About Motorcycle Jackets

There are many different types of Motorcycle Jackets out on the market. On this page, we are going to discuss Leather Motorcycle Jackets.

Types of Jackets: You can find Traditional Motorcycle Jackets as pictured in Figure 1. These jackets start at the basic level and are usually made of top grain cowhide at 1.2 to 1.3 millimeters thick (what they call 3 ounce leather) and have the traditional asymetric zipper with dual snap down lapels. The jackets may feature a zip out lining or a fixed lining, side laces for waist adjustment, and normally come with belted in front, ususally by a belt that is sewn into the sides (half belts). The zippers and hardware are normally silver in color. Many sellers of leather offer other enhancements, such as full belt, Naked Leather (see our leather page), brass hardware and some offer vents plus Hard CE armor in the elbows, shoulders and back. All these options come at a price, however, the jacket is meant primarily for your safety so the leather should be of good quality. Many sellers of leather on the Internet do not specify what type of leather they are selling which leaves the average buyer guessing unless they actually purchase a jacket.

If the leather is not good, it will not protect you in a fall. Cowhide & Buffalo are the preferred leathers. The thickness should be at least 1.2 millimeters. Pigskin, although very soft and realatively cheap, is not good at protecting you during a fall. Lambskin, sheep or goatskin likewise are nice leathers for fashion, but not in case you fall.

There are many manufacturers of leather jackets so the price you pay depends on the quality of leather and the brand, not necessarily the amount each seller actually makes on the leather.

The very best leathers on the market are thick but soft and cost in the range of $300 for a basic leather jacket with hard armor. Many other excellent jackets can be found for $90 to $150 and are made of good cowhide but are not as thick and soft and do not come with armor. A very good Basic Motorcycle jacket with half belt, non-removable liner and not side laces can be purchased for about $100 at various stores on-line. A prudent consumer needs to ask about the type and thickness of the leather and a written guarantee is a good idea if the site owner is not sure of the leather type. Buffalo leather tends to be stiff and has a difficult break in period. Brand Name Jackets, like Harley Davidson, may run as much as $300 for a basic jacket due to Brand Awareness and a good guarantee offered by the dealer.

The second most popular jacket is the Vented Racing Jacket as pictured in Figure 2. This jacket has a round collar or what some describe as a Euro Collar that wraps tightly around your neck. As with the Traditional Motorcycle, it is the Leather that makes the jacket. You should stick with a good high quality cowhide at 1.2 mm thick or even a softer Naked Leather Racer. These racers offer two vents in the front and two vents in the back. When all are opened, the wind races into the jacket from the front and exits in the rear, removing heat and moisture along the way. Jackets with exposed zippers are rarely waterproof however in hotter climates, vents are essential to keep you from overheating. The leather will still act like a primary skin in case of an accident. Many people offer this style of jacket and in recent years, it may have become more popular than the traditional style jacket. The key is in the leather and the options. Zipout liners are essential when trying to stay cool and good quality hardware, like brand name (YKK) zippers are just as important as the fit and quality of leather. These jackets range from $150 to over $400 depending on the quality and type of leather. Stay away from Pigskin, goat, sheep and lamb and stick with Top Grain Cow Leather for the most comfortable and longest wearing jacket.

There are many other styles of leather jackets for both men and women as pictured here. All have the same characteristic of having good leather, primarily, cow leather, and good hardware for a long use. Options include zipout linings, gun pockets (or cargo pockets) as pictured in the Brando Jacket above, Fringes for the old west look, and scooter styles jackets that are simple but practical. Ladies jackets often have braid and other feminine touches.

Most motorcycle leather comes in black, which is traditional for the cruiser, however, different colored styles are also available. Distressed, painted or dyes etc. As long as these jackets are made from good quality leather, there is not reason to be concerned.