Kids Motorcycle Clothing & Helmets: A Parent's Guide

Kids Motorcycle Clothing & Helmets: A Parent's Guide

Table of Contents

    Taking your child on the back of a motorcycle or getting them started riding off-road creates one fairly obvious problem.

    Adult motorcycle gear doesn't suddenly become children's motorcycle gear just because you buy the smallest size available.

    Young riders and pillion passengers need equipment that actually fits their smaller heads, hands and bodies properly.

    That means a correctly fitting children's motorcycle helmet, a proper motorcycle jacket, protective trousers, gloves and suitable boots.

    And one rule matters more than almost anything else:

    Don't buy protective motorcycle gear ridiculously oversized because “they'll grow into it”.

    Children certainly do grow quickly. Unfortunately, armour and helmets don't know that you're trying to save money.

    They need to fit properly now.

    What Motorcycle Gear Does a Child Need?

    For a young road pillion, we'd normally look at the same basic areas of protection as we would for an adult:

    • A correctly fitting approved motorcycle helmet
    • A protective motorcycle jacket
    • Protective motorcycle trousers or riding jeans
    • Motorcycle gloves
    • Motorcycle boots or other suitable protective motorcycle footwear

    For children riding motocross, mini-moto or other off-road disciplines, the type of equipment changes slightly and may also include more specialist boots, goggles and additional body armour.

    The important thing is matching the kit to what the child is actually doing, rather than simply buying something because it has a motorcycle logo on it.

    Kids Motorcycle Helmets: Fit Comes First

    The helmet is the obvious place to start.

    On UK public roads, both the motorcycle rider and pillion passenger must wear an approved motorcycle helmet, securely fastened.

    You can browse our children's motorcycle helmets, including junior helmets from manufacturers such as Scorpion, MT, HJC and SMK.

    But don't choose one purely because your child likes the graphics.

    A motorcycle helmet has to fit the child's actual head.

    Don't Buy a Children's Helmet to Grow Into

    This is probably the biggest mistake we'd avoid.

    Buying school trousers slightly long because they'll fit next term is one thing.

    A motorcycle helmet is different.

    If the helmet is too large, it can move around the child's head instead of remaining securely in position.

    A properly fitted children's motorcycle helmet should:

    • Feel evenly snug around the head
    • Sit securely without excessive movement
    • Hold the cheeks firmly without causing pain
    • Move the skin slightly when the helmet is moved
    • Have no large gaps around the head
    • Have no painful pressure points
    • Allow the chin strap to be securely fastened

    Ask the child how it feels, but don't rely entirely on “it's fine” after five seconds.

    Children are remarkably capable of accepting an uncomfortable helmet if it's the one with the graphics they want.

    Keep it on for a few minutes and check it properly.

    How Do You Measure a Child for a Motorcycle Helmet?

    Measure around the fullest part of the child's head, normally just above the eyebrows and ears.

    Use that measurement as the starting point.

    It isn't the final answer.

    Different helmet manufacturers use different internal shapes, padding and shell sizes. Two helmets carrying exactly the same size label can fit very differently.

    This is why trying several suitable helmets is worthwhile.

    If a helmet feels painfully tight, don't automatically attack the padding or move up several sizes. Our guide to what to do when a motorcycle helmet feels too tight explains the difference between comfort padding and the protective EPS liner.

    What Safety Standard Should a Children's Motorcycle Helmet Have?

    For road use in the UK, the helmet must meet one of the recognised legal motorcycle helmet standards.

    Current new helmets will commonly carry ECE 22.06 approval.

    You may also still come across older ECE 22.05-approved helmets that remain legally recognised, although most new ranges have now moved to the newer 22.06 standard.

    Don't confuse a toy helmet, cycling helmet, kart helmet or novelty helmet with an approved road motorcycle helmet.

    If the child is travelling on a motorcycle on the public road, they need the real thing.

    You can read more about UK requirements in our guide to what you legally have to wear on a motorcycle.

    Kids Motorcycle Jackets

    A child's normal coat is designed to keep them warm and dry.

    A proper children's motorcycle jacket has a different job.

    Depending on the model, features can include:

    • Abrasion-resistant outer materials
    • Shoulder and elbow armour
    • A pocket or provision for a back protector
    • Waterproof construction
    • Removable thermal liners
    • Reflective areas
    • Adjustment around the waist and arms
    • Expandable sleeves on selected junior jackets

    That last feature is particularly useful.

