Difference between Aero Motorcycle jackets

Lit Up · Apr 19, 2018

Can someone help to flesh out the difference between the various motorcycle jackets that Aero make? I read the descriptions of each on on their site (and looked at the photos), but it's hard to understand what differentiates the J106, Daytona, King of the Road, Elvis and Indian Ranger. I don't consider Aero to have the best website. I understand you can choose the leather on each jacket so I suppose I'm talking more about the cut, but info on any other details will be appreciated.

I've worn Schott Perfecto 118's for years. It was what I bought cheap second hand as a young man and it mostly fits like a glove, but I've always found the jacket too short for my tastes. I do not ride motorcycles so I don't need it to be cut so high, but I hear that Aero customise. I also see a lot of middle aged men wearing biker jackets and these always look boxy and ill-fitting, I don't want to be like that. I'm 6 foot 2, 42inch chest and of average weight and build. Given I live in the UK I will probably stop by to get measured up next time I'm in Scotland.

HoosierDaddy · Apr 19, 2018

Why not look at Aeros MC jackets and have them tell you the differences of each one when you stop in to get measured. The experts can best inform you. Their jackets are custom so you can get the length you want in both sleeves and body.
HD

Lit Up · Apr 19, 2018

Well yes, of course, if I go to Scotland *at some point* but I'm just wondering if anybody had some insight or experience in the meantime. I can walk to Lewis Leathers from my house but Galashiels is a little longer (360 miles, 6.5 hour drive) and people in the UK don't drive nearly as long or as far as you Americans!

Peter Bowden · Apr 19, 2018

It's mostly down to detail and what you prefer in terms of pocket and zipper placement.I don't think that many would ride these days wearing a Grizzly but I certainly would if I owned a pre-war Indian or Harley or Ariel Square 4 or similar.

MET · Apr 19, 2018

You can mail Holly or Sam @aeroleatherclothing.com. They are helpful and you would get detailed and prompt responses.

Lit Up · Apr 19, 2018

Thanks, I'll do that.

Monitor · Apr 19, 2018

Lit Up said:
Can someone help to flesh out the difference between the various motorcycle jackets that Aero make? I read the descriptions of each on on their site (and looked at the photos), but it's hard to understand what differentiates the J106, Daytona, King of the Road, Elvis and Indian Ranger. I don't consider Aero to have the best website. I understand you can choose the leather on each jacket so I suppose I'm talking more about the cut, but info on any other details will be appreciated.

Details on each jacket (pocket placement, action back, etc.) and of course the cut.

If I'm not mistaken, J-106 and Daytona are basically exactly the same, except on the Daytona, the zipper on the D-pocket is placed on the right side so it can serve as a hand-warmer pocket. They're both trimmer fitting jackets than the Motorcycle Jacket which is styled after the Schott Perfecto. It's a bit boxier, roomier jacket than the J-106.
From what I heard, the Elvis and the King of the Road both share a very similar pattern to the MC jacket. No clue about the Indian Ranger. I think it's just the details.

Guppy · Apr 19, 2018

Motorcycle Jacket: basically a Schott Perfecto style cross zip with diagonal chest pocket, coin pocket, and attached belt.

Indian Ranger: very similar to the Motorcycle Jacket, but has a throat latch on the collar. Not sure how else it differs.

J-106: inspired by Buco D-pocket cross zip designs like the J23, J24.

King of the Road: D-pocket inspired by various 50s and 60s motorcycle jackets, notably the Sears Oakbrook/Hercules mc jackets from that era. No chest pocket over the D-pocket like there is on the J-106.

Elvis: another D-pocket design, but the D-pocket is more angular, and to my eye, less appealing in style.

Daytona: a faux-D-pocket design, the opening of the D pocket is on the wrong side, making it a handwarmer for the left hand.

Ridley: a slimmer/lighter looking style, can be done with a D pocket as an option.

