Motorcycle Clothing home page
Motorcycle clothing features for the biker of today
Motorcycle clothing made from leather came into being after World War 
1. One of the most famous brands being Schott in the US made popular with the film the Wild One, in which Marlon Brando was decked with Schott's classic Perfecto leather jacket. But over the years motorcycle clothing has developed providing higher levels of protection in line with the more demanding requirements of safety and all-weather riding. Modern day technology has brought us heated motorcycle clothing, airbag jackets and much improved crash helmets, even minor details like an integral visor wiper on your motorcycle gloves, all incorporated in traditional or modern styles to suit all tastes of today's biker.
Today the type of motorcycle clothing, including crash helmets, will differ depending on use, whether commuting, road racing or off road competition. Generally for every day commuting, motorcycle clothes will consist of separate leather jacket and trousers which in some cases can be joined at the waist, along with riding boots, gloves and of course a crash helmet. Motorcycle chaps, sort of leggings or over trousers without a backside or crotch as worn by cowboys, are also popular motorcycle wear in the US. Generally competition riders will opt for one piece leathers with appropriate armour protection that will vary dependent on whether off road, flat track / speedway or road racing.
Most motorcyclists will wear a motorcycle jacket but it's important to realise that most injuries, as a result of motorcycle accidents, are to the lower body, legs and feet and so it's important to consider protective clothing in these areas too.
Although motorcycle leather clothing is most popular with bikers, other man-made fabrics such as synthetic Nylon, Kevlar and mixtures of synthetic fibres are available and can provide similar protection. Often synthetic motorcycle gear, (or motorcycle textile clothing) can be worn over ordinary clothes and so will be an attraction to some, although the life of well kept leather clothing may outlast that of synthetics.
Protection from abrasion caused from sliding down the road, or from impact in a road accident can be provided by multiple layers of leather discretely positioned, or plastics, Kevlar, carbon fibre or metal panels used for armour protection of the most vulnerable body parts. If sold in Europe as motorcycle clothing with armour protection, it has to have a CE mark by law ("Conformité Européenne") which certifies that the product has met EU safety, requirements.
Wearing the complete motorcycle clothing ensemble with all the safety features will not prevent all injuries, or god forbid, fatalities, but it will ensure minimum possible injury to ourselves. Obviously we also need to consider the roadworthiness of our motorcycle and our own riding skills, so ride with care at all times and enjoy your motorcycling in comfort and safety. For some good tips on riding faster and safer, take a look at Lee Parks "Total Control."
Use the links at the top or bottom of each page to browse through the pages of this site that will offer you some guidance on clothing types to look for, for your comfort and particularly the all important safety aspects of motorcycle clothing.
Featured merchants:
SportsBikeShop.co.uk: The UK's leading online retailer of motorcycle helmets, clothing, jackets, boots, gloves & motorbike accessories. They stock and supply top brand motorcycle clothing from RST, Weise, Spyke, Spada, Alpinestars, & Sidi and helmets from Arai, Shoei, AGV, Caberg & HJC. They offer free UK delivery on items over a certain value and backed this up by unrivaled levels of customer care. They can also help with finance to help spread the cost of your purchase.
FoxCreekLeather.com: Fox Creek Leather is a small family run company in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwestern Virginia. They take pride in offering high quality American made motorcycle leathers at reasonable prices. All their jackets, vests, and chaps are covered by a lifetime guarantee.