JUST BECAUSE IT “LOOKS” LIKE A LEATHER MOTORCYCLE JACKET, DOESN’T MEAN IT WILL PROTECT YOU
For decades, the appeal of leather motorcycle jackets has extended well beyond the brotherhood of motorcycle riders.
How many folks do you see wearing motorcycle leathers with no motorbike in sight?
Well, to state the obvious, lots of others wear leather jackets. Not only are are they associated with bikers, but they are also worn by a diverse cross-section of society that includes military aviators, police, rock stars, punks and a variety of film and TV characters. The police and military pilots - and of course motorcycle riders - each benefit from the protective qualities of durable leather.
But for many others, a leather jacket is simply a fashion preference (and/or statement) and these jackets are not intended to offer any safety advantages.
DIFFERENCES: LEATHER “MOTORCYCLE” JACKETS
A casual observer may not be aware of the significant difference between protective leather jackets for bikers and those that are a fashion preference.
Leather motorcycle jackets are heavier, thicker, and often equipped with armor, compared to other leather jackets.
Leather jackets for motorcycle riding are an integral part of a biker’s safety equipment that also includes a helmet, gloves, protective pants and boots.
Although leather jackets that are primarily designed as a fashion item may look good, and in some cases may even “look” like a motorcycle leather jacket, they just don’t offer much value in the case of a crash. Not only would a fashion leather jacket have thinner leather, it would not have protective armor or even heavy leather padding on the elbow, spine, and shoulder regions.
The leather used for motorcycle jackets is thicker, stronger, moderately flexible and much tougher. These factors are vital to withstand the powerful abrasion forces that can result from a motorcycle rider sliding or tumbling along the asphalt after a fall. (I’ve tried this exercise more than once, and I don’t recommend it without the best protection you can wear.)
A fashion leather jacket would more readily rip and shred due to the abrasive asphalt, and result in exposing a rider’s skin and bones to greater injury.
TWO GENERAL STYLES OF JACKETS
Currently there are two major styles of motorcycle leather jackets:
1) Tight fitting leather jackets modeled after motorcycle racing leathers. These may be black, but also are made with all kinds of colors and designs.
2) Then there are the somewhat looser fitting “traditional” leather jackets, which are usually black.
LEATHER JACKETS WITH MOTORCYCLE SAFETY ARMOR
Nowadays, most leather motorcycle jackets come equipped with safety padding, or “armor,” for additional impact protection. Armor may be provided within a leather jacket to protect the shoulders, elbows and back. Safety armor for riders is constructed of high density foam and/or carbon fiber, and acts to absorb and disperse impact energy that results from a crash.
Of course, a well-protected motorcycle rider will also wear a helmet, gloves, protective pants (or chaps), in addition to boots with heels that provide good ankle support.
NOTE: A good, high quality, leather motorcycle jacket, that is specifically designed for rider safety, will not be an inexpensive jacket.
Click on the following link to see a tremendous selection of leather motorcycle jackets for men and women.