Bootlegger: a hybrid motorcycle/aviation style jacket. Lacks a waist belt, sleeve zips but I've seen zippered sleeves as an option, and it works. Half belt back.

I think my personal favorites are the J-106, King of the Road, Bootlegger, and the Indian Ranger. I have owned 2 bootleggers, and a King of the Road, but not any of the other styles.

The King of the Road and Ridley are sometimes done in two-tone schemes. I think the J-106 can be as well.

There's also the Cafe Racer, Board Racer, and J100 styles, and their collared cousins, the Sheene and the Seven if you want something that isn't cross-zippered.

Monitor · Apr 19, 2018

I believe that the Indian Ranger is somewhat more of an accurate reproduction than the other jackets from the motorcycle line, not just a general take on a certain style. The collar is different, shoulder gussets, coin pocket, belt... It's actually quite different from the MC jacket. And unique.

Guppy · Apr 19, 2018

Monitor said:
I believe that the Indian Ranger is somewhat more of an accurate reproduction than the other jackets from the motorcycle line, not just a general take on a certain style. The collar is different, shoulder gussets, coin pocket, belt... It's actually quite different from the MC jacket. And unique.

That's entirely possible. I don't have firsthand experience with either.

Edward · Apr 21, 2018

Lots of stylistic difference across the range. Worth trying the all for the fit - at least when I looked into the MC jacket I'd have had to size up one from my normal size not for the shoulder room but for room in the waist: a Size 42 at that point in the MC Perfecto style was around 48 in the chest, but somewhere south of 38" in the waist. I think as standard a few of the MC patterns have a 10" chest to waist drop (which might be why you don't see so many of them round here. given the predomiance of us in middle age....).

The dogs bollocks · Apr 29, 2018

Edward said:
Lots of stylistic difference across the range. Worth trying the all for the fit - at least when I looked into the MC jacket I'd have had to size up one from my normal size not for the shoulder room but for room in the waist: a Size 42 at that point in the MC Perfecto style was around 48 in the chest, but somewhere south of 38" in the waist. I think as standard a few of the MC patterns have a 10" chest to waist drop (which might be why you don't see so many of them round here. given the predomiance of us in middle age....).

The dogs bollocks · Apr 29, 2018

And as a by the way...I have Langlitz Vanson and Aero bikers.
Aero is hands down the best of the lot...I have a Steerhide and it’s weighs 4 tons yet looks the best , and tops all the others in the details of the finish. Prior to this Aero I thought Langlitz was the best I’ve ever owned. This Aero though will last 10 lifetimes it’s awesome.

Edward · Apr 29, 2018

The dogs bollocks said:
And as a by the way...I have Langlitz Vanson and Aero bikers.
Aero is hands down the best of the lot...I have a Steerhide and it’s weighs 4 tons yet looks the best , and tops all the others in the details of the finish. Prior to this Aero I thought Langlitz was the best I’ve ever owned. This Aero though will last 10 lifetimes it’s awesome.

Is that you in your avatar with the Ace Cafe backpatch? I see they opened a franchise in Orlando a few years ago.

Lit Up · May 26, 2018

Edward said:
I think as standard a few of the MC patterns have a 10" chest to waist drop

That sounds really weird.

Edward · May 27, 2018

Lit Up said:
That sounds really weird.

Not so much when you look at how they were worn in old photos. Look at The Wild One - the BMRC look overall may have been less common than Lee Marvin's look as Chino, but they wore the jacket 'right' for the time - short, just over the belt, snug and tight at the waist and a bit looser over the shoulders.

Lit Up · May 27, 2018

Guppy said:
Motorcycle Jacket: basically a Schott Perfecto style cross zip with diagonal chest pocket, coin pocket, and attached belt.

Indian Ranger: very similar to the Motorcycle Jacket, but has a throat latch on the collar. Not sure how else it differs.

J-106: inspired by Buco D-pocket cross zip designs like the J23, J24.

