The motorcycle jacket is one of the most iconic artifacts of biker culture, especially in public consciousness. When people picture a motorcyclist, they tend to envision someone clad in a well-made, well-fitted leather jacket.
With the continuous advancement of material sciences, the constant diversification of motorcycles themselves, and the rather varied climates of a global society, there are a plethora of jackets to choose from.
You’re bound to find the jacket that’s ideal for you, but there are a few variables to consider, such as what you find comfortable, the climates you’ll be riding in, and the type of motorcycle you’re going to use.
The Four Motorcycle Jacket Styles
There are basically for style groups, when it comes to these jackets – Cruiser, Racing, Sport/Street and Adventure Touring/Dual Sport. Each of these has its own strengths, making them ideal for a specific riding style. Surprisingly, no single type of material/textile is standard for any given style of jacket either.
- Cruiser – This is the classic motorcycle jacket that most picture – the icon, the stereotype. While most commonly seen in leather, they’re also available in many other styles, with a focus on comfort and aesthetic. These are ideal for casual riders and those that use their motorcycle as transportation going about their daily lives.
- Racing – Racing jackets are distinctive for their tight fit and somewhat “space age” appearance. The tight fit is to prevent wind resistance, and the distinct appearance is due to flex panels designed to allow mobility while providing padding against abrasions from dangerous high-speed offs. They tend to have a narrower collar, and a zipper to fasten to racing pants (preventing ride up).
- Sport/Street – These jackets are a casual modification of racing jackets, taking the slower speeds into account. They’re distinguished by the less prominent flex panels and the looser fit focusing on comfort. Seasonal jackets of this sort also include insulation and ventilation to help keep the rider cool or warm in harsh conditions.
- Adventure/Dual Sport – This is a less common style of jacket, used primarily by those whom go on long rides across varied, often rough climates and terrains. They look like nothing more than a survival jacket imitating a racing jacket, with pockets for gear, layers of insulation and impact padding, and a form-hugging design with an additional fastening around the neck. These are ideal for winter riding, or those long trans-continental adventures.
Important Motorcycle Jacket Factors To Consider
There are important factors to consider, which will determine the material you choose, and the style of jacket most suited to your needs.
- Leather or Textile – The first decision you’ll want to make is if you want leather or textile. Leather has a classic look, and many regard it as quite comfortable. However, its real strength is in its resistance to abrasion. However, for comfort and versatility in multiple climates and weather conditions, textiles tend to outperform it. This all comes down to whether you want comfort in various climates, or wish to focus on the durability of leather.
- Visibility/Reflectivity – While many would argue that subtlety is a sign of good everyday design, a jacket that catches the eye can actually be a major boon to safety. You want people to see you, and be aware of your presence and location on the road!
- Liners and Armor/Padding – If you ride in a temperate area with both hot and cold weather, you may want to look for a jacket with removable or all-weather lining that can help keep you warm in the winter, without the jacket cooking you in the summer. Similarly, even if you’re not a dare devil (and you shouldn’t be!), focusing on padding/armor around the chest, back and shoulders is also important, as these are areas where damage can be the worst if you have a nasty off.
- Fitment – Finally, you want a jacket that fits you well, and comfortably. It can be hard to find one that’s a perfect fit, but many styles of jacket have fitment adjustments on the waist and slides on the sleeves, which provide just the right amount of hug or slack for your personal comfort standards. You don’t want to wear a jacket that’s too tight or constrictive, cutting off circulation. The fatigue from this can lead to serious dangers.
To learn more about the different styles of jackets, which ones suit which styles of riding, and much more about the adventurous world of motorbiking, subscribe to my YouTube channel today!
Viking Moto Motorcycle Backpack Review
Viking Moto Motorcycle Backpack Review
Let’s all agree that the biggest problem with our bikes being daily transportation is the lack of hauling capacity.
So, just as in our scholastic days, backpacks to the rescue! But not just any backpack will do. We’re out in the elements, we’re hauling heavier stuff than a few books, and of course, we don’t want to look like a vagabond. That’s where awesome designs like the Viking Bag’s Motorcycle Backpack shine.
This isn’t your high school backpack, oh no. This Cordura backpack features a modern classic look with leather trim and an understated aesthetic that will match your jacket and your bike, no matter what type of bike you like to ride.
Let’s take a closer look at this awesome bag, and how it can make your daily rides so much cooler.
Shot and Edited by Shaun Maddox
https://shaunmaddox.com/
https://www.instagram.com/shaunmaddox/
Construction
As I said, this backpack is made of Cordura, a modern marvel of material sciences that fits comfortably on your body, while not being a floppy, frail backpack. With dimensions of 18.5”x12.5”x5”, you can carry groceries, personal items, or personal items with ease and comfort no other bag can offer.
Need more organization, or to haul some electronics with you? Well, Viking’s completely onboard with 21st-century life, including a laptop sleeve and stretchy, sewn in pockets for organizing your styluses, connection cords, your phone, and anything else delicate and vital you may need to carry.
That’s not even the coolest thing this bag can do. We all know how important our helmet is for safety, but when we get off our bike, it becomes a cumbersome nuisance to carry around or somehow safely secure to our bike. With this Viking bag, that’s not an issue, thanks to the stretchy helmet lining which can hold pretty much any helmet of any size no problem.
Gone are any excuses, whatsoever, to forego your helmet. You know who you are!
The Feel
I took one of these out for a day ride, that is about 6 hours round trip, to go shopping in another area (I usually wouldn’t, but it’s a good field test for gear like this). By the time I reached my destination, I almost forgot this bag was even attached to me, and that was with a heavy laptop and backup battery in my bag.
