Running in a leather jacket?

[cs363]

wouldnt you not want to soften the leather? would that not adversely affect is abraision resistance? ive only just bought a new Alpinestars leather jacket so would be good to know..

Good quality premium leather is generally pretty supple and with brands like Alpinestars/Dainese/Spidi etc you generally won't have that issue. I've had several Dainese and Alpinestars leather jackets and have never had to 'run them in'.
Some of the cheaper brands ex-Pakistan use buffalo hide which is considerably stiffer, in some poor quality cases it's almost like cardboard!

Your jacket shouldn't need any attention until it's been used and cleaned a few times and/or rained on at which point the leather will need reproofing with a beeswax based product as previously listed or SnoSeal/Nixwax which are two of the better brands (still beeswax based).

[caspernz]

Personally I prefer a liquid or near liquid goo to put on my leather stuff. Even though I've got a Jap bike, I've been using Harley Davidson branded leather conditioner the last few years. Rub it in, leave it for a bit, then get the Mrs hairdryer and melt the stuff into the pores, or put it out in the sun...but I live in Welly...

I would agree with a previous comment along the lines of the better the brand or garment, the less 'running in' required.

[Spazman727]

On a similar note, does anyone know if it is possible to stretch the arms of a leather jacket? I'm tall and skinny with long arms, so any jacket that fits my arms is too big everywhere else, and any jacket that fits everywhere else is too short for my arms.
cheers

[Jerry74]

Bonedry is the best I have used and it's Kiwimade.

Had my gloves and boots done on a rally a few years ago and wouldn't look back.

http://www.bonedrynz.com/

[jaffaonajappa]

On a similar note, does anyone know if it is possible to stretch the arms of a leather jacket? I'm tall and skinny with long arms, so any jacket that fits my arms is too big everywhere else, and any jacket that fits everywhere else is too short for my arms.
cheers

Call me a cheap bastard....but buy longer gloves (gauntlets).

[scumdog]

Running in a leather jacket?

That's just fucking mental.

Yeah, ya could overheat!

[jaffaonajappa]

^^
Its his choice tho. You know...he has rights...and stuff.

[Spazman727]

Call me a cheap bastard....but buy longer gloves (gauntlets).

I did, still too short.

[jaffaonajappa]

I did, still too short.

You must have an...unusual build.

Got any photos of ur parents?

Ah sorry mate. Suspect you will need the help of someone like quasimoto, and get something custom made (or altered at least.)

[Spazman727]

You must have an...unusual build.

Got any photos of ur parents?

Ah sorry mate. Suspect you will need the help of someone like quasimoto, and get something custom made (or altered at least.)

Heh. My mum is fairly short and roundish, my dad is tall and not that skinny. Im a hair under 6ft and weigh about 65-70kg. See my problem?

[jaffaonajappa]

Heh. My mum is fairly short and roundish, my dad is tall and not that skinny. Im a hair under 6ft and weigh about 65-70kg. See my problem?

something something....your profile mentions a Honda...mumble mumle.

[p.dath]

Just wear it

+1. If the jacket is brand new you wont need to apply conditioner or treatment to it - otherwise the manufacturer would have done it. Just wear it.

[p.dath]

On a similar note, does anyone know if it is possible to stretch the arms of a leather jacket? I'm tall and skinny with long arms, so any jacket that fits my arms is too big everywhere else, and any jacket that fits everywhere else is too short for my arms.
cheers

Get someone to adjust the jacket properly, or get a custom made jacket. Kerry from MSW on K'Road has an excellent reputation.
www.msw.co.nz

[Spazman727]

Get someone to adjust the jacket properly, or get a custom made jacket. Kerry from MSW on K'Road has an excellent reputation.
www.msw.co.nz

Sweet, I'll give them a try. Thanks.