What's the deal with sponsor patches?

nick123 · Jan 21, 2018

tropicalbob said:
Nick, what year was that done? It kind of morphs from Ventures into Unit 5 + 2 into Hendrix and then beyond! Fantastic. Thanks.

‘65-‘66!

tropicalbob · Jan 21, 2018

nick123 said:
‘65-‘66!

Holy Ampeg, Batman!

shadowrider · Jan 22, 2018

A few years back I was about to pull the trigger on this (used)

and didn't because I thought "replica" sponsor patches were corny. Then I kinda regretted passing on it.
I don't mind looking like a billboard, but I just don't like replica (read "fake") things.

Edward · Jan 22, 2018

Never been a fan of the replica sponsor thing, but then I was never into sport.... I think that's a world where it it uch more acceptable. Somewhere I have a 'Belfast Giants' ice hockey shirt. It's kinda cool (though I won't be wearing it out again any time soon), but I always wished it didn't have the 'Harp Lager' sponsor patches on it.... sorta feels like wearing some trendy label for something I hate. Like a militant teetoltaller wearing a Jack Daniels shirt or something. Basically, 'Harp Lager' is Latin for 'camel pee'. It gets pushed hard in Northern Ireland with all the worst kind of pathetic pandering to local exceptionalism - "It's our thing" and all that. If so, it's only "our thing" because no export market is stupid enough to drink that muck. Seriously - meths is a nicer drink ,and it at least smells better.

scottyrocks said:
And then there was this jacket -

The movie sucked, but the jacket rocks. I still want one.

I remember enjoying an evening as an undergrad laughing at that - especially how long it took them to figure out they needed to go for a headshot. I was, however, rooting for the bad guys: couldn't get behind either protagonist, and for some reason I found this one particularly laughable. Guess I was expecting some kind of outlaw biker hero type rather than a clean-cut race guy.

scottyrocks · Jan 22, 2018

Edward said:
I remember enjoying an evening as an undergrad laughing at that - especially how long it took them to figure out they needed to go for a headshot. I was, however, rooting for the bad guys: couldn't get behind either protagonist, and for some reason I found this one particularly laughable. Guess I was expecting some kind of outlaw biker hero type rather than a clean-cut race guy.

I saw it when it was released, as well. I had mixed emotions about it. I liked the whole mix of clean-cut and Harley-Davidson, probably because I was fairly clean-cut, myself, despite outward appearances, and rode one.

The only scene I'll watch over again is from the beginning of the picture when he pulls into the gas station (how about those gas prices?! haha) and proceeds to nonchalantly foil an armed robbery bare-handed. You can see the choreography of the disarming of the thug, it was so poorly done. Then, when he identifies himself to the (of course) gorgeous cashier, he does the Mickey Rourke/Sean Connery smirk and says, 'Harley. Harley Davidson,' like he's James Bond.

For as ridiculous as that was, Don Johnson's character, and his relationship with his bike, was even more so.

But at the time, I was still very into the bike scene so I sat through it, always hoping to catch a glimpse of that jacket.

MeachamLake · Jan 22, 2018

On the subject of racing leathers, I've been fortunate enough to acquire a few sets of genuine MotoGP leathers over the years through my connections to the sport...the most recent one (2013 season) was damaged when the rider fell off at 140mph+ during a practice session. I have no idea what leather they use to make these, but it's frankly astounding that leather this lightweight can withstand so much and come out with relatively minimal damage!

I can also confirm that the real deal doesn't have any sewn on patches...just decals.

Dav · Jan 22, 2018

I may be wrong but I believe it's kangaroo.

Cocker · Jan 22, 2018

MeachamLake said:
On the subject of racing leathers, I've been fortunate enough to acquire a few sets of genuine MotoGP leathers over the years through my connections to the sport...the most recent one (2013 season) was damaged when the rider fell off at 140mph+ during a practice session. I have no idea what leather they use to make these, but it's frankly astounding that leather this lightweight can withstand so much and come out with relatively minimal damage!

I can also confirm that the real deal doesn't have any sewn on patches...just decals.

Ooooh, do you have pictures of your collection ? Been following motocycle racing since as far as I can remember, and I'd love to see that !

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Edward · Jan 23, 2018

Roo seems most likely given the description.

G'c · Jan 23, 2018

I too dislike a leather jacket having so many patches on it.

Aesthetics aside, the OP does make me ponder interesting questions:

1. Are there any actual "retail" versions of these jackets for sale to the public? I .e. officially made racing jackets with official patches for sale to the public. The idea is simple. It's just like nba , nfl jerseys, but on this occasion just applies to sports racing.

2. If so, I assume there must be some licensing deal between the jacket maker (e.g. Vanson) and the sponsor (e.g. Suzuki) for any retail sales of the official jacket with patches? Or more likely, Vanson will have a deal with the association of the sports racing to produce replica clothing (i.e. the jackets ) with the correct specs (i.e. including the patches)?

3. Fans of sports racing: Is there actually a market for these patched jackets? What I mean is, unlike other sports (e.g. basketball, nfl etc.), it is not really expected that you wear a full on patched jacket to watch the competition. In other sports you wear your favourite team jersey to support your team, or may wear them for playing sports and what not. It is unlikely that you will wear this jacket with patches on the street. This type of clothing seems particularly only serve its purpose on the racing track and not otherwise.

