Aero Grand Theft Sale – who's going?

rocketeer said:

As a learner you have to do a basic training course. If you are over 25 with Direct Access it's not that bad as you can go on to a big bike straight away after passing the main test, in some cases you can even learn on a bigger bike. The other A1 A2 categories are mainly for the younger riders I believe. I'll be honest here, I passed a bike test in 1982 so it was still a basic tests with road knowledge, highway code and very basic motorcycle control. It usually changes every year making it more and more difficult for youngsters to get into biking.

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It's definitely getting complex... though probably as much to do with bikes getting ever bigger (it's not hard these days to find bikes with a bigger capacity engine than a lot of family cars!), and th old division between bikes and scooters and such breaking down as anything else.... I'm old enough to qualify to go the direct access routes, but given I'm looking at running a bike as a hobby thing rather than for commuting or anything, I think it's most likely I'll stick with something small. TBH, the only reason I'd even consider as big as 500cc would be that sexy Royal Enfield Classic 500! Otherwise, I might one day bump up to a 250cc if I felt the need. I'm looking eventually at the idea of donig day trips or taking it on a holiday out round Sussex, so that might eventually attract something bigger than a 125, have to see. I'm not really intersted in speed (certainly in a car I was never comfortable over 50...). Have a full car licence, so I need that plus CBT to go for the L plates, then after that I'll be in a position to look at bike size. From what I can make out currently, being over 24 I could go straight to a bigger bike, though I wouldn't mind waiting out the first two years to be fully conversant with it anyhow. Definitely more complicated than a car, where they just grind you down to something smaller with infated insurance costs! Still got to save the pennies for the bike to begin with, though., then I'll see. It'll take me that long to find a closed-face lid I'm happy with too.

Edward said:

It's definitely getting complex... though probably as much to do with bikes getting ever bigger (it's not hard these days to find bikes with a bigger capacity engine than a lot of family cars!), and th old division between bikes and scooters and such breaking down as anything else.... I'm old enough to qualify to go the direct access routes, but given I'm looking at running a bike as a hobby thing rather than for commuting or anything, I think it's most likely I'll stick with something small. TBH, the only reason I'd even consider as big as 500cc would be that sexy Royal Enfield Classic 500! Otherwise, I might one day bump up to a 250cc if I felt the need. I'm looking eventually at the idea of donig day trips or taking it on a holiday out round Sussex, so that might eventually attract something bigger than a 125, have to see. I'm not really intersted in speed (certainly in a car I was never comfortable over 50...). Have a full car licence, so I need that plus CBT to go for the L plates, then after that I'll be in a position to look at bike size. From what I can make out currently, being over 24 I could go straight to a bigger bike, though I wouldn't mind waiting out the first two years to be fully conversant with it anyhow. Definitely more complicated than a car, where they just grind you down to something smaller with infated insurance costs! Still got to save the pennies for the bike to begin with, though., then I'll see. It'll take me that long to find a closed-face lid I'm happy with too.

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The idea that you should learn on a small bike really isn't that important, especially if you aren't a young fool looking for speed.
I passed my motorcycle license at 28, in Belgium you learn on a 600 (unless you are less than 25) and that's that, get your license, get the bike you want, done. I honestly don't think learning on a smaller bike would have made any difference.
It's only once i started reading on American and Uk bike forums that i saw all these "don't go straight for a 600 or you will die, you need to learn on a 125 for x amount of time"
If you ride like a douche on a 125 you are going to get killed as fast as if it was a 600 or bigger...

Just get the bike you want, and be careful, respect it for what it is.

Funnily enough i rode my first 125 after spending a couple years on 600 and bigger, and i found the 125 super scary!
It is so light it wobbles all over the place, you don't have any power low down, the brakes are much worst than on a bigger bike, the tyres are smaller.
Honestly, it was terrifying compared to my 600!

ChiTownScion said:

Didn't make it across the pond for the big sale and as I saw no Irvins, B-6's, or B-3's in my size for the online list I'm kind of glad that I decided to hold on to my money-- for now.

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I didn't intend to spend anything serious, tried on loads and bought nothing except a pair of boots and a full price order. The main thing for me was to be there. Maybe coming this far for you would have been a little extravagant but I would have combined it into some kind of tour as I did.
To me it was great just meeting and talking with other enthusiasts, not just about jackets. I was wearing a Nurburgring T shirt which attracted some useful comments from some German motorcycle tourers about great roads to ride in their country and the tour of the Highlands they had just finished. An English couple gave me a run down on the Rock n Roll weekend events they attended as I had not been for about 15 years.
I think we have all seen the mugs but here's what also was on the freebie list
And when the Aero sale passes into legend which I am sure it will, I can honestly say "I was there"
Cheers, J

rocketeer said:

I didn't intend to spend anything serious, tried on loads and bought nothing except a pair of boots and a full price order. The main thing for me was to be there. Maybe coming this far for you would have been a little extravagant but I would have combined it into some kind of tour as I did.
To me it was great just meeting and talking with other enthusiasts, not just about jackets. I was wearing a Nurburgring T shirt which attracted some useful comments from some German motorcycle tourers about great roads to ride in their country and the tour of the Highlands they had just finished. An English couple gave me a run down on the Rock n Roll weekend events they attended as I had not been for about 15 years.
I think we have all seen the mugs but here's what also was on the freebie list
And when the Aero sale passes into legend which I am sure it will, can honestly say "I was there"
Cheers, J

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Hey John. Did you get to see your old famous a2 again? Cheers from Crete, Harris

Harris HTM said:

Hey John. Did you get to see your old famous a2 again? Cheers from Crete, Harris

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Yes mate, Ken said I can buy it back if I win the lottery. It's gone to a good home though

rocketeer said:

I didn't intend to spend anything serious, tried on loads and bought nothing except a pair of boots and a full price order. The main thing for me was to be there. Maybe coming this far for you would have been a little extravagant but I would have combined it into some kind of tour as I did.
To me it was great just meeting and talking with other enthusiasts, not just about jackets. I was wearing a Nurburgring T shirt which attracted some useful comments from some German motorcycle tourers about great roads to ride in their country and the tour of the Highlands they had just finished. An English couple gave me a run down on the Rock n Roll weekend events they attended as I had not been for about 15 years.
I think we have all seen the mugs but here's what also was on the freebie list
And when the Aero sale passes into legend which I am sure it will, can honestly say "I was there"
Cheers, J

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Good for you,seems like a good visit.
Bob

Edward said:

It's definitely getting complex... though probably as much to do with bikes getting ever bigger (it's not hard these days to find bikes with a bigger capacity engine than a lot of family cars!), and th old division between bikes and scooters and such breaking down as anything else.... I'm old enough to qualify to go the direct access routes, but given I'm looking at running a bike as a hobby thing rather than for commuting or anything, I think it's most likely I'll stick with something small. TBH, the only reason I'd even consider as big as 500cc would be that sexy Royal Enfield Classic 500! Otherwise, I might one day bump up to a 250cc if I felt the need. I'm looking eventually at the idea of donig day trips or taking it on a holiday out round Sussex, so that might eventually attract something bigger than a 125, have to see. I'm not really intersted in speed (certainly in a car I was never comfortable over 50...). Have a full car licence, so I need that plus CBT to go for the L plates, then after that I'll be in a position to look at bike size. From what I can make out currently, being over 24 I could go straight to a bigger bike, though I wouldn't mind waiting out the first two years to be fully conversant with it anyhow. Definitely more complicated than a car, where they just grind you down to something smaller with infated insurance costs! Still got to save the pennies for the bike to begin with, though., then I'll see. It'll take me that long to find a closed-face lid I'm happy with too.

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Edward. Please don't ever go down the royal Enfield route...I've done it..train't to Liverpool & rode an immaculate bullet back to Glasgow....absolutely terrified....they look lovely but in today's traffic forget it ....

My dad noticed that a lot of people were asking about William's jacket, so he's asked me to pass this info on...

The jacket is a 'one of' that I made myself in the studio (2014, maybe?) when I first started working on the Plainsman pattern. At the same time we were trying out different cuffs. I prefer to see a cuff in situ rather than as if it was cut off a jacket so each cuff design was put onto a finished jacket.


I had enough 1990s Horween A-2 Horse and an end of rayon to make one small jacket. Add a vintage deadstock zipper and a simple back and we have a typical 1950s Half Belt.

@Edward a 125 doesn't have a lot of go. They'll struggle to reach much more than 60, which would make them miserable on motorways, or on longer rides.

If you're after a retro bike, then the new Triumph Street Twin or Bonneville are probably your best options. They combine vintage looks with modern features, such as ABS and traction control. I'm biased because I currently run a Thruxton R.

Peter Mackin said:

Yes I rode the 125 & the 175 bantams..my 125 is now in Glasgow transport museum..my 1st bike was a 200 tiger cub.great way to earn a living when I 1st left school but I'm glad I motorcycle for fun now...my aero jackets don't get used on bike though..I wear vanson, belstaff or bks..peter

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Oh! I must have a look at my photos again, I've been there - was it on display in 2014, which is when I was there? I don't foresee riding in any of my current jackets - most likely I'll spec my J106 with that in mind. (I've been toying with the idea of seeing if a kevlar layer in the lining would be an option Aero could facilitate).

Cocker said:

Received the SJC Yard Boss yesterday, and it's an amazing piece of garment! I'll have to get used to the high raise, though.

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Takes a day or two the first time you wear a high rise, then after that, you'll find it hard to go back to anything else. So much comfier.