    Some proper kids motorcycle jackets are designed with adjustment or controlled extension built into the garment, allowing a little extra life as the child grows without buying something enormous from day one.

    That's rather different from buying a jacket two sizes too big and hoping the armour happens to be somewhere near their elbows.

    How Should a Child's Motorcycle Jacket Fit?

    The jacket needs to be comfortable enough to move in but close enough to keep the protective armour where it belongs.

    Check the position of the shoulder and elbow armour.

    With the child's arms in a riding position, the elbow protectors should actually cover the elbows rather than hanging halfway down the forearms.

    The jacket shouldn't:

    • Hang excessively loose around the body
    • Allow armour to move freely away from the joints
    • Ride dramatically up the child's back
    • Restrict their arms or shoulders
    • Leave large exposed gaps between jacket, gloves and trousers

    Motorcycle clothing should be checked in something resembling a riding position, not just while standing perfectly straight in front of a mirror.

    Kids Motorcycle Trousers and Riding Jeans

    Ordinary jeans are better than bare skin, but they're not the same thing as proper protective motorcycle trousers.

    Our children's motorcycle trousers include protective textile trousers and junior motorcycle jeans designed specifically around smaller riders.

    Depending on the garment, features can include:

    • Abrasion-resistant materials
    • Reinforced impact areas
    • Knee armour
    • Hip armour or provision for it
    • Waterproof construction
    • Thermal lining
    • Waist adjustment

    Again, fit matters.

    Knee armour isn't much use if it's sitting halfway down the child's shin.

    Kids Motorcycle Gloves

    Hands are extremely vulnerable in a fall because putting them out is an instinctive reaction.

    Children therefore need proper gloves that fit their hands rather than enormous adult gloves with the fingertips flapping around.

    Our motorcycle gloves range includes junior models for younger riders, including road and waterproof options.

    A child's motorcycle glove should:

    • Fit securely around the hand
    • Have fingers approximately the correct length
    • Fasten securely at the wrist
    • Allow normal hand movement
    • Provide appropriate knuckle and palm protection
    • Suit the type of riding and weather

    Gloves that are far too big make it harder for a young rider to operate controls properly.

    For a pillion, oversized gloves are still a poor idea because they can move around and may not stay securely in place.

    Kids Motorcycle Boots

    Feet and ankles need protection too.

    Ordinary trainers offer relatively little structure or ankle protection compared with proper motorcycle footwear.

    For road pillions and older junior riders, browse our motorcycle boots and look for a model that fits the child's foot and ankle securely.

    For younger riders involved in motocross or off-road riding, our off-road motorcycle boots range also includes junior options.

    A proper motorcycle boot may provide:

    • Ankle protection
    • Toe and heel reinforcement
    • A more secure fastening
    • Stronger abrasion-resistant construction
    • Greater resistance to twisting or crushing

    As with everything else, don't buy boots so big that the child's feet are swimming around inside them.

    Does a Child Need Motorcycle Body Armour?

    Many children's motorcycle jackets and trousers already include impact protectors at important areas such as the shoulders, elbows and knees.

    Some garments have a pocket for an optional back protector rather than supplying one as standard.

    Check the specification of the exact garment rather than assuming that every pocket is already filled with armour.

    For off-road riding, additional protection can become even more important because the riding environment is very different.

    Depending on the discipline, riders may use:

    • Back protectors
    • Chest protectors
    • Elbow protection
    • Knee protection
    • Body armour jackets
    • Neck protection

    You can browse our motorcycle body armour, but make sure any protector chosen fits the child correctly and is appropriate for their type of riding.

    Taking a Child as a Motorcycle Pillion in the UK

    If you're carrying a child on the public road, there are rules that matter before we even get to clothing.

    The Highway Code says a motorcycle pillion passenger must sit astride the motorcycle on a proper passenger seat. It also says they should face forward with both feet on the footrests.

    The motorcycle itself must be designed to carry a passenger.

    A rider holding only a provisional licence must not carry a pillion passenger.

    Rather than choosing a child passenger purely on age, ask the much more useful practical question:

    Can they actually sit on the motorcycle properly?

    If they're too small to sit securely on the passenger seat and use the footrests properly, they aren't ready to be there.

    Does a Child Pillion Have to Wear a Motorcycle Helmet?

    Yes.

    The UK helmet requirement applies to both the rider and pillion passenger.

    The helmet must meet an approved standard and be securely fastened.

    Other protective clothing isn't generally compulsory by law in the same way, but the Highway Code recommends strong boots, gloves and suitable protective clothing.

