The Ride By Faith Journal


A space built for riders who live with purpose.


The Ride By Faith Journal blends the grit of the road with the grace of belief, a collection of stories, guides, and honest gear reviews written for those who ride not just to escape but to connect. From long distance comfort mods to reflections on faith and freedom, every post is grounded in authenticity and crafted for the ones who carry conviction in their throttle hand and faith in their heart.
Motorcycle Boots Guide: Ankle Protection, Sole Grip, and Riding-Specific Features
Footwear Feels Low-Stakes Until the Crash Footwear deserves the same attention as your helmet, jacket, and gloves. Your feet and lower legs can be exposed to impacts, abrasion, hot components, and other hazards while riding or handling the motorcycle. A riding boot cannot guarantee a particular crash outcome. What it can offer is coverage and documented performance designed for motorcycle use. Compare the exact product rather than assuming sneakers, work boots, or any motorcycle-styled footwear provide equivalent protection. What a Riding Boot Actually Does Ankle Protection Motorcycle boots vary in... Read more...
Motorcycle Gloves Buying Guide: Hand Protection That Doesn't Compromise Grip
Your Hands Need Protection on Every Ride Your hands can contact the road during a fall, but no single crash sequence applies to every rider. Full-fingered motorcycle gloves belong in your riding setup before you set off, not in a bag waiting for colder weather. A fashion glove and a protective motorcycle glove can look similar. Compare documented performance, coverage, retention, and fit rather than assuming a familiar shape or hard knuckle piece guarantees protection. No glove can guarantee that your hands will escape injury. What Separates a Real Motorcycle... Read more...
How to Build a Beginner Motorcycle Gear Kit Without Wasting Money
New Riders Spend Money in the Wrong Order Walk into a powersports shop after getting your learner's permit and the sales floor can feel overwhelming. Helmets, jackets, gloves, pants, and boots all compete for the same budget, with prices and features that vary substantially. The practical goal is a complete motorcycle gear kit that fits correctly and provides documented protection, not one expensive statement piece paired with gaps elsewhere. Use the priorities below to organize your shopping, not as permission to ride without the items farther down the list. No... Read more...
Adventure Riding Gear vs. Street Riding Gear: What's the Real Difference?
The ADV Boom Changed Everything — Including the Gear Adventure motorcycles have a recognizable gear category alongside them: tall boots, textile jackets with extensive ventilation, peaked dual-sport helmets, and clothing designed for changing conditions. But does adventure riding gear actually perform differently from street riding gear — or is it mostly marketing? The differences can be practical and worth understanding. The key is to compare the specific products, their documented protection, and the terrain you actually ride. An ADV label alone does not establish performance. The Defining Demands of Adventure... Read more...
Motorcycle Rain Gear That Actually Works: Staying Dry Without Sacrificing Safety
Staying Dry Helps You Stay Focused Cold, wet, and uncomfortable is a distraction you don't need on a motorcycle. Rain gear is part of preparing for the conditions, alongside suitable protective clothing, a clear view, and a willingness to stop when the weather exceeds your comfort or ability. Good motorcycle rain gear isn't just about comfort. It's about choosing a setup you can wear, operate, and adjust without interfering with your riding gear. Waterproof clothing does not make every wet-weather ride safe. The Three Failure Points to Check in Rain... Read more...
How to Read a Motorcycle Jacket's Safety Label Before You Buy
The Most Ignored Piece of Information in Gear Shopping Riders spend hours comparing aesthetics, brand reputation, and price. Then they pick up the jacket, zip the pockets, check the color options — and buy without checking its documented protective performance. A motorcycle jacket's safety label is a useful starting point. Read it alongside the manufacturer's instructions and supporting documentation. It can identify the relevant standard and garment class, but it cannot tell you everything about protection or guarantee what will happen in a crash. EN 17092: The Garment-Level Protection Standard... Read more...
The Rider's Guide to Motorcycle Base Layers: Why What's Under Your Gear Matters
The Layer No One Sees — But Always Feels Most gear discussions start with the jacket. Smart ones consider what's underneath, too. The motorcycle base layer — the garment in direct contact with your skin — helps manage heat, moisture, and comfort during the ride. Choose one that works with your protective gear, the weather, and your riding position. An ordinary comfort base layer does not add documented impact or abrasion protection unless the specific garment has been designed and tested for that purpose. It also cannot compensate for unsuitable... Read more...
CE Armor Ratings Demystified: What Levels 1 and 2 Actually Mean for Your Body
The Label Most Riders Ignore Check the armor insert in your riding jacket according to the manufacturer's instructions. Look for its markings and supporting documentation. You may see a reference such as EN 1621-1 or EN 1621-2 alongside a protection level. Those EN references identify test standards, not a prediction of exactly how much force will reach your body in a crash. Understanding CE Level 1 vs Level 2 armor helps you compare documented impact-protection performance instead of relying on appearance or a brand name. What CE Standards Actually Measure... Read more...
Motorcycle Helmet Types Explained: Full-Face, Modular, Open-Face, and Half
Every Helmet Style Is a Trade-off. Know What You're Trading. Helmet choice is deeply personal. Some riders won't touch anything less than a full-face. Others have spent decades in an open-face. Understanding motorcycle helmet types means looking beyond habit and style: what does each design cover, how does it fit, and what protective performance is documented for that exact model? No helmet can prevent every injury. Coverage, fit, a securely fastened retention system, and verified safety information all matter. Full-Face Helmets: Full Head and Chin Coverage A full-face helmet covers... Read more...
