Do you own a motorcycle? Well, you aren’t alone. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), more than 8.4 million motorcycles were registered in 2011. Of course, there are certain advantages of riding a motorcycle over driving a car or truck. For starters, motorcycles are more fuel efficient, consuming just a fraction of the fuel used by fuel-sized automobiles. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, motorcycles allow riders to experience an up-and-close and personal method of transportation. Whether you’re riding across town or across country, you’ll experience new sights and sounds when riding a motorcycle that’s simply not found when driving a car or truck.
As most seasoned motorcycle riders know, however, it’s important to choose the right riding apparel. Wearing a windbreaker isn’t going to cut it. For maximum protection and comfort, you should consider wearing a leather motorcycle jacket instead. It’s a smart investment that’s guaranteed to pay off in the long run. So, for some helpful tips on how to choose the right leather motorcycle jacket for your needs, keep reading.
Stick With Real Leather
One of the reasons why leather jackets are such a popular choice of apparel among motorcycle riders is because of their strength and durability. While jackets made of other fabrics and materials easily tear, those made of leather do not. This makes an them an invaluable choice of apparel for motorcycle riders. With that said, only genuine leather jackets offer this unmatched level of strength and durability. Those made of faux leather lack these characteristics, exposing the rider to potential injury. You can expect to pay more for a genuine leather jacket than a faux leather jacket, but most riders will agree that it’s well worth the investment. A genuine leather jacket will create a barrier of protection between your body and the road, reducing the risk of injury.
Flexible
In addition to choosing a jacket made of genuine leather, you should also choose one that’s flexible. After all, riding a motorcycle requires you to move your arms and upper body. Attempting to ride with a stiff leather jacket may restrict your range of motion; thus, preventing you from riding safely. The good news is that most genuine leather jackets are soft and flexible. From the moment you first try it on, you should be able to bend and move your upper body unrestricted. If you can’t extend your arms all the way, consider choosing a different leather motorcycle jacket instead.
Form-Fitting
It’s also recommended that you choose a form-fitting leather jacket. What exactly does this mean? Well, form-fitting refers to the garment’s ability to contour to the shape of the wearer’s body. A form-fitted leather jacket “hugs” the wearer’s body but without restricting his or her range of motion. This is in stark contrast to loose-fitting jackets, which as the name suggests fit more loosely. When you’re reading a motorcycle, you should stick with a form-fitted leather jacket to prevent loose fabric or material from getting caught. Besides, form-fitting leather jackets are typically more comfortable than their loose-fitting counterparts.
Custom Sizing
Given the fact that no two people have the exact same body shape or size, finding the perfect jacket isn’t always easy. You can visit a dozen different retail and department stores in search of the perfect leather jacket, only to walk away empty-handed at the end of the day. Thankfully, there’s an easier solution: order your leather motorcycle jacket in a custom size. Here at LeatherCult, for instance, you can specify your body measurements when ordering. Once we receive your order, we’ll use these measurements to create a custom-sized leather jacket that’s designed specifically for your body. There’s no need to cross your fingers and hope the jacket fits. As long as you provide us with the right size, you’ll receive the perfect leather jacket.
Break It in
Prior to wearing a new leather motorcycle jacket, it’s recommended that you break it in. If you’ve ever owned a genuine leather jacket before, you probably know that it becomes softer and more supple over time. Like wine, leather typically gets better with age. A new leather jacket may feel somewhat stiff, for instance. After being worn for a few weeks, though, it should feel soft and more supple. There are a few ways to speed up this process, including the use of a leather conditioning product like saddle soap. Regardless, you should try to break in your leather jacket before wearing it on a motorcycle.
Plain Design
Many motorcycle riders prefer jackets with plain, basic designs. There are a few reasons for this, one of which is the simple fact that it allows for customization. If you want to add an custom patch to your leather jacket, for instance, it needs to feature a plain design; otherwise, you may struggle to find an open area on which to place the patch. Leather jackets featuring a plain design are also easier to match with other riding apparel and gear. These are just a few reasons to consider a plain design when choosing a leather motorcycle jacket.
Zipper Front
When shopping for a leather motorcycle jacket, check to see whether it has buttons or a zipper on the front. Most seasoned motorcycle riders prefer the latter because of the increased warmth and protection it offers. With a zipper on the front, you can zip up your leather jacket to reduce the rate at which your body loses heat. This is particularly important if you plan to ride during the otherwise freezing winter months. Zipping up your jacket will keep you warm and comfort throughout the winter season. Granted, a leather jacket with a button-up front can also provide warmth, but it typically pales in comparison to the warmth offered by a zipper-front leather jacket.
These are just a few things to consider when choosing a leather motorcycle jacket. Most importantly, though, choose a jacket that fits your personal style.