Home
About Us
News
Our Products
Customer Feedback
Sizing Charts
Leather Facts
Search

LEATHER FACTS

"NEED TO KNOW" ABOUT MOTORCYCLE LEATHER

FOR

AspectCycleGear.com

 

Types of Leathers Used for Motorcycle Gear

There are several types of leather with varying quality that is used for all sorts of needs: fashion wear; furniture; fashion accessories; etc. but we are addressing specifically what you need to know to evaluate your leather choices for motorcycle gear.  Motorcycle gear leather is typically a thicker, tougher leather needed for protection as well as style when riding.

Most products are made from cowhide in some variation of finishing, however buffalo, pig, deer, goat may be used or even lambskin for lighter apparel.

Cowhide is widely used and is referenced in many ways depending on the finishing process.  Cowhide is tough and durable, yet comfortable as if conforms to the wearer usually after a riding season when you have stretched and worn it in to your body form. 

Buffalo hide is also widely used for motorcycle apparel.  This is not from our American buffalo or bison, but from Water Buffalo.  A skin that is extremely durable for years and years to come.

For the softer skin items and lighter wear apparel, you will find deer, goat or lambskin may be used.  While very durable, these skins are certainly not as tough and protective as the cowhide or buffalo hide used in most riding jackets.  These are more of a fashion or comfort item without the heavier protection should you happen to have an unfortunate skid.  These hides may be used commonly also in accessories like purses, personal bags, face coverings, some gloves, etc.

Most motorcycle leather products are produced from imported leathers.  Yes, even "Made in the USA" Harley Davidson imports leathers for their products.  This is due to the extensive availability in areas such as:

  • Pakistan - today's # 1 choice for import of cycle apparel leathers usually using cowhide, buffalo, or lambskin.

  • Indonesia - usually providing buffalo or pigskin.

  • China - mostly pigskin is imported from China which goes in line with the much lesser prices for these products.

  • Italy - most Italian leather is very fine, top quality and very expensive.  The gear is mostly fashion / lighter wear items and made from deer, goat or lambskin. 

Some of the common finishes and leather thickness include:

  • ANALINE - this is a process where a colorless, oderless chemical is added to a vat and the leather tumbled to create a smoother, yet natural look to the end product.  Top quality leathers are most commonly used in this finishing process.

  • NAKED - Naked leather is not finished; this is leather in its natural state.  Usually thicker leathers, dyed but not finished.

  • SPLIT - Split leather utilizes the mid or lower sections of the hide with a coating applied and embossed to appear as a grain leather.

  • SUEDE - Suede comes from the underside portion of the hide after the splitting process occurs.  Suede is a much thinner and softer leather, usually used in accessories or fashion apparel.

Thickness for motorcycle gear and apparel may range from -

  • 1.0mm or less - used primarily for fashion wear or accessories.

  • 1.3mm - 1.5mm - most common thickness for motorcycle gear and apparel.

  • 2.0mm - this thick you will find on the Naked Leather gear.