Vanson Model B - the search for my perfect cafe racer is over

b1lf · Jan 30, 2017

mendelboaz said:
Very nice mate!!!

missed this earlier, thanks dude! appreciate the help

El Marro · Jan 31, 2017

Justhandguns said:
Umm, Aero fans at work........

Yes, he wore an Aero, because he is British, and yes, that was one of his own jackets. But he also wears other brands as well, just like many of us here.

For someone on the other side of the pond, Vanson sounds like one of the best in terms of price and quality. Aero's similar offering will cost you USD100 more with the current exchange rate + shipping direct from Scotland. ThurstonBro are selling them for >USD1000 while you can easily get off the rack Model B Comp wt for USD699.

In terms of practicality, Vanson IS better than Aero, Model B has removable fleece liner, you can add amour inserts for riding, you can further add multifunction 'Streamliner' for further warmth and protections. It really depends on how you 'define' the best cafe racer jacket.

I didn't realize that answering another members question with a clear and concisely worded sentence would qualify me as an "Aero fan at work".
That's fine I suppose, because I do own two Aero jackets which I like very much. I also own two Vanson jackets, a CHP and a Colorado, and I think they are pretty nice as well.

Justhandguns · Jan 31, 2017

El Marro said:
I didn't realize that answering another members question with a clear and concisely worded sentence would qualify me as an "Aero fan at work".
That's fine I suppose, because I do own two Aero jackets which I like very much. I also own two Vanson jackets, a CHP and a Colorado, and I think they are pretty nice as well.

No offence El Marro, I was just being too sensitive, just that it has become a norm here that some fellow members tried to hijack threads that are totally unrelated to a particular brand. I, myself is also a proud owner of both brands.

Edward · Jan 31, 2017

Carrie @ Thurston Bros. said:
We wanted to clarify the prices of Aero jackets purchased directly through Aero versus through us, Thurston Bros. Below are some examples (calculated with today’s exchange rate)…as you can see, our prices are very competitive. When you factor in that we ship our North American customers a fit jacket in order to obtain a perfect fit, most find that our prices are extremely reasonable!

*Please keep in mind that your bank will also charge you an exchange fee when purchasing in a foreign currency. US customs fees can also be more than the prices quoted below. Sometimes a package can sneak through without customs fees, but this luck-of-the-draw.

1930s Half Belt--655 GBP, which is approximately $820.00 USD
Lochcarron Tartan Lining (Custom)--50 GBP, which is approximately $63.00 USD
Interior Pocket Option--20 GBP, which is approximately $25.00 USD
Italian Horsehide--75 GBP, which is approximately $95.00 USD
Shipping to the United States--40 GBP, which is approximately $50.00 USD
United States Customs--50 GBP, which is approximately $63.00 USD
Total Cost for Jacket--890 GBP or approximately $1,115.00 USD

Board Racer--660 GBP, which is approximately $825.00 USD
Italian Horsehide--75 GBP, which is approximately $95.00 USD
Lochcarron Tartan Lining (Custom)--50 GBP, which is approximately $63.00 USD
Interior Pocket Option--20 GBP, which is approximately $25.00 USD
Shipping to the United States--40 GBP, which is approximately $50.00 USD
United States Customs--50 GBP, which is approximately $63.00 USD
Total Cost for Jacket--895 GBP or approximately $1,120.00 USD

Highwayman--650 GBP, which is approximately $815.00 USD
Lochcarron Check Tweed Lining (Custom)--50 GBP, which is approximately $63.00 USD
Interior Pocket Option--20 GBP, which is approximately $25.00 USD
Shipping to the United States--40 GBP, which is approximately $50.00 USD
United States Customs--50 GBP, which is approximately $63.00 USD
Total Cost for Jacket--810 GBP or $1,015.00 USD

Really useful information - thanks, Carrie! The Insurrection fit jacket service is a fantastic one; if I lived in the US, I'd definitely jump on that for peace of mind that my new jacket would fit right!

IXL · Jan 31, 2017

^^^^Be careful with this dangerous option, Edward. Carrie sends me a fit jacket in a similar style, just to, you know....check for size..., and I end up keeping it (because the damned thing fits well) AND still ordering the originally desired jacket. It's all really groovy and everything until the bill comes due....

b1lf · Feb 1, 2017

Watch update!

