As a biker, I have been wearing motorcycle jackets for a while now, and in all my years I have always wondered why they are short. So I decided to do some research and I’ll share my insights with you in this article.
Why are motorcycle jackets short?They are short for increased safety and comfort. It will keep the jacket from pressing the belly, flapping in the wind, or shifting up your body during a crash.
Shorter jackets for comfort while sitting
First of all, it’s a matter of comfort. Most bikes require you to sit down and lean forward. A longer jacket would mean that there is excessive fabric or leather pressing into your lower belly. This can be quite uncomfortable, especially on the longer rides.
There are some jackets which are a bit longer. They seem to have the parka looks. These jackets are mostly used by adventure riders. They ride bikes which are made to sit on straight, without leaning forward. An example of such bike is the BMW GS1200.
No flapping in the wind
When you are riding a motorbike, you might have noticed the resistance to moving air. Most of the time you will be running against the wind which might be quite strong. Especially for naked bikes like mine, which don’t have any windscreen.
The jackets are made to fit closer to the body to avoid their suspension in the air when you’re moving. Therefore even when you at high speeds, your jacket will not seem to flap in the wind.
I encountered this flapping jacket when I first bought my mesh jacket. It was one size too big and it would start flapping around when I was driving any faster than 50 miles per hour.
The wind flapping is also a reason to choose a 1-piece suit over a 2-piece motorcycle suit.
Short motorcycle jackets increase safety
Another reason why the jackets are made short is a matter of rider safety. You wear a motorcycle jacket for safety in the first place, don’t you? They are short so that in case of an accident, the materials of the jacket don’t get caught on anything sticking out from the bike. You don’t want to get hooked on your bike during a
You probably hope to not crash at all. But if you do, the best way to crash is by sliding over the road instead of
What is the construction of motorcycle jackets like?
In most cases, motorcycle jackets are made of either textile or leather. The choice of which one to get for yourself is a matter of preference. Although there are certain features, you are supposed to look at, and the material is something to consider carefully.
The construction of a jacket determines its durability and performance all through the user experience. During my early years as a rider, it took me some time before I got to know the best way to choose a jacket. Most of the time I used to pick the wrong jackets due to what I call negligence. It is, therefore, crucial for you to seek advice from experienced bikers first before deciding on what to buy.
Besides, some jackets are made from a combination of both leather and textile. You can consider getting them since they give the advantage of 2 in 1. But be aware, they also come with the disadvantages.
One big choice you have to make first is whether you go for a 1-piece suit or a 2-piece suit. Read more about different kinds of suits in this article.
Choosing the right type of jacket
As you probably already noted earlier in the article, a good motorcycle jacket should be short and fitting on your body. This is to avoid any form of air resistance which may occur when you’re riding the bike. This is something that you need to consider as a priority when looking for a jacket. You won’t wear your jacket if it keeps flapping in the wind. Trust me, been there!
There are other factors to keep in mind when choosing the right type of jacket. Typically, you need to select a jacket depending on what you do with your motorcycle or rather how you ride it. For instance, cruisers, touring bikers and weekend warriors all pick jackets made from textiles such as nylon and polyester. In some cases, they also go for a jacket that is a little bit longer on the waist. These are the most comfortable for them to wear. On the other hand, those who are sporty mostly pick on the shorter leather jacket. This is due to the risks they take on the road which require a sturdy jacket.
Of course, it takes some reasonable level of experience to choose the right type of jacket, but with expert advice, you’ll find everything so easy and straightforward. The ideal coat should have a safe and comfortable construction. The following two points should act as a guide for you when you are choosing motorcycle jackets:
- The jacket’s zippers should be constructed from either plastic or metal and should be quick to close and open. This is a safety precaution in case of a crash. Another safety precaution is that the zippers should be covered using a flap to reduce the risk of injury during an accident. It also prevents scratching on the tank of your bike.
- The seams should also be placed inside the jacket and should be double stitched for safety in the case of an accident. The leather you choose, if this is your preferred material, should have very few seams. Seams usually interfere with the stability of the jacket. In addition to all these, the back and chest should be a single piece of material as opposed to several pieces put together.
A fitting jacket is vital for a safe ride, and this cannot be overemphasized. To ensure that it contours well on your body, you should counter-check the size properly before buying. Also, note that the sizes vary depending on gender as there are male sizes and women sizes as well. However, there are some jackets which are unisex in size and differ from one designer to the other. This proves the reason why you need to be keen enough to ensure it fits you.
To check if the jacket is ideal for you, you can do what I always do. I sit and stand, at the same time checking if it fits perfectly in both positions. After all, you will ride the bike while seated and you don’t want a jacket that only fits your body when standing.
The sleeves should be able to reach your wrists well when the arms are bent or even stretched. This is to ensure the safety of your hand in case of an accident.
Generally, if you check all these factors before getting yourself a jacket, you are good to go, and your jacket is as safe as can be in case of an accident.
Taking care of your jacket
After getting the right jacket, it would be great if you took good care of it. Just like you care for your motorcycle, you should also do the same with the jacket you buy. This will ensure that it lasts even longer and serves you well for miles to go.
It doesn’t matter which material you have chosen, as care is crucial for all. Whether you settle on textile or leather, they both have different ways to handle. I have owned and used a leather jacket mostly due to preference but also due to its ease of usage.
When you take care of your jacket, you not only make it look good but also increase its lifespan. You don’t want to buy a coat today and end up disposing of it in a few months, that wouldn’t be right. The type of material you choose will determine how easy or complicated the cleaning process is.
The leather is generally harder to handle when it comes to cleaning as compared to the textile. This is something that I have witnessed and gotten used to over the years. When you are cleaning and washing leather, you will need to take keen attention on it so that it does not dry out and harden. This will make it look terrible and also compromise on its lifespan.
After you have cleaned a leather jacket, you need to apply leather balm or oil on it to avoid the hardening from taking place. The oil will also prevent water from getting into the jacket thus causing further damage to it. The type of oil or grease that you will use will depend on the color of your coat. You can use either transparent or black grease for your jacket.
Applying grease or oil on your leather jacket is something you can regularly do so that you maintain that level of clean and durability.
The textile jackets require less work during cleaning as they can often even be washed using a washing machine. It is vital for maintaining the temperature of water under the maximum stated in the label, to avoid any damage to the jacket. Depending on how dirty the coat is, you can either use cold water or add a detergent booster. If it’s too messy, a detergent booster will help to clear all the stubborn stains, leaving your jacket clean.
These are a few ways you can take care of your jacket. In case you need any further information, be sure to leave a comment, and it will be dealt with accordingly.
Summary: Lessons learned about short motorcycle jackets
If you are attentive, you must have learned a few things about motorcycle jackets. What I came to learn is that when you are purchasing motorcycle jackets, fashion should come last. You should first of all look at your care and safety before anything else. Things like the length and material of the jacket might look simple and not useful but in a real sense ignoring them might jeopardize your safety while riding.
Taking care of your jacket is also essential as you need to use it more than once. To effectively use it, you need to clean and maintain it often.
