As a real biker, you should never ride out without your biker’s apparel. Never mount the bike without the appropriate helmet, jacket, the shin guards, and elbow pads. Whereas the others perform a good job in keeping you safe, the jacket is probably one that does the most together with the helmet.
(Photo credits: Fouquier à¥)
The biker jacket does much more than just enhancing your safety which is something I think many do not know. It has a number of various functions and benefits that add to the reason why you should never get on your bike without it. Many just think that a jacket serves to give you that cool Harley Davidson look (that too of course) but it is more than that only. Listen to what it can do:
1. It saves your life
The number one on the biker jacket list is your safety. The jacket you have noted by now is made from heavy leather and has extra padding at the elbows and even at the shoulders. Your bike is quite heavy and multiplied by the average speed gives you a lot of force when riding.
(Photo credits: Plbmak)
Therefore, when you hit an object, unfortunate to be in an accident or forced to hit the bike, suddenly you can incur a lot of injury. The jacket saves your life by preventing most of the injury.
Given this important function, it makes little sense to ride with a jacket torn at the seams. Ensure all areas of your torso are covered and the seams have a double player. Keep safe with your jacket.
2. Keeps you away from the doc
The running mate to safety is keeping you healthy. When you are riding your bike, you face a lot of wind resistance. Imagine the kind of breeze you feel on a hot day and how much more there is when it is cold. With such cold air getting into your lungs you want to minimise the amount of cold you expose your chest to.
Your jacket has several layers of clothing in it keeping you warm, your chest safe, and ultimately keeps you healthy. On a light day you can do with a lighter strong jacket but on the cold days and at night, ensure you have a heavy jacket for maximum safety.
3.Enhances your style
Now away from the scary facts about accidents and health to the more exciting functions of the jacket. Truth be told, a leather jacket is very stylish, it is one of the few items of clothing that has survived the years from the 60’s to date. Although the occasions promoting the wearing of leather are minimal today, you have the perfect excuse for always wearing one: you own a bike.
(Photo credits: ightingtheboss)
Imagine a rider mounting off his bike with leather and the other with just a t-shirt or shirt on. The latter simply looks misplaced. Leather jacket is the style for any biker.
4. Increase your riding comfort
A bike as stated is heavy, so you need to feel comfortable when on it. A jacket is heavy and increases your weight on the bike making you feel able to handle the weight. For maximum comfort get a jacket with the right adjustments at the cuffs, and the neck, to ensure you can adjust appropriately, and are always comfortable in it
5. Leather is sexy
The greatest advantage of the leather (ok depends on which side you are looking at it) is probably the fact that both men and women alike love it. In short, leather is sexy, so whether you are a man wearing it or a woman on a bike you are sure to get some attention.
(Photo credits: Fabiana Zonca)
Taking care of your prized leather
Now that you know why you need that jacket, go out and get a quality leather one. It will cost you a good amount of your money so as a bonus, here are a few tips to ensure it serves you for years to come
- Getting rid of oil and grease
As a biker, you are sure to encounter the oil and grease as you tend to your bike. The chances that some will spill to your jacket are not slim. To get rid of the oil, do not wash it off with soap and water, as it may leave a satin. Pour some corn-starch on the area, leave it for a while, and then wipe it off.
- Leather protector
Ensure you buy some leather lotion or protector to keep your jacket shiny. A good layer will keep the dust and stains from ruining such a good investment
(Photo credits: ЯAFIK ♋ BERLIN)
When it gets wet, dry it naturally under the shade. Do not expose to direct sunlight or attempt to dry in the dryer.
This is a guest post written for The Bikesmith, a leading motorbike repair Sydney shop.
