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Suggestion on Motorcycle Jacket

K

Ken David

One of the Regulars
Messages
274
Location
North Carolina
Hello Fellow Loungers. I mostly spend my time in the hat forum and in classifieds (looking at hats) but I do often see the many nice vintage or vintage inspired leather jackets in the classified section. I sadly own only 1 leather jacket that is my daily wearer for winter, fall and early spring (I live in the south: NC) that serves me well (not insulated nor do I need it).....it is an older US Wings (made in USA) Indy style Goatskin Jacket size L that has not been made in ~10 years.

Anyway I am on the lookout for a 2nd jacket an affordable Motorcycle Jacket to match up with the new to me Indian Scout that I am picking up tomorrow....moving away from my Sportsbike (that I rarely rode these last several years due to life, family etc) that I have had for 18 years which when I did ride it I wore a heavy duty Honda riding jacket (weather permitting). Any suggested on a vintage or vintage inspired leather motorcycle jacket that is not to heavy (preferably zip out or no liner) would be greatly appreciated so I can keep my eye out on the classifieds. Thanks in advance!
 
Peacoat

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,311
Location
South of Nashville
I have the Vanson Enfield which is a good heavy duty 3.5 to 4.0 oz. leather that grains out nicely. No patina as yet but the graining and creasing are excellent for steer hide. It comes without a liner, but one can be ordered separately for something short of $200. I would pass on it as mine doesn't stay snapped in.

Johnson Leathers in San Fransisco Is reasonably priced and has several thicknesses of leather as well as custom jackets. JL makes police motorcycle jackets for many of the surrounding police departments. JL knows what it is doing. Its M 200 is a favorite seller. I have two of them based on that pattern.

And then there are the higher end jackets.

Good luck on your hunt.
 
Graemsay

Graemsay

Practically Family
Messages
991
Location
Melbourne
Another brand to check out would be Rev'it. They do a range of cool, vintage inspired leathers with modern protection built in. Revzilla carry them in the US.

I've got their Fargo jacket, and although it doesn't have a zip-out lining, it's a bit heavier than I'd like for the summer. I'm after the Yates sweatshirt for warmer weather.

Enjoy the bike!
 
2

2wheelgrplr

A-List Customer
Messages
425
Location
NYC & South Asia
There are a lot more options for vintage-inspired motorcycle jackets than there used to be. First question - leather or textile. If leather, then style-wise the cafe-racer style or cross zip (Schott Perfecto, Marlon Brando) style? Of course, there are more styles, but these two are the de-facto ones, to start off with. For Textile, go-to old-school style is typically the waxed cotton British style jackets like Barbour International, Belstaff Trailmaster, etc. Many more companies make waxed-cotton moto jackets now - Merlin, Vanson, etc. Many also make with more modern fabrics but in classic styling that will look right at home on your new Indian Scout - Revit, even some of the bigger modern brands like Danes, Alpinestars now have "heritage" line up with styles that are retro, vintage inspired.
 
2

2wheelgrplr

A-List Customer
Messages
425
Location
NYC & South Asia
Places to buy - Revzilla has a huge selection, lots of products have videos enthusiastically explaining everything about said product, ships fast, accepts returns, good folks overall.

My buddy at UnionGarageNYC.com has a curated selection of good stuff. Check out their take on the waxed cotton riding jacket, the Robinson (collaboration with Vanson), as well as their highly anticipated armored leather moto jacket, the V7, again a Vanson collaboration.
 
jacketjunkie

jacketjunkie

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,226
Location
Germany
Used Vansons go for as little as 200 USD on eBay, just watch out there. I'd recommend a Model B or one of their Cross-Zips for riding, any of the ones mentioned above will work just as fine ofcourse.
 
JMax

JMax

Messages
10,291
Vanson all the way for riding. Another option is perforated leather, and imo Vanson's is the best. By far. The Force is a cross-zip police style jacket that they make in comp weight thick, perforated leather. I would not go too thin on riding leather, unless its kangaroo or some other such hide.
 
B

bluesmandan

A-List Customer
Messages
303
Location
United States
JMax said:
Vanson all the way for riding. Another option is perforated leather, and imo Vanson's is the best. By far. The Force is a cross-zip police style jacket that they make in comp weight thick, perforated leather. I would not go too thin on riding leather, unless its kangaroo or some other such hide.
Click to expand...

I’m from the South (NC) and my perforated jacket saw the most use in my riding days.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
P

Psant25

One Too Many
Messages
1,574
Ken David said:
Thanks everyone for the replies and information! Very helpful.
Click to expand...
I have a nice used lighter weight Z150 leather vanson model B in the classifieds if you wear a size 40. was a custom build I've broken it in ant it is only a few months old. I think that weight jacket, style, etc would serve you pretty well.

but.. based on your us wings large jacket you may be a 42-44 based on their size charts
 
K

Ken David

One of the Regulars
Messages
274
Location
North Carolina
Psant25 said:
I have a nice used lighter weight Z150 leather vanson model B in the classifieds if you wear a size 40. was a custom build I've broken it in ant it is only a few months old. I think that weight jacket, style, etc would serve you pretty well.

but.. based on your us wings large jacket you may be a 42-44 based on their size charts
Click to expand...
Thanks, you are correct I run about a 42.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 
JMax

JMax

Messages
10,291
Pretty sure the Model B runs large. The 40 may be closer to a 42 in Vanson’s other jackets. PSant25’s jacket may work for you. But depends on actual measurements. That is a very very nice jacket in one of my favorite type of leather.
 
ton312

ton312

Messages
17,151
Location
Chicago
JMax said:
There is a kick-a$$ tan one on eBay right now for a very good price. Not a common color for Vanson.
Click to expand...
The model A. Yeah I've been talking myself out of it for days b/c I know it won't fit. Had one in the same size/Color. Best jacket ever. It was like wearing a jacket made by Rawlings.
IMG_4178.JPG
 
JMax

JMax

Messages
10,291
Phew, I missed the measurements in my initial review of the listing. No way it fits. I guess it is a little smaller given its “vintage” as I am pretty sure the new model As run large, or perhaps I am thinking Model B. I get them mixed up sometimes. Anyways, go by measurements. This guy claims to work for Vanson so I would hope the measurements are on point. Of course he may just be the janitor.
 
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