Caring for Leather Motorcycle Gear

Leather motorcycle gear is a crucial part of the motorcycle lifestyle. The durable fabric is able to offer impressive protection from the hazards of the road, as well as in the event of a crash. Leather motorcycle clothes are more than functional—they are also a great way to express your personal style! 

But each bike ride can take its toll on the leather. You will need to be proactive about caring for your leather motorcycle gear to help reduce damage and extend its life, which is why we've created the following beginner's guide to caring for leather gear. If you want more advice or want to explore motorcycles for sale, head over to Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County, located in Westminster, California. We serve all of Orange County, CA, as well as Los Angeles!

1. How to Deal with Sweat

It's no big secret that motorcycle riding is an athletic activity. Controlling a heavy bike requires a fair amount of exertion, which is going to lead to sweating. This is especially prevalent in the heat when your body makes sweat to cool you down. It will only take a few rides for sweat to accumulate on your motorcycle clothes.

The sweat causes more problems than an unappealing smell. The moisture found in sweat eventually evaporates and salt is left behind, which can cause damage to the liner and the stitching in the leather.

All you need is a desalter product, which is a simple spray that is used to coat your leather. Spritz it onto your leather motorcycle gear, then use a clean rag to rub it in. Make sure you do this on the interior and exterior of your leather motorcycle clothes. 

2. How to Deal with Color Fading

Leather motorcycle gear starts out with vibrant and stunning coloring, but it can fade over time. The reduction in striking color is often caused by a layer of something building up, such as smog or dirt.

All you need to do is to gently clean your gear. Use a brush to scrub leather shampoo into your motorcycle clothes. After you shampoo your gear, you will want to add conditioner (much like you do with your hair). Otherwise, the leather could get worn down. Seek a conditioner that evaporates and keeps the leather breathable. Spread a thin layer of conditioner onto the gear with a sponge, then buff it out with a clean rag once the conditioner dries. Aim to clean your motorcycle gear about every two months.

3. How to Maintain the Non-Leather Aspects

Leather motorcycle gear is not made solely of leather. These other pieces of hardware will need some attention as well. Your zippers can benefit from some maintenance in order to keep them running smoothly. Some riders use wax, but this can cause zippers to get gunked up and hurt their ability to work. A better approach is to use a liquid silicon to grease the zippers and keep them running smoothly. You will want to consult the owner's manual to see how the manufacturer recommends caring for all the non-leather aspects of your motorcycle gear.

We hope you found this guide helpful! If you have any questions or want to shop motorcycles for sale in Orange County, see the experts at Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County. Our dealership is located in Westminster, CA. We also welcome all those coming from Los Angeles. We are happy to chat with you, provide advice, and help with whatever you need, so come on by today!