Best Motorcycle Gifts Under $50
Nine gifts a rider will actually use — filtered earplugs, certified armor upgrades, the under-helmet layer nobody buys for themselves — explained for someone who doesn't ride, with the one thing to check before each.
How this is funded: we earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which gear we recommend, and we’ll tell you plainly when to skip a pick. Full disclosure.
Fifty dollars buys a surprisingly good motorcycle gift, provided you stay inside one rule: pick from the things that improve a ride and do not depend on a precise fit. That rules out helmets, boots and most gloves. It leaves a category most riders neglect for themselves — the small, unglamorous upgrades they keep meaning to buy. Every pick below is gear we already rank on this site for riders; here it is explained for you.
Prices are live and dated. If one of these sits above the $50 line on the day you look, the pick says so under the button rather than pretending.
Earplugs: the gift almost every rider needs and few have bought
Wind noise inside a helmet at highway speed is loud enough that hearing damage is a real, slow-motion problem for riders who do long days. Earplugs are the fix, and the good news for a gifter is that ears do not need sizing. The filtered kind is the one to buy: instead of blocking everything, a filter lowers the roar while leaving engine, traffic and intercom audible, which is why riders who try them keep wearing them.
Earplugs
Alpine MotoSafe Tour Earplugs
- Why it lands:
- Cuts the highway wind roar that causes fatigue and long-term hearing damage, without sealing the rider off from traffic — Alpine publishes a 17 dB SNR figure for this filter. Reusable, washable, and small enough to live in a jacket pocket, which is the difference between owning earplugs and wearing them.
- Who it suits:
- Anyone who commutes or tours; the safest single pick on this page for a rider you do not know well.
- Check before you buy:
- If they ride fast roads or complain their helmet is loud, Alpine's MotoSafe Race version of the same plug carries a higher 20 dB figure. Either way, there is no size to get wrong.
Price as of September 22, 2026. #ad How we’re funded
Armor upgrades: the highest-value thing on this page
Here is something most riders do not know. The padding that comes fitted in a budget riding jacket is very often plain foam that has passed no impact test at all. It fills the pocket and does almost nothing. Replacing it with armor that carries a CE rating — a European standard with a real impact test behind it — is the biggest protection upgrade available for the least money, and it slots into pockets the jacket already has.
Two checks first. The jacket needs armor pockets (almost all real riding jackets have them; fashion jackets do not). And pockets are not one size, so for a set like these, ask what brand and model their jacket is, or accept that a universal set may need trimming to sit right. Our CE armor ratings guide explains what Level 1 and Level 2 mean.
Armor set — back, elbows, shoulders
KEMIMOTO CE Level 2 Armor Set
CE Level 2 (listing)- Why it lands:
- A complete back, elbow and shoulder set with CE Level 2 stated on the listing — the higher of the two impact tiers — for under forty dollars. One box finishes a jacket that shipped with empty pockets.
- Who it suits:
- A rider whose jacket was cheap, or whose jacket came with soft foam pads they never replaced. Ask; most will admit it.
- Check before you buy:
- This is a marketplace brand: the CE claim is the maker's, not independently lab-verified, which is why it costs what it does. Confirm the jacket has pockets for all three pieces.
Price as of September 22, 2026. #ad How we’re funded
Armor set — five pieces
Jackets 4 Bikes 5-Piece CE Level 1 Armor Set
CE Level 1 (listing)- Why it lands:
- The cheapest CE-certified armor we list: five Level 1 pieces for the price of a tank of gas. Level 1 is the floor of the standard, and the floor is still enormously better than the empty pockets it replaces.
- Who it suits:
- The rider with the oldest, cheapest jacket in the group — the bigger the gap, the better this gift lands.
- Check before you buy:
- Level 1, not Level 2. If you can stretch to the set above or to a single Level 2 back insert from our under-$150 page, that is the better buy for the spine.
Price as of September 22, 2026. #ad How we’re funded
Limb guards: for the rider who rides in jeans
A lot of riders wear ordinary jeans, which protect nothing. Strap-on knee and elbow guards are the cheapest way to change that, they go over or under whatever they already wear, and the sizing is forgiving — straps adjust across most adult limbs. These are external, sports-style guards, which is fine for a commuter and less good under a fitted road jacket; read the check line on each.
