Getting Into Your Pants

Will the seams burst when you hit the ground? Seam failure is the most common failing in motorcycle clothing.

Testing is the only way to be sure that seams are strong enough to hold, but you can check for the following:

• Check the stitching. It should be regular with no dropped stitches, which indicate a potentially weakened seam.
• Leather should have 11-14 stitches per inch, fabric should have 13-16 stitches per inch. Too few stitches, means the seam will be too weak, but too many stitches will actually weaken the fabric.
• Additional layers should be double stitched.
• Additional layers MUST be stitched on top of the main protective layer, rather than a separate double section that is inserted into the garment. Check inside the garment to ensure there is no gap in the main protective layer. You may need to feel through the lining.