Nearly as long as there have been motorcycles, there have been leather motorcycle jackets. The first motorcycle jackets evolved from the aviator jackets worn by the World War I and World War II fighter pilots. The jackets had narrow collars and were fastened down the front by buttons. At that time, all of the jackets were made of horsehide leather because there was an abundance of this material due to the number of farmers who tended horses. Eventually, the buttons on the motorcycle jacket were replaced by a zipper.

Following World War II, aviators commonly took to motorcycles as a way to recapture the exhilaration they experienced as pilots. They continued to wear their same aviator jackets while riding motorcycles. Marlon Brando epitomized the leather motorcycle jacket when he appeared in the 1953 movie “The Wild One” about two rival motorcycle gangs. Since then, leather jackets became synonymous with motorcycles. The leather jacket also became a status symbol for the rough crowds who defied societal conventions as depicted in many of the early movies featuring motorcycle gangs. Soon kids’ motorcycle jackets started showing up in schools. In fact, because of what the jacket represented, most public schools prohibited students from wearing motorcycle apparel on school campuses.

As time went on, the same look and feel of the leather jackets remained. You didn’t put on the jacket to be warm; you put it on to be in style with the biking crowd. If you were into biking, you wore a motorcycle jacket. All motorcyclists who rode with clubs sported the jacket to create a sense of camaraderie and belonging. This same attitude toward motorcycle apparel still exists.

Leather jackets eventually shed their outlaw image which created an opportunity for clothing manufacturers to begin creating designs that catered to a more diverse biking population. Kids’ motorcycle jackets became common. Women, who once only rode on the back, began piloting their own machines. Leather was still the apparel of choice, but women started donning leather outfits that aligned more with their style and personalities.

The historical black leather jacket is still the most popular form of motorcycle apparel and is unlikely to go out of style. Still, leather jacket designs and fashions are becoming more eclectic and individualistic. Therefore, clothing and apparel designers are creating more varieties in order to keep up with current fashion trends. But the historical sentiment derived from the original aviator-jacket-turned-motorcycle jacket will linger in the hearts of bikers for generations.

As the winter starts winding down and the days get longer, you’re probably getting eager to don that leather vest and your motorcycle chaps and get out on that first spring road trip. If you live in a place where the winter months are spent under a blanket of snow, then your motorcycle and motorbike gear has likely been sitting dormant for a few months. Just as it is hard for you to put your bike away for winter, the inactivity can be equally taxing on your bike. Rather than revving it up and hitting the road at the first sign of warm weather, you will enjoy safer and more rewarding rides as well as prolong the life of your motorcycle if you properly prepare your bike for the riding season.

A lot of what you do to get your bike and motorbike gear ready for spring depends on what you did to prepare it for winter storage. Your owner’s manual has a check list of tasks to complete before you store it. Performing these tasks will make your spring preparation easier and less expensive. You can do much of the maintenance yourself or have a qualified mechanic prepare the engine for use.

During the winter, condensation can build up in your fuel tank and carburetor. This can cause rust and corrosion in your fuel system. Before you put your bike in storage, you probably filled the tank and turned off the petcock (if it has one). Before you turn on the petcock, disconnect the fuel line and drain all the fuel from the tank. Clean the fuel filter and inspect the tank and the carburetor float bowl for rust or corrosion. Replace the fuel line and then fill it with fresh fuel.

If you changed your oil and filter before storing your bike, the oil should be fine. Check the oil to make sure it’s clean and free of moisture. Water gives oil a milky appearance which can eventually cause corrosion. If moisture did get into your oil, change it again and replace the filter-even if you changed it right before storing it.

This is a good time to put fresh fluid into the brake master cylinder and check the condition of your brake pads. If they worn or thin, replace them before you go riding very far. Also check the lubrication and the condition of the drive-line, chain, and sprockets. Check and change your fork oil if needed then look for any leaks wherever there is fluid-even minor leaks should be fixed.

Whether you do your own maintenance or use a mechanic, make sure you check the plugs, air filter, carb synch, wheel bearing, spoke tension, tire pressure, and make sure all plugs and fasteners are tight.

Finally, washing and applying a fresh coat of wax to your bike not only keeps it looking good, it can also prevent rust and corrosion from occurring. Thoroughly clean and dry everywhere moisture accumulates.

In addition to your bike, you might want to give your motorbike gear, leather vests, and motorcycle chaps some attention. Properly caring for your leather maintains that classic motorcycle leather look and feel as well as extends the life of your apparel.

If you take the time to properly prepare your motorcycle for riding after storing it, you will enjoy safe and worry-free season of riding. Regular maintenance will also prolong the life of your motorcycle.

When it comes protecting consumers from defective vehicles, almost all states have enacted lemon laws similar to the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act. these specific laws will vary from state-to-state with motorcycles being included in the laws.

If you purchase a motorcycle that turns out to be a lemon, you have warranty rights. Depending on your State’s laws, there is a process that will determine if the motorcycle is defective allowing you to receive reimbursement. Each state has determined a specific number of repair attempts that must be made before it is deemed a lemon. This is usually 3 or 4 unsuccessful repair attempts. The consumer must keep a record of the history of repair attempts and what type of repair was attempted within the manufacturer’s warranty period.

As well, the repair attempts must have taken place within a specific time period such as 24 months or 24,000 miles, or within 1 year or 12,000 miles. Leased motorcycles are also covered under these laws. The irreparable problem must prevent one from safely driving on the road or decreases its value. To get the specific protection law criteria for your State, you should check with your State’s lemon law summary.

If a manufacturer does not fulfill its responsibilities under the law statutes, you can use the federal lemon laws for compensation or replacement. If the manufacturer violates the state or federal lemon law, you have the right to sue the manufacturer for compensation or replacement. If you find your self in a situation where you have a defective motorcycle, it is recommended that you consult with an attorney that specializes in lemon law. The attorney will represent you in seeking a resolution. Specialized attorneys are very helpful because they are knowledgeable and experienced in all the related issues. As well, the manufacturer will also be ordered to pay your legal fees.

If you buy a motorcycle, it is important to keep up to date on your state’s lemon laws as they are always being updated. If your case goes to trial, you will have to show that you made a reasonable number of attempts at repair so it is important to keep good records. You have to show that the repair attempts never fixed the same problem and your motorcycle was in the repair shop for the specified time mandated by the lemon law of your state. If a defect makes driving the motorcycle dangerous, the manufacturer typically only gets one chance to make the repair.

These laws are not only there to protect cars and trucks, but also motorcycles. These laws are designed to protect the consumer, so if you think you have a defective motorcycle or you are having problem with a manufacturer in your attempt to get compensation or replacement, you should consult with a lemon law attorney.