Choosing Leather Motorcycle Clothing
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Good motorcycle clothing needs to protect you from the elements and to protect your skin in the event of you coming into violent contact with the road surface. Leather has proved an ideal material to use in jackets, pants and chaps as it is tough enough to save your skin and attractive enough to serve as a fashion statement.
Popularised in the fifties and sixties by stars such as the James Dean leather motorcycle jackets are not only essential clothing for riding but are worn by a wide variety of people who never go near a motorcycle.
Leather motorcycle clothing is commonly made from cowhide although buffalo hide, made from water buffalo from India and Pakistan is also available. The hide is tanned to make it rot proof and involves removing any hair, removing the outer layer of skin and fatty parts of the flesh then treating with a tanning solution.
Types of leather
Top Grain
This type of leather is strong and durable with a thickness of between 1.2 and 3mm. The leather is sanded to remove any imperfections then given a uniform look by pasting or spraying.
Naked and Full Grain
Naked leather has only dye added and is a very soft leather. Full grain leather is the most expensive leather and is not sanded. The hair is removed before treatment only. Hides are around 2mm thick and are hand picked to be uniform.natural full grain leather is the most sought after leather and the most expensive. It is so soft that it does not need any ‘breaking in’.
Finished Split Leather
A hide is split into two layers (or more) to produce split leather. The grain of the leather is then simulated by using an embossed polymer coating. As this type of leather has no grain it is not as tough as the other leathers and is only used in parts of clothing that will not be subjected to stress.
Winter and Summer Wear
A leather jacket with a belt and side laces will be useful in cold conditions as it can be fully adjusted to fit snugly. A full zip will also be helpful. In the summer zipped air vents are useful to allow circulation and keep you cool. A jacket that has both zipped vents and an insulated, removable lining is best for all year round use.
Looking After Your Leather Motorcycle Clothing
Avoid getting your leather clothing wet if at all possible as water depletes natural oils in the leather and leads to cracking and general deterioration. Wear a rain suit over the leather when riding in the rain or snow. if your leather clothing does get wet allow it to dry naturally away from any source of direct heat.
Oiling The Leather
Leather should be oiled occasionally with mink oil especially when you notice that the lustre is decreasing. This will keep the leather in good condition, improve its life span and keep it supple. A well looked after leather jacket should give you at least ten years of use
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