Buying presents for people is tricky, but buying cool motorcycle gifts for bike enthusiasts is super easy. We’ve put together a handy guide featuring a wide range of gifts ideas to cater for different budgets and tastes!
Shopping for gift can be an absolute nightmare. People are usually difficult to please, and even the best laid present-buying plans can fall flat. Luckily, motorcyclists are an easy bunch to buy for. The vast majority of us are into anything motorcycle-related, so as long as you’re giving a gift that’s loosely connected with two-wheeled transportation, we’ll love it. However, if you want to buck the trend and buy a really unique and useful gift rather than the usual DVD copies of The World’s Fastest Indian, Easy Rider, or On Any Sunday, we’ve got some interesting gift ideas for you in this little gift guide. So without further ado, here are the best motorcycle gifts for bikers, in our humble opinion!
Bonus Gifts For Bikers
While the motorcycle gifts we’ve suggested above are our favorites, there’s no denying that there are plenty of other present that you can buy. In fact, if you want something a little more commonplace, then perhaps some of these ideas will help you find the perfect gift for your intended recipient? Some of these are a little more obvious, but they’re always a winning choice.
A Bottle Opener: Yes, it’s a bit of a cliché about motorcyclists and beer drinking, but it’s pretty accurate. There’s nothing quite like cracking open a cold one after working on your bike, and a handy bottle opener is a welcome addition to any garage or man cave. It doesn’t even have to be motorcycle-themed – it just has to work! Wall-mounted bottle openers are always useful since they’re locked in place and can’t wander off. Whatever style you choose, you can guarantee that a bottle opener will be well received…and it doesn’t hurt to wrap some beer up with it too.
A Motorcycle-related Book: Books are always a great idea. There are so many different motorcycle-related books out there from big coffee table picture books that highlight especially amazing or seminal models, to more in-depth biographies about important industry players or motorcycle racing legends. Adventure motorcycling stories that tell of intercontinental travels are very popular but there’s more on offer than Long Way ‘Round inspired books. The always-popular Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a classic that every rider should at least have on their shelf. Even if they never read it! If in doubt, Ted Simon’s Jupiter’s Travels is a solid winner every time.
Manufacturer Signs: No man cave or garage is complete without a sign or two hanging up on the wall. Imitation antique tin signs are excellent gift ideas for motorcycle riders. They relatively inexpensive and look very cool up on the wall too. There are so many different kinds available and you can easily find one that has the right brand on it. Harley Davidson, Indian, Norton, and Triumph are some of the most popular. If you’re not sure on a brand name, you can always go for a gasoline or oil company sign instead. A retro Mobil or Shell sign will look just as good, and be just as well received.
Artwork: Similar to the manufacturer and gasoline company signs mentioned above, a good quality print or piece of wall art can also make for a unique gift for a motorcycle rider. If you’re searching for something truly unique, we recommend ditching the usual online selling platforms like Amazon in exchange for something like Etsy, where you can find something really special, handmade by a genuine artist instead. A nice hand pulled screen print of a vintage Ducati will look epic on any wall, be it in a garage or a living room.
A Keychain: A brand-themed keychain is another guaranteed win when you’re struggling to find unique gifts for motorcycle riders. If the motorcyclist that you’re buying for rides a Kawasaki, then getting them a cool Kawasaki-branded makes sense. These kind of key chains can come in a variety of styles, and various levels of authenticity. If you’re on a budget, scour eBay for some cheaper alternatives. If you feel like forking out, then visit any relevant brand’s online stores and pay a little extra for a genuine piece of company merchandise. Keyrings and keychains make excellent motorcycle gifts for motorcycle lovers.
Motorcycle T-shirt Merch: Branded clothing can also make for a great gift. A branded t-shirt always looks great and will always be well-received. Similar to the keychain situation above, the only thing you need to be careful of is to make sure that you’re buying the right branded t-shirt for the right kind of motorcycle the rider owns. A Harley-Davidson t-shirt won’t have the same effect on a Suzuki GSX-R1000 owner. Oh and of course, you need to make sure that you’re buying the right size too. Keep those two things in mind, and you’ll be on your way to buying a great gift.
Motorcycle-specific Toys: Even grown adults can get some pleasure out of a cool toy. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a remote-controlled motorcycle or something from Lego! In fact, there’s some great Lego Technic sets that anyone interested in mechanics and engineering should love assembling. There are motorcycle sets with moving pistons and spinning chains! In fact, Lego has just launched a new (and officially licensed) Harley-Davidson kit. If you’re looking for a light-hearted gift for a motorcycle enthusiast, some motorcycle-themed Lego is cool idea. There’s no shortage of scale models of engines or motorcycles out there, and any self-respecting gear head should get a kick out of playing with something like that.
Motorcycle Gift Ideas: Buying Guide & FAQ
Buying gifts for anyone, motorcyclist or otherwise, is always a difficult task. People have different tastes, different expectations, and in general, most people are difficult to please. Fortunately, motorcyclists (by definition) enjoy motorcycles, so as long as you’re buying something loosely associated with two-wheeled fun, you’re probably going to purchase a successful gift. Our gift guide above has highlighted 10 of the best motorcycle gifts out there, and we’ve given you a few more bonus options too. Hopefully something from that list can give you some inspiration and help you buy the perfect gift for your loved one. But before you hit the “buy” button, there are a few more things to consider. Here are a few important things to keep in mind when you’re shopping around for gifts for motorcycle riders:
Who Are You Buying For?
