Why Are Motorcycle Vests So Short? Here's the Real Answer.
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Why You Cut Me Short?
The Real Reason Riding Vests Are Cropped — And Why Ours Aren’t.
From a pattern-making standpoint, most motorcycle vests on the market today are wrong.
Not bad — just borrowed.
See, they weren’t designed for motorcycles. They were inherited from ranch life.
The classic silhouette? It comes straight from the Levi’s denim jacket — a crop-cut piece made for cowboys. Built short so you could sit comfortably in a high-backed Western saddle. You needed mobility around the waist to rope, twist, move cattle, get sh*t done.
But we’re not on horses anymore.
You’re not reaching for a lasso — your hands are on the bars.
You’re not twisting in the saddle — you’re bracing for wind.
And when you ride, your gear moves. It shifts. It rises.
So that vintage crop?
It might look cool — but on the road, it leaves your lower back hanging out, letting every cold gust cut straight up your spine.
That’s why we don’t cut corners — or backs.
At Crank & Stroker, we build with the rider in mind. We add length to account for the seated riding position. So when your arms go forward, your vest doesn’t ride up. Your shirt stays tucked, your back stays covered, and you stay focused.
Small detail. Big difference.
It’s not just heritage — it’s function, reengineered.
🔧 And now a word from my sponsor...
Our Breakout Vest wasn’t built for ranch hands. It was built for road men. Designed with a longer cut to keep you covered where it counts — from the first mile to the last.