Keeping your motorcycle gear in peak condition is important not just for how it looks but for your safety – you might say, there’s a lot riding on it!
Once you’ve settled on a favourite pair of jeans or jacket, and worn them in, and they’ve become a faithful friend in pretty much every and any riding situation, you’ll want them to last forever.
We have all heard about the denim aficionados are reluctant to wash their jeans, but motorcycle jeans are different. Not washing them means that they will inevitably degrade over time, thanks to grime, grease and sweat - especially in hot weather. Lined jeans will feel hotter and stickier than single-layer jeans, so are likely to need more frequent washing.
Today’s hi-tech fabrics and armours create great-fitting, comfortable jeans and jackets that are virtually indestructible – they aim to minimise impact in a fall and save your skin when sliding along the tarmac. That is especially true as you go up the safety ratings – so AAA (for example, Roadskin’s Paranoid and Taranis Elite) will last longer than A rated jeans (eg City). To help you keep your bike gear looking sharp and staying safe, we’ve put together the following dos and don’ts:
How do I wash my Roadskin armoured motorbike jeans?
DO:
- Remove all armour and any removable layers (wash these separately).
- Fasten up all the zips and buttons to avoid damaging the fabric.
- Turn the jeans inside out to maintain the colour and help protect the outer fibres.
- Check the wash and care label. Your bike jeans can be washed gently at a low temperature (30°) in the washing machine, using a non-bio detergent. Just check that the detergent does not contain bleach – over time it will degrade the Kevlar fibres. Use a programme with a low spin setting (800rpm)
DON’T:
- Use fabric conditioner.
- Dry clean, as the chemicals will damage your jeans.
- Tumble dry your jeans - allow them to dry naturally. If hanging outside, turn them inside-out.
How do I dry my motorcycle jeans?
DO:
- Dry them flat to help keep the shape
- Hang them away from direct sunlight to prevent colour fade and UV damage to the aramid fibres
DON’T:
- Tumble dry – but, we understand that sometimes you might be in a hurry to wear them. If you must, make it short and on a warm setting - not hot. If you’re wearing and washing your bike jeans frequently, it’s better to have a couple of pairs you can wear on rotation.
How do I wash my Roadskin Easyrider II Hoodie?
DO:
- Remove all armour and any removable layers (wash these separately).
- Fasten up all the zips and buttons to avoid damaging the fabric.
- Check the wash and care label. Your hoodie can be washed gently at a low temperature (30°) in the washing machine, using a non-bio detergent. Use a programme with a low spin setting (800rpm)
DON’T:
- Use fabric conditioner.
- Dry clean, as the chemicals will damage your hoodie.
- Tumble dry your hoodie
How do I dry my Hoodie:
- Place a strong hanger in your hoodie, hang up and allow it to dry naturally. You may notice some water dripping even after a spin. This is normal as it is where the water has been trapped between the outer layer and the waterproof liner. Bear this in mind when hanging and place a towel underneath.
How do I wash my Roadskin Munro Shirt/Austin Gilet
DO:
- Remove all armour and any removable layers (wash these separately).
- Fasten up all the zips and buttons to avoid damaging the fabric.
- Turn the garment inside out to maintain the colour and help protect the outer fibres.
- Check the wash and care label. Your garment can be washed gently at a low temperature (30°) in the washing machine, using a non-bio detergent. Just check that the detergent does not contain bleach – over time it will degrade the Kevlar fibres.
-
Use a programme with a low spin setting (800rpm)
DON’T:
- Use fabric conditioner.
- Dry clean, as the chemicals will damage your garment.
- Tumble dry your garment- allow it to dry naturally.
How do I dry my Roadskin Munro Shirt/Austin Gilet
- Re-shape the garment whilst wet. Place a strong hanger in your jacket, hang up and allow it to dry naturally.
How do I wash my bike armour?
Wipe clean with a solution of multipurpose cleaner or in a washing-up bowl with detergent..
How do I wash my Roadskin casual wear (T-Shirts etc)
- Please follow the instructions on the care label inside the garment.
And finally…
At Roadskin, we always tell our customers to avoid wearing their favourite bike jeans in a workshop environment. Oil stains are difficult to remove, but battery acid and other corrosive materials will destroy your jeans.
Quality motorcycle jeans are an investment, but they might just save your life. Looking after them is pretty straightforward – and if you take care of them, they will take care of you. We hope that’s covered everything, but if you have any other questions about maintaining your Roadskin jeans, please feel free to contact the team.
