For many motorcycle enthusiasts, a riding jacket is more than just a piece of protective gear—it’s an extension of personal style, a statement of identity, and often a reflection of the rider’s experiences. Whether you're customizing a biker jacket with patches, adding embroidery, or opting for different colors and materials, personalization is a great way to make your gear unique. However, when customizing your motorcycle riding jacket, safety must always remain a top priority. This balance between style and protection is key and and we at Reise Moto have mastered the art of offering both.
In this blog, we’ll explore the important safety considerations to keep in mind when customizing your riding jacket and how to ensure your safety isn't compromised while you personalize your gear.
1. Ensure You Don’t Overload the Jacket with Excessive Decorations
While motorcycle riding jackets are a canvas for self-expression, it’s essential to remember that the primary function of a biker jacket is protection. We, at Reise Moto provide durable jackets that offer both comfort and safety, but adding too many patches or accessories can interfere with the jacket’s effectiveness.
For instance, patches that cover large portions of your jacket, especially on critical areas like the shoulders, elbows, or back, can compromise the protective properties of the armour. Many high-quality jackets come equipped with CE-certified armour, and by covering these areas with thick patches, you might hinder the proper function of this vital protection.
If you want to personalize your jacket, be mindful of where you place your patches. For example, keep patches to the lower part of the jacket or on less critical areas like the chest or arms, ensuring that armour isn’t obscured. We offer options with removable armour, allowing you to adjust your jacket without compromising safety when adding personal touches.
2. Choose the Right Material for Customization
The material of your motorcycle jacket is crucial when it comes to both customization and protection. Reise Moto provides biker jackets for men that are known for their durability and resistance to abrasion. However, if you plan to add patches or stitching, it’s important to ensure the material can withstand the extra stress.
Embroidery or iron-on patches may seem like a simple addition, but improper techniques or poor-quality materials can weaken the jacket’s overall strength. When customizing, it’s best to use high-quality thread, adhesives, or fabric that matches the jacket’s materials. If you're working with a leather motorcycle riding jacket, ensure the leather remains conditioned and supple after any alterations. Poor stitching or adhesive application can weaken leather, which is meant to protect you in case of a fall or crash.
If you’re adding motorsport jackets or textiles into the mix, make sure any customization aligns with the jacket’s original material properties.
3. Reflective Elements and Safety Features
Personalizing your bike riding jackets with patches, embroidery, or even studs is a great way to express yourself, but don’t forget to include some safety features in the process. Visibility is a critical aspect of riding, especially at night or in low-light conditions. Many riders opt to add reflective patches or strips to their jackets for this reason.
Adding reflective elements, such as strips across the shoulders, back, or arms, enhances visibility for night riding. Reise jackets can be customized with reflective materials to maintain high visibility, even when adding decorative patches. The reflective properties of these materials don’t interfere with the jacket’s overall style, and they provide an added layer of safety, making sure you're seen by other motorists on the road.
Remember, the more reflective materials you add, the more visible you become, which significantly increases your safety. Always aim to balance your style with functionality, ensuring that the safety features of your jacket are enhanced rather than diminished.
4. Consider the Jacket's Armour and Structure
When customizing your riding jacket full set, it’s important to remember that the jacket’s internal structure—particularly the armour—plays a significant role in your overall safety. Jackets like those from Reise Moto come equipped with CE-certified armour in critical areas such as the shoulders, elbows, and back. These areas are designed to absorb impact and protect you during a fall or crash.
When adding patches or decorations, be cautious about areas that may interfere with these protective elements. For instance, avoid covering pockets where armour is inserted or areas where additional padding could be added for increased protection. If you’re determined to make significant modifications, it may be worth checking if your customizations require you to remove or replace the existing armour or if new custom armour needs to be added.
Some riders opt for customization by swapping out the stock armour for higher-performing alternatives. If you’re personalizing your biker jacket, make sure the new armour fits securely and doesn’t get displaced by alterations, ensuring that your jacket remains as protective as it is stylish.
5. Don’t Forget About the Fit
Customization is not only about adding style to your motorcycle riding coat but also about maintaining the proper fit. A jacket that is too tight or too loose can severely limit mobility, which could affect both your safety and comfort while riding. Customizations, such as additional patches or extra lining, can sometimes affect the jacket's fit.
It’s important to ensure that your motorcycle jacket still fit comfortably after alterations. If your jacket becomes too tight or doesn’t provide full range of motion, it could cause discomfort or even increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
6. Regularly Maintain Your Custom Jacket
After customizing your motorcycle riding jacket, it’s crucial to regularly maintain the jacket to ensure that both style and protection are preserved. Leather jackets require conditioning to maintain their strength, while textile jackets need to be cleaned and re-waterproofed. Reise Moto jackets, are designed to be durable, but regular maintenance ensures they continue to offer the highest level of protection, even after modifications.
Conclusion: Personalization with Purpose
Customizing your riding jackets is a fun and meaningful way to express your personal style. However, when doing so, always keep safety in mind. Ensure that your motorcycle riding jackets retain their protective properties by avoiding overloading them with excessive decorations and by choosing high-quality materials for customization.
When you balance style with safety, you can create a leather motorcycle jacket that truly reflects who you are while ensuring your protection on the road. With the right mix of personalization and safety features, your customized jacket will not only make you stand out but will also keep you protected on your rides.
- Team Reisemoto
