A quality motorcycle jacket is a must have piece of equipment for scooter and motorbike riders.  There are many types of jackets available and it is important that you choose a jacket that is designed for the type of riding that you will be doing. When choosing a motorcycle jacket, don’t just choose one on appearance alone as there are many features apart from the style and cut that are more important.  Some of the features that should be considered are proper fit, padding and body armour, pockets, colours and reflective material. Liners and vents are also important for keeping cool in summer and keeping warm in winter. Having a jacket that is waterproof, or at least resistant to rain is also essential.

Having a jacket that fits properly can be a god send especially on long rides.  When trying jackets on remember that you are going to be in a riding position when wearing the jacket so make sure that the sleeves are suitably long and have elastic or closure around the wrist.  The jacket should also be a bit longer down the back to avoid a gap between the top of your pants and the bottom of the jacket.  It is also good to consider a jacket with a little bit of extra room especially around the shoulders as you may wear more clothing under the jacket in the winter.

The padding or armour that is in the jacket is also important to consider.  Many motorbike jackets have padding on the elbows, shoulders and the back around the kidneys area.  When you try the jacket on, make sure that the armour is in the right place ie the padding on the elbows is comfortably positioned on your elbow.

The pockets and reflective material on the motorbike jacket is the next feature to consider.  A jacket with loads of pockets is great as you have room for all the important stuff like your wallet and phone.  Make sure that the pockets have zippers and flaps to keep the rain out.  The reflective feature of a motorcycle jacket may be included in the design or logos.  Dark colours may look great but you need to be seen when out in the traffic. Melbourne and Sydney traffic can be particularly dangerous if you are difficult to see.

Liners and vents in the jacket increase the comfort of the jacket when worn in winter and summer.  Most jackets have vents under the arms to allow some airflow into the jacket in summer.  Other types of motorcycle jackets have zip out liners which make the jacket suitable for summer and winter.

Choosing a motorcycle jacket that is waterproof or designed to keep you dry in the rain is a good feature to consider if you have to ride in all types of weather such as to and from work.  Many of these jackets have all or some of the features listed in this article but keep the rider dry and comfortable in the rain.

After 10 years of riding, I would suggest buying a good all round jacket with decent armor and removable lining. Use this for your everyday riding.

Then buy one jacket that is more stylish, perhaps leather, that can also pass as a normal / casual jacket that you can wear out to dinner etc. This way you can attach your helmet and gloves to the bike, and keep the jacket on so you don’t have extra motorbike gear with you while visiting friends or having a night out on the town.

Whatever motorbike jacket you choose, ride safely so you never need the protection.