Elbow guards
Fox Racing Titan Sport CE Elbow Guards
CE EN 1621-1:2012 Level 1- Why it lands:
- Carries a published CE EN 1621-1 Level 1 rating — the same limb standard as guards costing three times as much — with hard plastic across the elbow and the forearm, not just the point.
- Who it suits:
- Riders who wear a hoodie, a casual jacket or a jacket with no elbow armor; also dual-sport and dirt riders, since this is a motocross-style guard.
- Check before you buy:
- It is worn over the sleeve or under a loose jacket, and does not sit comfortably under a snug road jacket. Fox publishes bicep and forearm sizing from XS to 2XL — a tape measure gets you there without asking.
Price as of September 22, 2026. #ad How we’re funded
Knee and shin guards
Scoyco CE Level 1 Knee and Shin Guards
CE Level 1 (listing; standard not named)- Why it lands:
- Knee and shin coverage with a hard TPU shell, listed as CE Level 1, that straps on over jeans. For a rider with no leg protection at all it is the whole difference for the price of a tank of fuel.
- Who it suits:
- The rider who rides in jeans — which is most new riders, and more experienced ones than will admit it.
- Check before you buy:
- The listing says CE Level 1 but does not name the standard behind it, and strap-on guards can rotate on the leg. Straps fit most adult legs, so sizing is not the risk here.
Price as of September 22, 2026. #ad How we’re funded
Under the helmet and on the shield
Two small things that riders rarely buy and always end up glad to own. A balaclava — a thin head sock — closes the gap between helmet and collar that lets cold air in, and keeps sweat out of a helmet liner that is miserable to clean. A shield cleaner is genuinely optional (we tell riders that soap and water works), but a pocket-size kit is the version they will actually carry for the bugs at a fuel stop.
Under-helmet balaclava
Alpinestars Open-Face Balaclava
- Why it lands:
- Closes the helmet-to-collar gap on cold mornings and absorbs the sweat that would otherwise go straight into the helmet liner. Flat seams and a helmet-specific cut, so it does not press under a snug lid. Washes in seconds.
- Who it suits:
- Anyone who rides in cool weather or commutes year-round; a good add-on to any other gift on this page.
- Check before you buy:
- One size, unisex — so nothing to get wrong for most heads, but no options for someone at either extreme. Alpinestars calls it all-season; it is a heavyweight fabric, so it is a cold-weather piece in practice.
Price as of September 22, 2026. #ad How we’re funded
Shield cleaning kit
Muc-Off Visor, Lens & Goggle Cleaning Kit
- Why it lands:
- A pH-neutral, solvent-free spray that Muc-Off publishes as safe on polycarbonate — the property that matters next to a helmet shield — plus the microfibre cloth that actually prevents scratches, in a size that lives in a tank bag.
- Who it suits:
- A stocking-stuffer for any rider, and the right add-on to a bigger gift.
- Check before you buy:
- Honest note: mild soap and lukewarm water do the same job for free, and we say so on our cleaning guide. This buys convenience on the road, not chemistry. What it replaces is the ammonia-based glass cleaner people reach for by instinct, which attacks polycarbonate shields.
Price as of September 22, 2026. #ad How we’re funded
Sound in the helmet, for the solo rider
A full intercom is a $100-plus gift (see our under-$150 page), but a rider who mostly rides alone often just wants music, navigation prompts and calls in the helmet. A basic Bluetooth helmet audio set does that at this price, and it mounts to almost any helmet with speaker pockets.
Helmet Bluetooth audio
Lexin G16 Audio Set
- Why it lands:
- Adds music, GPS prompts and phone calls to a helmet that has none, for the least money that does the job. Universal mount, so it does not need to match their helmet brand.
- Who it suits:
- A solo rider or commuter who has never had audio in the helmet and would not buy a real intercom for themselves.
- Check before you buy:
- This is audio, not a group intercom — if they ride with friends who talk to each other, they need a proper unit, and which brand matters (see the under-$150 page). Budget audio quality; it is an introduction, not the endgame.
