PVC vs Leather: Which is one gives better protection while riding?

AMERiders knows that there is a growing question of PVC vs Leather and which is one gives better protection while riding? We will try to help figure that out so that you can make an informed decision for your next gear purchase. We have already covered Leather vs Textile a few posts back so it is only right to extend on that with explaining what PVC is and comparing it to leather.

There is a huge difference in cost and the physical properties of genuine leather and faux leather. It is imperative to know what you are getting, and not getting. It is also important to know which will protect you better

What is PVC Leather exactly?

PVC vs Leather — PVC Motorcycle Saddlebag With Studs

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) leather is a type of faux leather that is made by covering a base of natural or synthetic material with vinyl, made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and plasticizers. It has no hair follicles (pores) which make it virtually waterproof, but may become unbreathable in hot temperatures. In some rain suit and waterproof garment descriptions, you will notice the acronym PVC. This is a rubberized coating that is laminated to the nylon to make it waterproof. There are many pieces of motorcycle gear made from PVC material not just apparel, saddlebags, tool bags, and other gear for the bike as well.

Leather in comparison to PVC

Leather, however, is more abrasion resistant than PVC, and resists tearing. Oe of the drawbacks to leather is that in order to provide proper abrasion protection, it can be heavy, especially if made from cowhide. Another drawback is wearing leather while riding in tropical or semi-tropical conditions is that it can become very hot, especially in urban traffic.

Alternatives to both Leather and PVC

An alternative to this would be a mesh or textile jacket that includes proper protective inserts or foam pads at the elbows, shoulders, and back. Most Mesh jackets also have the advantage of being light and washable. It is best to find a textile jacket that has a combination of many different types of textile. This helps to ensure that it gives overall protection not sure on what they are, check out our article here for some. A good example would be a jacket with an outer shell of at least 500-denier Cordura, with 20% or less polyurethane coating, a Gore-Tex or Aero-Tex membrane, a taffeta lining, and CE-approved armor, and a little PVC thrown in for waterproof.

Have we helped your understanding of PVC vs Leather?

Think you’ve made your choice on the debate of PVC vs Leather? You can find the reasonable prices and great styled jackets with us. Going with a textile combination? Check out our great selection of textile motorcycle jackets for men or women. Or have you Decided on classic leather? Shop the highest quality leather motorcycle jackets for men or women at the best prices on the web with AMERiders.

In the end, what matters is your comfort and protection, ensuring that you have both is important when you ride. We hope we have helped you to make your decision on the PVC vs Leather discussion.

And as always….

~Live Free Ride Hard~

~AMERiders

and

Let AMERiders help you decide between
PVC vs Leather for your next piece of gear.

And as always don’t forget to send us your stories, pictures and events for posting to GALLERY.AMERIDERS @ GMAIL.COM and we will post them for you. The more people that know about your event the better and we are offering free advertising. We would also love to hear about your rides and love to see those bikes so send those stories and pictures.

Like what you just read? Share it on social media with others and let them get the information and benefit from it as well.

Looking for a Quality Motorcycle Jackets

Basics to Know When Searching for Perfect Motorcycle Jackets

AMERiders understands that our customers want to purchase Quality Motorcycle Jackets, which is why we are giving basic tips when looking for one. This goes along with our last blog post of Leather vs Textile. When looking for quality motorcycle jackets you will find that they come in a wide array of styles and fabrics. This blog post is geared towards the basics of what you need to look for in a quality motorcycle jacket. We will go over the important aspects that apply to both leather and textile jacket such as sizing, pockets, basic construction, collars, cuffs, and closures. We will handle liners as a separate subject for another post.

Gussets at the rear allow the back of Quality Motorcycle Jackets to stretch without binding when reaching for the handlebars.

Sizing:

Quality Motorcycle Jackets should fit a bit loose, as there are times you’ll want to put on thicker or heavier clothes under them. The amount of protection a jacket will give you is also relevant to how well it stays put when coming in contact with a road surface. The best solution to this problem is to purchase a jacket with any type of adjustability in the waist area, like a belt or zippers, and if possible, “gaiters” on the sleeves — that allow you to tighten them against your arms.

