Make sure the jacket you get isn't too short in the sleeves while riding. Try it on and hold your hands out to where your handlebars would be and go vrmmmm vrmmmm. If the sleeves don't ride up much, it should work. The sleeves should be too long when your hands are at your sides.

 

Everyone one of us is built differently, and because of that buying "off the rack" sometimes does not give us the best possible fit. The ideal thing to do is get measured and have a jacket tailored to fit your body. Some places like Bates Leathers or Langlitz will do that and you will get an fit you can't get anywhere else. My Bates jacket from 1991 is still the most comfortable and best fitting jacket I have ever worn. They measured me sitting on my bike in a riding position. I have tried on many jackets (Fox Creek, Vanson, HD, Hein Gericke...etc) since, and while I can find a "close fit", it's not the same. The downside is that since they are tailor made, they are expensive and have a waiting list. The upside is that it will be a jacket you will keep forever...as long as you do not put on too much weight and grow out of it LOL!!!!!

If you decide to go with an off the rack jacket, sit on the bike before buying it. Bring all the clothing you may ever have to wear like helmst, gloves, heated liners, vests, and a rain suit to try out with the jacket. Motorcycle jackets are made to be worn while riding, not standing in a parking lot or in front of a mirror, so go sit on the bike. Check the fit while seated. See if the back is long enough to keep wind from creeping up your spine. See if the front is too long and bunches as the waist. When you grab the bars check to see if your chest is too tight or your shoulders are restricted. See if the sleeves pull up or bind your elbows. A jacket with precurved sleeves and articulated shoulders will prevent these things. Turn the bars back and forth lock to lock to see if your movements are restricted. Put on your helmet and turn your head back and forth, chin on shoulder looking up and and down to see if the collar rubs the chin strap. Sit on the bike and ask yourself if you can ride like that for 600 miles. Check the fittmant of the cuffs against your gloves. If the cuffs are too loose or don't come down far enough, the gauntlets may not cover it and you will get wind shooting up the sleeves. Then layer up. Wear your liner under it and your rainsuit over it. If the liner makes it too tight, look for a jacket with laced up side gussets or adjustable waist band. These will allow you to loosen or tighten around the torso as needed. Then with ALL this stuff on, sit on the bike, work the controls and turn the bars and your head to see how everything feels. Then ask yourself if you can ride 600 miles like that.

Finally try your chaps, leather pants or leather overpants on too. See if if all these layers make you too thick in the waist to sit comfortably. Once again sit on the bike and get a feel. A lot of riders find out that the belt buckle in your jeans, under the belt buckle in the chaps, under the belt buckle on the jacket, are just too many belt buckles to deal with. I know it sounds like a lot of PITA work to do just to buy a jacket, but the extra effort early on will pay off at mile 400 in the cold biting rain. And there is nothing worse than battling the elements and uncomfortable clothing at the same time.

Other folks may have suggestions, this is the criteria I used.

Mark

 

Hd brand jackets. I have several. I like the looks, fit, and durability. Have a couple more leather jackets made by others and I don't wear them. That says it all.

 

so how does everyone feel about the armored jackets vs not.
I have a sports bike jacket. love the fit, protection, but it just doesn't go with the new bike.
I would prefer to have some added protection, with pre-curved sleeves

 

I sold my SB jacket. Honestly I never liked all the armor. I think if you can find something comfortable they do make "cruiser" jackets with armor.

Btw may be riding out that way Sunday you should join!

 

I went with HD also. Went into the store with sweatshirt, etc to make sure it fit right with riding gear on then went on Ebay to buy the same jacket. $400 new....$240 lightly used.

 

I like armor, I think it's a good thing.

This Bates Jackets has armor in the shoulders and elbows.



This Bates Jacket doesn't.


I got the brown jacket in 2006. It has long vented zippers in the front, back and sleeves and is for hot weather. I got the black one in 1991 and it is fully lined with insulation, including the sleeves for cold weather.

 

What a deal!

 

It's the Road Warrier 3 with the hooded insert. The only fault i have with it is that I bought it an extra size larger so I could add layers of clothing in colder weather. That allows the wind to make it puff out a bit at highway speeds.

 

Fox Creek all the way. It seems like their mission is to have the best fit. I love mine. I think it also depends what you want your jacket to do. If you want a "cool" look but don't really care about protection, then the thinner, more fashion, type will do. But if you want some good riding protection then a Fox Creek will fit the bill.

However, I won't wear my Fox Creek jacket if I'm not riding. It just isn't a "knock around" type jacket