Carlos840 said:

The idea that you should learn on a small bike really isn't that important, especially if you aren't a young fool looking for speed.

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I know what you mean, but it's a legal requirement here in the UK. (I beleive you can go slightly bigger with your L plates at my age, but you have to be accompanied at all times by a qualifed rider, which limits it.)

Funnily enough i rode my first 125 after spending a couple years on 600 and bigger, and i found the 125 super scary!
It is so light it wobbles all over the place, you don't have any power low down, the brakes are much worst than on a bigger bike, the tyres are smaller.
Honestly, it was terrifying compared to my 600!

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I can imagine - switching from one to the other is quite a difference!

rocketeer said:

I didn't intend to spend anything serious, tried on loads and bought nothing except a pair of boots and a full price order. The main thing for me was to be there.

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If it had been more affordable for me to get there from London, I'd have done the same - I know exactly what you mean about the sense of 'being there'. Which boots did you order? I have my eye on the Jarrow Marchers. They looked nice enough when they first appeared on the website, but in person, they're just so much better. When they begin to conform to the foot and shape in a bit, they look amazing... I'm still trying to decide between the leather sole and the Dainite. I guess a pair of each is the obvious option....

Peter Mackin said:

Edward. Please don't ever go down the royal Enfield route...I've done it..train't to Liverpool & rode an immaculate bullet back to Glasgow....absolutely terrified....they look lovely but in today's traffic forget it ....

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I know the old Bullets had a reputation (for years I had my eye on the 350), though they've tightened it up a lot with the Classic 500.

cloudylemonade said:

My dad noticed that a lot of people were asking about William's jacket, so he's asked me to pass this info on...

The jacket is a 'one of' that I made myself in the studio (2014, maybe?) when I first started working on the Plainsman pattern. At the same time we were trying out different cuffs. I prefer to see a cuff in situ rather than as if it was cut off a jacket so each cuff design was put onto a finished jacket.


I had enough 1990s Horween A-2 Horse and an end of rayon to make one small jacket. Add a vintage deadstock zipper and a simple back and we have a typical 1950s Half Belt.

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Thanks, Holly! That makes sense, midweight horse A2 leather.... very nice. I love those cuffs - it's one of the things that draws me to the Sunburst as a design.

Graemsay said:

@Edward a 125 doesn't have a lot of go. They'll struggle to reach much more than 60, which would make them miserable on motorways, or on longer rides.

If you're after a retro bike, then the new Triumph Street Twin or Bonneville are probably your best options. They combine vintage looks with modern features, such as ABS and traction control. I'm biased because I currently run a Thruxton R.

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The Triumphs are lovely, but I can't see them making much sense money-wise, given I'm only gonig to be looking a bike for a bit of fun, really. Strictly A-road action. TBH, the idea of going at motorway speeds is terrifying. I was always fine around fifty whether in a car or pillion, but much faster than that.... yeesh. Put my foot down as far as 58 in the car once, with my dad encouraging me to go further... lasted all of sixty seconds before I backed way off. Heh.

Edward said:

If it had been more affordable for me to get there from London, I'd have done the same - I know exactly what you mean about the sense of 'being there'. Which boots did you order? I have my eye on the Jarrow Marchers. They looked nice enough when they first appeared on the website, but in person, they're just so much better. When they begin to conform to the foot and shape in a bit, they look amazing... I'm still trying to decide between the leather sole and the Dainite. I guess a pair of each is the obvious option....

The Triumphs are lovely, but I can't see them making much sense money-wise, given I'm only gonig to be looking a bike for a bit of fun, really. Strictly A-road action. TBH, the idea of going at motorway speeds is terrifying. I was always fine around fifty whether in a car or pillion, but much faster than that.... yeesh. Put my foot down as far as 58 in the car once, with my dad encouraging me to go further... lasted all of sixty seconds before I backed way off. Heh.

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Yes the Jarrow Marchers in Cordovan with the Dainite sole.

Bike wise the retro Triumphs hold their value well for resale, no one has to roar around to enjoy themselves, its up to the individual. Yes I like superbness for looks and speed but also can appreciate genuine old or retro.

Edward said:

Takes a day or two the first time you wear a high rise, then after that, you'll find it hard to go back to anything else. So much comfier.

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Haven't had time to wear it yet, except to try it (it's 30°C and over, way too much for 15oz denim!), but I'm not really worried about the comfort of the high rise. I'm just not sure the look is working for me. I have long legs and somewhat short body, so with the high rise, if I tuck my shirt in it, the look is kinda weird.

rocketeer said:

Yes the Jarrow Marchers in Cordovan with the Dainite sole.

Bike wise the retro Triumphs hold their value well for resale, no one has to roar around to enjoy themselves, its up to the individual. Yes I like superbness for looks and speed but also can appreciate genuine old or retro.

