Lets see those Motorcycle Jackets!

2wheelgrplr · Mar 11, 2019

JMax said:
Here are some of mine--

Bates Highwayman I

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Cal LAPD

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Langlitz Columbia

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Lost Worlds CHP

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Lost Worlds PJ27

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Vanson Chopper

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Vanson Commando (X-150)

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Vanson Force

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Vanson Highwayman

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Great selection of jackets. A question if I may - how much longer is the Vanson Commando vs. let’s say the Vanson Chopper or the Vanson Highwayman. Pics I see of the Commando shows it’s a longer body jacket but I can’t decide whether the body is too long for this style or whether it’s practical-long. Thinking about both on-bike and off-bike situations. Many thanks!

gmcd · Mar 11, 2019

2wheelgrplr said:
View attachment 159309 View attachment 159310

Above two are the UnionGarageNYC X Vanson V7 armored leather motorcycle jacket, in their super nice brown (octagon-ish) and deep black leather. UGNYC took the Vanson AR3 armored jacket and reworked them to this design. Its a great riding jacket with so many neat tweaks and features. The armor used is the softer and more easily malleable yellow D3O pads, instead of those thick, big black hockey-style pads that Vanson usually uses on their armored jackets. I reviewed this jacket in a separate thread around a year or more ago.

What size are are you wearing if you don't mind my asking? I'm also curious what size your PLU-3 is for comparison as I've owned one of those and am considering a V7.
Thanks

JMax · Mar 11, 2019

2wheelgrplr said:
Great selection of jackets. A question if I may - how much longer is the Vanson Commando vs. let’s say the Vanson Chopper or the Vanson Highwayman. Pics I see of the Commando shows it’s a longer body jacket but I can’t decide whether the body is too long for this style or whether it’s practical-long. Thinking about both on-bike and off-bike situations. Many thanks!

Thanks. About 2 inches longer. With the two-way zipper is works on the bike but would probably not be as comfortable as the others without it. Left Field’s version is slim fitting, both in the body and sleeves. Butterscotch sells a version that is less fitted. I find it is more versatile than the others for off-bike wear— less accouterments lol. It is one of my favorite jackets. IMO, X-150 is Vanson’s best (Octagon is the same type leather).

2wheelgrplr · Mar 11, 2019

gmcd said:
What size are are you wearing if you don't mind my asking? I'm also curious what size your PLU-3 is for comparison as I've owned one of those and am considering a V7.
Thanks

They’re size 42, same size as my PLU3. Here’s a review thread I did about these jackets: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...-nyc-armored-leather-motorcycle-jacket.91820/

2wheelgrplr · Mar 11, 2019

JMax said:
Thanks. About 2 inches longer. With the two-way zipper is works on the bike but would probably not be as comfortable as the others without it. Left Field’s version is slim fitting, both in the body and sleeves. Butterscotch sells a version that is less fitted. I find it is more versatile than the others for off-bike wear— less accouterments lol. It is one of my favorite jackets. IMO, X-150 is Vanson’s best (Octagon is the same type leather).

Great! Thanks so much for the detailed reply. Answers my questions, and yes, I’ve been eyeing the butterscotch versions very closely for a bit now. Might have to pull the trigger sometime soon.

technovox · Mar 11, 2019

Just for something different- Here's a blue Shields cafe racer with the padded elbows.

fulcanelli · Mar 11, 2019

Who makes good looking motorcycle jackets with armour? Unlike the look of fine creek and aero but if you come off I bike wearing those you have no protection.

barnabus · Mar 11, 2019

Goldtop is surely the answer to this question?

https://www.goldtop.co.uk/jackets

Or you can get armoured Lewis Leathers through Urban Rider :

https://www.urbanrider.co.uk/jackets/leather.html

Edward · Mar 11, 2019

fulcanelli said:
Who makes good looking motorcycle jackets with armour? Unlike the look of fine creek and aero but if you come off I bike wearing those you have no protection.

I heard a rumour Aero have done armour pocketson a custom basis, but I don't know for sure. I'd love a Royale with disreet armour. Oh....or how about a Hilts repop A2 with disreet bike armour in it for the Summer?

barnabus said:
Goldtop is surely the answer to this question?

https://www.goldtop.co.uk/jackets

Or you can get armoured Lewis Leathers through Urban Rider :

https://www.urbanrider.co.uk/jackets/leather.html

Quite a few firms are now doing tha mandarin collar / lancer front type jackets that were very popular in the UK in the 70s and into the eighties with armour - the REvit Vaughn is one such, Lewis' project with Urban Rider is another. Currently, the latter do two models - a Super Monza, and the Racer (a padded cafe-racer type, very similar to some of the Gold Top models). THese retail at around £800; the REvit Vaughn is £500ish. The Gold top range are made in China (which is an issue for some), which helps keep the price down. Compared to other, armour-equipped bike jackets in the same £500 or less market, they ared very impressive. They're the only ones I've seen as of yet (apart from the odd cheap Brano style, though tbh I'd be wary of even an armoured jacket at sub £100) that do an earlier style: the 59 model would be an excellent base for someone who wanted a real Ton-Up style jacket but wih CE armour protection.

