Motorcycle Jackets

Nothing separates motorcycle riders from everyone else like a motorcycle jacket. We're not talking about those fashion leather jackets you find at the local shopping mall, we mean real motorcycle jackets designed for real riders.

If you're an experienced rider you already know there's a world of difference between look alikes and the real thing, but if you're a new rider, you may have no idea what to look for or why those things are important. Just keep reading as we take you through motorcycle jackets step by step and you won't have to feel funny asking questions of long time riders who act like they have all of the answers when they might not know either. If you've been riding awhile, you might find some good information here, too, but veteran or novice, you'll find almost anything here you could possibly want. So relax and check out the huge variety of motorcycle jackets we offer, leather jackets, mesh jacket, textile jackets and many more, then make your choice and enjoy the ride.

Discount jackets and womens jackets

Make sure you check out our discount motorcycle jackets in our closeout sections. They are brand new jackets but often last year's model, and only you will know the difference! Prices are even lower and you save even more. And ladies, don't miss our womens motorcycle jackets. Most manufacturers make jackets just for you, styled just right to make you look great and all of the protection of our mens jackets.

Motorcycle jacket style

Motorcycle Jackets Some folks will go crazy when I say this, but style is the first thing to consider when looking for a motorcycle jacket. Why? It's simple, the perfect jacket only works if you wear it and a jacket you don't like will get left behind gathering dust, you're unprotected and you've wasted your money. So be smart and look for something that appeals to you. If you're a bold color person, don't buy basic black and vice versa. Like the cruiser look? Don't buy a racing jacket. This isn't rocket science but some people will try to convince you their favorite is the best when it's simply their favorite and nothing more.

Motorcycle jackets - questions to ask yourself

You'll need to know the answers to a few questions before you can make an intelligent choice. Ask yourself:

1. How much do I really ride? - If you're a once a month rider and only short distances your needs are a lot less than someone who commutes to work every day and tours on the weekend. Lots of miles mean you'll encounter a lot more weather, hot and cold, dry and wet, and a lot more traffic. A good, high quality , versatile jacket can be worn by the low miles rider but a light duty jacket won't work for the high miler. You can always buy more jacket than you need but you should never buy less.

2. What kind of riding do I do? - Are you a cruiser or a sport rider? If you ride a Harley or one of the metric cruisers there are excellent jackets that look right and perform in that role but would be sorely out of place, both style and function, with someone carving canyon roads on a Ninja or GSX-R.

3. Do I park it when it's wet and cold or do I ride regardless? - Your jacket is the only thing between you and the great outdoors. It provides your whole environment and a jacket not up to the weather can turn a nice ride into a miserable experience.

Armed with the answers to those few questions you're ready to begin your quest. There are jackets in all price ranges for every type of riding but when you consider a well made jacket will last for many years, even the high end of the price range will be a great value.

Motorcycle jackets - things to look for

Motorcycle Jackets Your jacket protects you during the ride and during a crash. The first you're guaranteed to need, the second you hope you never need but they are equally important.

Abrasion resistance: Starting with crash protection first, you need abrasion resistance. There have been many new materials invented in recent years but the oldest material may still be the best and that's from a leather motorcycle jacket. Here is where fashion and function differ. The jacket you find in the mall is usually made of very thin leather, made to look good but without any protection for an asphalt slide. Once worn through, the next material facing the street is your skin and it wears through very quickly. Leather at least 1mm thick will slowly sacrifice itself as you slide while saving your skin. Even a low speed slide without a jacket can lead to serious injury and long term pain. Don't skimp on materials. Modern man made materials can do the job, too, especially those reinforced with Kevlar. Various combinations of ballistic nylon and other branded versions of synthetic materials stand up to the needs of the rider as well. You'll often see textile jackets with different and heavier materials in areas like the shoulders and elbows.

Impact protection: The biggest danger may come before the slide and that is the impact. Some jackets will have either permanent or removable armor in the shoulders and elbows, sometimes including the forearms. Many now also include armor for the spine which is a very good thing. If armor is offered for the chest and hips, you would do well to consider it though it's very rare to see it outside of professional racing. Removable armor makes it easier to clean the jacket but if armor is included it should always be in the jacket when you ride.

Styling: Some differences between motorcycle jackets and others is styling that you don't notice right away. Sleeves should be angled slightly forward for more comfort while riding,. and should be a bit longer than on standard jackets otherwise they will ride up when your arms are extended. The knit cuffs you'll often see on some bomber jackets do a poor job of sealing out the wind while riding and air blowing up your arms will try to inflate your jacket. A zippered or snap closure on the cuffs will prevent this. You may also find an inner cuff to seal out the wind. Collars must be fastened down or they will immediately flap all over. The back of the jacket should be slightly longer than the front due to the normal lean forward while riding, this applies to cruisers, too, since you're already sitting which, in effect, bends your body forward.

Ventilation is a big issue since one of the reasons many riders leave their jackets off in the heat is they get too hot while riding. You'll notice many jackets have zippered vents that allow air to flow through the jacket to keep you cool. In the really hot weather, perforated leather or mesh jackets made from synthetic materials allow total air flow while retaining the impact and abrasion resistance of a regular jacket.

Liners can extend the riding season and make your jacket a lot more versatile. Just like regular jackets, motorcycle jackets may have a removable liner for warm weather riding that works to keep you warm in the spring and fall.

Storage pockets are really handy. You don't have as many options for keeping loose change, cell phones, garage door openers and the many other things found in your average car while riding so your jacket often picks up the slack. Zippered or snap closures will help prevent your cell phone from hitting the street at speed. Inside pockets help, too. You don't want to get carried away here but some secure storage is absolutely necessary.

Water resistance is another big point to consider. The old leather jackets became saturated in no time but modern jackets are treated for water resistance and can stand up to a surprising amount of rain, some are practically waterproof but a rainsuit is still necessary. Synthetics excel in this area and many are breathable and waterproof at the same time.

Zippers should be heavy duty not only to last a long time without jamming and fallling apart but to stand up to the stress of a crash. Having a jacket fly open when you need it most is not a good thing. Also, be sure your front zipper has a windflap. The first time you ride in cold weather without one you'll experience that ice cold strip up the center of your torso as you discover how much air can penetrate through the teeth of the zipper. Not pleasant.

Visibility in the form of reflective patches, stripes or designs make you stand out at night when headlights approach. That cool black jacket becomes invisible at night but a few small reflective areas can make you stand out. In the daytime, you sometimes don't even notice them. Safety is good.

Wow! Lots to consider and we haven't even discussed the wide variety of styles and colors, but to a large extent, that's up to you.