Where It All Began: The Story Behind Silk Road Motorcycle Gear
By Calvin Macleod – Silk Road, for The Biker Company
If you’ve ever ridden through monsoon rain in a shredded T-shirt or felt like a medieval knight strapping on your leathers, you’ll understand exactly why Silk Road exists.
We didn’t set out to start a motorcycle gear company. It all started with a few mates and a handful of 110cc bikes tearing across Southeast Asia. By 2020, we’d ridden through Indonesia, India, Thailand and Laos, chasing freedom, dusty roads and bad ideas - the kind of trip that leaves a mark. One crash later, wearing “gear” that could barely survive a tumble on gravel, reality hit. We needed motorcycle protection that didn’t suck.
Born On the Road. Built for the Future.
Out of frustration with outdated motorcycle gear - bulky leathers, sweaty plastics, and a complete lack of style - we decided to build our own. Silk Road was born: a rider-led, design-driven brand with one clear mission: to create modern motorcycle clothing that protects, performs and actually looks good.
This isn’t just about jackets and trousers. It’s about identity. Protection without compromise. Gear you can ride in all day, and walk into a café without looking like a stormtrooper.
Who’s Behind the Brand?
We’re not a faceless corporation. We’re riders, creatives, and friends who met on the road and built Silk Road from the ground up.
- I’m Calvin Macleod, originally from the UK and now based between Bali and Europe. I head up product development and marketing.
- Femke Castermans (Netherlands) is our brand, apparel, and fashion brain with an eye for detail and a big-picture view.
- Pierse Williams is the guy who’s been with us since day one. We rode across Vietnam together before co-founding Silk Road and our digital agency.
Our team is spread across Europe and Asia, united by the road and our obsession with great design.
What Makes Silk Road Different?
There are plenty of motorcycle clothing brands out there. Most of them are stuck in the past.
Silk Road is about what’s next. Our gear fuses cutting-edge CE-certified protection with modern, streetwear-inspired design. We’ve taken the tech serious riders demand and wrapped it in styles that turn heads - both on and off the bike.
This is gear that works for the open road, the café stop, and wherever you end up when you stray further.
Let’s Talk Tech: Real Protection, Real Style
Here’s what’s under the hood:
- CE AA & AAA certified jackets and trousers
- D3O Ghost impact protectors - the lightest, slimmest on the market
- DuPont Kevlar reinforcement in all high-impact zones
- Cordura Advanced Fabrics for serious abrasion resistance
- Our own 3-layer system for flexibility, breathability, and protection
The result? Motorcycle gear that disappears into your everyday look but still performs like real armour when it matters.
What’s Next for Silk Road?
We're just getting started.
We’re expanding into Japan, Indonesia, and the U.S., building on our growing base of riders who value protection, design, and purpose. Sustainability is a huge part of our next chapter too - with recycled fabrics, biodegradable packaging, and a move toward renewable energy manufacturing.
More importantly, we’re building a global community of riders and creatives who share our values. The gear is just the start - it’s a passport to something bigger.
Our Mantra: Stray Further
It’s not just a slogan. It’s how we live.
To stray further means to push your limits. To explore boldly. To ride without apology and live without compromise. Every product we make reflects that — designed for movement, made for freedom.
The Silk Road Promise
At Silk Road, we design with three principles in mind:
- Protection – Real CE-certified performance gear
- Style – Modern silhouettes inspired by workwear and street culture
- Purpose – Every detail serves the rider, not just the aesthetic
We don’t do overbuilt. We don’t do gimmicks. We obsess over the details and strip everything else away. What’s left is gear you’ll actually want to wear - on the bike, and beyond it.
Ready to Ride?
If you’re tired of motorcycle clothing that doesn’t match your lifestyle, Silk Road was made for you. Join the next generation of riders who want protection with personality.
Your next ride deserves better gear. This is where the road leads.
