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If you're one of those riders who prefer function over fashion, installing a top box or side box on your motorcycle is a great added convenience to your ride. Plus, you'll be the most popular person in your touring group as everyone will be lining up to ask to keep their stuff in your box. These are the most important items I would keep in my motorbike box, for touring and everyday riding. 1. Cargo Net Super useful for when you have to transport large bulky items that can't fit into your box. Cargo nets can be used to strap these bulky items to your passenger seat, or even to your top box itself. 2. WD40 & Chain Lube Fuel tank keyhole jammed? Rusty brakes? You'll never know when you need a bottle of WD40 on hand. I pair that with a bottle of chain lube to keep my motorbike well-maintained, just give your chains a lube every 2 weeks after a long ride, while the chains are warm. But if you want to keep things light, WD40 can act as a quick chain lubricant though (although it will dry out quick). 3. Raincoat The most important item to carry around - a raincoat! With Singapore's weather, it's always a 50% chance of rain. Keeping a raincoat in your box means no more sudden surprises by heavy showers and getting drenched to your underwear. 4. Bike documentation While most documentation can be found online nowadays, it's still handy to keep physical documentation when you go touring, in case you find yourself stopped by foreign TPs and face a lack of good internet connection. Common documents include motorcycle registration, ownership, inspection certs, and your motorbike manual (in case something breaks down and you need a quick DIY fix). 5. Tool Kit Apart from your bike manual, you'll also need a set of tools for your quick DIY fix. A lightweight and compact motorcycle toolkit shouldn't take up too much space in your box, and should minimally consist of a combo screwdriver, flat head screwdriver, allen wrench, and a pair of pliers. 6. First Aid Kit If you ever find yourself in a mini accident (touch wood!) or stumble upon a fellow rider in need of help, having a first aid kit in your box can save lives. A good gauze wrap to stop blood flow can help save precious seconds needed before an ambulance arrives. Even if you aren't skilled in dishing first-aid to others, perhaps other passer-bys would be able to utilize the life-saving tools seated in your motorbike box. 7. Rags Keeping an old rag in your boot is surprisingly useful, especially for right after it rains, or when it rains bird droppings instead. Please remember to wash your rags after wiping down your seat. Fellow supporters of motorbike boxes, what else do you keep in your 'ugly' box?

A guide for beginner riders to prep for your first motorbike. Here is a list of essential riding gear and apparel to buy: Rain Coat Choose a raincoat without a hood so that the rain water doesn't collect in the hood. Having a hood also causes wind drag, unless you tuck it into your helmet. A good quality raincoat won't have lining that starts peeling after a few wears. So it'll save you more money in the long-run to invest in quality. Gloves Unlike durian gloves, proper motorcycle gloves come with armoured knuckles, touchscreen material for index fingers, and are made of sturdier material that won't tear easily. Motorcycle gloves help absorb vibration, provide better grip, and provide protection if you fall. Refer to this guide for more tips on selecting the right motorcycle gloves. Helmet This one's a no-brainer. Required by law to protect your brain. Refer to this guide for the most value-for-money helmets. Riding Boots A good set of boots or riding shoes will provide proper ankle support, toe protection, and provide good traction for the road (in case you step onto wet roads or oil slicks). They also keep your feet comfortable for long rides and aren't not overly stiff like other work steel-toe boots. Armoured Jacket Motorcycle jackets come with padded shoulders, elbows and back, which provide much more protection against falls as compared to regular cloth jackets. They are also made with porous material that allow for wind to pass through and sweat to evaporate. Riding Pants / Padded Jeans They may look like regular jeans, but riding jeans actually come with extra padding at the knees and butt areas for extra protection. They are also made of sturdier material that don't tear as easily as your typical ripped jeans. Head Scarf / Balaclava To prevent your helmet from stinking up from all that cumulated head sweat. And to prevent breakouts on your face from all that road dust. Optional: Ear Plugs Not to completely cut off sound (you should still listen out for traffic cues around you, so blasting music through earphones is not recommended), but to reduce the amount of wind noise that can potentially damage your hearing after riding for a few years. Alternatively, invest in a good helmet that cuts wind noise. What other motorcycle gear would you recommend for first-timers?

The simple guide for beginner riders in Singapore to choose your first motorcycle gloves. We only have wet and dry weather here,. Easy peasy. Things to consider Usage - Are gloves for road riding only, or for off-road, track racing, touring? Size & Fit - Yes, gloves come in different sizes. If you buy too large or small gloves, you won't be able to grip properly Hard Knuckles - For extra protection, some gloves come with carbon fibre armour at the knuckles and finger joints areas. Padding - Are the gloves too thick/thin for you to feel your clutch? Are they padded at key areas like the palms? Touchscreen Material - Do gloves come with special material at the index finger/thumb so that you can still press on your smartphone screen? Glove Material - Leather gloves are usually the best quality but can be quite warm, and usually expensive. But thick textile gloves can also last a long time before wearing out. Breathability - Some gloves come with air vents to make it more comfortable during long rides. Trusted Brands Alpinestars Komine Dainese Recommended Motorbike Gloves Leather Gloves - Dainese Mig C2 Leather Gloves Hard Knuckle Gloves - Alpinestars SMX-1 Air V2 Gloves Touchscreen Gloves - REVIT Touchscreen Gloves Breathable Gloves - Komine GK220 All-in-one Glove - Alpinestars Rage Drystar Gloves Not-so-recommended Half-finger/no gloves - Ultimately, if you fall, even the thinnest of fabric will make a huge difference to reduce skin abrasion injury, compared to your bare skin getting torn on the tarmac roads. Cheap gloves - Cheap gloves are made of cheap material. Which means they wear out more easily after prolonged usage. Which means you'll end up spending more money replacing your gloves every few months, compared to investing in good quality gloves that can last you a long time.

