Special Tips to Get The Right Size Biker Leather Clothing

Get it right the first time you will surely be disappointed if your beautiful leathers arrive and they don't fit correctly. Online is a great place to buy leathers but you want to be sure to get your size right. Making a mistake here may mean sending it back and that means extra costs.

Many biker leather sites have sizing charts and you will use these measurement procedures and the sizing chart to determine your final size.

First: how to measure for the correct size

For women Measure around the fullest part of bust under arms with arms relaxed down at sides.

For men Chest: Measure around chest just under arms across shoulder blades with arms relaxed down at sides.

For Coat/Length: Measure from the highest point of the shoulder down.

Height: Measure from top of head down standing barefoot on a hard flat surface with normal posture.

Hips: Measure around fullest part of body at the top of legs with feet together.

Inseam: Measure from inside crotch seam to the hem of pants that fit you well.

Waist: Measure around natural waistline, which appears as crease when bending to one side.

Neck: Measure around fullest part of neck.

Rise: Measure from the crotch to top of waistband.

Sleeve: Measure from center back of neck, over point of shoulder, and down outside of arm past elbow to wrist with arm relaxed.

LEATHER JACKETS and VESTS Leather jackets have number sizes that correspond to chest inches. For example, a size 46 jackets would measure 46 inches. It is best to measure your chest while wearing a shirt and then to order the next size higher in a leather jacket or vest. For example, if your chest measures 45-46 inches, then order a Size 48.

To measure, use a standard tape measure and wrap the tape measure around your back, just under your armpits and then loosely across your chest. If your waist size exceeds your chest size, then use your waist measurement and go up one size. You can also supply us with your measurements at the time of the order.

You want to choose a jacket that is big enough for your actual chest measurement. And you want to make sure the size will be big enough for your belly (if you have one). The max belly for any size jacket is approximately 6" less than the jacket size (example: max belly for a 46 is a 40" belly).

Size charts for chaps are listed in most sizing charts. The most important measurement for chaps is the thigh. Using a standard tape measure, measure around the thickest part of your thigh while wearing jeans or pants. Do not order a pair of chaps that are less than your thigh measurement. Each pair of chaps can be adjusted down should your waist size be less than what is listed in the size chart.

If they are going to be worn for cold weather riding put on all of your under garments and then take your measurements.

HELMETS

Helmet size charts are listed with the description for each helmet. To measure your head, use a standard tape measure and wrap the tape measure around the back of your head, just above the ears and then across the forehead. If your head size is between two sizes, order the smaller size, as it is better if the helmet fits tighter than too loose.

Please take into account the clothing you will be wearing underneath your jacket or vest when selecting your size. Your shirt size will not necessarily be your jacket or vest size.

In order to provide maximum protection while riding, you should purchase leathers that are designed for your riding style and that fit comfortably and properly.

Please take into account the clothing you will be wearing underneath your vest when selecting your size. Your shirt size will not necessarily be your vest size.

If you have any doubts be sure and send an email describing any questions you may have.

Women and Motorcycle Riding by Selene Marín

Gone are the days when women were merely fans who stood in sidelines, enthusiastically cheering on their favorite biker. Gone are the days when women were viewed by some biker men as simply an adornment to their image and a plus for their machismo. Gone are the days when motorcycle riding was a sport meant only for men.

Today, we see more and more women embark on this exciting world of motorbike riding and racing which used to be patriarchal and masculine in nature. We are astounded by a lot of female riders who are up for the challenge of races and who are fast becoming just as good as their male counterparts.

It is true that most female riders don't have it easy. A lot of female riders can attest to the difficulties in engaging in a sport that used to be exclusively for men.

While there are many male motorcyclists who welcome female bikers with open arms and are more than glad to have the opportunity to race with racers other than men, there are those who look down at female bikers as inferior riders and who are still too narrow-minded to accept that women could do it just as well.

Even at this day and age when a lot of women take on positions that used to be held only by men, there are still people who view women as the weaker sex, who think that they could not do what men do.

There are still people who think that a women's job is to stay in the house to do the laundry and take care of the kids. While there's absolutely nothing wrong with being a homemaker and that this is also a respectable duty we all should look up to, there are still of course a lot of opportunities for women to get into aside from that.

But the thrill and excitement that motorbike riding brings as well as the challenges that come along the way only inspire female riders to work harder for this passion of theirs. This is what we can call women empowerment. It is the right of women to engage into whatever activity that people think are only for men.

It is fortunate that many motorcycle gear companies recognize women's right to engage in motorcycling riding and have promoted lines of motorcycle apparel for women. For example, the very popular Harley-Davidson company has released its line of womens motorcycle jackets that will protect the female rider in her riding escapades. The Ladies Cowhide Red Leather Jacket and the Ladies Basic Motorcycle Jacket are just few of the many motorcycle jackets that are designed specifically for women.

True enough, we've seen how the motorcycling sport has evolved. And now it has become even more well-rounded as more and more women ride motorcycles and join this spectacular sport of speed.

For more tips and information about Motorcycle Jackets, check out http://www.rockytopleather.com .



