The Barracuda jacket by Teknic is as stylish as it is functional.

No longer are women riders relegated to wearing men's riding gear. For the past several years, manufacturers of motorcycle clothing have stepped up in a big way, offering plenty of styles and a range of sizes for women. We've also witnessed a host of technological advancements in outwear, so motorcyclists are demanding more from their riding apparel.

The cruiser crowd typically wears leather from head to toe, but leather has limitations in inclement weather. More riders want their gear to serve multiple purposes. The best garments are those that also hold up in the rain and are functional in a range of temperatures.

As a V-twin dealer, are you carrying more than leather? There are several companies offering cruiser-style textile garments. The best have some waterproof material, like Gore-Tex or Hipora, built in. These cost a little more, but a customer can rationalize a higher price by eliminating the purchase of rain gear.

Look for jackets with a full-length removable liner — one that has arms. The liner should have a type of insulation sewn into it. Thinsulate is a quality brand name of insulation.

Another feature to look for is the removable armor. Generally speaking, women are more safety-conscious than men, so jackets or pants offering optional armor are more attractive garments.

Leather is still the mainstay of many cruiser riders, and no matter how great textiles are, some riders will never switch. Leather has made great strides in recent years, too. Some leather makers offer the option of removable armor. Armor is one of those things that most cruiser riders don't know they need until it's offered to them. Historically, clothing for cruiser riders did not offer armor. Now that it's available, some riders like the option of being able to insert the protective foam pads in their shoulders, elbows, hips and knees when they want to.

Another feature to look for in jackets you stock is lots of zippered pockets, some inside, some out. Traditional riding jackets have one inside chest pocket and a couple of hand-warmer style pockets on the outside. Jacket designers are doing their research into what riders want, and today's top-quality jackets have at least four pockets, two inside and two outside. Some jackets even have an additional pocket designed for a cell phone. The pockets are deep, they have zippers instead of snaps, the zippers are of the top quality YKK brand, and there are zipper pulls long enough for gloved fingers to grip. Riders of both genders can appreciate all these thoughtful features.

Venting, already part of textile garments, is also now making its way into leathers. Functional vents have a mesh liner inside allowing air to circulate inside the jacket. More and more riders are appreciating this feature.

Another jacket feature that both women and men can appreciate is soft material on the inside collar. High-quality jackets are lined with fleece or other comfortable material. If the jacket has a mandarin collar with a snap closure at the neck, check to see if there is a place to stow the strap when it's not snapped. Better quality jackets incorporate what's called a stowaway snap.

Genevieve Schmitt

Most men entering the V-twin side of motorcycling may be content with one classic-styled biker jacket. But women are more choosey. They research their purchases. Most want to know everything that's out there before buying. If a woman walks into her local V-twin dealership and finds limited offerings, she'll most likely buy from another dealer or online.

Genevieve Schmitt is the founder of Women Riders Now, a marketing and consulting company. E-mail her at: gschmitt@womenridersnow.com