[No More Uncool Looks] Adult Motorcycle Fashion! A Complete Guide to Choosing Outfits and Coordinating Looks for Bikers

Basic Motorcycle Fashion

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Unlike cars, when riding a motorcycle, your body is always exposed and easily seen by others. Therefore, it's important to enhance your fashion while also considering safety.

This time, we will introduce the basics of motorcycle fashion. If you look at bikers on the streets, many of them are quite fashionable. Ideally, when focusing on motorcycle fashion, you want to achieve both safety and style.

Points to consider when choosing biker fashion:

• Rule of thumb: do not expose skin
• Ensure safety with motorcycle protectors in case of an accident
• Keep it as simple as possible to avoid hindering riding
• Avoid unfashionable looks like leather jackets and leather pants that stand out in public

These are some of the key considerations.

Rule of thumb: do not expose skin

When riding a motorcycle, your body is constantly exposed, so your clothing should be chosen with potential falls in mind. Therefore, it's fundamental not to expose skin, and this applies even on hot summer days.

While it's tempting to expose skin when the temperature is high, doing so risks direct skin damage in the event of a fall, and continuously being exposed to the wind while riding can lead to fatigue accumulation.

Furthermore, there's a risk of injury from small stones kicked up by vehicles ahead or from insects hitting your skin while riding.

For these reasons, it's fundamental not to expose your skin when riding a motorcycle, even on hot days. There are many breathable clothing options that prevent heat buildup, so it's advisable to utilize them effectively on warmer days.

Ensure safety with motorcycle protectors in case of an accident

Motorcycling always carries the risk of falling, so it's fundamental to choose clothing with potential falls in mind.

Therefore, it's advisable to enhance safety by choosing clothing with protectors in areas prone to impact during a fall, or by wearing separate protectors under your jacket. Independent protectors are particularly recommended as they can be used with various outfits, but you need to select jackets that accommodate these protectors.

Keep it as simple as possible to avoid hindering riding

While bikers want to be fashionable and safe, over-reliance on protectors can hinder operation, which is counterproductive. Maintaining precise movements is fundamental, so when wearing protectors, ensure they don't interfere with your riding.

As you increase safety, your entire body can become bulky, making it difficult to operate the bike.

Conversely, prioritizing maneuverability too much and neglecting protectors can decrease safety. Therefore, striking a balance between safety and maneuverability is crucial.

Many leather products with built-in protector functions are available that enhance safety while remaining as simple as possible to avoid hindering riding, so it's a good idea to make effective use of them.

Avoid unfashionable looks like leather jackets and leather pants that stand out in public

While leather jackets and leather pants are a classic motorcycle fashion statement, they can feel out of place when you get off your bike and walk around.

Looking out of place can sometimes be perceived as unfashionable, so it's a good idea to choose your outfit based on your riding purpose and destination.

Also, when going on a touring trip with friends, it's important to balance your outfit with your companions so you don't stand out alone.

If your friends are dressed casually, wearing a full leather suit by yourself would definitely make you stand out, and it would also be difficult to sightsee after getting off your bike.

While personal preferences vary and there's no single answer, choosing your fashion based on your riding companions and purpose is crucial.

How to Choose from Various Types of Protectors

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There are various types of protectors available that enhance rider safety. It's advisable to choose a protector based on the body part you want to protect, the type, and safety standards.

Protector Parts

Protectors that can be worn independently are sold for specific body parts such as the "chest," "back (spine)," "shoulders," "elbows," "knees," and "arms."

The areas to prioritize are the chest, where the heart is located, and the back, which contains the spine. Both are critical points to protect, as strong impacts to these areas can be life-threatening. For off-road riding, the knees are also prone to impact in a fall, so it's a good idea to consider protecting them.

Protectors are broadly divided into two types.

Types of Protectors

Motorcycle protectors come in two types: "hard type" and "soft type."

Hard type protectors offer high protection, but their rigid shape can limit fashion choices.

They are relatively inexpensive and come in versions that can be worn under clothing or over clothing.

Soft type protectors offer less protection than hard types but are more flexible and easier to wear.

They are more expensive than hard types, and since they are often worn before putting on clothes, they can absorb sweat easily and are difficult to remove once worn.

Two-stage Safety Standards

Protectors have "CE" standards to indicate safety criteria, and protectors that meet these standards are marked with two levels: 1 and 2. Checking the CE mark is also an important point when choosing a protector.