One crucial thing that you need to keep in mind when you’re searching for the perfect gift is this: who are you buying for? Obviously, they are a motorcyclist, but are they male or female? Should you be shopping for motorcycle gifts for him or motorcycle gifts for her? For most of the suggestions in our gift guide, gender doesn’t matter, but if you’re buying clothing then you might want to take that into account. Next up, what kind of motorcycle do they ride? A cruiser rider might have different tastes to a dirt biker, so knowing what kind of motorcycle the ride will give you an advantage. Similarly, what brand of motorcycle do they ride? You don’t want to buy Yamaha merchandise for a KTM fan, do you? Whatever happens, make sure that you’re buying something that your intended recipient would want, and not something that you would want!
Sizing
For most of the items on our list we’ve been very careful not to include any items or products that are particularly size dependent. Sizing any kind of clothing is difficult at the best of times, but for motorcyclists it’s even harder. Many of these gift buying lists suggest buying motorcycle helmets and motorcycle jackets as presents – this is a bad idea, unless you’re planning on purchasing the item in question with the person you’re buying them for being present. A motorcycle helmet must fit perfectly for it to be effective, and the same is true with other protective garments. That’s why it’s good to look for apparel and riding gear that doesn’t need perfect sizing to work properly. Like rain gear, or a simple t-shirt. Rain gear needs to be sized thoughtfully though; it must be large enough to fit over the top of a rider’s regular riding gear, but not too big that it acts like a sail!
Your Budget
There’s another reason why we didn’t include any fancy helmets or jackets in our gift list: they’re prohibitively expensive for the vast majority of gift givers! In our list, we have products that you can pick up for around $10 to more expensive items that’ll cost you upwards of $100, but we were careful not to put in anything more than $200, because the vast majority of people aren’t prepared to spend that much money on a gift. However, when you’re shopping around, make sure you have a clear idea of what you’re willing to spend. In the world of motorcycle accessories and apparel, things can get real expensive real fast, but “expensive” doesn’t always mean “the best.” We recommend that you keep your budget in mind and do a bit of research before paying for anything. You don’t want to pay over the odd for something, especially when a cheaper equivalent can do the job does as well.
The Returns Policy
Lastly, one of the most important things to consider is the returns policy from whatever retailer or online seller you’ve chosen to do business with. The problem with buying online is that some items aren’t exactly what you hoped they’d be when they arrive on your doorstep. Similarly, an items sizing might look right on screen but turns out to be way off in real life. And of course, people’s tastes are different, and you’re desired recipient might not be as enthusiastic about the gift you’ve purchased as you were when you bought it. Take the risk out of buying a bad gift by checking the seller’s returns policy, and check out the terms and conditions of any warranty too.
Motorcycle Gifts FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do gift cards make good motorcycle gifts?
A: Yes. If in doubt, you can always spend money on a gift card to give to your motorcyclist friend or relative. Gift certificates are available for a wide range of brick and mortar stores, but you’ll find the best deals online. Revzilla and Amazon have a great selection of motorcycle gear at competitive prices, so you’re in doubt, purchasing a gift card for either of those sites will be a well-received gift. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions of the gift certificate first though. Check how long it’s valid for, and whether or not it includes the delivery and postage costs of any purchased items or anything like that.
Q: What’s a good motorcycle-themed baby shower gift?
A: Anything plush, baby friendly, and motorcycle shaped should do the trick. Fully plush motorcycle-shaped toys exist and they make great presents. How to make a motorcycle baby shower gift? If you want to make something for a baby shower, a hanging mobile with bike-shaped cut-outs and ornaments is a cool way to add some of your own artistic flair into a gift. Some enterprising gift-givers like to make motorcycle center pieces out of diapers. Yes, you read that correctly. There’s no shortage of instructions about how to make one of these online. Check here for a good in-depth guide!
Q: What’s a good gift for Harley riders?
A: If you’re buying for a Harley rider then you’re in luck. Since the company has licensed out its logo and trade name, there’s pretty much a Harley-branded anything out there. We’ve seen a wide range of obscure and unique Harley-Davidson products over the years, from branded neck-ties to licensed dog outfits. If you want to buy something that falls on the right side of tasteful though, you can’t go wrong with any of Harley’s own branded riding gear, from balaclavas to neckerchiefs, leather jackets to riding pants. They’re all built to an incredibly high standard, and any Harley will be glad to own more Bar & Shield branded merchandise.
Q: What are bad ideas for motorcycle gifts?
A: Helmets, jackets, and anything that relies on perfect sizing. Helmets need to fit snugly and securely to be effective in a crash scenario. Similarly, jackets and pants also need to have an accurate fit to offer the best protection. These things are fine to give as gifts if the recipient has tried them on in advance and you’re happy with there being no surprise element. Otherwise, leave well alone. Apart from those things, pretty much everything else is fair game. The vast majority of motorcyclists do have favored companies, brands, and products though, so as long as you do a little research or take a peek at what they already have in their garage, you should be fine.
