants make a bigger gift when you know their size.
From the range
Two Gifts a Rider Will Use Every Ride
100% Gel Rider Cushion
A honeycomb gel pad that straps over the seat they already have, no tools needed.
See the cushion →