Cycle Leather

Chaps are usually worn over denim jeans or other trousers of heavy material. They have their own belt, and usually are fitted around the hips, resting below the belt loops of the trousers. Except for chinks and armitas, which are designed to fit above the boot, most chaps are long, fitting over the boot and draping slightly over the vamp of the boot (see shoe).

Some leather chaps are cut to hang long at the heel and nearly cover the entire boot except for the toe. Batwings, chinks, and shotgun chaps fit firmly but comfortably around the thigh, with shotguns continuing to fit closely all the way down the calf, though not so snug as to limit free knee movement. The shotgun design is a bit flared at the ankle to allow for the rider’s boot. Batwings and chinks are not attached around the leg below the knee.

Riding a motorcycle can be rough on your hands.  Sun, wind, and rain, not to mention road grit, pebbles, and insects can play havoc on the your fingers at the best of times.  The best way to protect your hands while enjoying your rides is a good pair of leather motorcycle gloves.

Motorcycle gloves come in a wide variety of styles, colors, and material options.  Perforated and fingerless designs work well in warmer weather, providing the needed margin of protection while not overheating your hands.  Lined, insulated, and gauntlet-style gloves are ideal for colder weather or when the weather suddenly takes a downturn.  I always carry a pair of unlined gauntlet style leather gloves in my saddle bag even in the summer, it doesn’t have to be winter for you to get pretty uncomfortable from rain blowing up your sleeves.

Don’t ever underestimate the sexiness of a man wearing leather. At least that’s what my mother always told me. She also used to love to tell me the story about how she met my father. She worked a pizza restaurant near the air force base where my father was stationed. One night she said she saw a gorgeous man wearing a leather bomber jacket sitting at a table.

Later that night he was still there so she asked him for a lift home. He dropped her off and she craftily left her purse in his car. The next day he returned to her house to return the purse and he asked her out. They’ve been together ever since. What a lovely story.