Leather vs. Textile Motorcycle Jackets: Which One Is Right for Your Ride?
Leather vs. Textile Motorcycle Jackets: Which One Is Right for Your Ride?
The Question That Starts Every Gear Conversation You're ready to invest in a serious motorcycle jacket. You've got a budget. You've measured yourself. And then comes the question that's been... Read more...
Motorcycle Vest Sizing Guide: How to Find the Right Fit
Motorcycle vest sizing starts with your measurements, not the size printed on your favorite T-shirt. The right fit depends on the vest’s cut, the layers underneath it, and how it sits when you’re on the bike. A vest that feels comfortable standing in front of a mirror can bunch at the waist or pull across the chest once you reach for the handlebars. Taking a few measurements and checking your riding position helps you choose more confidently. Here’s how to size a motorcycle vest for the way you actually ride.... Read more...
The Complete Guide to Motorcycle Vests: Protection, Style & Purpose
The Complete Guide to Motorcycle Vests: Protection, Style & Purpose
Motorcycle vests have been part of riding culture for decades. They’re more than apparel — they’re identity, personal expression, and, depending on their construction, one part of a rider’s protective... Read more...
Faith-Driven Gear: Why Christian Riders Protect Their Purpose, Not Just Their Body
Faith-Driven Gear: Why Christian Riders Protect Their Purpose, Not Just Their Body
Faith-driven riders don't gear up out of fear. They gear up out of purpose. Why stewardship starts before the first mile. Read more...
When the Road Becomes a Prayer: Why Christian Riders Gear Up Differently
When the Road Becomes a Prayer: Why Christian Riders Gear Up Differently
For Christian riders, gearing up isn't fear. It's stewardship. A look at why faith, protection, and purpose ride together. Read more...
What Real Riders Look for in Motorcycle Protective Gear (And What They Ignore)
What Real Riders Look for in Motorcycle Protective Gear (And What They Ignore)
Let's be honest — riders don't care about buzzwords. We care about what actually works. When real riders shop for motorcycle protective gear, here's what they pay attention to: Impact... Read more...
The Road Is a Sanctuary: Why Riding Is More Than a Hobby
The Road Is a Sanctuary: Why Riding Is More Than a Hobby
There's a moment on every ride when the world quiets down. The engine hums steady, the horizon opens, and the noise of life finally fades into something manageable. Riders know... Read more...
Why Riders Need Motorcycle Gear That Tells the Truth
Why Riders Need Motorcycle Gear That Tells the Truth
Motorcycle riders don't buy gear for the sake of buying gear. We buy it because the road demands honesty. Every mile, every lean, every unexpected moment — the asphalt doesn't... Read more...
Rider from behind showing Ride By Faith jacket logo with cross and wings
Motorcycle Gear for Christian Riders — Ride With Purpose, Not Fear
Faith, Protection, and Purpose on Every Ride Riding With Purpose — Learn More CE Armor Explained Armored vs Non Armored Gear Hot Weather Riding Gear Beginner Gear Guide Riding is... Read more...
Best Motorcycle Gear for Hot Weather (2026 Guide)
Best Motorcycle Gear for Hot Weather (2026 Guide)
Stay Cool, Stay Protected, Stay Alive Riding in the heat is where most riders make their deadliest mistake. They ditch the armor. Not because they want to. But because most... Read more...
Motorcycle Gear for Beginners — What You Actually Need
Motorcycle Gear for Beginners — What You Actually Need
New to riding? Here's the honest breakdown of what gear you actually need before your first ride — and what can wait until later. Read more...
Armored vs Non Armored Motorcycle Gear — The Truth Riders Don't Want to Hear
Armored vs Non Armored Motorcycle Gear — The Truth Riders Don't Want to Hear
Non-armored gear protects against road rash. Armored gear protects against both abrasion and impact. Here's the honest breakdown every rider needs to read before their next ride. Read more...
CE Armor Explained — The Complete Guide for Riders (2026)
CE Armor Explained — The Complete Guide for Riders (2026)
CE armor is the closest thing to a universal safety standard for motorcycle protective gear. Learn what CE Level 1 and Level 2 mean, where armor should be placed, and... Read more...
Viking Bags Axwell Review: A Rider's Honest Take
Viking Bags Axwell Review: A Rider's Honest Take
An honest rider's review of the Viking Bags Axwell — covering build quality, storage, weather resistance, and why dependable gear matters for faith-driven riders. Read more...
Top 5 Comfort Mods for Your Next Long-Distance Motorcycle Ride
Top 5 Comfort Mods for Your Next Long-Distance Motorcycle Ride
Table of Contents Aftermarket Seat: The Foundation of Long-Ride Comfort Ergonomic Handlebars: Take the Load Off the Upper Body Windshield or Fairing: Stop Wind Fatigue Before It Starts Backrest or... Read more...
Viking Bags Tactical Extra Large Motorcycle Backpack — Honest Rider Review
Viking Bags Tactical Extra Large Motorcycle Backpack — Honest Rider Review
An honest rider review of the Viking Bags Tactical Extra Large Motorcycle Backpack — including a real-world install on a shorter padded sissy bar, on-bike stability, storage, and verdict. Read more...
The Real Reason We Ride: Freedom, Clarity, and the Open Road
The Real Reason We Ride: Freedom, Clarity, and the Open Road
Where freedom, clarity, and purpose meet the open road Read more...