Best Gear for Long Distance Motorcycle Touring in Australia
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For long distance motorcycle touring in Australia, the 5 essential gear items are: a CE certified touring suit, waterproof boots, quality gloves, a full face helmet, and waterproof luggage. This guide covers what to look for in each category based on Australian riding conditions.
Australia has some of the world's best motorcycle touring roads — the Great Ocean Road, the Gibb River Road, the Snowy Mountains, and thousands of kilometres of open highway. But the conditions vary dramatically, and the right gear makes the difference between an incredible journey and a miserable one.
1. CE Certified Motorcycle Touring Suit — Your Most Important Investment
Your touring suit is the most important piece of gear you own. For long distance riding, look for:
- CE Level 1 or Level 2 certified armour at shoulders, elbows and knees
- Waterproof and windproof outer shell — Cordura construction preferred
- Removable thermal liner for temperature versatility
- Ventilation panels for hot Australian summers
- Reflective panels for dawn, dusk and night riding
Ignite Gear motorcycle touring suits include all of these features at $399 AUD — significantly less than comparable suits from major international brands.
2. Waterproof Motorcycle Boots
Your feet take a beating on long rides — vibration, weather and fatigue all accumulate. Waterproof motorcycle boots with ankle protection are essential. Look for boots with a waterproof membrane, ankle armour, and oil-resistant soles. Avoid non-specific footwear — regular boots offer no meaningful protection in a crash.
3. Touring Gloves
Your hands are exposed to wind, cold and rain for hours at a time on a long tour. Invest in waterproof touring gloves with palm sliders and knuckle protection. CE certified gloves provide the same independently tested impact protection as suit armour. For Australian summer riding, ventilated gloves with a waterproof liner work best.
4. Full Face Helmet
For long distance touring, a full face or adventure/dual-sport helmet offers the best combination of protection, wind noise reduction and comfort. Look for helmets rated to ECE 22.06 or AS/NZS 1698 standards. Australian law requires an approved helmet — check for the Australian Standards mark.
5. Luggage — Panniers, Tank Bags and Tail Packs
Waterproof luggage is essential for Australian touring. Soft panniers are versatile and lighter than hard cases. Tank bags keep essentials accessible while riding. For multi-day tours, a combination of a 30–40L tail pack and side bags provides sufficient storage for most riders.
Estimated Budget for a Complete Touring Setup
- CE certified touring suit: $399–$1,500 AUD
- Waterproof boots: $150–$400 AUD
- Touring gloves: $80–$250 AUD
- Full face helmet: $300–$1,000 AUD
- Luggage set: $200–$800 AUD
Start with the right suit — everything else builds from there. Ignite Gear's CE certified motorcycle touring suits are designed for Australian conditions and ship free worldwide. View our touring suit range here.