I did, however, notice that as I took the bag off when going into a restaurant, that my shirt was a bit damp, as I’d sweat from where it blocked air flow to an extent. However, having had other bags leave the back of my shirt completely soaked through, I’d call this a considerable improvement in that department. Given this bag is weatherized, it kind of can’t have the airflow of something mesh, and I’d rather sweat a tiny bit while having my stuff protected from the elements.
What really caught my attention was the lack of soreness or discomfort across my shoulders, neck and upper back. I’m a broad-shouldered fellow, which means most backpacks with any weight, tend to tug on muscles and leave me sore or even numb – the broad design of the straps both across the shoulders and waist, didn’t cause that problem at all.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- This is an attractive bag that doesn’t scream “hobo” or “kid”, with a professional yet casual aesthetic that matches any jacket well enough.
- It’s weatherized, and will protect everything with gusto.
- It’s very comfortable, and the strap designs don’t cause soreness, discomfort or circulation problems.
- I can carry my electronics in an organized fashion – this modern thinking is lost on a lot of biking gear companies.
- The helmet lining does the biking community two great services by making our helmets no longer a nuisance, and eliminating any excuses for anyone to foolishly leave their helmets behind.
Cons
- Being weatherized, you will sweat a little bit, it can’t be helped.
- While attractive, the black may not be everyone’s taste.
- I know a few hefty guys who might find the fit of this bag, adjustable as it is, to be a bit precarious.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
- Heavy duty Cardura Construction.
- Reflective piping for additional night time visibility.
- Built in helmet hood.
- Fits most 15″ laptops in padded compartment.
- Detailed organizer for your keys, wallet and other small items.
- Protective eyewear pocket.
- Duraflex® buckles throughout for added strength.
- Audio Ready.
- Height and width adjustable sternum strap.
- Aerodynamic molded body.
Conclusion
I like this bag. It’s not perfect, and I can see some room for improvement in variety of color schemes as well as a bit more adjustability in the straps for bigger people. I’d also like to see another model that’s stretchier, for if I have more stuff to haul back.
Nonetheless, this is a nice bag, and if you ride your bike for daily things like I do in decent weather, you owe it to yourself to give a bag like this a try!
How To Install A Voodoo Slip-On Exhaust
There are multiple reasons that people want to replace the stock mufflers that came installed on their motorcycles and replace them with aftermarket exhausts. Whether your muffler has become worn or you simply want to upgrade to a better-performing exhaust, replacing it is something that is commonly done by motorcycle owners everywhere. Here is how you can install the Voodoo Slip-On Exhaust.
1. Read the instructions until you understand them
Before you get started, make sure that you read the instructions and that you understand them. You shouldn’t dive in until you are certain that you understand what you are doing. Then, gather together the tools that you will need to install your new exhaust.
2. Loosen the joint where it connects
The way in which your muffler is connected will depend on the motorcycle that you own. You may be looking for a gasketed flange joint or a band clamp. When you find the joint, loosen it so that you can get ready to remove your old muffler.
3. Loosen the bracket for the muffler
After you have loosened the connection joint, you will next need to loosen the brackets for your muffler. You will need to make certain that you provide support to the muffler while you are loosening its bracket. If you don’t, the muffler may strike other parts on your motorcycle and cause some damage.
4. Take the old muffler off of your motorcycle
While mufflers for motorcycles are called slip-ons, removing your old muffler may still require you to use some force to dislodge it from your bike. After you have taken the old muffler off, store it somewhere safe.
5. Take your new muffler and slide it over your header pipe
You will be doing the same steps that you just completed when you install your new muffler, but you will be doing them in reverse. If you find that you are having trouble, stop and think about what you are doing.
6. Securing your new muffler
You will secure your new Voodoo exhaust by attaching it with band-style clamps or with brackets. If you have band-style clamps, they will work by tightening around your muffler to hold it in place. Brackets attach to both your motorcycle and your muffler. Make certain that you familiarize yourself with the instructions before trying to secure your muffler. If you have brackets, try tightening them with your fingers first so that you are less likely to damage the parts. After everything is in its proper place, reattach the gasket clamps, flanges or springs that you need to attach the muffler to your head pipe. Make sure that you do not use too much torque.
7. Wipe your new exhaust down
Before you hop on your motorcycle, make sure that you wipe your new muffler down to remove the oils that you left behind during the installation. If you don’t, it may be stained when it runs with the oils on the surface.
8. Look for leaks
Turn on your motorcycle and let it run while you look at it for leaks. You should check the top of the headers and the base of your slip-on exhaust.
Legal issues
Make sure that you understand what the law in your area requires for modifications to your motorcycle’s exhaust. Some modifications are only allowed off of the highways in some states.
Installing your new Voodoo Slip-On Exhaust is a relatively straightforward process. If you make certain to read the manuals and that you understand the laws in your area, you can soon have a great-looking and sounding muffler on your bike.
Sena GP10 Bluetooth Pack for the GoPro Review
If you have always wanted to record turn-by-turn commentary on your rides and you use a GoPro Hero 3 or 4 to record, the Sena GP10 Bluetooth pack is a must-have accessory. The “BacPac” allows you to record narration in real time using Sena’s “Ultra HD Voice Recording” mode or the “Normal” mode. You can even combine voices from other intercom users so the entire conversation can be used as an overlay voice-over. Download the Sena GP10 User Guide Here