I'm pleased to say that only after ~ 1 week (with daily wear)... the left sleeve has enough give to now expose my watch if I stretch my arm out. About 2-3 inches "unzipped".. aka 2/3 zipped up.

Remove that from the negatives and I'm left with a plastic zipper end that actually serves a purpose (to not scratch a gas tank of a bike). Lol.... this thing rocks.

Crappy iPhone pics:

Untitled by B1LF, on Flickr

b1lf · Feb 12, 2017

Exposed the 'ol Vanson to water last night for the first time....

It's been raining a ton here in SoCal lately and I've been avoiding wearing it outside when it's raining - I didn't want to lose the "fresh shine" quite yet - and/or experience shrinkage.

I called up Vanson and the guy essentially chuckled with my concerns and basically said, 'get the hell out there, you'll be fine!' ... then went into extreme detail about what happens to the fibers of the leather. Apply the Vanson balm once every 4-5 months and I'm set... UV light is technically more harmful than water... etc etc

Well I got dumped on when walking from dinner to a bar ~ 5 blocks away and the thing really kept me dry. Still nice and shiny today - and a bit softer to boot!

I've been getting non-stop compliments.

SkyTurtle · Feb 12, 2017

Congrats on the Model B! Don't worry at all about that rain; just wipe it down and hang dry. Occasional dose of lanolin-based conditioner is all it needs. Both my Comet and Manx have gotten serious drenchings in summer rides through the Appalachians and after conditioning look good as new - even better, really, as they are now broken in. Your sleeve ends will begin to flatten and relax so peeking at your watch will be effortless after about a season of wear. I'm breaking in a new Thunderbird myself and enjoying every minute of it!

I can't agree more with Monitor and Justhandguns about the choice of Vanson for motorcycling. They're tanks. I wear them commuting on the road and have used the Manx and pants for track days. A local fellow low-sided on turn 11 at Kershaw (same turn I grassed an R1 on!) a while back and slid off the track into the kitty litter. Sent his suit to Vanson for the wash and redye service, came back looking like a new suit. Hope I never put my jackets to that kind of test but nice to know they have the reputation for taking it.

My only complaint with Vanson is they can be hit-or-miss on customer service which is why I like dealing with Thurston Bros. Carrie seems to know jackets and racing leathers very well so the communication and advice are great. I've bought two jackets from them and will likely be back.

Share your affinity for the BMWs. My daily rider is a 2002 R1200C and, like the M Roadster and 3 series I used to drive, takes a lot of TLC in the garage. But they're worth it when you get them on the road.

Enjoy the break-in process on that B!

Monitor · Feb 12, 2017

Haha, yeah. Rain? Seriously, it's a challenge just getting a Vanson jacket soaked in the rain. Even damp, for that matter. I think you'd have to leave it submerged for a couple of hours to get it wet. Vanson Comp. weight hide is notoriously waterproof to the point that I honestly don't know what amount of rain would be required to get it soaked.
Once, when I first got my Model B, I got caught in a downpour like 2 hours bicycle ride from home and it wouldn't quit raining all the way back (and I had to walk most of the way). I just shook the jacket when I got home, wiped the remaining drops off with a paper towel and it was completely dry. Like, it wasn't even colder or nothing. Water had literally zero effect on it whatsoever. Leather shoes that I wore got drenched through, though... After that I just forgot rain exists and would wear the jacket all the time.

The Schott HH is equally waterproof and Aero FQHH as well but I haven't properly tested it yet. Horween FQHH is very oily so I imagine it would perhaps be even tougher to get that thing soaked.
But anyway, Vanson makes extremely tough jackets, you seriously don't need to worry about rain or snow. They're true and proper motorcycle jackets and are made with all sorts of foul weather conditions in mind. Riding a motorcycle while it's raining is the equivalent of jumping into a pool and these jackets are meant to deal with that sorta thing.

