Proper Care For Leather Motorcycle Clothing And Accessories
Hearing the sweet sound of a roaring engine underneath you, feeling the wind in your face, and enjoying the freedom to go anywhere you want to – there’s no question that riding a motorcycle is an experience like no other and why every year there are more motorcycle riders on the road.
And as much as it is good for your soul, it’s actually also good for your mind and body. As any rider knows, riding a motorcycle is physically demanding, and when you’re out there on a sunny day, decked out in full motorcycle gear, all that physical work is bound to make you sweat – and sweat can seriously wear down the longevity of your gear. Especially if we are dealing with leather, which most higher end motorcycle gear will be made of.
Here are some tips on motorcycle clothing leather care that you can use to keep your leathers clean to enjoy every ride and extend the life of your gear and protect your investment. You probably also have some leather motorcycle accessories and the advice will also apply to these.
Benefits of keeping your motorcycle leathers clean
The biggest benefit to keeping your motorcycle leathers clean is of course, comfort. Nobody likes to be in a sweaty, stinky outfit when they’re out riding – and chances are, your riding partners won’t like it too!
Another big benefit to taking proper care of your motorcycle leathers is the fact that they last so much longer if cleaned and dried properly. Let’s look at the best way you should take proper care of your leather motorcycle clothing.
5 Steps To Properly Care For Your Motorcycle Leathers
Remove any lining in your motorcycle leathers and wash
Most motorcycle leathers have removable mesh linings on the inside that absorb all the sweat from your days out on the road. Take this lining out, pop it into the washing machine on a wash cycle and hang it out to air dry to make it fresh and clean again.
Wipe off any grime from the top layer of your leathers
Bugs, dirt, and other grime find their way onto the top layer of your motorcycle leathers over time. Use a leather cleaning wipe to remove any visible bug or grime residue that has been baked onto the surface due to the heat of the sun over an extended period of time.
Clean using a leather cleaning solution
Now, we get down and dirty with the leather itself – using a microfiber cloth and a leather cleaning solution, apply small amounts of leather cleaning solution on one area of your motorcycle leather, then clean it in a circular motion with your microfiber cloth. Repeat until the entire suit is fully clean. This will take you about an hour or so!
Hang it up and air dry
After you’ve cleaned it, hang it up to air dry in an area of your home that has the most air circulation.
Condition your leather
After drying, condition your leather to keep it polished, soft, waterproof, and looking absolutely beautiful. Use specific leather conditioners or leather food for best results.
How you SHOULDN’T clean your motorcycle leathers
Never ever clean your leathers in a washing machine. The harsh detergent and spinning motion will break up the fibers in the leather hide and weaken it, reducing its protection against impact and degrading its visual appeal. Have you ever seen those leathers with cracks and flaking? That was someone who didn’t take time to do their research and ruin what was probably a perfect leather article of clothing.
Don’t use any cleaning solutions other than dedicated leather cleaning and conditioning products. The harsh chemicals found in household detergents and soaps will cause irreversible damage to the leather material over time. Sometimes, something as simple as water with a soft damp cloth was enough to wipe away the grime you noticed.
The label should also identify the particular leather that was used, so different hides can give you a better clue on what to use as well as what not to use.
Anything Else?
While this was by no means a comprehensive guide on caring for your motorcycle, hopefully it helped point you in the right direction to properly care for what most people would consider an investment. Style is what we preach here at Moto Street Gear so looking good is key!
All the good looks in the world won’t help keep you safe if the integrity of gear is compromised. Same thing about securing your items if referring to leather accessories like saddlebags. A little crack would be enough for a thief to rip through and take your valuables. We wouldn’t want that for sure!
So taking care of your gear manages to help you look good while also taking care of you. It deserves all the attention you can give it.