Justhandguns · Jan 23, 2018

I must confess here, I do own the House jacket. I see those logos more as decorations more than anything else. I certainly wound not want to wear something like a MotoGP full replica suit, even when I am riding.

Wesslyn · Jan 23, 2018

I don't mind being a walking billboard as long as it's products or companies I actually like.
I view it as personal recommendation.
For instance, I play Fender guitars. I wear Fender clothes sometimes as a sort of "hey, I like these guitars. If I'm not making you ears bleed, it's probably the guitar I'm playing."
And I know car guys love to tell everyone what parts to use. Why not stick an Edelbrock patch on your jacket?

Cocker · Jan 23, 2018

Moreover, it seems people are less bothered to put squadron patches and so on on flight jackets !

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Justhandguns · Jan 24, 2018

Cocker said:
Moreover, it seems people are less bothered to put squadron patches and so on on flight jackets !

I think it is very difficult to compare between sponsors' logos with squadron patches, especially among military jacket collectors (here at the forum). Some serious people suggested that you have to earn your patches before you sew it on your jacket, some repro owners think the patches actually ruin their perfect jackets (also their resale values).

Patched motorcycle jackets are a genre on their own, the same for those painted chopper jackets with plenty of studs, and they are not for everyone. Simply wear them at the right occasions.

SkyTurtle · Jan 25, 2018

Justhandguns said:
I think it is very difficult to compare between sponsors' logos with squadron patches, especially among military jacket collectors (here at the forum). Some serious people suggested that you have to earn your patches before you sew it on your jacket, some repro owners think the patches actually ruin their perfect jackets (also their resale values).

Patched motorcycle jackets are a genre on their own, the same for those painted chopper jackets with plenty of studs, and they are not for everyone. Simply wear them at the right occasions.

IMHO I'm fine with anyone wearing whatever they like to wear. If you love leather jackets, you wear them for yourself and not anyone else. That being said, despite being a former flyer, I can't stand flight jackets. I have one in my closet and that's it. But since I ride motorcycles almost everywhere I go, I tend to collect moto jackets. Some plain, some with patches. Every patch has some kind of story or connection to an event or some other kind of memory. Kind of picky about that. I select patches the way I'd probably select tattoos if I were to get one of those (which I won't).

Also, being a veteran, I'd be disinclined to wear a squadron patch or insignia from any unit that I wasn't a part of, but I have no problem with someone wearing military patches because there a fan.

To the OP's point, I have an older Vanson jacket that I just sent back to them to have customized with a series of stripes and race patches. My dad drag raced a '39 Ford Anglia gasser before he got into open wheel racing and I'm kitting out that jacket to look like his old Holman Moody jacket that I remember from my childhood. Some may see it and think I'm trying to look all Power Ranger but it will hold a lot of memories for me. Plus, being a Vanson, I know it will do a good job of keeping the asphalt off of me!

bluesforchallah · Jan 25, 2018

SkyTurtle said:
Every patch has some kind of story or connection to an event or some other kind of memory. Kind of picky about that. I select patches the way I'd probably select tattoos if I were to get one of those (which I won't).

I feel the same way, only I do have tattoos.

I'm very picky about the patches I choose to sew on my jackets, they're typically club patches or event patches that I've actually attended, and keep it to a few jackets as to not 'clutter' all of 'em. I'll collect other patches, but the ones I sew on the jackets have to have a back story that includes either myself or a memorial to a fallen brother/sister.

This one on my left sleeve, is a club patch that I contracted Vanson to make a limited number of for my local group here in the PNW.

The other is my nickname and on the right sleeve, the clubs logo patch.

Fonzie · Jan 25, 2018

bluesforchallah said:
I feel the same way, only I do have tattoos.

I'm very picky about the patches I choose to sew on my jackets, they're typically club patches or event patches that I've actually attended, and keep it to a few jackets as to not 'clutter' all of 'em. I'll collect other patches, but the ones I sew on the jackets have to have a back story that includes either myself or a memorial to a fallen brother/sister.

This one on my left sleeve, is a club patch that I contracted Vanson to make a limited number of for my local group here in the PNW.

The other is my nickname and on the right sleeve, the clubs logo patch.

That Comet is your best fitting and coolest jacket, and the patches make it somehow even cooler.

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scottyrocks · Jan 25, 2018

Back in the day I had bought a leather vest for the patches and pins I acquired during my riding days. That way I could wear the vest over whatever leather jacket I felt like wearing.

I also didn't want holes in my leather jackets.

Edward · Jan 28, 2018

When I get the bike together I"m planning on putting together an old Brit rocker style jacket. Few patches in mind that appeal to me. I quite fancy collecting one from each branch of the Ace cafe as I manage to visit them (up to five international franchises since the original came up with this plan). I have me eye on a black cat for the back, but nothing that looks like colours.

tropicalbob · May 16, 2018

nick123 said:
You could be a real dork and wear a custom painted Ventures patch as you blast Hawaii 5-0 in your car. Eh, they outsold the Beatles in Japan 2:1 in the 60s. Best band. Lol
View attachment 103234

Nick, do you recall where you saw this patch? I vaguely remember there was a guy on the Fl who produced them.

What's the deal with sponsor patches?

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