What is the history of motorcycle vests? Why do people wear them?
May 17th, 2009 Posted by: admin
I was just curious what the meaning behind or reason for motorcycle vests are? Did they start off with clubs wanting something or was there a practical reason for them? I was just curious because a jacket makes more sense in terms of protection, why a vest?
By: chicagosucks82
By: chicagosucks82
Tags: History Of Motorcycle, History People, Why Do People
May 18th, 2009 at 08:40
Just a guess:
Club members needed to display their club logo in both cold and hot weather. In some organizations it is tradition to wear the original emblems presented to the member, plus any consequent awards, symbols of office, etc. so being able to transfer them to a riding jacket would be easiest accomplished by putting said logo on a cut-off denim brush jacket. Leather vests are more durable and became popular as inexpensive imports became available. People emulating club members sew generic patches on them as a fashion statement.
(Not everyone dresses for “the fall”.)
May 20th, 2009 at 16:15
People wanted to show off their patches but didn’t want to wear that hot leather jacket all the time. the way to still look and feel cool was a leather vest.
May 21st, 2009 at 16:19
Cowboys wore vests long before bikes were invented. I guess a jacket would have made more sense as well, but actually a vest does help keep you warm while not restricting your arm movement. The vest helps keep your core temperature up, which allows your body to divert blood flow to your extremities, keeping them warm. Try one and you’ll know what I mean.
As far as bikers go, if you’ve ever done any long distance cold weather riding (as in winter, below freezing temps), you know that wearing layers is necessary for keeping warm. When you get very many layers on that have sleeves, it’s very difficult to bend your elbows, which makes your shoulders ache.
May 24th, 2009 at 16:20
Your question is a great one. One that strangely I have never questioned or thought about before today. Yet I wear vests all the time.
One possible hypothesis is that it started as a means to show club affiliation. Another possibility is that early riders wanted to identify with the wild west spirit. Being free and out in the open with the can-do attitude was something early riders and the cowboys of yesteryear had in common.
Of course, it might be as simple as watching WAY to many John Wayne movies while growing up. I know I did. I’ve always liked vests, riding or not.
Great Question
Ride Safe