FOUR (4) DIFFERENCES OF LEATHER MOTORCYCLE JACKETS

What the heck is so special about a “motorcycle” jacket? Wouldn’t any leather jacket (or other sturdy material) be just as useful?

There are a few unique features that differentiate a “true” motorcycle jacket from a motorcycle “fashion” jacket that would be sold in a leather goods store or discount store.

For the purposes of this article, I will focus on leather jackets and not textile jackets, although several of the differences will be just as applicable to textile motorcycle jackets.

1. A good leather “motorcycle” jacket is made of thicker leather to offer more protection for the rider in the event of a fall from a motorbike.
2. Motorcycle jackets have longer sleeves than similar non-motorcycle jackets. The longer sleeves are because bikers have their arms extended while riding, so a longer sleeve offers better protection extended over a rider’s wrists.
3. A motorcycle jacket typically has a short collar (or no collar) and the abbreviated collar may even have a snap to secure it. The reason for this is to keep the collar from flapping around in the wind while riding a motorcycle.
4. Many modern motorcycle jackets (leather or otherwise), feature protective pads (or “armor”) positioned at the elbows, along the spine, and on the shoulders, under the surface of the jacket. In most jackets, the pads are removable for cleaning or replacement. Good motorcycle jackets are built to protect a rider from “abrasion” injuries that can be sustained while sliding along the ground after a fall. However, the addition of protective armor offers some “impact” protection as well.

In simple terms, if you are motorcycle rider, you should be wearing a purpose-built, motorcycle jacket, with armor, which offers more protection than a non-motorcycle jacket, leather or not.

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SIX FEATURES OF TOURING JACKETS

Many Motorcycle Touring Jacket have the following features for long-distance rider comfort:

1) They are usually waterproof to deal with the inevitable rain that a long-distance rider will encounter

2) Lots of pockets (inside and outside) for easy storage

3) Removable liner so that a touring motorbike rider can add/remove the liner as needed for different temperatures

4) High collar for better neck protection

5) Lots of armor (crash padding), typically in the elbows, shoulders and along the back. Some jackets also have chest armor

6) Vents that can be opened to allow more air circulation in warmer weather

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:

• 3/4 length motorcycle jackets offer a little more protection than a typical waist-length motorcycle jacket.
• Motorcycle touring jackets can be leather or textile, although textile jackets can typically be made more waterproof than leather, and leather usually requires more maintenance.  (I really LIKE leather jackets, but I don’t wear mine when I’m touring).

Be aware that motorcycle jackets advertised as “waterproof” may not always live up to your expectations.  Some require additional application of waterproof repellent over time.  Others simply offer you better rain protection when you are riding through light rain for short periods.

Note: a lot of these features for MOTORCYCLE TOURING JACKETS may be found in jackets that are not specifically targeted to touring riders – although not necessarily ALL of them. Specifically, the “3/4 length” is a key feature for long-distance riders, even though there are touring bikers who still opt for waist-length motorcycle jackets, which can be fine for most summer riding.

“COMFORT” IS VITAL

Most importantly, get a jacket that is COMFORTABLE for you, as you do not want to spend day after day in a saddle with a jacket that is crowding your shoulders, or too tight around your stomach, etc.

These motorcycle jackets are provided in association with Amazon.com and Amazon merchants so their fast delivery and great return policies are applicable to any purchases made on this website.

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HONDA MOTORCYCLE GIFT JACKETS

Since 1983, Honda has achieved distinction as a powerful contender in motorcycle Grand Prix racing, winning quite a number of top level titles and establishing its place in motorcycle history.

Honda is also a dominant motocross manufacturer, claiming many world championships.

For those of us who are not road-racing or off-road champions, we can still associate ourselves with Honda victories by riding whatever we want with our HONDA MOTORCYCLE JACKETS.

On the other hand, if you could care less about all that racing stuff, but just like the performance, styling, comfort, or reliability of Honda motorcycles, well, that may be all the reason you need to add a Honda Motorcycle Jacket to your motorbike riding apparel.

And in that regard, how can you lose?

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THE ULTIMATE KAWASAKI GIFT

Why wear a Kawasaki motorcycle jacket?

I don’t know. Why would you wear a jacket that advertises ANY maker?

The simple answer is that Kawasaki riders like Kawasaki jackets, apparel and anything else that says “Kawasaki” on it.

Which means a Kawasaki Jacket makes a great gift.

KAWASAKI RIDERS LIKE KAWASAKI GIFTS

However, I’m of the opinion that the gift jacket should come from Kawasaki. You see, if I’m going to wear a jacket that says “Kawasaki” on it (or any other bike maker), shouldn’t I get paid for advertising that brand, or minimally, shouldn’t I receive the jacket for free?

Like my logic?

Alas, regardless of whether you do or not, the world doesn’t work that way.

If you want a Kawasaki Motorcycle Jacket you’re going to have to pay “extra” for the privilege of showing off that brand.

On the other hand, if you’re buying this as a gift, that says YOU must really like the person , who is going to receive the Kawasaki Jacket.

KAWASAKI JACKETS FOR MEN AND WOMEN

KAWASAKI MOTORCYCLE JACKETS FOR MEN

WOMEN’S KAWASAKI MOTORCYCLE JACKETS

NOTE: There are a LOT of Kawasaki Motorcycle Jackets featured here. And all the jackets are provided via Amazon.com merchants.

However, even though all these jackets are categorized as “Kawasaki” jackets for men and women, not everyone of them says “Kawasaki” on it.  WHAT’S UP WITH THAT!!?

The idea that the merchants are conveying is that the jackets are suitable for Kawasaki motorcycle riders (or any other motorcycle rider for that matter!)

Anyway, just be aware of the fact that if you buy one of these jackets because you want it to say “Kawasaki” on it, make sure you can SEE it on the motorbike jacket before you buy it.  (How obvious is that?)

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YEARNING FOR THAT CLASSIC BIKER JACKET STYLE?

A style that harkens back to days when motorcycling was simpler?

When the majority of motorcycle jackets were made of leather?

And when you had two general styles of motorcycle leather jackets?

Vintage motorcycle jackets tended toward a greater simplicity: You either wore a black leather jacket, or one that had colored racing stripes or some variation, which represented a more sporting look.

To top things off, or in this case, to bottom things off, you might also want to consider some VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE BOOTS. These black, leather, traditional motorcycle boots, are still popular to this day, and are the boot of choice among the cruiser crowd, although not exclusively limited to any motorcycle category.

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