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Motorcycle Jackets

MOTORCYCLE GEAR

JACKETS

A single layer of fabric won’t protect against abrasion. Arm yourself with durable materials, impact protectors and a good fit.

Motorbikes, gear, spokes, protective gear, jackets

JACKET OVERVIEW

What to look out for when buying a motorcycle jacket.

Motorcycle protective gear, jackets

01

ABRASION PROTECTION

Motorcycle protective gear, jackets

02

RISK AREAS

Motorcycle protective gear, jackets

03

SMART DESIGNS

Motorcycle protective gear, jackets

04

IMPACT PROTECTORS

Motorcycle protective gear, jackets

05

JUDGE THE FIT

Motorcycle protective gear, jackets

06

MATERIALS MATTER

Motorcycle protective gear, jackets

07

OFF-ROAD ARMOUR

Motorcycle protective gear, jackets

08

ALL-IN-ONE SOLUTION

Motorbikes, gear, spokes, protective gear, jackets
Motorcycle protective gear, jackets
01 - ABRASION

CHOOSE LEATHER

Thin and poorly-constructed designs won’t save your skin in a crash. Go for leather jackets that are built for motorcyclists. Where possible use resources like MotoCAP star rating to investigate how long these materials will last in a slide. Aim for a jacket that has at least four seconds when sliding across a road.

Motorbikes, gear, spokes, protective gear, jackets
Motorcycle protective gear, jackets
02 - RISK AREAS

REACH FOR REINFORCED STITCHING

Joins and stitched seams can burst on impact. Injury risk areas - back, elbows, shoulders, arms, outside wrists - need 2-3 rows of stitching, with at least one row guarded by a layer of material. Check there are no gaps between layers. Avoid stretch or mesh panels in high impact areas.

Motorbikes, gear, spokes, protective gear, jackets
Motorcycle protective gear, jackets
03 - SMART DESIGNS

KEEP IMPACT POINTS CLEAR

Clever designs keep vulnerable points – spine, elbows, shoulders, arms and outer wrists – free of zips, buttons, buckles, studs, straps or fastenings. Heavy duty zips covered with a flap of material on both sides prevent contact with the body or the road in a crash. Wrist straps keep sleeves in position.

Motorbikes, gear, spokes, protective gear, jackets, impact protectors
Motorcycle protective gear, jackets
04 - IMPACT PROTECTORS

ADD IMPACT PROTECTORS

The elbows and shoulders deserve extra shields on and off-road. Built-in impact protectors should fit snugly, and fit should also be considered when buying them separately. If protectors are too big, they will slip off. Motorbike and scooter impact protectors come in plastic, moulded rubber and dual density foam. Some jackets may have only foam fillers in the impact protector pouches, unless they are labelled with EN 1621-1 or EN 1621-2 approval.

Motorbikes, gear, spokes, protective gear, jackets
Motorcycle protective gear, jackets
05 - JUDGE THE FIT

SIZED FOR YOU

Test the fit by sitting in your riding position for several minutes, wearing typical clothes underneath. It should be snug at the wrists and across the arms. Make sure it covers your hips, unless you’re buying a suit that zips together. Baggy gear will leak warm air in cold weather and expose your skin in a crash.

Motorbikes, gear, spokes, protective gear, jackets
Motorcycle protective gear, jackets
06 - MATERIALS MATTER

COLOURS AND LAYERS

Mixing reflective or light colours with dark colours makes it easier for drivers to see you in low light. Lighter colours are also cooler in hot weather. Consider extra layers under and over the jacket to insulate against the cold, wind and wet.

Motorbikes, gear, spokes, protective gear, jackets
Motorcycle protective gear, jackets
07 - OFF-ROAD ARMOUR

MADE TO PROTECT

Jersey fabrics and mesh help keep you cool. However, they’re not designed to protect skin if it hits the road. If you’ve got a dual purpose bike, have an on-road jacket with abrasion protection on hand for the ride home.

Motorcycle gear, jackets, all-in-one, impact protection
Motorcycle protective gear, jackets
08 - ALL-IN-ONE SOLUTION

FULL BODY SUITS

One-piece racing suits offer an all-in-one leather solution with built-in impact protectors. Lightweight undersuits can make riding more comfortable in hot or cold weather. However, a suit with pants and jacket that zip together may be more practical.

BUYING GUIDE

Pick a jacket that's designed for riding. If you want to know which designs protect you most head over to the MotoCAP website or use the information below as a guide.

01 - Prioritise abrasion protection

Consider thick, high grade leather to withstand sliding along asphalt. Beware lower grade and imitation materials that are thin and poorly constructed.

02 - Off-road gear

Look for gear specific to motocross or enduro that fits you well. Chest impact protectors and neck braces are a priority. Abrasion resistant jerseys improve your comfort and temperature control.

03 - Finding women’s jackets

Choices are still limited, but avoid buying a man’s style if it compromises protection around your shoulders and hips. Facebook groups for female bike or scooter riders share tips on stockists and styles.

04 - Well-crafted materials

The best jackets will conceal fasteners and zips so they can’t snag on the road or penetrate the body in a crash. The fewer joins and seams, the better.

05 - Hand pick protection

Impact protectors must fit like a glove or they will slip off under pressure. Start with elbow protectors and shoulder protectors and consider kidney belts for longer rides.

06 - Embrace colour

The less black on your jacket, the more likely you’ll be seen. Go for white or Hi Viz piping and logos with bright panels. Light colours are cooler in summer, too.

07 - Test the fit

The fit needs to suit your riding position. Make sure you can move comfortably on your bike, use all controls, make signals and turn to look behind. The jacket and impact protectors should stay in position while using controls.

08 - The summer dilemma

Many jackets are designed for three seasons - autumn, winter and spring. Consider investing in one specifically for warm weather riding. Jackets for summer come in light colours with extra vents and mesh panels. Ultimately, if it’s too hot to wear gear, it’s too hot to ride.

Protective Jacket VS Favourite Hoodie

Your gear is your body’s guard in a crash. Arming yourself with a MotoCAP rated jacket built for motorcycling will minimise your chance of injury. Your favourite hoodie will not. Visit motocap.com.au to pick the right gear to protect you on your ride.

BUYING SECOND HAND

Buying second hand can be a good option for the budget conscious rider wanting the safest gear. When shopping for second hand gear, use the information below check the safety features to look out for and search the safest options for jackets, pants and gloves.

Motorcycle protective gear, jackets

01 - Test the fit

Try the gear on with clothing you normally wear while riding. Check that it is snug and comfortable in your normal riding position.

Motorcycle protective gear, jackets

02 - Impact protectors

Impact protectors must remain securely in place to work effectively. Check your protectors fit with the gear, especially over your shoulders, elbows, hips and knees.

Motorcycle protective gear, jackets

03 - Seams and stitching

Make sure there’s no splits at the seams. They should have two or three lines of stitching to prevent seams bursting on impact.

Motorcycle protective gear, jackets

04 - Shop local

Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace are good places to snag bargain second hand gear. Use their filters to search locally. Always try the gear on before you buy.

Motorbikes, gear, spokes, protective gear

FIND A STOCKIST

We’ve compiled a list of Victorian motorcycle retailers where you can buy the latest and safest gear. If you decide to buy gear online, it’s a good idea to shop around and find gear that fits you best first. Most online retailers have physical stores and the larger retailers offer all popular motorcycle gear brands.

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