IXL · Feb 13, 2017

I never worry anymore about getting my Vanson jackets wet. After a good soaking they are simply hung on one of those giant (about 5-6' wide) plastic hangers sold by Aerostitch for really heavy, heavy jackets, and allowed to dry out. These hangers hold the jacket open quite a bit and allow for a tremendous airflow to aid in the drying. Also, they give excellent support to the shoulders, reducing the amount of stress caused by an extra 19lbs of water weight. Got to use the hanger a couple of weeks ago after managing to get my Vanson Thurston/Insurrection-spec'd PLU-3 Comet soaked. If anything, it just made this jacket gooder-er!

b1lf · Feb 15, 2017

SkyTurtle said:
Congrats on the Model B! Don't worry at all about that rain; just wipe it down and hang dry. Occasional dose of lanolin-based conditioner is all it needs. Both my Comet and Manx have gotten serious drenchings in summer rides through the Appalachians and after conditioning look good as new - even better, really, as they are now broken in. Your sleeve ends will begin to flatten and relax so peeking at your watch will be effortless after about a season of wear. I'm breaking in a new Thunderbird myself and enjoying every minute of it!

I can't agree more with Monitor and Justhandguns about the choice of Vanson for motorcycling. They're tanks. I wear them commuting on the road and have used the Manx and pants for track days. A local fellow low-sided on turn 11 at Kershaw (same turn I grassed an R1 on!) a while back and slid off the track into the kitty litter. Sent his suit to Vanson for the wash and redye service, came back looking like a new suit. Hope I never put my jackets to that kind of test but nice to know they have the reputation for taking it.

My only complaint with Vanson is they can be hit-or-miss on customer service which is why I like dealing with Thurston Bros. Carrie seems to know jackets and racing leathers very well so the communication and advice are great. I've bought two jackets from them and will likely be back.

Share your affinity for the BMWs. My daily rider is a 2002 R1200C and, like the M Roadster and 3 series I used to drive, takes a lot of TLC in the garage. But they're worth it when you get them on the road.

Enjoy the break-in process on that B!

Thanks man! Glad to see we share a passion for BMWs too. The 'ol M3 is a maintenance whore but I love it.

fierce2 by B1LF, on Flickr

hood by B1LF, on Flickr

sick by B1LF, on Flickr

yes by B1LF, on Flickr

plates by B1LF, on Flickr

b1lf · Feb 15, 2017

Monitor said:
Haha, yeah. Rain? Seriously, it's a challenge just getting a Vanson jacket soaked in the rain. Even damp, for that matter. I think you'd have to leave it submerged for a couple of hours to get it wet. Vanson Comp. weight hide is notoriously waterproof to the point that I honestly don't know what amount of rain would be required to get it soaked.
Once, when I first got my Model B, I got caught in a downpour like 2 hours bicycle ride from home and it wouldn't quit raining all the way back (and I had to walk most of the way). I just shook the jacket when I got home, wiped the remaining drops off with a paper towel and it was completely dry. Like, it wasn't even colder or nothing. Water had literally zero effect on it whatsoever. Leather shoes that I wore got drenched through, though... After that I just forgot rain exists and would wear the jacket all the time.

The Schott HH is equally waterproof and Aero FQHH as well but I haven't properly tested it yet. Horween FQHH is very oily so I imagine it would perhaps be even tougher to get that thing soaked.
But anyway, Vanson makes extremely tough jackets, you seriously don't need to worry about rain or snow. They're true and proper motorcycle jackets and are made with all sorts of foul weather conditions in mind. Riding a motorcycle while it's raining is the equivalent of jumping into a pool and these jackets are meant to deal with that sorta thing.

Haha yeah......

I guess I was just being overly paranoid about "changing" any characteristics of my glorious Vanson - now I know! That just makes the jacket even cooler.

IXL said:
I never worry anymore about getting my Vanson jackets wet. After a good soaking they are simply hung on one of those giant (about 5-6' wide) plastic hangers sold by Aerostitch for really heavy, heavy jackets, and allowed to dry out. These hangers hold the jacket open quite a bit and allow for a tremendous airflow to aid in the drying. Also, they give excellent support to the shoulders, reducing the amount of stress caused by an extra 19lbs of water weight. Got to use the hanger a couple of weeks ago after managing to get my Vanson Thurston/Insurrection-spec'd PLU-3 Comet soaked. If anything, it just made this jacket gooder-er!

I have some nice wide hangers I bought off of Amazon that fit nicely and are intended to keep the shape of (suit) jackets' shoulders. I use one of those for the Vanson and it works nicely.

