Aside from your helmet, your motorcycle riding jacket is probably the most important part of your riding equipment. No matter if it is leather or textile material, you want it to fit properly. In this article, we will talk about how to measure the different points on the jacket to assure you are safe and comfortable.
Try It On
No matter what material your riding jacket is made of, the first thing you want to do is try it on and see if it fits. A jacket that is too loose will just flap in the wind while you are riding. Not only will this make you look silly, but it can also cause a very dangerous distraction.
Put it on and zip it up. The sleeves should come down to about the palm of your hand. Holding your arms out like they are resting on the handlebars, the sleeves should come all the way to the end of your wrist.
The shoulders should rest right on the shoulders. Remember, you don’t want any part of the jacket to be baggy and loose. Most motorcycle jackets come with adjustable straps in various places so you can tighten them when necessary to allow for layering clothing or adding insulated and waterproof inserts. Make sure that the armor at the elbows does not move around loosely. You want these to stay in place in the event of a sudden get off (dumping your bike).
So, a big bulky loose, fitting jacket is a definite no go. On the other hand, a too snug jacket isn’t good either. If you stretch out your arms in the handlebar position and your wrists pop out of the sleeves, no go. Also, if you have trouble when crossing your arms together in front of you, no go.
Sizing up the Situation
One of the ways that you can find out your jacket size is to get a friend to measure you with a cloth tape. First have them wrap the tape around your chest, threading it under the armpits, around the back keeping it in line with the nipples. You now have your chest measurement.
Next, have them measure your arm from the top of the shoulder to the end of your wrist. This will give you the sleeve length. You also will want to measure the waist. This is done pretty much the same as you did for the chest, of course, your friend would wrap the cloth measuring tape around even with the belly button. Being the widest point, this will give you the true waist size.
It All Measures Up
Different manufacturers can have some slight differences in their sizing. For instance, with one brand of jacket, a Large may fit you perfectly while the same type of jacket from another company could have you feeling better in a medium.
US and European sizes differ in that say you are a 42 in the chest, you would be a 52 in a European jacket. The men’s motorcycle jackets at Wicked Stock are sized XS to 2XL and above. This can be confusing when ordering online.
There are two courses of action that you can take. 1) Go into your nearest brick & mortar store and try on a number of jackets, taking note of the different sizing. 2) You could order the two sizes of the same jacket and try them on when you receive them. Then just return the one that doesn’t fit (And at Wicked Stock we always offer Hassle Free Returns).
Wrapping It Up
So, there you have it. You want to measure and make sure that you get the correct size for your motorcycle jacket. Be sure that it’s not too loose in the wrong places like where the armor is. In the case of a fall, you want everything to be in a position to protect you.
Take the time to size it up. Then you can get out on the road and enjoy your favorite pastime.
Head on over to www.wickedstock.com and check out our large selection of motorcycle jackets. We are available to answer all of your questions and we always offer Free Shipping as well as Hassle Free Returns.
Happy Riding
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