If you intend to use body armor – which we recommend. Quality Motorcycle Jackets needs to have some kind of adjusters for keeping the jacket sleeves in place in the event of an accident.

Regarding Jackets with body armor:

Adjustability is even more important, as the belts and gaiters will ensure that your armor is still covering your vital parts even after the shock of any initial impact.

The waistband of Quality Motorcycle Jackets should be adjustable, and not just by elastic, but many different types of adjusters.

For example, when you are trying on the jacket in a store, the sleeves should come down to about the second set of knuckles on your hand. if not a bit farther when your arms are at your sides. This is because when you’re riding, your hands and arms are out in front of you. You’ll want the sleeves to end at your wrists so they can either cover the ends of your gloves or vice-versa. Also, the back of the jacket should extend about three or four inches below your belt line as to not expose your lower back. It should also be loose-fitting between your shoulder blades so that the material across your upper back won’t be stretched tight, making it difficult for you to move your arms.

It is best to remember:

A jacket that looks like a perfect fit when you are standing in front of a mirror is probably a very poor choice as a riding jacket. Ensure you try it on standing, as well as sitting on the bike as you would riding and moving around. If you’re not restricted by the jacket in any way then it is a good fitting jacket.

Pockets:

AMERiders believes that you can never have too many pockets when riding on a motorcycle. However, these pockets should have certain standards that they must meet to be useful. This is the difference between fashion and riding gear. First, each exterior pockets need to have a closure of some kind. Snaps and Velcro fasteners are okay, but you’ll fair better with heavy-duty zippers. And if possible, try to make sure that the zipper pulls are large enough that you can grip and operate them with your gloves on.

Secondly, make sure at least one of the pocket is weatherproof/ waterproof, whether on the exterior or interior of the jacket. This is for keeping things dry that could be ruined if they got wet. We believe that two side pockets, one breast pocket, and one interior pocket should be a minimum requirement. A good riding jacket will even add pockets on the sleeves for easy access to things like change for toll booths.

Basic construction:

By this, we mean how the jacket is put together. Though it is sometimes difficult to determine how well-constructed a jacket is by just its appearance. We have gathered some easy identifiers to help you. What type of thread is used? Quality Motorcycle Jackets use nylon or Kevlar thread, double-stitched, with a single or double overlap on the material, and a seam-sealing strip of material on the inner side

Collars:

Some people hardly think to look at the collar when searching for a new riding jacket, but trust us, this is very important. Regardless of the style or shape, the collar takes, ensure the part that actually makes contacts with your neck is lined with a soft material. Most Quality Motorcycle Jackets will have a special lining around this area, made from suede or microfiber. Remember, when we ride we tend to move our heads a lot, and the last thing we need is to rub the skin raw on your neck .Collars come in a variety of sizes, styles and shapes, and you will have to decide for yourself which is best for you.

Cuffs:

Cuffs, like collars, should have a soft lining in the wrist area. If you are riding in a short-sleeved shirt, the cuffs will rub your wrists every time you clutch, brake or use the throttle, which will irritate your skin quickly. It’s of paramount importance that the cuffs of your jacket be adjustable, whether with Velcro, zippers, or snaps. As at times, you may want them to be snug down under your gloves. In other situations, you may want them to secure over the top of them. Regardless, you certainly don’t want them acting like miniature air scoops unless it is a very hot day.

Closures:

As with many of the other features, we’ve discussed, the closures on a riding jacket are both different and much more important than those found on normal, everyday jackets. A simple, exposed zipper down the front is quite common and efficient on an everyday jacket, but a disaster on riding gear.

The difference with good riding gear is that the primary closure (the zipper) will be covered by a secondary closure. This is usually a single or double overlap, secured by snaps or Velcro. This helps to keep the wind and rain out of the zipper – but really aren’t much good over the long haul, or in severe weather.

