Buying and Caring For Your Leather Motorcycle Apparel

Anyone who’s ever had anything to do with motorcycles, knows that protecting the body is one of the most critical elements of safe riding. Of course the helmet is the beginning of that protection but leather apparel gives the balance of protection. Here are some great tips for buying leather motorcycle apparel.

Back to the early times of motorcycle riding the importance of leather was recognized but Fonzy and Jimmy Dean both took the leather motorcycle jacket to an entire new level. There weren’t just essential, they were a fashion statement that was to stick around for decades. Today’s leather apparel combines fashion with functionality!

Motorcycle leather should be a riding grade which will keep you warm and dry on your rides and protect you should you have an accident or wipe out. It’s like a second hide that can save your skin! You should combine your leather jacket with leather pants or motorcycle chaps for full body protection.

Most motorcycle leather’s are made from cowhide because it is durable and strong. Leather products from India and Pakistan are often made from the hide of the water buffalo which is also strong and durable. Pakistan leather craftsmen have a reputation around the world for their expertise and level of skill.

No matter what type of leather your apparel is made from the tanning process is what determines the quality of leather you will receive. Tanning strengthens the hide and stops it from decomposing. It stabilizes the skin and stops rot from occurring while still maintaining the strength and original structure of the skin. There are several stages involved in the tanning of the hide.

There are different types of leather available but for your motorcycle apparel you should be looking at grain leather. A top grain leather has been finished to remove any imperfections. It’s not the quality of full grain leather but it is still a strong durable leather that is sufficient for riding protection.

Full grain leather also called naked leather is made using the finest hides. Only the hair is removed and nothing is done to the leather other than to dye it the appropriate color. It is the best wearing leather available and the quality of it actually improves with more wear and over time. It is the best choice for riding gear but it is expensive.

Leather is warm so you’ll need to adjust for the seasons. In the summer wear a leather jacket that is vented which allows cool air to flow around your body. For the winter wear a jacket that can be adjusted to fit snugly around the body to stop the wind and cold air.

Getting leather wet makes the leather loose its oil so it’s much better if you can wear rain gear over your leathers. If your leather apparel gets wet, let it dry naturally and if it begins to loose its shine then apply mink oil or other commercial products that will extend the life of your leather and keep it shining.

You should ask the store you buy your gear from what the manufacturer recommends for caring and cleaning your leather apparel. If cared for properly you can expect your motorcycle apparel to last 10 years or more.

In order to choose the correct cleaning and maintenance products you need to know the finish, the type of leather, and any special finishes that might have been applied. That’s why it’s easiest to find out what is recommended by the manufacturer. If you are unsure take your leather jacket with you to a leather store and they should be able to help you.

If you scratch your leather it will turn slightly lighter. You can correct this problem by wetting the scratched area. It will then turn darker again. Many of the cleaning products will also return the color to scuffs or scratches.

Your motorcycle leather apparel is going to cost you a bit of money. It’s worth every dime because it’s going to keep you warm and dry, and safe. But why not take the little bit of extra time to take care of your leathers so that you get the maximum life from them. You only need to treat them once a year so make a date for next years cleaning just before your riding season starts.


Deon Melchior is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit ArticleClick.com. Article Click is a free content article directory. This means that as a publisher you may reprint the articles that are included in our site, as long as the article is unedited and the author box is included with it's live hyperlinks.