The Best Sportbike Motorcycle Jackets for the 2021 Season
We’d Know: We’ve Hands-On Tested 200+ Jackets Since 2000
Recommendations by Segment:
Mid-Range
Priced under $500, mid-range jackets offer a great blend of protection and features.
A note about our recommendations:
There’s a lot of fake “review sites” online today. We get it. We aren’t one of them. Founded in 2000, the team at wBW has extensively tested more than 2,500 pieces of gear. Helmets, jackets, boots, gloves, accessories, and more. We extensively and exhaustively test gear. We do not fluff reviews. Read our review policies.
Priced under $300
Best Entry-Level Sportbike Motorcycle Jacket
Sedici Corsa Perforated Leather Jacket
Price: $300
Where to Buy
Why?
The Corsa Perforated Leather jacket from Sedici brings the combination of street and race track closer together than ever before. On the street, you have 1.1 to 1.3 mm thick race-grade cowhide leather, perforated at high heat zones to allow airflow to keep you cool. For the track, you have removable PU elbow sliders, aramid fiber reinforcement for the elbows and forearms, CE level II armor at the elbow and shoulders, and space for a back protector provided. For both, you have a moisture-wicking mesh liner, tapered wrists to fit inside gauntlet gloves, and all zippers are the highest quality YKK. For $300, you really can’t do much better!
Specs
- 1.1mm-1.3mm race-grade cowhide construction
- Double and triple safety stitching with an aggressive sport fit
- Localized perforation at shoulders chest, torso, and back for maximum airflow
- Aramid reinforcement at forearms and elbows
- Neoprene and Amara suede inner collar for comfort
- Pro racing-derived printed logos and graphics keep weight to a minimum and keeps leather flexible
- CE level 2 certified armor at elbow and shoulders
- Pocket to add CE back protector (sold separately)
- Moisture-wicking anti-microbial mesh liner with 3D air mesh panels
- Vented ergonomic shoulder protector with leather insert
- Reinforced 4-way stretch inserts at arms and chest
- 2-piece ergonomic TPU elbow protector with replaceable low friction polyurethane slider
- Tapered neoprene wrist cuff with auto-locking YKK zipper
- Elasticated leather stretch panels at the shoulders, upper arms, and elbows to reduce fatigue
- Short and full connection zipper to attach to leather riding pant to form 2-piece suit
- Dual adjusters at hips
- Reflective details
- YKK zippers used throughout
Protection & Safety
- Race grade cowhide is designed to survive slides at speeds over 160 MPH
- Removable PU pucks on the elbows give you both track day slide protection, and everyday comfort when removed
- CE Level II armor for elbows and shoulders
- Aramid (Kevlar) reinforced lining for forearms and elbows, the most likely slide and tumble zones for the upper body on a track
REV’IT! Eclipse Jacket
Price: $179
Where to Buy
Why?
The name of the game with the REV’IT Eclipse is comfort and lightness. The Eclipse is a lightweight and stylish sports jacket with CE level 1 armor in the shoulders and elbows. You can add in a CE level 2 back protector (sold separately). This mesh jacket is ideal for hot summer riding, less so for early spring or late fall riding.
REV’IT avoids unnecessary complexity, focusing instead on strong fundamentals. The result is a basic, but not cheap, mesh riding jacket.
Specs
- Polyester 600D mesh outer shell
- Available in five colors
Overview Video
RevZilla has done an excellent job showcasing the Eclipse jacket. Watch the video here.
Priced $300 – $500
Best Midrange Sportbike Riding Jackets
Dainese Super Rider D-Dry
Price: $499
Where to Buy
Why?
Three-season rideability is a big deal for most riders. Unless you live along the equator, you’re going to face temperatures that vary wildly. Your gear should keep you comfortable and safe. The Dainese Super Rider D-Dry jacket is a great three-season option, with a textile shell that features leather inserts. It’s water-resistant and comes equipped with a removable thermal liner. And, of course, it looks badass too. What’s not to love?
