Help Finding Plus Size Leather Jackets and Gloves

Another Joann needs help with gloves and a leather jacket. Let's see what we can come up with to help her out!

Height and Weight: 5' 5", 175 lbs

Chest, Waist, Hip Measurements: C 41, W 40, H 44

Message:

Hi! In my crazy search for new gear I came across your site and I have been following you on FB. I need a good leather jacket with armor, and I do not want all black, preferably with some white. Price doesn't really matter, I want good stuff for street riding. All of the women's gear stocked in this town is for skinny girls with styling for 20 year olds so I have to buy online. Most of what I like (fairly simple) is not available in my XL, size 14. I love the Revit Zena, but I think it will be big enough for me. From you notes it sounds like Dainese will not fit me either :( I'm looking at the Icon Hella. Do you have any suggestions?

Also, what are your favorite gloves? I have medium sized hands.

I just bought a 2014 Street Triple, cosmic green, in January. My son has the R, but it is just too tall for me to be comfortable and I probably won't ride hard enough to ever really know the difference. My local dealer even lowered it by almost an inch. Love it! Breaking it in has been painfully slow but I only have another 400 miles to go before I can max out on rpms. It's going to be a great summer.

Thank you for all of the information you have up!

Joann

Thanks so much for the follow! Let me see what I can do to assist in your search.

It might be a little difficult but I have a couple ideas. First off, I think you're right about the Xena. The waist may be too small for you. It's certainly worth ordering, since the bust fit will be nice for you. But, I am slightly concerned about the waist size. One thing about Rev'it overall is the sleeve lengths are longer, so I would also be worried that at a 46, it would be too long in the sleeves for you as well. But, I fit into a 38 and I have a 31" waist, which puts me in a very different size. So I would recommend ordering a 46 to try it on.

As far as the Icon Hella goes, I would definitely recommend that as an option for you. Given the size charts, I would probably order XL.

Here are a couple more ideas for you:

1/ Cortech LNX Leather

I know you want white, but this may fit you better. You can always throw a reflective vest on top for more visibility. You'll probably be a Plus S. This will be a better option for shorter sleeve length. Not versatile for multi season riding, but a good mild weather jacket.

2/ Revit Ignition 2

I know what the size chart says, but this jacket fits VERY boxy and straight from shoulders to waist. It flares a bit at the hips so that should also work for you. Remember that the sleeves run a bit long on this one. I have monkey arms, so long sleeves work well for me.

As far as gloves go, these are my current favorites:

• Held Airstream; Amazing glove for summer weather, you would probably need a 7, since they're unisex. Fit is wider and thicker in the palms.
• Revit Summit H2o: Great for year round riding, or mild/cool/wet weather (not summer). Fit is narrow in the wrist and palm, long in the fingers.
• Dainese Carbon Cover ST: Also great for year round riding, but not waterproof. You can definitely get through them in the summer, but they aren't ventilated very much except between the fingers. Fit is smaller in the palms with shorter fingers.

Hope this helps!

Women's Motorcycle Jackets for Fall

Fall is coming..... much sooner than most of us would like. So if you need a new jacket for Fall, here are a few ideas to get you started. 

Scorpion Dominion

$239.95. Sizes XS-2XL. The Dominion features a waterproof membrane and removable, full sleeve thermal liner. One thing I appreciate from Scorpion is the fact that all of their women's gear features CE and EN rated SAS-TEC armor at the shoulders and elbows. You'll only need to upgrade your back protector! The fit seems to run on the long side, longer arms and torso. There's very little ventilation on this so you won't be able to push this past early Spring. Nice price for a Fall weather jacket!

Alpinestars Stella T-Jaws WP

$269.95. S-2XL. The T-Jaws is a sporty, waterproof jacket with a removable full sleeve, thermal liner. It's hard to find winter gear that's cut specifically for sportbike riding. After all, who rides their sportbike in the Fall or for more than 15 minutes at a time? (ME!) Perfectly fit for your more aggressive riding positions.

Dainese Elysee D Dry

$369.95. Size Euro 38-54 (~US 0-16) The Elysee D Dry jacket is a jacket with a really simple, clean look. Something that would work well around town if you don't want a "motorcycle" look. To me it looks like a casual, winter coat. But the bonus is that this one is waterproof, fully armored on the shoulders and elbows and abrasion resistant. If only I needed *another* jacket....

Alpinestars Stella Bogota Drystar

$349. S-2XL. The Bogota is all new for Fall 2014, it's more ventilated than the Andes, with extra vents to help you push this through 4 seasons. In my mind it's better as a 3 season cold jacket (Fall, Winter, Spring) but if you live somewhere with mild summers you could definitely wear it year round. There's even a matching pant! I think the fit on Bogota is a bit slimmer (like New Land) than the Andes as well.

Icon 1000 Fairlady

$535. XS-2XL. I'm not normally an Icon fan but I actually like the Fairlady. The fit is nice and they're using a really nice grade of leather to make this jacket fit and feel more luxurious. If you like brown, this one's available in that color as well. The high collar and vest liner helps but you'll need to wear a good winter baselayer to keep you warm.

Taichi Drymaster Prime

Check out my recent blog post about the Drymaster here.

ICON Akorp 1000 Jacket Review by Moto Lady

Go check out Moto Lady's review of this pretty cool looking women's motorcycle jacket.

Gorgeous pics too!

Reason #1,300,394 why motorcyclists should wear gear.

(Photo credit: HFL.com)

I love reader emails. I got this lovely note from a reader recently and had to share this article he mentioned. Thanks TH!

Hi Joanne,

Love your segments on Wheelnerds and Pace podcasts.  Please keep up the very informative + timely info. 

Anyways, thought you may like this article from HFL and maybe reference it next time on the Pace (perhaps even a link on your site)

I liked it 'cause you rarely see such a detailed review of gear and how it worked after rolling along the tarmac.

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2012/02/this-is-the-city-gear-that-saved-my-life/

(make sure you view their article in Full Site mode if you're on a mobile phone, as the article is blocked unless you view the full site)

This is indeed a very good article about how even basic street gear can save your body parts from serious injury.  Normally, HFL closes articles after a certain period of time (12 hours) unless you're a paid subscriber. But luckily, they decided to keep this one open permanently, given how important the message is.