Leather Is not Just For Bikers

We have spent a lot of time lately with rock stars here in Vegas and the thread connecting them is their love of wearing leather.

That is Paul Shortino, one of the lead singers from the hit Vegas show, Raiding the Rock Vault, as well as his former bands, Quiet Riot and Rough Cutt.   Paul absolutely LOVES the jacket he got from us – and his beautiful wife, Carmen, loves the jacket we gave her too!  The rest of the guys in the band wear leather vests, pants and jackets – all with customized bling.


                                        

 

Leather is timelessly fashionable.  It was cool when James Dean wore leather jackets and it was still cool when Harrison Ford wore leather as Indiana Jones.   

Whether you are a biker or a rocker or something in between, leather looks classy and can be dressed up on down.  Leather can be high fashion or it can be grungy cool.  It can be daytime or nighttime, casual or formal.

Author :- Owner of BikerLeathers

Bikerleathers.co  is  one of the Best online store for Biker Leather Apparel and Accessories like leather and lace clothing, leather jackets, leather vest, motorcycle leather chaps, jackets for biker, men’s motorcycle jackets, denim motorcycle jackets, skirts for women ,motorcycle leather clothing, motorcycle leather pants and many more with cash on delivery and free shipping.

Leather Jackets for Men

Leather jackets have been a stylish addition to men’s wardrobes for a long time.  They can range from high fashion, high dollar leather coats to lower cost leather motorcycle jackets.  There are few men who don’t look great dressed in leather.

When shopping for a new leather jacket, there are many things to consider.  First, of course, like anything else you purchase, you have to determine how much you are willing to spend to get what you want.    If price is no object, you can find a $1400 leather jacket at Nordstrom.  Most of us can’t afford to spend that much.  If you are a good shopper, you can find a really nice leather motorcycle jacket on line for anywhere from $100 to $150.  Or you can find a decent classic motorcycle jacket for between $70 and $90.

There are many decisions to be made about style.  There are leather bomber jackets, classic motorcycle jackets, classic motorcycle jackets with zipout liners.  There are leather blazers, leather scooter jackets, leather sleeveless jackets.   It’s up to you to decide what feels comfortable for you, what looks best on you and what jacket best serves your purpose.

In this day and age,  many of us prefer to shop on line.  It can be difficult to decide from a picture and you have to be sure that the online store you buy from is reputable and carries good quality merchandise.   Most leather jackets sold in this country are not made in America.  It’s sad but true.  But the quality of the leather can vary from brand to brand.  The thickest leather jackets (and probably the most expensive) are made from nappa leather and vary greatly in thickness between 1.1 and 1.5 mils.  If it is too thick, the break-in period is probably longer than most of us want to wait.   But if you buy a leather jacket that is made from the cheapest cowhide and it feels thin and kind of brittle, you can be pretty sure that it won’t last long.   My grandfather used to say “cheap is cheap” and it’s good to keep that in mind when buying a nice leather jacket. 

                                        

A leather motorcycle jacket is an investment.  It is protection when you are riding, as well as warmth and a place to display motorcycle patches.   Most motorcycle riders take pride in their bikes and spare no expense in keeping them tricked out.  You would be wise to do the same when purchasing your leather motorcycle jacket.    A decent leather jacket  will last a long time – even if you are rough with it.  They will last even longer if you take care of them and use leather care products on them from time to time.

Another decision to make when purchasing a leather jacket is color.  Even though we most often think of leather jackets – especially motorcycle jackets – as predominantly black, they do come in various shades of brown that might be a good alternative for people who don’t particularly care to wear black all the time. 

Another option in leather jackets is the sleeveless leather motorcycle jacket.  It provides the same protection and style as the classic leather motorcycle jacket – just without the sleeves.  It can be a good option for motorcycle riders in warmer climates.

If you are looking for a fashion leather jacket or blazer, the same options apply. It is important to find the style that looks best on your body style.  Leather blazers can have two buttons or 3 buttons and they can be long or waist length. 

Regardless of the style, it is important to know what you like and find the leather jacket that suits your purpose.  If you live where it is cold, you might want to make sure you have a removable liner or a neck warmer.   Some leather motorcycles jackets come with hidden pockets inside for carrying a pistol.  Some have zippers and lots of pockets.   Some have fancy designs on the back, some are plain.  You can find leather jackets with studs and skulls or you can find a fine fashion jacket with a slim cut that will look great with your dress slacks when you go to a fancy restaurant for dinner.

The classic leather motorcycle jacket became “cool” when Happy Days was popular and The Fonz wore one.  Younger guys wanted to be like him.  Now, leather has taken its rightful place in fashion so that anyone, regardless of age or background, can look great and feel confident in a nice leather jacket.