The ultimate no-nonsense guide for beginner riders to select the best motorcycle helmet for your riding style. Everything you should consider before buying your first motorbike helmet, and tips and recommendations for top brands/ models to purchase that are affordable and value-for-money. Types of Motorcycle Helmets Full Face - Safest with most coverage for head and face. Troublesome when riding to Malaysia as need to take off helmet during customs check. Modular - Mix between full face and open. Can flip up chin bar to turn into an open face. Versatile, but not as safe as full face. Off-Road - For dirt bike riding. Lightweight and breathable. Does not come with visor, so be prepared to purchase goggles. Half - Minimum coverage and does not come with face shield. Looks cute for scooters. Open Face (3/4) - Cheap and popular (cause cheap). Easy to breath, but not much protection for your face. Dual Sport - For enduro riders. Mix between off-road and full face helmet. Comes with a visor. Aerodynamic. Expensive. Things to Consider When Buying Your Motorbike Helmet Proper fit for your head size and shape Check that helmet fits snugly and won't shift around when you shake your head Should not be too tight that it gives you a headache Helmet should sit evenly on your head Should not block your peripheral vision PSB approved for quality and safety Helmets without PSB certification are not allowed to be used in Singapore, you can be fined if caught Ensure that helmet provides proper cushioning for impact New or second-hand helmet Second-hand helmets are cheaper, but may have been dropped before or worn out Dropped helmets may have inner cracks or damages that make it less effective in case of accident Most helmet material start degenerating after 4 years Noise cancellation Helmets with thick neck rolls that are well-fitted to your head helps reduce air flow from entering, helping to block out some wind/road noise Wind Protection Helmets with rear wings cut through wind better, resulting in less wind resistance and drag Rear wings make a helmet bulkier though, making it more difficult to store if you have a small box E.g. Rear Wings on the Lazer Rafale SR Helmet Visor Tinted visors provide shade for sun, but may restrict vision at night Some helmets come with inner retractable sun visors Some helmets come with transition lens that turn dark when it's sunny Check that visor is easy to retract E.g. Inner Sun Visor on this Open Face Trax T735 Helmet Breathability/ Rain Weather-Proof Some helmets come with air vents to improve circulation. However these vents also allow water to enter, which isn't great when riding through rain Practicality Larger helmets might be more difficult to store Helmets with unusual cuts (e.g. curved base) cannot sit securely on flat surfaces and may roll off/ fall off your bike if placed on the seat, although they are good at cutting wind resistance e.g. The AGV Compact ST Multi Boston Helmet Colour and design Bright coloured helmets make it easier for other motorists to see you when riding at night If you care about style, check that your helmet colour matches your bike colour Resale value Size M helmets and basic solid colours are the easiest to resell Ensure that your helmet is still in good condition without internal damage Helmet brand reputation Top 5 Helmet Brands These helmet brands have a strong reputation for reliability and quality Shoei Arai AGV HJC Caberg Quietest Helmet: Shoei Neotec 2 Pricey at $1000+, but worth it if you value your sense of hearing. Comes with specially-fitted cheek pads to fill empty cavities and prevent wind noises. Thick neck and wide neck roll that helps form a strong seal from the wind. See it here. Best Full Face Helmet (Overall): AGV K6 Ultra lightweight road helmet, comes with its 2Dry internal moisture-wicking features, and aerodynamic shape that helps keep wind noise to a minimum. A solid, safe option offering full protection for below $500. See it here. Best Open Face Helmet (Overall): HJC IS-33 Korba Enjoy both safety and comfort. This open face helmet provides similar protection to full face helmets. Its advanced polycarbonate composite shell absorbs and distributes heavy impact throughout the liner to minimize injury. See it here. Best Modular Helmet: Caberg Duke Light. Compact. Convenient. Easy to use. Good for rain or shine with inner sun visor. AND, affordable at $299. This helmet is a one-size-fits-all for beginner riders. See it here.

First-time motorbike riders can consider getting the following basic motorcycle accessories to prep your bike for maximum practicality and comfort during your rides. Phone Mount - Attached to your handlebar, so you can mount your phone for GPS navigation. Dashcam / Gopro - For video proof in case of any accident. Get one that's waterproof, with night vision, and covers both front and rear view. Motorbike Cover - To protect your bike from the weather (rain, UV, dust), reducing wear & tear. Balaclava / Head Scarf - To protect your face from dust, and to prevent your helmet from getting smelly from sweat. Toolkit - In case of emergencies. Or if you simply need to adjust your mirrors. Top Box / Side Box - For practical riders, so you can keep all your barang, no need to carry around your helmet and jacket. Voltmeter - A portable USB that allows you to charge your phone while you ride. Foam Grip Cover - To reduce vibration and improve handlebar grip. What other motorcycle accessories are your must-haves?