What comes in mind when you see or hear the word bikers? Bet you, you would think of burly guys and their big mean two-wheeled machines with shiny chrome and crisp leather seats. You would probably visualize their well-designed, beautifully decorated motorcycles, roaring proudly on the highway, getting the appreciative stares of motorists who happen to share the same stretch of concrete.
Just like cowboys, big bikes and the bikers who handle them are classic American icons. These motorcycles usually come in two types. Choppers are customized motorcycles on a cruiser style frame. These motorcycles usually have long rakes (front forks) and embellished with wild, creative paint jobs.
Cruisers are another class of big bikes. They too are decorated with lavish colors and may have lots of chrome. The main difference is that these bikes, as the name implies, are designed for comfort, with relaxed upright or reclined seating positions.
However, a biker’s motorcycle is just half of the aspect that gives the tandem its rightful place in American culture. A biker’s getup is also very much an essential part of this iconic look. No biker feels complete without wearing his sunglasses, boots, leather pants, shiny buckles, decorative chains, fingerless gloves, or even a bandana or a cowboy hat. And important part of this getup is the jacket.
Motorcycle jackets, sometimes known as rocker jackets, are usually made of leather. Most leather jackets are either black or brown, but some may be of different colors. These jackets are usually one-piece suits although some are sold in a set (jackets and trousers).
These are mainly worn not just for the looks or style. They are also worn for protection. The material used in real motorcycle jackets is not fashion leather. It is protective leather, which is stronger and thicker. It is not as flexible as other jackets though.
How did these protective yet aesthetically pleasing jackets came to be? These items started out from the long tank corps gear that was used during World War 1. After the war, these duster coats were used by messengers and motorcycle dispatch riders as protective gear.
Modern jackets come in two types: the motorcycle racing jacket and the loose leather jacket. The first one is tight fitting. The jacket is sometimes splashed with more than one color and, as its design is intended to be, fits the biker’s body tightly. This type of motorcycle jacket finds prominence with dirt bike and motocross racers.
The second one, the classical leather motorcycle jackets, is much looser. They are sometimes decorated with metal studs and tassels; these are the ones you see on bikers who ride “show” motorcycles (usually those choppers and cruisers). Additionally, these jackets are worn by people who want to look as tough, manly, or fashionable as bikers but do not drive motorcycles themselves.
The most common material for these jackets is South American cow leather due to the material’s flexibility and attraction. Later, kangaroo leather became popular due to its suppleness, light weight, and strength. Some jackets are also made of horse hide. Horse leather has superior protection characteristics but a little stiffer than the other two.
As mentioned before, these jackets offer protection. First, the thick leather material prevents bits of flying debris such as small rocks, dust, dirt, rain, twigs, and flying insects from penetrating into the body. The jacket also helps keep the rider from getting cold when he drives during winter since it provides good insulation. It keeps him dry by preventing rainwater from coming in if he drives during a rainy day.
More importantly, a motorcycle jacket helps protect the rider from injuries that may be incurred in motorcycle crashes. The interior of a good quality, modern motorcycle leather jacket is armored, especially in impact areas such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, and back. Usually, these pieces of armor are made of high density foam, foam-backed polymers, or even more expensive carbon fiber. The armor also acts as energy absorber and load spreader, designed to spread the impact and shear strains so that harm levels of injury or disablement may be prevented or reduced.
The parts of the body mentioned earlier usually hit the ground first. In some leather jackets, extra protection is provided in these vital areas through the use of titanium or high-impact fibers incorporated into the clothing.
Some high tech motorcycle jackets even have an airbag system. This ultramodern piece of protective gear automatically inflates these airbags, just like those in a car! The bags protect the rider’s neck, torso, and lower back.
Before being shipped to the stores, leather motorcycle jackets are thoroughly tested. They have to be; protection on the road is a life-and-death matter. The material itself and the seams, stitches, and zippers are thoroughly tested for ergonomics. These also go through rigid tests to check for impact, abrasion, cut, tear, and burst resistance. Comfort is important too. Companies usually use light but strong materials so that these jackets would not be too heavy.
It is important to note that there is a significant difference between leather jackets that are designed for fashion and motorcycle jackets that are worn for protection. The former is usually thinner and do not offer much protection during a motorcycle crash. However, they are generally lighter and more comfortable than the latter ones.
Although most bikers are men, there is also a smattering of female bikers; thus, women’s motorcycle jackets are also produced by many companies.
So when you dress up in a metal-studded, cowhide leather motorcycle jacket, hold your head up high and be proud. By wearing it, you would show to the world that you are concerned on safety and that you are proud to uphold an iconic image of the toughness and ruggedness of the United States.
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