We hope that this information will help you to find Quality Motorcycle Jackets that fit you perfectly for summer and winter as there are jackets made for both types of wear.

We at AMERiders want to wish you and your family a safe and Happy 4th of July!

And as always….

~Live Free Ride Hard~

~AMERiders

and

AMERiders can help you find Quality Motorcycle Jackets at reasonable prices.

Like what you just read? Share it on social media with others and let them get the information and benefit from it as well.

The Great Debate Leather vs Textile! Which is better?

There has been a great debate going around for 30 plus years now on the topic of Leather vs Textile and which is better to wear while riding your motorcycle. AMERiders takes an in-depth look at the two materials to help you make your decision. Used to be, leather outperformed textile by a very wide margin in most all categories tested. Today, however, that isn’t the case. With all the new advances in the quality and construction of various textile fabrics, textile gear now has many qualities not only as good as, but in some cases far superior to, leather gear.

Leather vs Textile which are you? — Leather Gear

A well-manufactured textile jacket will often be superior to a low-end leather one, on the other hand, a high-end leather jacket will more often than not be superior to a low-end textile jacket. Whether you decide on leather or textiles isn’t really the question anymore. Instead, you need to know the difference between various grades of leather jackets, and between various grades of textile jackets. This is important to know when choosing your side of the fence with the Leather vs Textile debate.

Starting off with leather gear.

Leather vs Textile what is your choice? — Men’s Scooter Jacket With Zip-out Lining

Quality leather products begin with the leather itself. High-quality products are made from large pieces of leather that are graded for blemishes, thickness and uniformity of grain. Virtually all leather has blemishes. To what degree and quantity of blemishes help to determine what type of product it will be used for and for how much.

Most deer and elk hides are called “naked leather” and are not treated with any sealant product which smooths and hides blemishes. Hence, products made with naked leather are much more supple and expensive as well. “Protected hides” are leathers that have combined the best facets of natural leather, yet utilizing tannery technology to create a product that is more consistent in appearance. They are also sealed to prevent staining from water and other liquids, so products made with protected hides have easier maintenance than others.

It is also important when buying leather to know what quality you are buying. However, the grading system used for this purpose is very misleading, such as…

“Top Grain Leather”

The most confusing term used in the industry is “top grain.” It is a total contradiction in terms, because it implies exactly what it is not. “Top grain” is the term that is used when the grain is not genuine! This is when the real grain was sanded away to remove or hide imperfections, and an imitation grain was stamped into the leather.

“Full Grain Leather”

Just as the grain, texture and markings of wood should reveal the nature of the tree from which it came, leather should display the natural markings and grain characteristics of the animal from which it was taken. The best leathers are clear, clean, and supple.

Leather vs Textile which will you choose — It is important to know the difference between good and bad leather gear

So when buying leather ensure that you check the type of grain if it is called “full grain” or “full top grain,” then it is true leather. However, if it says simply “top grain,” this is actually an inferior product don’t be fooled by inferior products. It is difficult to judge leather by a photo, as it really helps if you can feel it. However, just looking at a jacket you can tell that superior jackets grain and coloring are uniform throughout, and that the material is supple, as it easily folds and drapes. It would probably feel soft, and almost sensual to the touch. In which, an inferior jacket has varying grains and colors from section to section, possible lousy and mismatched dye job and will feel stiff as a board.

Looking at and going over each of these points can help you choose your side of the fence with the Leather vs Textile debate, or maybe you want to have one of both types of gear.

Now we will move on to textile gear.

Nowadays, there are multiple synthetic materials used in constructing motorcycle gear. Here is a short list of some common materials and some of the terminology associated with them, with definitions of each this is not a complete list there is lots more.

Breathability: Humans control their body warmth by perspiring and thus preventing their bodies from overheating. When you’re riding, it is necessary to transport at least two pints of perspiration (water vapor) through your clothes every hour.