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I'll be interested to see your boots when they come through, that's the spec I was thinking for my first pair, as I've already got black and brown boots. The new Triumphs are gorgeous - friend of mine bought the first black Thruxton that came into the UK, cracking bike. Maybe one day, if I can justify the additional expense of insuring / running a bigger bike as a hobby ride....

Cocker said:

Haven't had time to wear it yet, except to try it (it's 30°C and over, way too much for 15oz denim!), but I'm not really worried about the comfort of the high rise. I'm just not sure the look is working for me. I have long legs and somewhat short body, so with the high rise, if I tuck my shirt in it, the look is kinda weird.

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If it's a look thing, give it a while.... you'll be surprised, I think, by how quickly it becomes 'normal' and makes sense to your eye, but you do need to give it a chance. Like anything else, I guess, it's down to what you're used to...

Edward said:

If it's a look thing, give it a while.... you'll be surprised, I think, by how quickly it becomes 'normal' and makes sense to your eye, but you do need to give it a chance. Like anything else, I guess, it's down to what you're used to...

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Sure I'll give it a try! It's a wonderful piece of craftsmanship, and at worst, I have some t-shirts slightly too short for my average trousers that I can wear untucked with them!

Plus, I think it'll look really good with the A-2.

Hi Edward ..yes that's the one on display...looking back it was a dream job for a raw 17yr old who loved motorbikes & leather jackets....now 43 years later nothings changed..apart from my hair & aching bones

Ok the Used Vintage Aero Cherry MC from the online sale arrived today! Lots of patina and looks great. Two things I have to seriously loose some more weight i.e. walk more plus weights etc. but it is definitely worth doing for this jacket and a couple of other jackets too! Plus the obvious fitness and health benefits. The Cherry Horse is broken in beautifully.

At first I thought it might be for a woman because the zipper was on the wrong side but then remembered the Zip falls on the opposite side for Barbour Jackets and figured what the hell it'll work just fine. Definitely a good jacket!

Denny added the corduroy lining to resolves some lining issues and did a superb job.

Thanks Guys this is a great jacket!

oneterrifichog said:

At first I thought it might be for a woman because the zipper was on the wrong side but then remembered the Zip falls on the opposite side for Barbour Jackets and figured what the hell it'll work just fine. Definitely a good jacket!

Denny added the corduroy lining to resolves some lining issues and did a superb job.

Thanks Guys this is a great jacket!

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It's a mans jacket, the zip does up to the right shoulder on a lancer style. I really liked this jacket as it does not have the small American style pocket for keys or condoms. As the puller is on the left side(when wearing) I would think it has been made up to represent an English jacket.
As I said in an earlier post the patina is fantastic, the colour is just not me, or it would be me posting pics of it.
Probably the best looking jacket on the racks in my opinion

oneterrifichog said:

Ok the Used Vintage Aero Cherry MC from the online sale arrived today! Lots of patina and looks great. Two things I have to seriously loose some more weight i.e. walk more plus weights etc. but it is definitely worth doing for this jacket and a couple of other jackets too! Plus the obvious fitness and health benefits. The Cherry Horse is broken in beautifully.

At first I thought it might be for a woman because the zipper was on the wrong side but then remembered the Zip falls on the opposite side for Barbour Jackets and figured what the hell it'll work just fine. Definitely a good jacket!

Denny added the corduroy lining to resolves some lining issues and did a superb job.

Thanks Guys this is a great jacket!

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Definitely a mans jacket, as it closes left over right. Women's jackets close right over left.
It's weird though, because my Bootlegger, which is basically the same jacket has the puller on the right side.

Edward said:

(I've been toying with the idea of seeing if a kevlar layer in the lining would be an option Aero could facilitate).

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You probably won't need it. Leather is seriously abrasion resistant, and is still the best material for biking gear. That said, some of the bespoke manufacturers (BKS and Hideout) include Kevlar reinforcements. But this is as an alternative to having two or three layers of leather, which is heavy and bulky.

The shortcoming of an Aero for riding is a lack of armour, but Forcefield and Knox can help you there.

Edward said:

The Triumphs are lovely, but I can't see them making much sense money-wise, given I'm only gonig to be looking a bike for a bit of fun, really. Strictly A-road action. TBH, the idea of going at motorway speeds is terrifying. I was always fine around fifty whether in a car or pillion, but much faster than that.... yeesh. Put my foot down as far as 58 in the car once, with my dad encouraging me to go further... lasted all of sixty seconds before I backed way off. Heh.

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You really want to keep up with traffic, and not drive or ride too slow. It's safer to match your speed to other road users, than to dawdle along.

Graemsay said:

You really want to keep up with traffic, and not drive or ride too slow. It's safer to match your speed to other road users, than to dawdle along.

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Must agree with Graemsay here. Being too slow is not safer than being too fast when you're in traffic.