The Shift motorcycle company and brand is a relatively new player in the motorcycle jacket market having launched in 1997 in the United States.  The company has grown considerably over the last ten years and is now an internationally renowned company that has made a name for itself by providing motor bike riders with something new and unique.  The Shift motorcycle jacket is available for the two main markets in motorbike riding, the off road rider and the rider who prefers cruising the open road.

For the off road, dirt bike enthusiast, the shift company provides all the gear for racing and competing off road such as t shirts and armour worn as outer wear.  The range of jackets that the company offers for these riders is a relatively small in size but what they do have is of high quality and comes packed with features.  One of the most popular Shift motorcycle jackets designed for both off and on road use is the ‘Shift XC’ jacket.  This jacket has great features such as hard wearing nylon on the outer shell, removable sleeves to convert the jacket to a vest, reinforced shoulders and elbows, large and useful pockets including one to put the sleeves in when wearing the jacket as a vest, removable liner and armour, zippered vents and jacket is light weight.

For the on road, cruising bike rider Shift has a large range of motorcycle jackets available in both mens and womens styles.  The Shift range includes textile jackets, leather …

The Belstaff company was founded in 1924 in Staffordshire, England by Harry Groberg.  The company logo of the phoenix was chosen and proved to be an appropriate logo for a company that has gone through many ups and downs from its inception.  Belstaffs original product line was waterproof garments for men and women and with the development of their famous wax cotton there was a natural progression for the company to move into manufacturing the Belstaff motorcycle jacket.

The Belstaff company had it boom time during the 1930s when it had refined its ability to produce specialized wind an water proof jackets.  The company provided their jackets to a varied market including aviators and pilots, military personnel and of course motorcycle riders.

The Belstaff company continued to be successful through the 1940s mainly through the launch of the famous ‘Black Prince Motorcycle Jacket’.  These jackets where so popular that the company in its peak production was producing over 40,000 motorcycle jackets annually.  During the end of the 1940s the company launched a new motorcycle jacket the ‘Trailmaster’ which gained popularity when many celebrities and sports people started to wear this type of jacket.

The 1950s brought an increase in the styles of Belstaff jackets to capture more of the wind and water proof jacket market.  The jackets made during this time and also during the 1930s to 1940s are highly sort after by enthusiast and collectors due mainly to the style and high quality of the jackets and which have stood the test …

The company Dainese is an Italian based company which was founded in 1972 by the current president of the company Lino Dainese.  This company has built a reputation for manufacturing some of the world’s best protective clothing for mountain bike riders, downhill skiers and motorcyclists.

Dainese provide a large range of men and womens motorbike jackets which have the latest features and accessories.  Dainese motorcycle jackets are available in leather, race jackets both two piece and one piece suits, textile and waterproof.  Each jacket type has the option of built in armour or padding or having the armour protection separate to be worn under the jacket.

The Dainese leather motorcycle jacket range is quite large with many colours available as well as standard black.  Leather jackets such as the Dainese Talos also feature removable inner winter lining making the jacket suitable for the summer as well as the winter months.  In the Daineses ladies range of leather motorcycle jackets the Dainese Saturno jacket features a pocket where back armour can be inserted increasing the safety features and performance of the jacket.

The Dainese company also has leather suits available for both men and women.  The suits provide maximum protection for the rider in the event of an accident as the jacket is attached to the pants preventing and riding up of the jacket and potential injury or graven rash around the riders middle area.  The suits also feature armour which is built into the jacket and pants on the elbows and shoulders as …

The BMW company provides a wide range of motorcycles to the consumer such as off road enduro bikes to sporty road bikes and touring bikes.  As a result of the large range of motorcycles available under the BMW badge there is also a large number of motorcycle jackets available to suit each of the different environments that the rider will encounter.

The BMW motorcycle jacket is designed for both protection and safety of the rider as well as providing the consumer with a large range of jackets that are both stylish and comfortable to wear.

For the riders that are into touring and riding long distances BMW has provided jackets such as the ‘Trailguard’ which is a fully adjustable jacket, available in mens and womens sizing and is a great all round jacket.  This jacket gives the rider freedom of movement but has the necessary protection and functionality that is demanded by riders on tour.  For touring riders that want the leather look BMW provides the ‘Atlantis leather jacket’ which has enhanced safety with inbuilt armour but is comfortable to wear long distances and is treated so as to keep you dry in the wet.

For the serious sports rider BMW motorcycle jackets have a new product called simply a ’sports suit’ which incorporates a leather jacket that has reinforced stainless steel abrasion protectors, impact absorbers and protection for the collar bone area.  The jacket is also designed to breathe so the jacket is suitable to wear in the summer without the threat …

The first recognised motorcycle jackets were adaptations of aviator and military style jackets which were around during the 1920s and 1930s.  These now vintage motorcycle jackets were suitable for riding as they were a fitted jacket with button front closure and short collar which provided some warmth and protection for the rider.  The use of goat skin in jackets was popular in this time as the leather was soft but relatively hard wearing.  In the years before world war two jackets that the officers wore in the Air force become popular with motorbike riders.  These coats were similar to the previous mentioned as they were a fitted jacket with button front but differed in material.  These jackets were constructed from horse hide which is comfortable and hard wearing and was in abundance at this time due to horses still playing an important role in the army and also on farms.

Apart from the popular use of military attire as riding gear for motorbike riders the first companies that produced specific motorcycle jackets for the general public were American companies such as Schott, The Joseph Buegeleisen Co. located in Detroit and Indian Motorcycles.  Surprisingly the Indian Motorcycles company produced a line of motorcycle jackets for both men and women until it closed shop during the 1950s.  Harley Davidson was another American company that has provided the bike riding population with leather jackets.  This company started up in the early 1900s and by the 1940s was producing quality leather jackets for both men …

The Honda brand is synonymous with both off and on road motorbikes with the company producing more motorbikes each year than any other manufacturer.  As well as producing motorbikes the Honda brand also produces a large range of protective clothing including jackets for both the off road and on road market.  Honda jackets are available for both mens and womens sizes and the range includes leather jackets, textile and mesh.

The Honda leather jacket range includes race suits such as the Hinda Miguel Collectible race suit which incorporates the leather jacket and the pants for maximum protection of the rider in the event of an accident.  Other leather jackets available in the Honda range include racing replica jackets to standard black leather jackets for the more serious on road rider.  These leather jackets all feature armour and reinforcing on the elbows and shoulders, zippered vents to allow air flow to cool the rider in the warmer months, pockets for personal belongings and the Honda jackets come in large range colours and styles and cater for all budgets.

The Honda brand provides a large selection of textile motorcycle jackets for both men and women.  Honda textile motorcycle jackets such as the Honda VFR Jacket combine great features and style for an excellent all round jacket.  The Honda VFR jacket has a heavy duty nylon outer layer with protection plates incorporated to the outer layer on the shoulders and the elbows.  The Honda motorcycle jacket also includes ventilation, sleeve and waist adjustment, a removable …