Size Matters - Motorcycle Clothing For Big Folks

Home > Size Matters - Motorcycle Clothing For Big Folks

Motostrano 360

It happens a lot. It's an awkward situation. It happened again today, so I have to write about it and hopefully help out some of the larger customers out there that want to be protected when they ride or race.

A big guy, very big guy - 6 foot 3, probably 270 lbs or so, maybe more, enters the shop and explains that he's looking for a new motorcycle jacket. Motorcycle clothing for big people isn't easy to find, though Motostrano stocks stuff up to 4XL.

I pull out two or three jackets, show them to the client and suggest that he try on the item. Sleeves get on, shoulders are in - now it comes time to get the jacket zipped up. I watch as the rider slightly tugs on the jacket and instantly gives up - with the comment "i need to lose some weight" thrown in for good measure, deducing that if this jacket won't fit like his favorite worn out hoody, this just isn't going to work for him.

From my point of view, 2 out of 3 of the jackets clearly fit him, but he just wasn't comfortable sucking in his gut and squeezing into the jacket. He wanted comfort first and foremost.

It's really hard, I think, to explain to a client that you've only just met that - man, you're going to be paying to be a little more uncomfortable than you already may be in this jacket that is designed to protect your body. In fact, you may not be very comfortable at all for a while. This jacket really isn't designed with the thought of improving the look of your figure. You're going to look even bigger in this jacket, you're going to sweat just putting it on, you're belly is going to be accentuated in this jacket, unlike your over-sized t-shirt, but it's ok, this is about protecting your skin, not how you look.

I think I understand some of the trepidation. Wearing this jacket, you're being asked to lug around another 10 lbs of cow on your back. You already heat up quick and now you're going to pile on a layer of leather, a liner, and shoulder armor. This jacket is going to restrict your body movement even further and it's going to hug your gut and love handles and all the rest like saran wrap. All of this will be displayed in wide open public as your ride down the lane. Sucks. Get over it and protect yourself.

Once again, this is about protection. Big guys and gals need to try on jackets with the sound knowledge that this thing is going to fit tight and is going to stretch out. A loose fitting protective garment - though it might better complement your body and hide some of the larger 'zones' - just isn't protective. If the lengths on the arms are there, if you can zip the item up with a little suckin' it in, you likely have a good fitting protective garment on your hands.

The largest stuff we sell actively is 2 to 3 XL. Some 4XL sizes as well, though mostly by Special order. European numbers - those skinny little bastards - go up to 64 and in most brands we sell, that's a narrow 64/54.