    For a child on the back of a motorcycle, we'd treat the helmet as the minimum rather than the complete shopping list.

    Road Pillion Gear and Off-Road Kids Gear Aren't Always the Same

    This distinction matters.

    A child riding on the back of a road motorcycle has different requirements from a child riding a motocross bike around a track.

    For a road pillion we'd normally look towards:

    • A road-approved children's motorcycle helmet
    • Protective road motorcycle jacket
    • Protective trousers or jeans
    • Road motorcycle gloves
    • Protective motorcycle boots

    For off-road riding the setup may instead involve:

    • An appropriate motocross/off-road helmet
    • Motocross goggles
    • Off-road jersey and trousers
    • Motocross gloves
    • Motocross boots
    • Additional body armour

    Our off-road motorcycle gear range includes off-road helmets and equipment, including selected youth products.

    Always check the requirements of the track, training centre or event your child is attending because individual venues and organised activities may have their own equipment rules.

    Full-Face or Open-Face Helmet for a Child?

    For road use, we generally like the additional coverage provided by a proper full-face helmet.

    A full-face design surrounds the head and includes a fixed chin bar, giving protection around the face and jaw that an open-face design doesn't provide.

    That doesn't mean an approved open-face helmet is automatically illegal or unusable.

    It simply offers a different amount of physical coverage.

    When you're dealing with a young passenger, that's worth thinking about.

    What About Keeping Children Warm and Dry?

    Children can get cold surprisingly quickly on the back of a motorcycle because they're sitting in the airflow without generating much body heat through physical activity.

    Good winter or waterproof children's motorcycle clothing can therefore make a significant difference.

    Think about:

    • A waterproof jacket
    • Waterproof trousers
    • Warm motorcycle gloves
    • Proper boots
    • A suitable base layer
    • Neck protection that doesn't interfere with the helmet

    Don't pile so many thick layers underneath the motorcycle clothing that the jacket becomes too tight and the child can barely move.

    It is better to use sensible layers underneath properly fitting motorcycle clothing.

    Visibility Matters Too

    Reflective panels and brighter colours can make a child more conspicuous, particularly in poor light.

    Many children's motorcycle jackets include reflective detailing for exactly that reason.

    We wouldn't choose a badly fitting fluorescent jacket over a properly fitting black one purely because of colour, but if two suitable garments fit equally well, extra visibility certainly isn't a disadvantage.

    Should You Buy Second-Hand Kids Motorcycle Gear?

    There is a big difference between buying a used jacket and buying a used helmet.

    We would be particularly cautious about second-hand helmets.

    You don't necessarily know whether a used helmet has been dropped, crashed or otherwise damaged.

    Government CBT guidance specifically advises riders not to buy or wear a second-hand helmet because damage isn't always obvious.

    Jackets, trousers and boots can be inspected more easily, but still check:

    • Whether the garment is damaged
    • Whether the stitching is intact
    • Whether the fastenings work
    • Whether all the armour is actually present
    • Whether the armour itself is damaged
    • Whether it still fits the child properly

    A cheap piece of protective clothing with half the armour missing isn't necessarily the bargain it first appeared to be.

    How Often Should You Check Kids Motorcycle Gear?

    More often than you would with an adult.

    Children grow.

    Check their equipment regularly rather than waiting until they complain.

    Look at:

    • Helmet fit
    • Jacket sleeve length
    • Position of elbow armour
    • Position of knee armour
    • Waist and chest fit
    • Glove finger length
    • Boot size
    • Whether trousers still overlap the boots properly

    The fact that a jacket fitted last summer doesn't mean the armour is still in the correct position this summer.

    Don't Forget Comfort

    Protection is obviously the priority, but a child who is cold, uncomfortable or unable to move properly isn't going to enjoy motorcycling very much.

    And that's rather missing the point.

    Good kids motorcycle clothing should allow them to:

    • Move normally
    • Sit comfortably on the motorcycle
    • Turn their head freely
    • Use their hands properly
    • Stay reasonably warm and dry
    • Enjoy the ride

    If the first experience of motorcycling involves an enormous helmet, freezing fingers and a jacket that feels like a straitjacket, don't be surprised if they aren't queueing up for trip number two.

    How Much Should You Spend on Kids Motorcycle Gear?

    You don't have to buy the most expensive equipment in the shop.

    Spend the money where it matters:

    Correct approval. Correct fit. Appropriate protection. Appropriate use.