Specs
- Removable composite protectors certified to EN 1621.1 standard
- Aluminum inserts on the shoulders
- Removable light thermal liner with breathable waterproof D-Dry membrane
- Mugello fabric – think of it as space-age stretch material that is oil and water repellent
In-Depth Review
Ride With Rahul has a great review video on this jacket – be sure to give it a watch.
Alpinestars GP Plus R v3 Airflow
Price: $499
Where to Buy
Why?
The GP Plus R v3 Airflow jacket is designed from the outset to be your preferred warm and hot weather sport jacket. Perforated 1.3mm cowhide allows for impressive ventilation, while stretch fabric and accordion zones allow for ultimate comfort while either upright or in a race tuck. Nucleon Flex Plus (CE level I rated) armor is at the shoulders and elbows, and it’s so light and flexible it doesn’t feel like there’s armor there at all. But rest assured, the armor is there and it’s some of the best that Alpinestars has ever made.
Specs
Specs:
- Premium 1.3mm bovine leather construction
- Localized perforations for improved ventilation
- High Resistant Stretch Fabric (HRSF) strategically positioned for comfort
- Included Nucleon Flex Plus CE Level 1 armor on shoulder and elbow
- Pockets for optional Nucleon KR-Ci chest and back protectors (sold separately)
- Accordion leather stretch panels on back and shoulder
- HRSF polyamide stretch material on sleeves for an optimized fit mobility
- Waist adjustment
- Low profile collar with soft edging and 3D mesh liner
- Two zippered hand pockets and two inner pockets
- Inner waterproof document pocket
- Zippered ventilation for improved airflow
- Reflective inserts
- Meets CE Category II PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 – AA class for protective riding garments
Protection & Safety
- CE Cat II PPE AA certification means that this jacket is only one step below international race-grade certification, and is track approved for North America
- Nucleon Flex Armor is super lightweight as well as able to take enormous impacts and distribute that force effectively
- Chest and back protector pockets allow for you to bring this jacket to full race spec with optional armor
- 1.3mm cowhide is highly abrasion resistant and can survive slides from high speeds.
Priced $500 and up
Best High-End Sportbike Motorcycle Jackets
Alpinestars Core
Where to Buy
Price: $589.95
Why?
This jacket offers great protection without sacrificing any of the comforts that riders want on a long ride or even just a fast trip across town. The Core is definitely designed with a sportbike rider in mind as the ergonomic shape conforms to your body in an aggressive crouch position without any binding or bulging in the arms or torso areas.
Kathy reviewed the Core in January 2019 and has great things to say about it. Check it out.
Specs, Head Shape, & More
- The main construction is 1.1mm thick full-grain leather
- CE level 1 armor in the elbows, shoulders, optional CE level 2 armor in the back
- Removable thermal liner
Our In-Depth Review
Kathy noted that the core provides excellent comfort and abrasion protection, as well as impressive airflow. Given that she lives in Arizona, that part is particularly important to her. Read her full review…
Dainese Avro 4
Price: $680
Where to Buy
Why?
Replacing the Avro D1, the Avro 4 is an aggressive race jacket. Removable aluminum composite shoulder armor, composite armor in the elbows, and premium Tutu cowhide leather. The Avro 4 also has a removable thermal liner, making this race-centric jacket surprisingly functional in cooler riding. This is a serious leather sportbike jacket that offers top-end features and function to its wearer.
Specs
- Composite protectors certified to EN 1621.1 standard on elbows
- Pocket for optional G1 or G2 back protector (sold separately)
- Removable composite protectors certified to EN 1621.1 Standard on shoulders
- Thermoformed shoulders with interchangeable aluminum plates
- S1 bi-elastic fabric
- Tutu cowhide leather
- Removable thermal liner that can be used separately
- Reflective inserts
Video Review
Have a look at the RevZilla overview video for more details.