CE Armor: “CE” is a European system of grading motorcycle protective armor that encompasses both energy absorption capability as well as pad shape and size. The armor or pads are designed to offer added protection to a rider going down with a motorcycle, particularly when sliding or facing lesser impacts. CE armor is made of hard foam pieces encapsulated in softer foam that compresses on impact. If your jacket has body armor in it (and it really should), insist on CE-approved armor.

Gore-Tex: Is a thin, lightweight membrane mounted between the face fabric and the lining that is waterproof, windproof and breathable. Gore-Tex was the original membrane of this type, and it totally revolutionized the motorcycle gear market with its use in jackets, suits, pants, gloves, boots, etc.

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Nylon alone is not waterproof. In rain suit and waterproof garment descriptions, you will notice the acronym PVC. This is a rubberized coating that is laminated to the nylon to make it waterproof.

In conclusion

We probably have you pretty well confused by now and wondering, “How in the H. E. double hockey sticks do I choose good textile riding gear or leather riding gear?” The best we can tell you is to look for a reputable manufacturer that uses a practical combination of the above items. Still, there are other manufacturers that make very good textile and leather jackets or suits that don’t cost an arm and a leg to purchase. Just look for the materials suggested in this article, and pay attention to how it is constructed as well.

Think you’ve made your choice on the debate of Leather vs Textile? You can find the reasonable prices and great styled jackets with us. Going with textile? Check out our great selection of textile motorcycle jackets for men or women. Or have you Decided on classic leather? Shop the highest quality leather motorcycle jackets for men or women at the best prices on the web with AMERiders.

In the end, what matters is your comfort and protection, ensuring that you have both is important when you ride. We hope we have helped you to make your decision on the Leather vs Textile debate.

And as always….

~Live Free Ride Hard~

~AMERiders

and

When you are trying to decide between Leather vs Textile, let AMERiders help you out.

Like what you just read? Share it on social media with others and let them get the information and benefit from it as well.

Ladies Biker Gear, Why Should You Think is a Good Idea!

Ladies Biker Gear, why should you think is a good idea to wear it? Not just you the reader, but everyone that reads this blog should. As wearing just a t-shirt, jeans or shorts and flip flops or tennis shoes while riding a motorcycle can spell disaster for the rider. WHY? Because asphalt hurts and can tear you up from head to toe! Plus if the crash doesn’t kill you then other things from the crash might let us elaborate on this.

When riding it is best to wear Gear from head to toe, such as helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, and chaps. Why? Because each and every one of these particular pieces of gear will help protect their particular body part, at least in some manner. AMERiders.com we carry each of these pieces and more to help keep you and your passengers protected while you ride.

As we have previously stated in one of our Biker Safety Tips ”

Jeans will help some but won’t necessarily help keep from having road rash, but they will keep your legs from getting too badly burnt on a pipe from your bike.

Most people do not realize that a crash can cause you to lose up to 1mm of flesh for every 1 mile per hour you are going over, 30 miles per hour. So think about that if you are hit in a 55 mile per hour crash you can lose up to an inch of flesh. 70-80 and that is down to the bone which can cause fatal bone infections if the impact didn’t kill you. This is where a jacket and chaps will come in handy, to lower the chance of road rash and those nasty infections.

Boots help not only to keep your feet from getting too badly mangled in a crash but also help to give better traction in stopping or even taking off on a bike.

Gloves will help you as we stated in a previous post your hands are delicate, and fragile even, and anyone that has either broken, burned or had something happen to a hand knows that not being able to use that hand until it heals really sucks.

It is always important to wear Eyewear as your eyes help you to scan the road for debris, dangers to you and others, and to help you see the road.

