Leather jacket fitment

C L · October 6th, 2011, 06:02 PM

I recent bought a new leather jacket and it fits great all except around the arms/elbows when I lean forward on the bike.
When I bend my arm, the jacket gets real tight and after 30 minutes its almost like a mini-workout just having my hands on the handlebars.

Do the elbows on the jacket stretch out once they are broken in or should I return the jacket for 1 size up?

Alex · October 6th, 2011, 06:48 PM

Leather can get a bit softer over time, but it really doesn't stretch much. If it's constricting you that significantly when you're in a riding position, it sounds like it's a little too tight. It may be possible to have the jacket tailored rather than having to get an entirely larger size.

C L · October 6th, 2011, 07:34 PM

The jacket itself is fitting fine, but the combination of the narrow arm with the elbow protector makes the bend get a little bit tight. Do you think that is a tailor-able fix?

setasai · October 6th, 2011, 09:04 PM

Where did you buy the jacket and what brand? Some brands are cut differently. Like Dainese and RevIt have a slimmer sportier cut while many firstgear or joe rockets might be a straight cut.

I would try on a larger size just to see if it fits better. If the larger size gets too large in the torso but the arms fit perfectly then I'd try a different model or brand and see what fits better. The fact that you're concerned means you'll be happier once you find one that fits perfectly. I always lean towards being happy so dont think about it and keep looking until you find one that you're 100% happy with.

C L · October 6th, 2011, 09:45 PM

It's a Dainese and I knew that they'd run slimmer and that's the reason I chose it. I'm not very big.

I'm wondering if I could adjust the elbow guard somehow to make more room.

setasai · October 6th, 2011, 11:03 PM

Depends on what you mean by adjust. I wouldnt manipulate it much. Have you tried a larger size? The torso might not change as much as you think but at the same time give you more arm space. On the flip side... maybe you'll get used to it and it wont feel like a work out anymore.

coondog · October 7th, 2011, 09:15 AM

Can't believe you're having this problem with a supposed Quality maker. My bike jackets sleeves are designed to incorporate "the reach" and armor placement (as well as armor straps). Called Vanson, and no HE doesn't wear them.

kaiserz · October 7th, 2011, 12:00 PM

I would get a bigger size... Dainese are very slim... like very very slim... if it ends up being much looser on the torso try incorporating a chest protector

and also just a side note, the cold weather is creepin in so if you want to wear a hoody underneath getting a bigger size will help.

coondog · October 7th, 2011, 04:01 PM

Why should you pay for any existent tailoring, even if it worked. I notice you live in Michigan so definetly get a size larger. If you get a summer jacket look at the Vanson AirMax, full air and with full strappable armor, Luck man.

rusninja · October 17th, 2011, 09:31 AM

To my understanding now, The cyclegear sales person told me that the jackets have to have a tight fit around torso so you do not get bombarded with air and tight around arms so if you fall your arms dont flail around like a squid. :S Is that right or was he steering me more toward racing then street riding can it be more loose then?

October 6th, 2011, 06:02 PM	#1
C L ninjette.org member Name: Andrew Location: Orlando, FL Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2014 300 Posts: 162	Leather jacket fitment I recent bought a new leather jacket and it fits great all except around the arms/elbows when I lean forward on the bike. When I bend my arm, the jacket gets real tight and after 30 minutes its almost like a mini-workout just having my hands on the handlebars. Do the elbows on the jacket stretch out once they are broken in or should I return the jacket for 1 size up?

October 6th, 2011, 06:48 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Leather can get a bit softer over time, but it really doesn't stretch much. If it's constricting you that significantly when you're in a riding position, it sounds like it's a little too tight. It may be possible to have the jacket tailored rather than having to get an entirely larger size. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

October 17th, 2011, 09:31 AM	#10
rusninja Ninjette wanabe :D Name: Ruslan Location: San Jose Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): white 300 :D Posts: A lot.	To my understanding now, The cyclegear sales person told me that the jackets have to have a tight fit around torso so you do not get bombarded with air and tight around arms so if you fall your arms dont flail around like a squid. :S Is that right or was he steering me more toward racing then street riding can it be more loose then? __________________________________________________ VROOOM vrooom >.>

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FS: Women's Scorpion Black Dahlia Jacket & Helmet, Scorpion Leather Jacket	nattygirl	Gear-related	1	June 16th, 2013 08:55 PM
Jacket fitment	Jinx	Motorcycle Gear	5	June 27th, 2012 10:07 PM
Fitment for leather pants	robski11500	Motorcycle Gear	3	June 8th, 2012 07:11 AM
leather suit fitment	zilaniz	Motorcycle Gear	3	November 30th, 2010 09:15 PM
Jacket fitment sizing ?	CRXTrek	Motorcycle Gear	18	April 2nd, 2009 08:32 AM

October 6th, 2011, 07:34 PM	#3
C L ninjette.org member Name: Andrew Location: Orlando, FL Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2014 300 Posts: 162	The jacket itself is fitting fine, but the combination of the narrow arm with the elbow protector makes the bend get a little bit tight. Do you think that is a tailor-able fix?

October 6th, 2011, 09:04 PM	#4
setasai ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Brian Location: Detroit, MI Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.	Where did you buy the jacket and what brand? Some brands are cut differently. Like Dainese and RevIt have a slimmer sportier cut while many firstgear or joe rockets might be a straight cut. I would try on a larger size just to see if it fits better. If the larger size gets too large in the torso but the arms fit perfectly then I'd try a different model or brand and see what fits better. The fact that you're concerned means you'll be happier once you find one that fits perfectly. I always lean towards being happy so dont think about it and keep looking until you find one that you're 100% happy with.

October 6th, 2011, 09:45 PM	#5
C L ninjette.org member Name: Andrew Location: Orlando, FL Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2014 300 Posts: 162	It's a Dainese and I knew that they'd run slimmer and that's the reason I chose it. I'm not very big. I'm wondering if I could adjust the elbow guard somehow to make more room.

October 6th, 2011, 11:03 PM	#6
setasai ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Brian Location: Detroit, MI Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.	Depends on what you mean by adjust. I wouldnt manipulate it much. Have you tried a larger size? The torso might not change as much as you think but at the same time give you more arm space. On the flip side... maybe you'll get used to it and it wont feel like a work out anymore.

October 7th, 2011, 09:15 AM	#7
coondog ninjette.org sage Name: john Location: Palm Beach County, Fl Sligo County, Eire Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 ninja 250 street fighter, 2008 street fighter ninja 500, 2001 nsr 125 Posts: 812	Can't believe you're having this problem with a supposed Quality maker. My bike jackets sleeves are designed to incorporate "the reach" and armor placement (as well as armor straps). Called Vanson, and no HE doesn't wear them.

October 7th, 2011, 12:00 PM	#8
kaiserz There's a limit to s2pdty Name: A.D. Location: NoVa the burg Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250r ninja (sold) Posts: A lot.	I would get a bigger size... Dainese are very slim... like very very slim... if it ends up being much looser on the torso try incorporating a chest protector and also just a side note, the cold weather is creepin in so if you want to wear a hoody underneath getting a bigger size will help.

October 7th, 2011, 04:01 PM	#9
coondog ninjette.org sage Name: john Location: Palm Beach County, Fl Sligo County, Eire Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 ninja 250 street fighter, 2008 street fighter ninja 500, 2001 nsr 125 Posts: 812	Why should you pay for any existent tailoring, even if it worked. I notice you live in Michigan so definetly get a size larger. If you get a summer jacket look at the Vanson AirMax, full air and with full strappable armor, Luck man.