The term motorcycle leathers describes leatherclothing worn by motorcyclists for two reasons, to protect themselves against the consequences of falling off their bike, and to provide additional weather protection that normal clothing would not offer when travelling at speed. A well-protected motorcyclist will wear boots with heels that fit on motorcycle pegs and provide good ankle support, leather pants or chaps to protect the legs, a leather jacket to protect the trunk and arms, gloves and a helmet with eye protection.
Originally motorcycle leathers were adapted from tank corps gear immediately following World War I. Dusters, which tended to catch in the wheels, were switched for short coats. Wide-pegged breeches were worn by some motorcycle police (and are still worn in Belgium) and by dispatch riders in World War II, but were largely abandoned in the post-war years, because of their Nazi associations.
Currently there are two major styles of motorcycle leathers, the tight colorful suits, based on traditional one-piece motorcycle racing leathers, which are worn by cafe racers and others following the European style, and the somewhat looser black leather trousers and jackets decorated with studs worn by American bikers. The latter style, the jackets in particular, are also worn by people who like the style but do not ride motorcycles. The classic American motorcycle jacket with epaulets and diagonal zipper, made famous by Marlon Brando in The Wild One, (1954) was invented in 1946 by Ross Langlitz, of Portland, Oregon and is still hand-made by his heirs today. Leather chaps, adapted from cowboy gear, were used by American bikers starting in the early 1960s.
A lot of modern leathers have armour on the inside at critical impact points such as elbows knees and the spine. The armour ranges from high density foam to foam backed hard armour. It is designed to spread the impact point to minimise injury.
Increasingly motorcyclists are choosing protective equipment constructed of man-made materials rather than leather due to their improved weather protection, from heat, cold and water, and the increased utility these garments tend to provide in terms of pockets and vents.
Source | Copyright
