Posted: 3/9/2009 6:45:32 PM EDT
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Hey
I'm looking for a good leather motorcycle jacket. Not a POS $99 riding jacket but something that will protect me if need be. Leather, not synthetic. Thoughts on sources? Thanks lads. |
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Quoted:
Hey I'm looking for a good leather motorcycle jacket. Not a POS $99 riding jacket but something that will protect me if need be. Leather, not synthetic. Thoughts on sources? Thanks lads. Not cheap but probably the best leather motorcycle jacket I've owned. Vanson Leathers They have optional spine protectors that fit in the back. |
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Quoted:
Hey I'm looking for a good leather motorcycle jacket. Not a POS $99 riding jacket but something that will protect me if need be. Leather, not synthetic. Thoughts on sources? Thanks lads. Why does it have to be leather? I'd take an Aerostitch over leather any day. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Hey I'm looking for a good leather motorcycle jacket. Not a POS $99 riding jacket but something that will protect me if need be. Leather, not synthetic. Thoughts on sources? Thanks lads. Why does it have to be leather? I'd take an Aerostitch over leather any day. Just personal preference bro, I like the classic look. |
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What kind of bike and riding?
If you're on a cruiser,you're probably looking for something considerably different than if you want to do some track days. Vanson is still more or less the benchmark of durable,tough leather.They have a cheap line made in Pakistan but most is still made here in Fall River,MA and you have the option of off the rack or custom.Vanson suits tend to be much heavier and stiffer than European or Asian leathers but they're tough as nails.If you want a race suit that's made in the US and good quality,it's hard to beat a Syed or Baracle Bills custom. OTOH,there are lots of decent makers of riding gear that's perfectly acceptable for much less and yup, new enough is a good place to look. I wear a Vanson or RS Taichi suit when sporty riding or having track time but mostly ride in an Aerostich Roadcrafter on the street.I spent years thinking there were for stodgy old men on VFR's and BMW's but then I got old too.It's dorky as all hell but man is it practical. |
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Nice stuff but no idea what I'm searching for... I want good leather that will keep the cold out when riding between 40-60 degrees for long trips on my BMW R1150R. Go electric.A vest does incredible things for keeping one warm on a bike. I've found that it's just much easier to layer under a textile suit and still be mobile than under leather.The leather does a better job of blocking wind but it either becomes constricting when layed up under it or has to be too baggy to be useful the rest of the time.A vest helps keep the core temps up,number of layers down and you can dial it down rather than need to shed and store more when it warms up on those rides that start cold or end after dark when you're riding through a range of temps. BTW bikes: Honda Hawk GT,MZ Skorpion,Suzuki Bandit,FZR400,Aprilia RSV-R |
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Langlitz Leathers
They'll even put an inside pocket in for you CCW 
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Hey I'm looking for a good leather motorcycle jacket. Not a POS $99 riding jacket but something that will protect me if need be. Leather, not synthetic. Thoughts on sources? Thanks lads. Why does it have to be leather? I'd take an Aerostitch over leather any day. Just personal preference bro, I like the classic look. Gotta go Vanson, then! |
gypsy leathers if your serious,they are the BEST!
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The Blue Oyster Bar?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rURf_oYp4eE&NR=1 |
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You want a custom made jacket.
Z Leathers - http://www.zcustom.com/ Bates Leathers - http://www.batesleathers.com/ Vanson Leathers - http://www.vansonleathers.com/ Syed - http://www.syedleathers.com/ |
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This is what I have:
Winter Jacket #1: Vanson Force, w/ GP armor 
Summer Jacket: Vanson Force, Perforated (w/ armor) 
For traditional cruiser jackets, Vanson's Force is the only one I'm aware of that has ARMOR capability. Leather only provides abrasion resistance, not impact resistance. Only armor can provide impact resistance. Avoid those cheap made in China Harley Davidson branded jackets; they're overpriced crap. At least Vanson stuff is made here in the US. PS YMMV but I avoid Schott of NYC as well, as they are "proudly union". 
PPS Vanson Force has a built in gun pocket! |
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Newenough.com Go now. /thread This. Get something with armor. I walked away from a crash that should've sent me to the hospital because I was wearing SIDI boots, leather pants with knee and hip armor that zipped to my jacket with elbow, shoulder, and back armor, a back protector, Held gloves, and a Shoei helmet. I was in France at the time. It would've sucked to be laid up in the hospital an ocean away from friends and family. All The Gear, All The Time. |
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This. |
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http://www.leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Jackets/Classic-Mens-TOP-GRADE-Biker-Motorcycle-Jacket/40174.html I bought a biker jacket from these folks for under $80.00...it's a 'grade A' , heavy duty, quilt-lined, really heavy leather jacket with good zippers. You can't go wrong!! I'll vouch for their quality on their "Classic Men's TOP GRADE Biker Motorcycle Jacket"!!  Don't blow 300-450 bucks for a biker jacket!! |
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I own a good number of Vanson products.
They are the real deal and are frankly worth the $$. Motorcycle leather is only one part of the equation. It must be thick enough to resist abrasion, and- a very important factor- the stitching must be up to the task on the jacket/pants. Vanson does not take shortcuts in these areas. One area they need to improve is their armor. They offer CE rated armor, but frankly it could be better. If you have the opportunity then go to the Vanson factory in Fall River. If you are an odd size then you might get lucky and find something on their racks at a significant discount. I have purchased a few used items there as well. Vanson also will do repairs, which can be a good thing. I rashed up one arm of a jacket and did an excellent job of repairing the "rashed" panels. You are going to have a tough time wearing out a Vanson. The old expression "Buy quality and cry once" applies to Vanson products. I use synthetic gear for commuting. It makes more sense than leather, but I don't pretend it would hold up as well in crash. If you are on the west coast then consider Johnson Leather. They sell the excellent Forcefield TPro armor, but they are also an "old school" leather shop. |
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New Enough is a good place to look. I hesitate to order from them since I'm in Texas, and I get charged tax on top of shipping. Often if their price is a little better than something somewhere else, I can still save ordering somewhere else due to the tax.
I did score a nice textile cold weather jacket from New Enough. It's a FirstGear jacket that was discontinued. Scored it for about $150 less than it normally went for. |