If you want higher safety, choose a protector marked CE2.

Fashion that Suits Each Type of Motorcycle

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Here's some fashion advice suitable for different types of motorcycles.

Cruiser

Cruiser bikes pair well with rugged leather fashion, such as leather jackets and leather pants.

A classic combination is a leather jacket, jeans, and engineer boots.

Super Sports

Super sports bikes evoke a racing image, and a leather racing suit is a suitable match for sport riding.

For sport riding, a leather suit, leather gloves, and boots are the only options, but for city riding or touring, casual attire is fine. Most super sports bikes have sleek, refined designs, so it's a good idea to choose modern fashion to match.

Naked

Naked bikes offer a wide range of fashion choices, from casual wear to leather suits and American-style leather fashion. You can choose according to the scene, such as casual for commuting or school, leather fashion for touring, and a leather suit for sport riding.

Off-road

Given the higher risk of falls in off-road riding compared to on-road, it's advisable to wear full off-road protectors. While it's standard to be fully geared with off-road equipment when riding off-road, casual attire is acceptable for city use.

Moped/Scooter

Casual clothing is fine for mopeds and scooters, which are often used for daily commutes.

However, basic safety measures are still necessary. Wearing gloves and a jacket with protectors is recommended, as you can easily take the jacket off once you're off the bike.

Motorcycle Fashion by Scene

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Next, we will introduce fashion suitable for different motorcycle riding scenarios.

City Riding

For city riding, such as commuting, going to school, or shopping, which is often a part of daily life, casual attire is perfectly acceptable. If you dress in overly specialized motorcycle fashion, it can feel out of place when you're off the bike and engaging in other activities.

Fashion that prioritizes daily life will likely suit you best.

Touring

For touring, it's a good idea to choose your fashion considering your companions' attire and your destination.

If it's a sports touring trip with many winding roads, a leather racing suit would be suitable. If you plan on visiting many tourist spots, fashion that doesn't look out of place at those locations would be required.

Circuit

For circuit riding, a leather racing suit is the only option; some places won't allow you to ride without one.

Gear up with a leather racing suit, leather gloves, and boots, and enjoy your circuit ride.

Motorcycle Fashion for Warm Seasons: Spring/Summer

Next, we'll introduce motorcycle fashion suitable for each season.

Let's take a look at motorcycle fashion for the warm spring and summer seasons.

Spring/Summer: Recommended Outfits for a Ladies' Street Style that Blends into the City

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For street style, we recommend fashion that doesn't feel out of place even when you're off the bike.

This outfit looks stylish all the way down to the boots, while ensuring no skin is exposed, even on hot days.

Spring/Summer: Recommended Outfits for American Style

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Heavy American bikes pair well with dark, substantial fashion, such as black.

Choosing an outfit that conveys a tougher image will also match American bikes well.

Spring/Summer: Recommended Outfits for Classic Style

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A simple style is recommended for classic motorcycles.

Fashion that is uncluttered and matches the bike, such as a leather jacket with jeans, will look well-coordinated.

Motorcycle Fashion for Cold Seasons: Autumn/Winter

Next, we'll introduce some autumn/winter fashion examples.

Autumn/Winter: Recommended Outfits for a Rugged Street Style

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During colder seasons, prioritizing clothing that blocks wind and prevents body heat loss is essential.

For a street style, a leather jacket and similar items can create a cool look.

Autumn/Winter: Recommended Outfits for Ladies' American Style

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For women's American style in autumn and winter, wearing a leather jacket or engineer boots will complete the look.

Dressing in all black will create a cohesive look without compromising the bike's rugged image.

Autumn/Winter: Recommended Outfits for Classic Style

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For classic style, wearing American-style fashion as-is generally works well.

Choosing simpler outfits will create a better link with the bike's image.

Motorcycle Fashion: How to Choose a Helmet

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Motorcycle helmets, which protect your head, come in full-face, open-face (jet), and half-helmet styles.

It's best to avoid low-safety half-helmets, as they can easily fly off or detach from your head in a fall.

You can ensure safety by choosing a high-safety full-face helmet or an open-face helmet with a visor that flips up.

If the size is incorrect, wearing it continuously can cause headaches or the helmet to slip, so choosing the right size is crucial.

When purchasing, make sure to try it on and confirm it fits your head before buying.