Price as of September 22, 2026. #ad How we’re funded
If you know their glove size
Gloves are fit-critical, which is why they are last. But if you can get the size — a photo of the tag inside a pair they own is enough — a real leather glove with a hard knuckle at this price is a genuine upgrade over the thin gloves many riders start with. Hands go out first in a fall, reflexively, before any decision is made.
Leather gloves — only if you know the size
Joe Rocket GPX 2.0 Leather
- Why it lands:
- Goatskin leather palm and back — real abrasion resistance — with a hard knuckle protector, at a price where most gloves are thin textile. Short cuff, so it works with any jacket.
- Who it suits:
- A newer rider still wearing budget gloves, or anyone whose 'riding gloves' are really work gloves.
- Check before you buy:
- Runs true to size, but you must know the size. Do not guess. If you cannot find out, choose anything else on this page.
Price as of September 22, 2026. #ad How we’re funded
Three things under $50 not to buy
- An anti-fog visor insert, unless you know the exact helmet. Pinlock lenses are coded to one specific shield; the wrong code will not fit. If you do know the helmet and visor model, it is an excellent gift — our visor guide explains how to match it.
- “Armored” anything that names no standard. If a listing says padded, protective or reinforced without a CE level, it is upholstery.
- Fashion biker gloves. Fingerless, thin, no knuckle protection. They read as a rider gift and protect nothing.
And if you would rather spend a little more on one thing than $50 on several, the single best gift in motorcycling — a CE Level 2 back protector — is the first pick on our under-$150 page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best motorcycle gift under $50?
A pair of filtered motorcycle earplugs. Wind noise at highway speed is loud enough to damage hearing over time, most riders know it, and most still have not bought plugs. A filtered set like the Alpine MotoSafe Tour publishes its attenuation figure (17 dB SNR), keeps traffic and intercom audible, and fits any ear — there is no size to get wrong. If they already own earplugs, a certified armor set for their jacket is the next best thing on this page.
Can I buy motorcycle gloves as a gift for under $50?
Only if you know their glove size, and it is worth finding out — a photo of the size tag inside a pair they own is enough. A goatskin leather glove with a hard knuckle exists at this price and is a real upgrade over the thin gloves many new riders start with. Do not guess: a glove that is half a size out is worn once.
Is cheap motorcycle armor worth buying?
Cheap certified armor, yes. The soft foam pads most budget jackets ship with have passed no impact test at all; a set listed as CE Level 1 or Level 2 has a standard behind it. The catch is that the claim on a marketplace listing is the maker's own, not an independent lab's, and armor pockets are not standardized — so check the jacket has pockets, and check their size, before you order.
What motorcycle gifts should I avoid under $50?
Anything that looks like protection but is not: fashion 'biker' gloves with no knuckle protection, novelty helmet stickers, and 'armored' garments that name no standard. Also skip anti-fog inserts unless you know their exact helmet and visor — Pinlock lenses are coded to a specific shield and the wrong one simply will not fit.
Why do the prices on this page change?
Because we do not store prices. Every button shows a live, date-stamped price from a daily retailer check, and it expires after 48 hours rather than going stale. A pick near the $50 line can cross it on a given day; when it does, the pick says so right under the button. The number on the button is always the one that counts.
Sources
- NHTSA — How to Choose the Right Motorcycle Helmet — NHTSA consumer guidance on DOT certification and spotting novelty helmets (accessed July 21, 2026)
- 49 CFR 571.218 — FMVSS No. 218, Motorcycle helmets — The US federal helmet standard: peak-acceleration, penetration and retention requirements; applies to all on-road motorcycle helmets (accessed July 21, 2026)
Keep reading
Best motorcycle gifts under $150
The next tier up — where a gift changes how they ride: a certified back protector, heated gloves, a first intercom.
See the under-$150 giftsGifts for riders: what to buy and what to avoid
The three categories of gift that get returned or worn badly, and why the fitting is the gift when it comes to helmets.
Read the gifting rulesBest motorcycle armor inserts
The full ranking behind the armor sets on this page — CE Level 1 and Level 2 inserts and what the levels mean.
See the insert rankingBlack Friday & Cyber Monday motorcycle gear deals
What historically discounts in this category, what rarely does, and a live list of which of our picks are cheaper today.
See the deals hub