how do I take proper measurements for a motorcycle jacket? Chest, sleeves, length, etc.?

Answer 1

You need to try it on. I would never buy a jacket online unless I had already tried it on in a store first (and the online price is cheaper).

Chest needs to be tight and no collars. If you are a weekend sport bike speedster, make it as tight as comfortably possible. If you are a cruiser/touring traveler, leave a bit of room for layers for your roadtrips. Women need to make room for the boobies. Any lady size C and up will probably feel more comfortable in the ladies jackets. But, ladies beware, sometimes the ladies jackets are not made as well.

Sleeves need to be long enough to cover your wrists when your arms are stretched forward. If you fall, you want your wrists covered when you hit the ground.

Length is a personal choice, but most off-the-shelf jackets are on the shorter side, stopping at the waist. This works well if you're a skinny person. But the chubby folks might want a little longer length just to cover the gut. I've seen all kinds of lengths. If you get a longer length, make sure there are snaps and/or zippers to keep the extra material from flapping in the wind or getting into your engine.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Do the jacket up. Crouch down and reach forward with both hands: the sleeves should reach your wrists (ie, be too long with your arms flopped by your sides).

Witht he wrist zips done up, you should not be able to pull the sleeves up past your elbows: when you fall on the road 'Superman' style, you need the sleeves to stay in place.

The jacket should be tight-ish when done up: almost uncomfortable. You should feel inclined to unzip it whenever you are off the bike. Don't go for loose thinking you will 'put a sweater under it': the jacket will not be a 'second skin' when you fall off. Stay warm with many thin layers, say, three T-shirts.

If you are an unusual shape, you might need to compromise the sleeve length/tight fit balance, or get a jacket custom made. You will have your jacket for a very long time so the extra cost is well worth it.

This advice especially applies to sports jackets and sportsbike riding, but applies universally to crashing!

llordlloyd- four years selling motorcycle clothes and accessories.

Answer 3

It sounds like you are trying to order online. If you are I would suggest trying the same jacket or at least the same brand on in a store. You wound not want to but something that does not fit well even though you took proper measurements.

Answer 4

Go to the Expert Motorcycle jacket store and get the expert motorcycle Tailor to measure you . This is the ONLY true way to know for sure.

Answer 5

I can't remember what site it was, but when I was ordering for my husband I just typed in(search) leather riding jackets. It gives you multiple sites for ordering and they all had the exact way to measure. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Try it on .The size can very from one extreme to the other between manufactures