Leather Motorcycle Gear

Few would deny there’s something unmistakably cool about the clothing motorcyclists wear. From the intimidating leather jackets to the shiny black boots, style is clearly a consideration for most bikers. On the other hand, there are substantial reasons why motorcycle enthusiasts make certain clothing choices before hitting the road. If you think leather pants and motorcycle chaps are just for show, you’d better think again.

While it’s obvious that riding a motorcycle is potentially dangerous, you might not guess that most of the injuries suffered are to the lower body. That’s why a good pair of motorcycle riding boots and a protective layer of leather on the legs are essential. The best motorcycle pants feature some reinforcement in the knee and hip regions - the spots most likely to come in contact with the ground should the rider be thrown off.

When people hear the words “biker chick” one of two assumptions leaps to their minds. Either they think of the abused women associated with biker gangs of the 60s and 70s, or they think of weathered old ladies in black leather. While both those types of biker chicks do exist, most of us female riders are relatively normal.

Of course, being a biker chick takes a certain amount of grit. Not every girl wants to zoom around on back roads wearing leather chaps and motorcycle boots. Those of us who do ride aren’t weird or trouble makers. We lead normal lives; we work in the corporate world, we attend PTA meetings, we may even own a mini-van. What it means to be a biker chick is to love the open road and to cherish the freedom it affords you.

Motorcycle travel can be a fun and efficient way to visit distant locations throughout the country. The clear benefit of traveling by motorcycle is gasoline efficiency; some motorcycles can gain upwards of 70 MPG on the highway.  It’s also great to experience the outdoors while you’re traveling. In a car you really don’t get the full experience of travel; the wind blowing in your face, the smells and sounds of the outdoors, and the feel of the road beneath you.
 
Many motorcyclists who travel will have a motorcycle trailer for camping, and other equipment might include motorcycle riding boots, a GPS navigation device, and extra warm clothes in case of cold or adverse weather conditions.  You will be amazed by the sense of freedom you gain from traveling by motorcycle; it’s truly an experience that everyone must have at least once.

Is there a universal “best” motorcycle boot? Unfortunately, such a boot does not exist on planet Earth. Still, the good news is that the “best” motorcycle boot is relative to each rider’s needs and preferences. Finding the right motorcycle boot, such as those among Harley Davidson motorcycle boots, requires you to do some research and reflection. Nevertheless, here are some basic features of motorcycle boots to consider: Read the rest of this entry »

Unfortunately motorcycle boots are the least considered piece of protective equipment the new, or even experienced motorcycle rider wears. Often motorcycle riding boots are an afterthought, I’ve even seen some riders wear sneakers! I always say dress for the crash, not for the ride. A good pair of motorcycle boots can protect you AND be comfortable. Here are some things to look for when shopping for a new pair of motorcycle boots. Read the rest of this entry »

Optional gear and clothing help protect motorcycle drivers on the road.

By Dennis McCafferty

Thanks to innovations in the motorcycle industry, you can ride as safely as you can stylishly these days.

That’s because more and more motorcycle manufacturers and aftermarket customization shops — and even apparel and helmet makers — are finding ways to introduce products that offer head-turning aesthetic appeal while reducing the accident factor of the ride. So riders now have expanded options where they can pick and choose ways to customize their motorcycles and gear to improve safety. Here are some of the more high-profile technologies now making an impact: Read the rest of this entry »

When it’s time to buy new motorcycle gear, it can be hard to know where to start. Maybe the last time you bought gear when in 1972 when you first got your bike. You could also be a new rider who doesn’t know what’s important. Regardless, there are several pieces of gear that are essential for every rider, and that you should purchase for yourself. You need gear not just for safety reasons, but also to keep yourself as comfortable as possible. If you need assistance in deciding what to get, check out the following motorcycle gear tips. Read the rest of this entry »

Motorcycle Clothing is as much a part of a ride as your motorcycle. Motorcycle gear has a minefield of clever marketing and hype. Buried somewhere underneath all the marketing hoopla are some excellent products. When buying motorcycle gear where do you start? How do you make informed decisions on what motorcycle gear is best for you?

The basics…

Why do you wear motorcycle clothing in the first place? For most, the answer is obvious; it is purely a safety issue. In Europe, any safety clothing, whatever its use, has to be certified as suited for its intended purpose by a battery of test carried out by laboratories that are accredited to do so. If they pass, they may be sold bearing the CE mark. As a result of testing and the associated research it is clear that well made motorcycle clothing helps lessen the severity of injuries in an ill-fated event of a crash. Read the rest of this entry »

Your motorcycle boots need to be able to do a variety of things. You want them to be comfortable, but also sturdy and protective. They must also have great traction and not wear out quickly. The reality is that a motorcycle boot must also be able to protect you properly as well as also look attractive and be comfortable. If on a long ride your motorcycle boots are uncomfortable then it will add stress and fatigue to your ride. Ideally you wouldn’t even notice that you were wearing a pair of boots, but would be able to focus on the ride ahead of you. Read the rest of this entry »

Following a search that spanned several months, I finally found a job after college, and it wasn’t easy.  When I interviewed for the job, I took a cab because I couldn’t ride my motorcycle in my suit.  But on the first day, I had to take my motorcycle and from my interview experience, I didn’t think anyone else in the office was a motorcyclist.  I wore my suit underneath my jacket and chaps, which I had done before, but I was still a little bit nervous that someone would comment on my wrinkled clothes.  When I got to the office, I realized that I had forgotten my dress shoes!  My suit looked fine, but I was wearing my Xelement boots.

I didn’t have time to return home to get them, so I just bit the bullet and walked into the office.  When I arrived, I met with my supervisor for the first time, who of course commented on my boots.  When she mentioned them at first, I thought “Oh God…”, but then she said that she rode a motorcycle too!  I told her I wouldn’t forget the dress shoes again, and she told me to not even worry about it because she wore her motorcycle boots to work all the time!