Tips on Buying Your First Jacket & Rain Gear

ext to your motorcycle, your gear is the most important investment you will make for riding. There are many types of gear you should consider purchasing and we’re going to look at jacket and rain gear, both of which are very important gear that you should buy to protect you and keep you dry.

First and foremost, you will need a good abrasion resistant jacket. It should have an outer shell with a removable quilted liner and a fleece lined neck with adjustable waists and cuffs. This is a basic jacket style for general street riding. Leather motorcycle jackets are made from cowhide leather and have a high collar to protect the neck and tight fitting cuffs to keep the wind out of your arms. Some come with a removable vest liner, a great added feature if you can get it.

You’ll find these jackets with anywhere from one to four inside pockets to keep items such as your wallet dry and safe, some jackets have even more pockets. They are also equipped with a zip style outside pocket for quick storage. A true motorcycle jacket will have front and back vents to help keep you cool. The waistband should adjust so you can tighten it up to reduce airflow through the jacket.

The sport jacket can be made of leather and have fancy stripes or accents added to make it sportier looking or it can be made from a high tech man made breathable fiber that designed to cut the wind and keep you comfortable and cool. These jackets are usually a heavy mesh construction with adjustable wrist and waistbands. Some even have a foam back pad to keep you comfortable. Colors are bright and invigorating and these sporty jackets are a popular choice among street bikes and cruisers as well.

Motorcycle rain gear usually includes jacket and pants but you can purchase the jacket alone. It is a better idea to carry both pieces with you, to keep you completely dry.

Rain gear is 100% waterproof and is usually made from a non-slip nylon. It’s lined to keep you warm and on some jackets, the liner can be removed. You’ll find dual storm pockets and an adjustable belt as standard issue and most have good reflective marking to make you more visible to other drivers. The zipper has a flap to ensure no leakage and the hood tucks away into the collar when not in use.

Gone are the days when your rain gear was drab and just plain ugly and you hated being spotted with it on. These days, rain gear is nicely styled and very fashionable. Some people might not even notice you’re even wearing any. Thankfully, you now have a choice of colors and styles to choose from to meet your personal tastes and riding needs.
Riding clothes are the most important investment you will make, next to the cost of your motorcycle. Do not go cheap on your riding gear, hopefully you don’t have to find out why the hard way. Think of it as your insurance policy. Although you may never need it, you never know when you will. You will suffer far fewer injures and less severe injuries if you are wearing proper motorcycle clothing. Your body will thank you!