Short guy looking for moto jacket

[CowandChicken]

Hi all, I saw you are quite knowledgeable on here so I joined to ask for advice. I’m a guy who is just 5’4” and I lift weights and weigh around 175 pounds. My chest measurement is 43” all the way around. I am in the market for a leather jacket for motorcycle riding. The toughest part will be to find something length wise and sleeve length wise that fits. I am interested in the classic Brando style but am willing to look at cafe racer styles as well. I do not live too far from vanson so I am thinking of possibly going there and being measured and getting one like that. But that will be quite the expense, I wanted to ask if maybe there is a known jacket that may work for me off the shelf? I know of a couple places to order from that do the custom sizing but I’d just assume go to vanson and get it set up in person for that type of cost. But I just wanted to get some input on if there’s anything I can look for be it on eBay or new that could work. Thank you

 

[Fifty150]

I’m a guy who is just 5’4”

You need to shop for short sizes. Some manufacturers offer their clothing in "short".

if maybe there is a known jacket that may work for me off the shelf?

I have this jacket in XL Short. You should be able fit into a short size. Give them a call.


This jacket is made for riding. You will appreciate the removable liner and side vents on hot days. They could probably sell you a jacket without the badge tab and *** belt keepers.

 

[CowandChicken]

You need to shop for short sizes. Some manufacturers offer their clothing in "short".









I have this jacket in XL Short. You should be able fit into a short size. Give them a call.


This jacket is made for riding. You will appreciate the removable liner and side vents on hot days. They could probably sell you a jacket without the badge tab and *** belt keepers.

View attachment 726505 View attachment 726506​

Thanks, I sent them a message. They have a couple jackets that are the police style they are 24” while all the motorcycle ones are 25” so it may be worth it just to get the one that isn’t motorcycle style for shorter sleeves and length. I’ll see what they say and look into it. Thanks!

 

[TartuWolf]

Vanson Comet

 

[cbez]

That height and body shape is gonna be tough.

 

[Fifty150]

They have a couple jackets that are the police style they are 24” while all the motorcycle ones are 25” so it may be worth it just to get the one that isn’t motorcycle style for shorter sleeves and length.

Maybe 75 years ago, it was important to have kidney pads , a belt, and side laces. Nobody is riding bikes like that anymore. The important feature is the leather. Leather to protect you from wind, rain, flying debris, and in case you go down. Most leather will work for that. For years, I rode a bike wearing an A-2 style jacket. Every police style jacket will protect you. The Chicago style has a short body. If you ask, they could probably take an extra inch off the sleeves. Just remember that on a bike. You want an extra inch on the body and sleeve. Especially the sleeves for when you are reaching to grab handlebars.

 

[Madhouse27]

eBay is usually pretty thick with pre-owned Schott Perfectos and other crosszips. A basic rule of thumb is the older (more vintage) the jacket….the shorter it is. I just received an earlier incarnation of the Schott 618 (without the collar snaps and underarm footballs) that I’m assuming is from the 70’s. It was pretty cheap ($350) in size 44. It has a back length of only 23.5 inches. Something along these lines might be a good place to start. Know your own measurements and don’t buy anything used without seeing the measurements in the listing. Good luck!

 

[cbez]

Maybe 75 years ago, it was important to have kidney pads , a belt, and side laces. Nobody is riding bikes like that anymore. The important feature is the leather. Leather to protect you from wind, rain, flying debris, and in case you go down. Most leather will work for that. For years, I ride a bike wearing an A-2 style jacket. Every police style jacket will protect you. The Chicago style has a short body. If you ask, they could probably take an extra inch off the sleeves. Just remember that in a bike. You want an extra inch on the body and sleeve. Especially the sleeves for when you are reaching to grab handlebars.

a2s are made with split leather and would do practically nothing to protect you in a crash lol. may as well wear a thick sweater.

 

[Fifty150]

5’4”

around 175 pounds

chest measurement is 43”

That height and body shape is gonna be tough.

You can get the right fit if you buy from a manufacturer. The best way to do it is to be able to walk in, get sized & fitted, have the shop make alterations, then return to check the fit. Not easy to do if you don't live near a production facility. In larger metropolitan areas, there are leather shops that specialize in the motorcycle market, and the law enforcement supply business. You can also look up shops online and call them. Ask if they can do custom orders. Some places will shorten a sleeve hem with an over the counter jacket. Some places will take in the waist a little for a v-shaped athletic build. Depending on the jacket and cut, the body is harder to shorten. Some shops can make the jacket to your measurements. I would look at Nate's Leather, San Diego Leather, Taylor's, Johnson Leather, Golden Bear. The last thing that you want to do, is spend $500 - $1,000; only to have a jacket that doesn't fit well.​

 

[Fifty150]

San Diego Leather sells an "above the *** belt" jacket. It's cut higher, with a shorter torso.​

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[AeroFan_07]

Check out this fellow's Instagram page - he's on here too but has not posted much of late:
https://www.instagram.com/almostvintagestyle

Considering this for a use case, you should have quite a few options: I am in the market for a leather jacket for motorcycle riding. The toughest part will be to find something length wise and sleeve length wise that fits. I am interested in the classic Brando style but am willing to look at cafe racer styles as well.

In fact, I'll go so far as to say it's easier for you than those of us who are taller and lanker, with longer arms. Do you mind vintage? If not, you have the world at your fingertips, as many vintage M/C leathers were made for shorter folks. I'm 6' 1" tall and 195 lbs, and to date have only found a couple actual vintage jackets that fit me even reasonably close.

From a new, off the rack perspective, consider the Vanson Comet (which has ~ 23" back length) and the Vanson Star (also about a 23-24" back length). Definitely go try them on, as others have indicated.

 

[CowandChicken]

You need to shop for short sizes. Some manufacturers offer their clothing in "short".









I have this jacket in XL Short. You should be able fit into a short size. Give them a call.


This jacket is made for riding. You will appreciate the removable liner and side vents on hot days. They could probably sell you a jacket without the badge tab and *** belt keepers.

View attachment 726505 View attachment 726506​

I ended up ordering a Taylor Chicago style in large short. So the length will go from 24” to 22.5” in back, I’m just hoping the sleeves end up being ok now. I asked
and they said the short sleeve will be 34.5 from center back collar to end of sleeve.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Taylor Chicago style

Good deal, hope that works for you

 

[Trouser Bark]

I'd bet a nickel you'd look and feel great in a Vanson Comet. Doesn't cost much to find out.

 

[CowandChicken]

I'd bet a nickel you'd look and feel great in a Vanson Comet. Doesn't cost much to find out.

I’ll look into this too