How to Clean and Condition a Leather Motorcycle Jacket

Leather that never gets conditioned dries out, and dry leather cracks under stress. That matters when the whole point of the jacket is to hold together in a slide. Proper care takes a few minutes, a few times a year.

Wipe it down after wet or dirty rides

Road grime, salt, bug residue, left to sit, all of it dulls and dries the leather over time. A damp cloth after a dirty ride, wiped over and left to air dry away from direct heat, is all routine cleaning needs. No need for anything more aggressive after a normal ride.

Condition it two or three times a year

Use a conditioner made for garment leather, not a generic furniture or boot product. Those can leave a residue or discolour the surface. Apply it sparingly with a clean cloth, work it in, let it absorb before wearing the jacket again. If you're riding through Perth summers, lean toward the more frequent end of that schedule. Heat and UV dry leather out faster than most people expect.

What to avoid

Don't machine wash or tumble dry it. That will ruin the leather and can damage stitching and armour pockets. Skip direct heat when you're trying to dry it faster, since heaters and direct sun can stiffen and crack the surface. And where the armour is removable, take it out before cleaning, so pads aren't sitting in damp leather.

Storage between rides

Hang jackets and suits on a wide hanger rather than folding them. It helps them hold their shape and stops creasing at the elbows and shoulders. Somewhere with reasonable airflow is better than a sealed plastic bag, which traps moisture.

Looked after properly, a good leather suit or jacket will outlast several seasons of regular riding without much trouble. If you're due for a new one and want it built around your own measurements rather than a stock size, have a look through our custom leather jackets and race suits.