Ladies are bikers too, and we love to look amazing while riding our bikes or with our men. At AMERiders, our Ladies Biker Gear is not only stylish it is comfortable as well. We carry many styles and colors of women’s leather chaps and pants, vests, as well as leather Jackets, fashion jackets, and racer jackets. We also have a large selection of Women’s Apparel such as bras, bustiers, halters, skirts, shorts, and panties as well as other fashion items such as gorgeous denim and textile apparel. While you are gazing at all our gorgeous women’s clothing don’t forget to look at our amazing rose collection as well.

Remember it is not that you don’t see them, they may not always see you.
Learning some of these general riding guidelines may help save your life and the life of your passenger as well.

Let AMERiders.Com Be Your Place for All Protective Ladies Biker Gear

Biker Safety Tip 3: Why Wear Protective Gear When Riding

AmeRiders is back with our 3rd installment of our Biker Safety tips we have gathered tips and advice on various aspects of motorcycle riding: about riding corners, braking, looking, safety, etc etc. This weeks tip is about why you should wear protective gear when riding, as it can not only save your skin it can save your life as well.

Wearing Motorcycle safety gear is one of the smartest and most responsible things you can do as an owner and passenger of a motorcycle. It helps to protect the part of the body that it is covering. Everyone knows or knows someone that has been injured or died in a motorcycle accident at some point in their lives. We at AME Riders want to help ensure that our customers have knowledge of Motorcycle Safety which is why we post these tips for you and your passengers.

What should I wear? Helmets, Boots, Jackets, Gloves, Jeans, Chaps, and Boots or a combination of these is suggested. The main and most important is Helmet, Boots, Jacket, Jeans, and Gloves. These will protect your extremities. The helmet is the most important as it will protect your head which can keep from causing brain damage. Jeans will help some but won’t necessarily help keep from having road rash, but they will keep your legs from getting too badly burnt on a pipe from your bike.

Boots help not only to keep your feet from getting too badly mangled in a crash but also help to give better traction in stopping or even taking off on a bike.

Gloves will help you as we stated in a previous post your hands are delicate, and fragile even, and anyone that has either broken, burned or had something happen to a hand knows that not being able to use that hand until it heals really sucks.

Remember it is not that you don’t see them, they may not always see you.
Learning some of these general riding guidelines may help save your life and
the life of your passenger as well.

Let AMERiders.com be your place for all protective biker safety gear

Motorcycle Jackets for Men and Women Are Great for Safety on the Road

AME Riders has many great Motorcycle Jackets for Men and Women and are great for safety when out riding on the road. We know that a biker’s jacket is important, whether it is to hold patches or for protection or both and that it is an important part of gear for both men and women, and we at AME Riders are all about gear! Our large selection of Men’s Motorcycle Jackets and Women’s Motorcycle Jackets come in all styles, sizes, and fabrics. Regardless of whether you’re looking for a Fashion, Racer, or Textile Jacket both our Men’s and Women’s section are full of gorgeous jackets to fit your style. Ladies we also have a gorgeous Rose Collection for you to choose from as well, Plus our ladies jackets are not only made to last but are tailored to accentuate and show off the female form, as well as for comfort and protection while riding.

Jackets are a great way to not only look good while riding but to also stay safe if the bike happens to lay down. Many of our Racing Jackets and some of our Textile Jackets have removable armor for extra safety. AME Riders is all about the safety of our customers and wants them to be safe as well as comfortable while riding.

We even have jackets that come ready to wear with the Live To Ride® brand embroidered cloth patch already sewn in place.

LET AMERiders.com help you stay safe with one of our great Men’s or Women’s Motorcycle Jackets in many great looking styles.

To ensure that you get your gear before Santa arrives, we are guaranteeing your shipping if you order by December 14th, 2015 at Midnight.We will also do expedited shipping as well, however, our customers must pay the extra shipping.

Keep an eye on the timer at the top of the page it is counting down to December 14th at Midnight CST.

Deck your Man out in style!

