Harley-Davidson® Men’s Metonga Switchback™ Lite Riding Jacket, Black (98393-19VM)

The Harley-Davidson Men’s Metonga Switchback Lite Riding Jacket is a black, all-season textile motorcycle jacket with zip-away mesh panels for cooling, armor pockets at the shoulders and elbows, and a Teflon-coated 600-denier canvas shell that resists dirt and light rain.

Overview: A Riding Jacket Built for Every Season

Finding one Lite Riding Jacket that works in July heat and an October evening ride is hard, and most riders end up owning two or three. The Metonga Switchback Lite Riding Jacket solves that problem with a “switchback” venting system: unzip the front, back, and side panels and mesh opens underneath for airflow, then zip them closed and the jacket becomes a wind and weather-resistant shell. It’s part of Harley-Davidson’s MotorClothes® line, sold through Harley-Davidson’s official site and authorized dealers, and it follows the same layered-venting logic that RevZilla’s Common Tread recommends for riders who want one jacket to cover multiple seasons.

If you’re comparing textile jackets for daily commuting, touring, or weekend rides, this page breaks down everything you need, from fit to materials to armor compatibility, so you can order with confidence.

Key Features at a Glance

• Switchback venting: zip-and-stash panels on the front, back, and sides reveal mesh underneath for on-the-fly cooling airflow
• Coolcore® lining at the neck and cuffs (pulse points) for an active cooling effect in hot weather, similar to the venting strategies covered in RevZilla’s guide to summer motorcycle jackets
• 600-denier polyester canvas shell with a Teflon coating that helps repel dirt and light moisture
• Reinforced elbows and shoulders built for abrasion resistance during a low-speed spill
• Armor-ready pockets at the shoulders and elbows for lightweight CE-style armor (sold separately), plus a back pocket sized for Dainese Pro-Armor inserts, the kind of protection standard covered in Motorcyclist’s rider gear guides
• Action back and pre-curved sleeves for a natural riding posture instead of a boxy street-jacket fit
• Adjustable waist tabs to dial in fit over layers
• Multiple pockets: zippered hand-warmer and chest pockets, an interior stash pocket, and an interior zip pocket with a media port for headphone cables
• 3M™ Scotchlite™ reflective piping for low-light visibility
• Embroidered and printed Harley-Davidson graphics with rubber patch detailing

Why Riders Trust This Jacket

Harley-Davidson has manufactured motorcycle apparel for well over a century, and the Metonga Switchback continues that lineage of function-first design: armor pockets sized for aftermarket protection, reflective materials for visibility, and a shell fabric chosen for road grime and light weather rather than fashion alone. Riding publications like Cycle World and RideApart consistently flag venting, abrasion resistance, and armor compatibility as the three factors that separate a real riding jacket from a “biker style” fashion jacket, and this jacket checks all three.

For riders who want a deeper look at how riding gear should fit into an overall safety setup, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and the American Motorcyclist Association both publish rider education resources worth reviewing before a long-distance trip. Long-haul riders planning multi-day routes may also find the Iron Butt Association’s gear guidance useful for choosing all-season layers like this one.

Fit, Sizing, and Layering

The Metonga Switchback is cut for an athletic “action back” riding posture rather than a standard streetwear fit; expect it to sit slightly closer through the shoulders when seated on a bike. It runs true to size for most riders, and extended sizing is available for larger frames. Because the armor pockets accept lightweight inserts sold separately, you can start with the shell and add protection as your budget allows, following the same fit-then-armor approach RevZilla’s jacket sizing guide walks riders through.

Shopping for the right size or a matching set? Browse the full Men’s Riding Jacket collection for size charts and companion pieces, or check the Women’s Riding Jacket collection if you’re outfitting a riding partner.

Materials and Construction

How to Care for the Lite Riding Jacket

• Spot-clean the canvas shell with a damp cloth; avoid machine washing, which can degrade the Teflon coating
• Air-dry away from direct heat to protect the Coolcore lining
• Store on a wide hanger to keep the action-back shaping intact
• Check armor pocket inserts periodically for wear if you’ve added aftermarket armor

Frequently Asked Questions Lite Riding Jacket

Is the Metonga Switchback Lite Riding Jacket waterproof? No. The 600-denier canvas shell with Teflon coating repels dirt and light rain, but it is not a fully waterproof jacket. For sustained heavy rain, pair it with a rain shell layered underneath the outer canvas.

Does the Lite Riding Jacket come with armor included? No. The jacket has armor-ready pockets at the shoulders, elbows, and back, but the CE-style armor inserts, including Dainese Pro-Armor for the back pocket, are sold separately.

What size should I order Lite Riding Jacket? The jacket fits true to size with an athletic, action-back cut designed for a seated riding position. Extended sizing is available for larger frames; check the size chart on the men’s jacket collection page before ordering.

Can I wear this Lite Riding Jacket year-round? It’s built as a 3-season jacket, strong for spring, summer, and fall riding thanks to the switchback venting. For deep winter riding, a heavier insulated jacket is a better fit.

How is this different from a standard mesh riding jacket? Unlike a fixed-mesh summer jacket, the Metonga Switchback lets you zip the mesh panels closed for wind and light-weather protection, making it more versatile across changing conditions in a single ride.

Ready to Gear Up?

The Metonga Switchback Lite Riding Jacket is built for riders who don’t want to own three jackets for three seasons. Add it to your cart now, or explore the complete men’s motorcycle jacket range and women’s motorcycle jacket range at Flick Leathers to find matching gear, armor inserts, and cold-weather layers for your next ride.