45 Motorcycle Jackets: General
Description
This article is from the Australia Motorcycles FAQ, by Cameron Simpson cs@zip.com.au with numerous contributions by others.
45 Motorcycle Jackets: General
The key things to look for in a bike jacket are build
quality and thickness of material. Make certain that all the
seams are double-stitched (the seam looks like it's got
piping sewn inside it) and that it's good quality. Note
especially that dress leather jackets (fashion jackets)
generally do *not* have double stitching, and are often made
of thin and relatively flimsy leather. In crash tests,
fashion leather jackets have been shown to be less useful
than a solid denim jacket because they tear and disappear.
The standard article on crash-testing protective clothing is
"Torn in the USA". It's a comparison of leather vs. denim
vs. waxed cotton etc., in a controlled gravel rash
situation. [reference and possibly excerpts to follow]
Check that the zippers used are good and solid. Metal is
foremost, but top-class plastic/nylon zips (of the spiral
variety) are just as good. Some zips lock, and pulling on
the material won't make them open further, this is good as
it allows you to have your jacket partially unzipped.
The style of a jacket will affect its ability to protect you
from rain, cold, wind and bugs. A Brando-style jacket
(diagonal zipper with button-down lapel, standard shirt-
style collar) is fine for summer riding and as a fashion
accessory too, but the collar doesn't form a seal at your
neck. Consequently, rain wind and small, hard, angry flying
insects can be driven down towards your soft and sensitives.
The other main style of bike jacket is the touring-style,
possibly padded at shoulders and elbows and with a high
collar that seals out the weather. This style of jacket is
better for all-year round riding.
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