Ladies, Deck your Man out in Style with many different items in our Men’s wear section. From Jackets to Pants and Chaps we have it all to make him look stylish and even sexier than he already does. We know that your man is important to you and that you want to give him something special for the holidays that he will love. Which is why we have such a large selection of quality men’s biker wear. Regardless of his particular style we have something that each and every biker in your life will love. Check out not only our Men’s wear section but our other sections as well as there is something for each and every biker and their styles.

We know a bikers passion is riding, which is why at AME Riders we are passionate about outfitting our bikers in the best gear possible. We carry a large selection of Men’s Biker Clothing to choose from, at affordable prices. Here we understand what a biker needs as we are bikers too, and our selection of quality leather pants and chaps go great with our leather jackets. We haven’t forgotten how important that protection is and we have textile apparel with removable CA armor as well as fashionable Racer Jackets. If you’re looking for classic Denim or leather vests, we have those as well! Regardless of your style we have something to meet your needs.

Let AMERiders.com help Deck your Man out in Style with many different items from our Men’s Wear section.

Don’t forget to: Keep an eye on the timer at the top of the page it is counting down to December 14th at Midnight CST, and to order by December 14th at Midnight, for your gal and receive Guaranteed Shipping by Christmas. We will also do expedited shipping as well, however, our customers must pay the extra shipping.

Sidebar

Sidebar

Archives

PVC vs Leather: Which is one gives better protection while riding?

What is PVC Leather exactly?

Leather in comparison to PVC

Alternatives to both Leather and PVC

Have we helped your understanding of PVC vs Leather?

and

Let AMERiders help you decide between
PVC vs Leather for your next piece of gear.

Looking for a Quality Motorcycle Jackets

Basics to Know When Searching for Perfect Motorcycle Jackets

Sizing:

Regarding Jackets with body armor:

It is best to remember:

Pockets:

Basic construction:

Collars:

Cuffs:

Closures:

We at AMERiders want to wish you and your family a safe and Happy 4th of July!

and

AMERiders can help you find Quality Motorcycle Jackets at reasonable prices.

The Great Debate Leather vs Textile! Which is better?

Starting off with leather gear.

“Top Grain Leather”

“Full Grain Leather”

Now we will move on to textile gear.

In conclusion

and

When you are trying to decide between Leather vs Textile, let AMERiders help you out.

Ladies Biker Gear, Why Should You Think is a Good Idea!

Let AMERiders.Com Be Your Place for All Protective Ladies Biker Gear

Biker Safety Tip 3: Why Wear Protective Gear When Riding

Let AMERiders.com be your place for all protective biker safety gear

Motorcycle Jackets for Men and Women Are Great for Safety on the Road

LET AMERiders.com help you stay safe with one of our great Men’s or Women’s Motorcycle Jackets in many great looking styles.

Deck your Man out in style!

Let AMERiders.com help Deck your Man out in Style with many different items from our Men’s Wear section.

What is PVC Leather exactly?

Leather in comparison to PVC

Alternatives to both Leather and PVC

Have we helped your understanding of PVC vs Leather?

and

Let AMERiders help you decide between PVC vs Leather for your next piece of gear.

Basics to Know When Searching for Perfect Motorcycle Jackets

Sizing:

Regarding Jackets with body armor:

It is best to remember:

Pockets:

Basic construction:

Collars:

Cuffs:

Closures:

We at AMERiders want to wish you and your family a safe and Happy 4th of July!

and

AMERiders can help you find Quality Motorcycle Jackets at reasonable prices.

Starting off with leather gear.

“Top Grain Leather”

“Full Grain Leather”

Now we will move on to textile gear.

In conclusion

and

When you are trying to decide between Leather vs Textile, let AMERiders help you out.

Let AMERiders.Com Be Your Place for All Protective Ladies Biker Gear

Let AMERiders.com be your place for all protective biker safety gear

LET AMERiders.com help you stay safe with one of our great Men’s or Women’s Motorcycle Jackets in many great looking styles.

Let AMERiders.com help Deck your Man out in Style with many different items from our Men’s Wear section.

Let AMERiders help you decide between
PVC vs Leather for your next piece of gear.