Is goatskin inappropriate for a motorcycle jacket?

[Joel Shapiro]

For a long time, I've wanted to order a 1947 Columbia MC jacket from Langlitz in horsehide, but unfortunately, they don't have any horsehide and may not ever again. They suggested goatskin and I saw some samples. I preferred the brown because it seems a little thicker, and I'm just wondering if a goatskin motorcycle jacket won't be authentic. Were old MC jackets of the 40's ever made in goatskin? Is it considered too thin to provide protection in a crash by itself? Also, if anybody has any experience with the Langliz goatskin, please post. Thank you.

P.S. The new Langlitz site is up. Better website, but the same bad pictures. www.langlitz.com

[Aerojoe]

Is it considered too thin to provide protection in a crash by itself?

I don't know what kind of goatskin Langlitz uses but I have an ELC A-2 in goatskin that is like body armor. I think you could try to stab me while wearing this jacket and the knife wouldn't pass through the ultra hard leather. It has two years and the leather didn't break in yet. On the other hand, I have another goatskin jacket that is thin and very supple. Nothing to do with the former

Definitely, I think the answer to your question depends on how each producer process their hides, in this case Langlitz.

[Joel Shapiro]

Speaking of the devil... And here's an ORIGINAL 1947 Langlitz Columbia in horsehide for sale right now on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Vtg-194...ht_5042wt_1398

[ButteMT61]

I don't equate goat to MC riding, but that might be my hang up. Twice I've met pavement with heavy steer, and it saved my body. I would not have the same confidence in goat, but open to hearing other's experiences.

[Peacoat]

I have heard that goat is a tough hide and can be appropriate for a motorcycle jacket. I tend to agree with Butte, however, and would rather stick to the tried and true.

[Otter]

I believe that goat is naturaly more water resistant than cow or horse, my A2 goat seems to bear this out, BUT, from the hides I have seen it is thinner and more flexable so as a bare hide jacket for riding I would say that you would nne some type of armour in there.

[ButteMT61]

I hesitated because in researching hides and jackets, I've read that goat is second in toughness only to kangaroo. Now that said, it may be the thickness of typical goat hides or what the "tough scale" actually is. I have no idea on how this is measured unlike minerals and metals measured with tensile strength and mohs hardness scale - repeatable and measurable tests.
I have no issues wearing a goat A-2 downtown for a cup of coffee on a bike, but no way am I wearing one instead of a proper riding jacket out on the highway or long distance or in the Streets Of Willow. Just me and my closeup time spent on the blacktop of Mulholland Drive.

[Seb Lucas]

Goat is and has been used for bike jackets. It is probably, after kangaroo, the most abrasion resistant of hides. You need 3oz goat.

Remember though that Wade from Insurrection Leather says that cow is a better bike hide than horse. He races bikes and knows his stuff, so you probably don't have to get goat just because the HH is no longer an option.

[ButteMT61]

Goat is and has been used for bike jackets. It is probably, after kangaroo, the most abrasion resistant of hides. You need 3oz goat.

Can you show me some links to makers of these biker jackets? I can't recall ever seeing any.

[dr.velociraptor]

Can you show me some links to makers of these biker jackets? I can't recall ever seeing any.

Langlitz is a big fan of Goat for their MC jackets, I tend to think Langlitz caters to older guys looking for comfort and classic styling as their main concern and goat fits that bill. I still don't think goat is a good leather for an MC jacket, too soft and it will grab the road and make you tumble, you want a tight hide and hard so you slide IMO.