Rule 1: If you want your motorcycle leathers to last a long time then you have to take good care of them.
Let's make this simple guys:
Neglected leathers will dry out and the stitching will rot so they fall to pieces
Properly cared for leathers increase in beauty as they get older.
Easy isn't it?
The basic idea behind leather conditioning is to replace the natural oils that the leather loses during daily wear. These oils look after your leather, keeping it supple, and helping it to repel water and dirt which can cause damage. Skidmore's Biker Edition Leather Cream is an ideal replacement. You will then need to waterproof your leather so try Skidmore's Biker Edition Beeswax Waterproofer.
How often you condition your leathers depends on how hard and how often you ride. I normally recommend treating your leathers every 3-4 months of active riding. However, if conditions are harsh you may find it necessary to do so more often. For example, if you are caught in a torrential thunderstorm on a Welsh hillside you may need to condition your leathers after they dry to replace oils that were lost to the rain.
Note: If you ever notice that your leathers feel dry or stiff, it is a sign that they need to be conditioned. Try to avoid letting them reach that state. Prevention is much better (and cheaper) than cure!
The conditioning process:
Always clean your leathers before you condition them. If you condition dirty or wet leathers, the conditioning oils will trap the water and dirt in the leather causing it to degrade faster.
If your leathers are not noticeably dirty, wipe them down with a slightly damp cloth and let them dry at room temperature overnight.
If your leathers need a more thorough cleaning I recommend using a mild leather cleaner such as saddle soap (see instructions below) or better still, Lexol leather cleaner. Always hang your leathers up and allow them to air dry completely at room temperature before you condition or waterproof them.
Next, get a pot of Skidmore's Biker Edition Leather Cream and work the stuff into your leathers paying special attention to seams and areas which get very wet - the chest and legs for a start. Skidmore's smells great and is made from beeswax and other natural ingredients so get stuck in and do a really good job. Use your fingers to rub it in as the heat from your hands will help the leather to absorb more of the cream.
It is worth repeating that beeswax based products waterproof by blocking the pores of your leathers. This can also trap dirt and moisture so be careful to clean and dry your leather properly before you start to apply the cream.
If you have conditioned a garment allow it to sit for half an hour and completely absorb the Skidmore's cream. At this point you can give your leathers an application of Skidmore's Biker Edition Waterproofing if necessary. Use the same technique for application. When you have finished, wipe off any excess conditioner/waterproofer with a clean dry cloth.
Now hang your garment in a warm dry place overnight and let the product soak right into the leather so it won't feel greasy to the touch.
All done? - Now go ride your bike!