Motorcycle Fashion: How to Choose Upper Body Items

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The upper body includes vital areas like the heart and spine, where impact can be life-threatening. Therefore, wearing protectors or clothing with built-in protectors is desirable.

While it's tempting to ride with exposed skin on hot summer days, the basic fashion rule is to keep your skin covered all year round.

Motorcycle Fashion: How to Choose Lower Body Items

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For the lower body, similar to the upper body, clothing that doesn't expose skin is fundamental.

Especially on hot days, it's tempting to choose cooler clothing like shorts, but this increases the risk of serious injury in a fall and is dangerous. Additionally, depending on the motorcycle, heat from the bike can directly hit the skin, potentially causing low-temperature burns, so choose clothing that doesn't expose skin.

Motorcycle Fashion: How to Choose Gloves

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Motorcycle gloves are primarily made of leather or mesh.

Leather gloves with protectors, also used in motorcycle races, offer high safety, but on hot days, they can retain heat and cause sweating. In summer, it's advisable to use gloves appropriate for the season, such as breathable mesh gloves with protectors.

Motorcycle Fashion: How to Choose Boots

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Motorcycle boots play a role in protecting your ankles in the event of a fall, such as when your foot gets caught between the bike and the ground.

Sneakers do not protect the ankles, so it's important to choose motorcycle boots.

Additionally, motorcycle boots often have good non-slip soles to prevent your feet from slipping off the pegs, and reinforced areas for shift operation. When riding a motorcycle, wearing motorcycle boots is highly recommended as it enhances safety.

Motorcycle Fashion: Items to Avoid

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Since your body is constantly exposed when riding a motorcycle, it's desirable to choose clothing with the highest possible safety. However, looking unfashionable is a no-go.

While clothing with protectors is ideal for protecting your body in case of an accident, it's important not to stand out too much to others.

Choose fashion that isn't unfashionable, considering your purpose for riding, your destination, and what your companions are wearing.

7 Recommended Motorcycle Apparel Brands

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Here are 7 recommended motorcycle apparel brands.

KOMINE

Komine is a brand that sells a wide range of motorcycle apparel, including jackets, gloves, boots, and leather suits.

Since their apparel is designed specifically for motorcycles, many items come with protectors, and the designs are often well-suited for bikes.

YeLLOW CORN

YeLLOW CORN is a Japanese-headquartered brand that sells motorcycle-specific apparel.

They offer many rugged apparel items with large YeLLOW CORN logos and text, and many of their fashion options are well-suited for American bikes.

SIMPSON

SIMPSON is a US-headquartered company that sells motorcycle and automotive apparel, helmets, and other related products.

They offer apparel for various scenarios, from everyday riding to touring and circuit racing. Their helmets, in particular, have a distinctive design that is instantly recognizable as SIMPSON.

KUSHITANI

KUSHITANI is a brand known for its world-class quality leather products.

Their leather racing suits are worn by top professionals and amateurs worldwide and are highly regarded.

Many of their leather products are handmade, and custom orders for leather suits and other items are available to suit individual preferences.

RS TAICHI

RS TAICHI is a Japanese brand that sells a wide range of motorcycle apparel, including gloves, leather suits, jackets, and shoes.

Their products are highly regarded, with many professionals wearing them in racing scenes, yet their entire product line is relatively affordable.

It's a brand with excellent cost performance.

HYOD

HYOD (Hyodou) is a company headquartered in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, that offers a wide range of motorcycle products.

They sell a full range of apparel, including jackets, pants, gloves, boots, and shoes, and also have a rich selection of innerwear.

They offer a substantial line of racing apparel, such as leather suits, and are an active supplier of gear, including collaboration models with Arai helmets.

RIDEZ

RIDEZ is a company based in Yokohama that imports and sells overseas motorcycle products.

In addition to a full range of motorcycle apparel, they also sell a wide variety of motorcycle wear and goods, including smartphone holders, bags, and chemical products.

Many of their stylish apparel items don't look out of place even when you're off the bike.

Summary

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Motorcycle fashion requires a balance between safety and style. Overemphasizing safety can make you stand out in urban settings, while focusing too much on fashion can compromise safety. Therefore, finding a good balance between the two is crucial.

Using products from brands that specialize in motorcycle apparel makes it easier to achieve both safety and style.

If you're particular about motorcycle fashion, or are thinking about choosing some for the first time, be sure to check out the motorcycle apparel brands we introduced.