Motorcycle helmet for Safety - Preventing serious injuries and deaths from motorcycle.

Even though we are the first to agree that there is nothing like the feeling of the wind in your hair when you are riding along on your motorcycle.  Back in the 60’s when I first started riding motorcycles, I remember clearly the sensation of my hair flying in the wind behind me, the smells of the area I was riding through, the freedom I felt.  We didn’t wear helmets because we didn’t think of it. They were big and bulky and would make your hair flat. 

But nowadays with so much more traffic than there was 40 years ago, there is no denying that helmets save motorcycle riders' lives.  Preventing serious injuries and deaths from motorcycle crashes is a major and growing public health concern.

Consider that:

·         Motorcycle crashes killed 4,502 people in 2010.

·         Motorcycle-related deaths have increased by 55% since 2000.

·         Motorcycle crash-related injuries and deaths totaled $12 billion in one year, in medical care costs and productivity losses.

·          Almost half of the fatal accidents show alcohol involvement and injury severity increases with speed, alcohol involvement and motorcycle size.

                             

·         In the multiple vehicle accidents, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle right-of-way and caused the accident in two-thirds of those accidents.

·         Reports indicate that the wearing of appropriate gear, specifically, helmets and durable garments, mitigates crash injuries substantially.

The good news is that riders and their passengers can protect themselves by wearing helmets. Helmets are estimated to prevent 37 percent of crash deaths among motorcycle riders and 41 percent of crash deaths for motorcycle passengers.

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2006, 13.10 cars out of 100,000 ended up in fatal crashes. The rate for motorcycles is 72.34 per 100,000 registered motorcycles. Motorcycles also have a higher fatality rate per unit of distance traveled when compared with automobiles.  Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists' risk of a fatal crash is 35 times greater than a passenger car. Motorcycles have 16 times the rate of serious injuries per 100 million miles compared to cars, and double the rate of bicycles.

Additional data reveals that there are over four million motorcycles registered in the United States. Motorcycle fatalities represent approximately five percent of all highway fatalities each year, yet motorcycles represent just two percent of all registered vehicles in the United States. One of the main reasons motorcyclists are killed in crashes is because the motorcycle itself provides virtually no protection in a crash. For example, approximately 80 percent of reported motorcycle crashes result in injury or death; a comparable figure for automobiles is about 20 percent.

 When you ride your motorcycle or are a passenger, follow these tips to stay safe:

·         Always wear a DOT-approved helmet.  They come in a variety of sizes and designs, can make a fashion statement, and are easily the best protection money can buy. 

·         Never ride your motorcycle after drinking.  Alcohol greatly impairs your ability to safely operate a motorcycle. If you have been drinking, get a ride home or call a taxi.

·         Don't let friends ride impaired. Take their keys away.

·         Wear protective clothing that provides some level of injury protection     Leather jackets and chaps during the winter months, denim jackets and chaps when it is warmer out.  Never ride in flip-flops and shorts.  It only takes a second to touch a hot pipe with your bare skin and incur a bad burn.

·         Avoid tailgating.

·         Maintain a safe speed and exercise caution when traveling over slippery surfaces or gravel.

We know many motorcycle riders and also ride our own motorcycle.  Recently a popular guy at our local bowling alley was fatally injured in a motorcycle accident.  His wife, who was wearing a helmet, lived.  He was not wearing a helmet and he incurred fatal brain injuries.

As retailers who sell motorcycle safety attire, we are acutely aware of the importance of wearing helmets, Motorcycle jackets, Motorcycle leather clothing, as well as driving defensively.   We sincerely hope our friends and customers all take heed and wear proper attire when riding.

 

The Joys Of Online Business Ownership In America.

As owners of several online retail sites, we thought we’d share our thoughts and experiences with anyone who might be interested. 

We have owned bikerleathers for about 8 years now but since moving to Las Vegas, we are in the process of re-branding ourselves Biker Leathers Las Vegas.  As such, we sell a pretty wide variety of leather clothing and accessories.  Our main concern is to make it affordable and of good quality. 


       

The difficulty of being in the business of selling clothing on line is sizing.  We try to be pretty specific in our size charts, but not everything fits everybody the same.  For women, there are hardly any women we know who only have one size in their closets.  Women’s clothing varies … A LOT.   Men are shocked to find out that they can’t just order a Medium because that’s what they “usually” wear.  Some jackets fit tighter around the middle and a guy with a generous girth has to take that into consideration when he buys a leather jacket or vest. 

