Motorcycle Protective Clothing-Motorbike Jacket and Trousers

Whether you go for leathers or textiles, jacket and trousers or all-in-one suit, your clothing has to do a lot of jobs. You want it to keep you warm and dry, but not too warm in the summer. Even more important, it should protect you if you come off your scooter or motorcycle. And of course you want it to look right.

Leather is the traditional material for motorbike riding. It’s tough, so it gives good protection against knocks and scrapes, and it wears well. You can go for retro or modern styles, off the peg or made-to measure.
Most garments will have CE-approved armour, or pockets to add armour, for extra protection to knees, elbows, hips and back. If you plan some serious sports bike riding, think about an all-in-one suit or a two-piece that zips together. If you want to do a track day, they will usually insist on this.

The downside is that leather isn’t naturally waterproof and tends to stay wet, though you can get it combined with a waterproof membrane. And it can be too hot in summer and not warm enough in winter, so you may have to layer up.

Modern textile garments have come a long way since the classic waxed cotton. They can be waterproof, breathable, reinforced with Kevlar and similar fibres for protection, and as cosy or as cool as you need. Many jackets and trousers come with removable linings, as well as pockets for armour if it’s not built in.
Any style you can think of is available, from enduro-style adventure gear to an outfit that would suit the most fashionable urban café. Of course, if you’re planning to take a fast bike around a track, you probably want the reassurance of leather, but for normal riding textiles can cover most situations.

When you’re riding a one-piece suit offers better protection from everything including weather, but once you get off the motorcycle it can be cumbersome. If you go for the convenience of separate jacket and trousers, think about a set that fastens together or overlaps well.

Rather than go for a waterproof outfit, you might prefer to get separate waterproofs that can go on only when it rains. It’s a good opportunity to put on something more visible, too, as car drivers won’t see you so well with rain on their windscreen and mirrors.

Specialist motorcycle waterproofs have a few advantages over all-purpose types. They won’t flap around or get caught in moving parts, are less likely to melt onto a warm exhaust pipe and they’re designed to keep the weather out where it’s most likely to get to a moving rider – the chest, lap and cuffs, especially.

Bear in mind that waterproofs need to fit over your usual protective gear and leave you able to move. Do try this before you set out on your thousand-mile trans-Alpine trip, not when you’re standing in the downpour miles from home. It helps, too, if they can pack away small and go on and off easily without having to remove your boots or helmet on a wet roadside.

Buying a full outfit can seem expensive, but most motorbike kit is durable and will last for several years. So make sure it fits well, not just standing but also sitting on your motorcycle. It should let you turn your head freely for those lifesaver looks over the shoulder, and  have room for warm clothes underneath if you need extra layers. Try to wear something that makes you more visible, a jacket with reflective trim perhaps, or get a hi-vis over-jacket you can slip on and then stow when you arrive.

And fashion? We can’t help you there. Today you can buy gear in every style from retro leathers to urban chic. Only you know what’s going to look great.