King of the Road: D-pocket inspired by various 50s and 60s motorcycle jackets, notably the Sears Oakbrook/Hercules mc jackets from that era. No chest pocket over the D-pocket like there is on the J-106.

Elvis: another D-pocket design, but the D-pocket is more angular, and to my eye, less appealing in style.

Daytona: a faux-D-pocket design, the opening of the D pocket is on the wrong side, making it a handwarmer for the left hand.

Ridley: a slimmer/lighter looking style, can be done with a D pocket as an option.

Bootlegger: a hybrid motorcycle/aviation style jacket. Lacks a waist belt, sleeve zips but I've seen zippered sleeves as an option, and it works. Half belt back.

I think my personal favorites are the J-106, King of the Road, Bootlegger, and the Indian Ranger. I have owned 2 bootleggers, and a King of the Road, but not any of the other styles.

The King of the Road and Ridley are sometimes done in two-tone schemes. I think the J-106 can be as well.

There's also the Cafe Racer, Board Racer, and J100 styles, and their collared cousins, the Sheene and the Seven if you want something that isn't cross-zippered.

Thanks again for this excellent reply.

I'm only in the market for a double breasted or cross zippered jacket. I need it to be slim fit as I do not wear anything underneath the jacket.

I'm not sure why Aero doesn't list the Ridley on their site. Looks like it's only offered through Thurston Bros. Is it exclusive to them? I'm UK based so going direct through Aero. Stylistically, I'm not sure what the difference is between J106 and Ridley other than no epaulets on the latter. Is that it?

Moving onto colour now - what's annoying is the apparent colour limitations on the aero website (unless aero would do different on request). Two-tone King of the Road must have black as the primary colour. It would be nice to have Cherry as the primary colour, possibly with black or cordovan as secondary etc. J106 is also apparently limited in colour options; online, the J106 (or any of the M/C jackets) cannot be selected in battered tan, natural vicenza HH or other nice leathers.

I don't know why Aero list the cafe racers seemingly in every possible colour and hide but restrict the double breasted m/c jackets. Unless I gave them a call and could do whatever I want - does that sound likely?

Guppy · May 27, 2018

Lit Up said:
Thanks again for this excellent reply.

I'm only in the market for a double breasted or cross zippered jacket. I need it to be slim fit as I do not wear anything underneath the jacket.

I'm not sure why Aero doesn't list the Ridley on their site. Looks like it's only offered through Thurston Bros. Is it exclusive to them? I'm UK based so going direct through Aero. Stylistically, I'm not sure what the difference is between J106 and Ridley other than no epaulets on the latter. Is that it?

Moving onto colour now - what's annoying is the apparent colour limitations on the aero website (unless aero would do different on request). Two-tone King of the Road must have black as the primary colour. It would be nice to have Cherry as the primary colour, possibly with black or cordovan as secondary etc. J106 is also apparently limited in colour options; online, the J106 (or any of the M/C jackets) cannot be selected in battered tan, natural vicenza HH or other nice leathers.

I don't know why Aero list the cafe racers seemingly in every possible colour and hide but restrict the double breasted m/c jackets. Unless I gave them a call and could do whatever I want - does that sound likely?

If you talk to them, they may be willing to do things beyond the options they give on the website. Aero have pretty creative customers, and some of the best customer service in the world. Depending on what exactly you want, they may or may not be able to do it, and they'll recommend against anything that is not a good idea. It never hurts to ask.

Lit Up · May 27, 2018

Yeah I'll shoot them an email. I wonder if they sell samples of their leathers... would be nice to see some in the flesh for reference.

Superfluous · May 27, 2018

Lit Up said:
Yeah I'll shoot them an email. I wonder if they sell samples of their leathers... would be nice to see some in the flesh for reference.

Aero does not sell samples of its leathers. Aero does, however, provide samples free of charge.

Difference between Aero Motorcycle jackets

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