    A properly fitting affordable helmet is a better choice than an expensive premium helmet that's a size too big.

    The same logic applies to clothing.

    A jacket doesn't become more protective simply because the logo on the chest cost an extra £100.

    Check the actual garment specification, armour and certification.

    Our Basic Kids Motorcycle Gear Checklist

    If you're getting a child equipped for road pillion use, our starting checklist would be:

    1. Helmet – approved, securely fitting and the correct size now.
    2. Jacket – proper motorcycle construction with correctly positioned armour.
    3. Trousers – motorcycle-specific with appropriate abrasion and impact protection.
    4. Gloves – correctly sized and securely fastened.
    5. Boots – sturdy motorcycle footwear offering foot and ankle protection.

    Then look at the journey and weather.

    A ten-minute pillion trip on a warm afternoon has very different comfort requirements from an hour on the motorway in November.

    Kids Motorcycle Gear at RaceLeathers

    We stock a genuine range of motorcycle kit for younger riders and pillions at RaceLeathers rather than simply telling you to buy the smallest adult sizes we can find.

    You can browse:

    Or browse our complete motorcycle clothing range.

    Come and Get Them Properly Fitted

    Kids motorcycle clothing is one area where buying purely from a size chart can become frustrating very quickly.

    At RaceLeathers in Darwen, Lancashire, you can bring your child into the shop and actually try the equipment.

    We can help check:

    • Helmet size and movement
    • Whether the helmet shape suits their head
    • Jacket fit
    • Shoulder and elbow armour position
    • Trouser and knee armour position
    • Glove fit
    • Boot fit

    And if something doesn't fit, we'll say so.

    We'd rather try another size or another product than convince you that a loose helmet is fine because they'll eventually grow into it.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can children ride as passengers on motorcycles in the UK?

    A child can be carried as a pillion where the motorcycle and rider meet the relevant requirements. The Highway Code says a pillion must sit astride a proper passenger seat, should face forward and have both feet on the footrests. The motorcycle must be designed to carry a passenger, and a provisional licence holder must not carry one.

    Does a child pillion have to wear a motorcycle helmet?

    Yes. Riders and pillion passengers on UK roads must wear an approved motorcycle helmet and it must be securely fastened.

    What motorcycle gear should a child pillion wear?

    We recommend a correctly fitting approved motorcycle helmet, motorcycle jacket, protective trousers, motorcycle gloves and proper motorcycle boots. Although most protective clothing isn't legally compulsory in the same way as the helmet, it provides protection ordinary clothing doesn't.

    Should I buy a motorcycle helmet one size bigger for my child?

    No. A child's motorcycle helmet needs to fit securely now. Buying an oversized helmet so that the child can grow into it can leave too much movement around the head.

    How tight should a child's motorcycle helmet be?

    It should feel snug and secure without creating painful pressure points. The helmet should remain in position when moved and should move the child's cheeks and skin slightly rather than rotating freely around their head.

    What safety standard should a kids motorcycle helmet have?

    A helmet used on UK public roads must meet an approved motorcycle helmet standard. Most current new road helmets are now approved to ECE 22.06. Always check the approval of the exact helmet.

    Can a child wear an adult XS motorcycle helmet?

    Potentially, if the helmet is appropriate for their use and genuinely fits their head correctly. The word “children's” on the box is less important than approval, shell design and correct fit. However, youth-specific helmets are often designed to provide smaller sizes and proportions.

    Do kids need motorcycle trousers?

    We recommend them. Ordinary trousers aren't designed to provide the same abrasion resistance or hold motorcycle armour over areas such as the knees and hips.

    Do children need motorcycle boots?

    Proper motorcycle boots provide considerably more protection around the foot and ankle than ordinary trainers. For young off-road riders, specialist motocross boots can provide even more substantial lower-leg, ankle and foot protection.

    What is the difference between kids road gear and motocross gear?

    Road motorcycle clothing is designed around road riding, abrasion protection, weather protection and road impacts. Motocross and off-road equipment is designed around a different environment and commonly uses off-road helmets, goggles, specialised boots and additional body armour.

    Can I buy a second-hand motorcycle helmet for my child?

    We wouldn't recommend it. You may not know the helmet's history or whether it has previously suffered an impact, and damage isn't always visible from the outside.

    How often should I replace children's motorcycle clothing?

    There isn't one fixed period because children grow at different rates. Check their equipment regularly. Replace anything that is damaged, no longer fits correctly or no longer holds the protective armour in the correct position.

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