I like the PLU-3 Comet a lot - no hand pockets steered me away, personally. (Though admittedly, I'm afraid of scratching my B's sleeve cuff's leather up on the zippers - perhaps I'm being over paranoid here as well?)

mendelboaz · Dec 15, 2017

Any updated wear pics?

G'c · Dec 15, 2017

This post makes me want to whip out my Vanson Model B (with stripes ) again.. although mine was artificially distressed by me back in the days (which ppl here hate ) . This is actually quite a popular model, especially at filmjackets forum.

Congrats on your breaking in process OP. hope you have a great time enjoying it. My shoulder hurts sometimes when wearing this lol but it's a great suit of amour.

b1lf · Feb 14, 2019

mendelboaz said:
Any updated wear pics?

I'll post some pics of the jacket... I absolutely love this thing. It's a tank. Every single time I wear it I'm complimented on it.

I'm a bit up in weight right now due to a particularly demanding job in a remote location, so it's too snug for me to wear comfortably right now. I'm hanging on to it though and will rock it next season when I drop some LBs.

b1lf · Apr 7, 2019

Here's some pictures of the Model B as of today (2 years ~3 months old). Click for higher quality images.

Vanson Model B - 2 year - front by B1LF, on Flickr

Vanson Model B - 2 year - front grain by B1LF, on Flickr

Vanson Model B - 2 year - cuff by B1LF, on Flickr

Vanson Model B - 2 year - collar by B1LF, on Flickr

Vanson Model B - 2 year - back by B1LF, on Flickr

Vanson Model B - 2 year - back grain by B1LF, on Flickr

Vanson Model B - 2 year - zipper by B1LF, on Flickr

Vanson Model B - 2 year - wear 2 by B1LF, on Flickr

Vanson Model B - 2 year - wear 1 by B1LF, on Flickr

Vanson Model B - 2 year - side buckles by B1LF, on Flickr

Vanson Model B - 2 year - right elbow 2 by B1LF, on Flickr

Vanson Model B - 2 year - right elbow 1 by B1LF, on Flickr

Vanson Model B - 2 year - pull by B1LF, on Flickr

Vanson Model B - 2 year - natural hide imperfections by B1LF, on Flickr

Vanson Model B - 2 year - left arm mark by B1LF, on Flickr

Vanson Model B - 2 year - left arm 2 by B1LF, on Flickr

Vanson Model B - 2 year - gusset by B1LF, on Flickr

Psant25 · Apr 7, 2019

Wow! Thank you for those pics. Been tempted to get another B in comp weight

b1lf · Apr 7, 2019

Psant25 said:
Wow! Thank you for those pics. Been tempted to get another B in comp weight

The comp weight is a must. I’m in LA and lucky enough to be surrounded by lots of high end clothing shops (Self Edge, Snake Oil Provisions, Butterscotch, etc) - I’ve slipped on tons of other jackets over the last few years.

Countless Schotts (including a few I owned), Laer, other Vansons, The Flat Head, Lewis Leathers, etc

The comp weight Vanson is their flagship leather for a reason - it’s really impressive. And astoundingly so for the price.

I was at Butterscotch a few weeks back and tried on their Vanson C2RN - although very nice - it just doesn’t have the same feel and eventual look that the comp weight offers. I think it was X150?

The comp is like you’re wearing armor. You feel like a superhero.

(I don’t ride)

After break in, which you earn, it’s really comfortable too. I have not conditioned or treated this leather in the 2+ years either.

Psant25 · Apr 7, 2019

I had and sold i think 3 model b in the comp weight. Was arduous to break them in. Last model b i went custom. Deleted windflap, liner snaps, side cinches, and went with z150 leather. The heavier comp weight is for sure better imo. Might have to try er again. Probably my favorite fitting jacket.

Gamma68 · Apr 8, 2019

Beautiful jacket, @b1lf. Was this your primary jacket over that two-year period? How often did you wear it to break it in?

I tired to click on your photos for enlargements but only got this:

Vanson Model B - the search for my perfect cafe racer is over

One of the Regulars

My Mail is Forwarded Here

Practically Family

One Too Many

One of the Regulars

One of the Regulars

Familiar Face

One Too Many

One of the Regulars

One of the Regulars

One Too Many

Familiar Face

One of the Regulars

One of the Regulars

One Too Many

One of the Regulars

One Too Many

One Too Many

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