The streetbike community is overrun, drowning in a deluge of textile jackets. Don't get me wrong; there are companies, like Icon, that make some great leathers for the street rider. There is, however, a particular style to this kind of jacket, and manufacturers will charge you an arm and a leg for the privilege of being one of the fashionable few. If you don't need skulls and multi-colored panels, give River Road's Race Jacket a look.
The lines and cut fall somewhere between streetbike and cruiser style, and won't look out of place on either rider. Constructed of abrasion-resistant leather and equipped with a removable liner, this jacket slides on comfortably. The fit is adjustable with side snaps, and the snap closure collar is high enough to protect your neck from the roaring wind.
A tapered cut that's longer in the back will allow the rider to lean in and be comfortable in the tucked position required of some sport machines. One of the major drawbacks of this jacket, however, is an utter lack of ventilation. Riding on the street in the summer is sweaty business if you get caught in traffic, and I think it's a huge mistake on River Road's part to exclude such a common feature. You can unzip the sleeves to get some more airflow, but it just doesn't cut it.
The leather and stitching are made to last, and a 2-year warranty backs them up. For this amount of beautiful black leather, the $160-$200 price tag is not a surprise and better than some of their trend-conscious competitors. River Road sells their Race jacket in women's or men's cuts.
Here's another fully-adjustable unisex jacket by REV'IT!
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