People these days are always looking for free shipping, so you have to be cognizant of your bottom line when you give someone free shipping and then you have to exchange for a different size.  We expect the customer to pay to ship it back and, if it is a heavy item, we expect them to at least pay half of the shipping on the new sized jacket.   Some people don’t like that and we understand.  But we also can’t lose money on the sale.  We try to work with our customers to make it fair for everybody. 

It’s a competitive world out there, so you have to find a way to stand out.  We try to give really great customer service.  We have been seeking products that are made in America – without pricing them out of reach for most people. 

First of all, we met a guy who advertised his expertise at photography and marketing.  For a reasonable price, he gave us ideas and has continued to work with us on our meager budget.  As we are in Vegas, we decided to reach out to local celebrities to help endorse our products.  We had run into magician Murray Sawchuck at a number of events, so we offered him a leather jacket in return for a few hours of posing for photos and a short video.  You can see the video here:  Leather and Lace Clothing

      

Our new associate also encouraged us to create our own line of clothing and we came up with a design for the first piece in the line.   We are trying hard to make every piece made in America and made from environmentally friendly material.  It is coming together, along with a name and logo.  Still keeping that all under wraps since it is not done yet. 

We are pretty friendly, outgoing people, so we have continued to make contacts with local celebrities who will appear in advertising. We are on the verge of signing a spokes-model and have some rock musicians lined up as well. 

When you have a tight budget, it’s important to make every dollar spent work for you.  We find that advertising on Facebook and Amazon pays off but Google adwords costs more than it’s worth due to the competition we have in the leather clothing business.  We aren’t trying to compete with the superstores that have unlimited funds for advertising.  We are creating our own niche with unique products and personal customer service.  

Motorcycle Long Ride Planning - Tips on how to prepare for a long motorcycle ride.

We had inquiries from some newer riders wanting to know how long they should plan to ride per day and how they should prepare for such a trip. So here are some suggestions we have picked up along the way.

1. How long to ride.

If the longest ride you have ever taken is 300 miles in a day,{don’t plan a trip with a string of endless five- hundred mile days. Most people ride the most miles on the first couple of days and ride steadily less each day after that. On day seven of a trip, the typical long distance rider will comfortably ride about 65% of the average daily mileage that they would book on a two day trip. If the pros have this type of mileage attrition rate, you should plan accordingly.

2. Don’t plan on cruising at high speeds.

A steady rider can book more miles, enjoy more mountain vistas and ride more twisty miles than a rider obsessed with making the best times. By taking your time, you will get better gas mileage and avoid the fatigue that is caused by fighting the effects of pushing a motorcycle through the wind. You might even avoid a speeding ticket.

3. Avoid drugs and caffeine.

You are better off stopping for the day when you get tired. You are asking for an accident if you try to artificially wake yourself up.

4. Make sure your motorcycle is in good repair.

You don’t want to delay your trip and spend unnecessary funds on new tires or a valve job because you forgot to check them before you left. Have an oil change before any long trip – but try to have any mechanical work done well in advance.Even the best mechanics can make mistakes.

5. Be prepared for temperature changes

The warmest day can cool off at night and you should be prepared with the proper clothing..

6. Pack wisely.

While many riders use a tank bag, what they pack in them is not always well thought out. Sun screen, skin lotions, eye cleaner, eye lubricant, a flash light, a tire gauge, maps and other essentials should all be kept in a handy location. If these items are not accessible when you need them, you won’t use them and that can lead to costly mistakes like missing a road because you didn’t want to look for your map or getting a painful sunburn because it was too much trouble to find your sunscreen.In addition, you don’t need to pack a lot if you bring the right things. Your leather jacket can be warmer at night when you need it if it has a zip out liner.

            

7. Plan Your Route

You can use MapQuest to see realistic mileage between cities and determine just how far you can go in the time you have without exhausting yourself. Don’t forget to include time to stop and enjoy the scenery. It’s not just about riding – there’s some amazing country to be enjoyed.

8. Learn to Recognize Signs of Fatigue

It is important to know what speed your internal riding clock runs by and when your speed falls below that average, take time out and get some serious rest.

Symptoms of fatigue to watch for:

a. Inability to maintain a desired speed. If you find yourself slowing down and constantly having to speed back up, you are ready to fall asleep!
b. Forgetting to turn high beams down for oncoming traffic.
c. Indecision. Can’t decide to stop for gas or continue? Can’t decide what turn to take? These are all a result of fatigue.

9. Stay Hydrated

Lack of water affects mental and physical performance, causes soreness, cramping and headaches. Whether you|feel thirsty or not, drink water on a regular schedule – even in cold weather where you may never feel thirsty. While your motorcycle might have a fuel gauge, unfortunately, your body does not. By the time you are thirsty, you have already started on the road to dehydration.