When it comes to motorcycle jackets, it’s all about fit; not only to your measurements but also to the way you sit on your bike. For example, touring jackets are suited to touring bikes where you typically sit fairly upright and the longer length helps keep you warm and dry when in that riding position.
A touring jacket on a sportsbike, however, won’t work quite so well. If you’re leant forward, bent at the waist and with your knees up due to high footpegs, the additional length in the jacket will bunch and potentially feel constrictive and uncomfortable. That’s why sporty jackets are shorter – to give you that room to move and get the right riding position.
Sporty jackets by their nature may well be inspired by racing and as a result, you will find this kind of garment available in both leather and textile construction.
While leather can offer the highest levels of protection rating (we’ll look at these another time), textiles can come close and add functionality such as breathability alongside waterproofing (generally mutually exclusive on leathers) and a range of other options that you would find on more touring-orientated jackets.
As with all motorcycle jackets, protection is crucial, so look for an overall CE rating as high as possible (B, A, AA and AAA in increasing protectiveness) and for CE-rated armour at the shoulders, elbows and in the back. As a sporty jacket, you may also find provision for chest armour and this is also rated Level-1 or Level-2 like the rest of the garment’s protection.
You may also find some jackets offering either built-in airbag technology or the option to add it, providing in addition to the shoulders and elbows, protection for the neck, thorax and back.
1. Richa Gotham 2 Jacket
Description
This sporty jacket from Richa combines a slim fit with pre-curved arms for comfort when adopting
2. Furygan Narval Jacket
Seal of Approval - Weu2019ve tested this product and have found it performs well
Description
The Narval is one of French manufacturer Furyganu2019s range of textile jackets and is made from
3. Alpinestars T-Fuse Jacket
Seal of Approval - Weu2019ve tested this product and have found it performs well
Description
This offering from Alpinestars uses a soft-shell outer that incorporates a waterproof fabric
4. RST Sabre Jacket
Description
The Sabre jacket from RST can rightly be described as having options; it is available as this
5. Held Antaris Jacket
Description
The Antaris from Held is a fairly standard short, sporty jacket but it includes a host of
6. Spada Plaza WP
Description
This sporty jacket from Spada is of amazing value, offering performance and protection well
7. Spidi Freerider Jacket
Description
The Freerider from Spidi combines the design and cut of a sports jacket with the technology
8. Revu2019It Vertex H2O Jacket
Description
This sports jacket from Revu2019It is available in a range of options, including this waterproof
9. Duchinni Legend Jacket
Description
Master of value Duchinni offer this sporty jacket in three colours (grey, blue and red). Itu2019s
10. Oxford Delta Jacket
Description
While Oxford may be more familiar for its technical and touring clothing, this sporty jacket from