About the Author
Selene is a great writer and she is expert in the matter

Motorcycle Storage Made Easy by Craig Thornburrow

No matter what kind of bike you ride, motorcycle storage through the winter is a necessary evil in most parts of the country. Unless you live in the Deep South, winter can be brutal on motorcycles. Snow, ice and wind can do lots of damage to your bike, and leaving your "baby" out on the street through midwinter is simply not an option.
Luckily, you have plenty of options when it comes to storing your motorcycle through the winter, and with a bit of prep work, you can be sure that your bike will emerge in the spring as good as new and ready to hit the highway.

Your first decision will be where to store your bike. Ideally, you want to store your bike in a climate controlled environment. A heated garage or basement is one option, but you may also choose a commercial storage facility, as many of these now offer year-round climate control.

When considering a storage facility, your main concerns are that it has a stable temperature (preferably 65° or above), and that it is a dry environment. The worst possible storage situation is one where the temperature will vary greatly from day to night. Back and forth temperature extremes can wreak havoc on many parts of your bike, including leather seats, rubber gaskets, and plastic seals and fuel lines.

So even if your bike must be stored at a lower than optimum temperature, you are still better off keeping the temperature steady, rather than submitting your motorcycle to extreme climate ups and downs throughout the winter.

Once you have decided on a storage facility or found a suitable heated garage or basement in which to keep your motorcycle for the winter, it's time to start preparing your bike for storage. Your first concern will be the fuel tank and gas line.

Gasoline left in your fuel tank and fuel lines through the winter can become gunky and clog up your engine. An inexpensive but effective solution is to use "Sta-bil," or a similar gas treatment solution. These solutions will work best on a gas tank that is low, but not empty. Make sure your gas is above the reserve level before adding the gas treatment.

Your next big concern before storing your bike will be the battery. If left un-driven, a standard motorcycle battery will go flat in as little as two weeks. Obviously, you could simply try to remember to turn over the engine every week to keep your battery charged, or even apply a battery charger once every week or so.

But the truth is, it is far too easy to forget to constantly charge or crank your bike, which can easily result in a dead battery. A better way to go is to invest a little money in a motorcycle battery maintenance charger. These small devices are made to attach to the battery and are left on throughout the winter.

A maintenance charger will only charge your battery as needed, so that you avoid overcharging during the winter. Overcharging can actually be just as bad a problem as letting the battery go dead, because it can damage the battery cells to the point where they will no longer hold a sufficient charge. Battery maintainers eliminate this problem, and will ensure that your bike emerges from motorcycle storage in the spring as good as new.



About the Author
Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on motorcycle storage and motorcycle storage units at http://www.motorcyclestoragesolutions.com

Care Tips for your Motorcycle Saddlebags by Selene Marín

If there's one thing you can't ride without (aside from your protective gear of course), it's your motorcycle saddlebags . Holding your most valuable personal and motorcycling items, you can't take off without this pair hanging from the sides of your bike, properly and securely attached. Needless to say, your bike's saddlebags have become a major part of your riding that you won't hop on to your bike and speed off without it.

And because your saddlebags are so important to you, it's necessary that you take proper care of this pair of motorcycle gear. Below are some tips you may find useful in caring for your saddlebags.

1. Use a high-quality cleaning solution for leather motorcycle saddlebags to clean your saddlebags. Before you use the solution, check on the label to determine if it contains strong chemicals that may harm the saddlebag's material. Be sure to use only a mild solution so that the color and quality of the saddlebag won't deteriorate. If you're not sure, dilute the solution in water to be safe and then apply the mixture on a piece of clean cloth and rub on the saddlebag's surface.

An important thing to remember is to clean your saddlebags outdoors because these cleaning solutions contain chemicals that are dangerous to inhale. Should you need to clean it indoors, in a garage perhaps, make sure it has good ventilation.

2. When it comes to conditioning your bike's saddlebags, you need not do it very frequently. You can apply leather conditioner once a week or once in two weeks to maintain the leather's elasticity and suppleness. This is a good way to ensure that your saddlebags maintain its good quality and top shape, looking like brand new for a long period of time.

Stay away from petroleum by-products because even though they do not immediately ruin the leather of your saddlebags, they will after some time. Opt for conditioners that will penetrate the strong fibers of the leather.

3. Polish your leather saddlebags once in a while. But don't let your saddlebag's pores get clogged with the polish. Make sure you spread the polish cream evenly and thinly on the surface and not to concentrate on one area only.

4. Apply water protector on your saddlebags to protect it from rain or water and so that there won't be watermarks on it. You can also waterproof your biker saddlebags by applying mink oil or silicone spray. But because this may darken the color of the leather, it is suggested that you try it on first on a small area of the leather that is not so visible. If ever your saddlebags get wet, never dry it out by putting in direct contact with heat like the radiator. Heat will absorb the oil of the leather and leave it dry. Instead, let it dry naturally by placing in room temperature.

Leather saddlebags come in various kinds, all with varying quality. But what's common about them is that they need proper care and treatment to ensure that they stay in good quality and will last a long time. With these simple tips, your saddlebags' lifespan will last as long as your passion for motorcycle riding.

For more tips and information about Motorcycle Saddlebags, check out http://www.rockytopleather.com .