Good gear doesn't make you invincible, but it makes the difference in a fall. Below is what you need, item by item, and what the label of a good product says.
It's the one piece you never ride without. Look for the ECE 22.06 approval label (or 22.05 on older helmets). The helmet must sit firmly on your head: if you move it with your hand and the skin of your forehead moves with it, the size is right.
After a hard hit or a fall, the helmet is replaced, even if it looks fine on the outside. A full-face helmet protects best; an open-face helmet doesn't protect your chin.
Motorcycle clothing is approved to the EN 17092 standard, with classes from C to AAA (AAA is the toughest). The label is sewn inside.
Elbow, shoulder and knee armour is to EN 1621-1, and back armour to EN 1621-2. Level 2 protects better than level 1. Many jackets come without a back protector: it's worth buying one separately.
In a fall, your hands hit the tarmac first. Choose motorcycle gloves approved to EN 13594, with wrist and palm protection. In summer, take perforated gloves; don't ride without them.
Motorcycle boots, approved to EN 13634, protect your ankles and don't tear when they slide. Trainers and ordinary boots don't hold the ankle in a fall.
Most accidents come from drivers who didn't see you. A high-visibility vest, reflective strips on your jacket and a light-coloured helmet help, especially in the evening and in the rain.
The standards above are the European ones used in Romania. Look for them on the product label, not just in the shop's description.
Other guides: First group ride · Hand signals · Motorcycle check