In terms of coping with a slide, a good Aero would be hard to beat, however where armour comes into its own is in an off where you hit the ground. The other alternative to having armour fitted would be to wear an armoured garment of some sort below the jacket. In the past, this meant a bulky 'underjacket' - and having to think about putting something else on every time, and sizing the jacket over it, and what happens at destination, and.... These days, and with effective armour getting thinner all the time, wearing something like this: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=riding+shirt+plaid+armour+pockets+kevlar+aramid under the jacket is a viable option. Alternatively, you could go for the 'kutte' look, and wear something like this over your Aero: https://www.rolandsands.com/product/622/ramone-vest/black . Won't help your arms, but at least it would allow you to have a backplate.

Edward · Mar 11, 2019

FWIW, Back in December, I asked in the Lewis shope whether they would extend this to their wider range; for now, the answer it no. Pity; a Lightning with the armour in it would be an impressive riding jacket.

2wheelgrplr · Mar 11, 2019

fulcanelli said:
Who makes good looking motorcycle jackets with armour? Unlike the look of fine creek and aero but if you come off I bike wearing those you have no protection.

What we were discussing in the post above yours - Vanson x UGNYC V7 collaboration jacket: http://uniongaragenyc.com/shop/featured/union-garage-v7-jacket

Vanson also makes some several cool leather jackets with armor options. You can go to their site and click on armor options: https://vansonleathers.com/

Others have mentioned Lewis Leathers armored jacket collaboration with Urban Rider UK.

Then there are several decent options from Revit, Helstons, Richa, Segura etc. MotoLegends UK seems to be a one-stop shop for many of these European brands. These jackets have more of a 70s vibe than the 50s, 60s or earlier vibe of brands like Aero etc.

Hope this helps.

Edward · Mar 11, 2019

It's much easier for a cafe-racer type, certainly.... Vanson just don't eem interested when it comes to their cooler 'Heritage' type jackets. Maybe the bulk of their buyers for the latter just either are non-riders, or simply not interested in armour? I'm sure, just as there are the ATGATT faction, there will be those who sneer at the idea of wearing armour in a jacket, in the same way that some folks prefer, where allowed, to ride without a helmet. Each to his own, within the limits of the law; the one thing that always seemed odd to me were the guys who, in States where a helmet is required by law, insist on wearing one that is no more protective than a child's bicycle helmet, just to make a point. By all means go lidless if that's your choice and the law allows, but I've never quite understood the mindset that, when obligated to wear a helmet, would deliberately choose one that offers no protection. Hey ho.

JMax · Mar 11, 2019

Harley riders typically do not wear armor. I would bet that most 'heritage' type jacket sales in the US that go to riders go to Harley riders, with some Indian, Triumph, etc. thrown in (increasingly so). Further down that rabbit hole, I would say that most riders on big cruisers in the US do not wear armor. At least that has been my experience. I took the armor out of my Force. Feels better without.

I would say that most folks that ride without armor aren't sneering at those who do, just making a personal decision not to wear the armor. I do not sneer at the guys who show up at the usual bike stops looking like Jet Jaguar about to fight Godzilla. They can do what they want. Just as many who wear half-lids are not trying to make some political point, though some certainly are. Many just prefer no helmet and the feel of riding without a full-face, etc. And they are willing to risk it. I was that guy at first but now much prefer a full-face. I can listen to my music, etc. And if I go down hard my wife can have an open casket at my funeral. I am considerate that way.

lucky23 · Mar 11, 2019

Wow, what a pleasant surprise I got today. The Lesco cafe racer jacket came today and I gotta say, it more than exceeded my expectations. Fits perfectly (for a change) and is made from pretty heavy duty steer hide? Horse hide? Im not sure buts its absolutely bullet-proof. Great shade of dark brown. Love it! I can't believe such a well made substantial jacket went for so cheap ($130), easily worth a lot more IMHO. My Langlitz may have to move over, this may become my favorite riding jacket

Ric. · Mar 11, 2019

@Lucky 23 - great score. Was that on the bbay site? Who/where is it made. Color would look good with my old Beemer.
Regards, Ric.

Clifton · Mar 11, 2019

I guess I'm the definition of hypocrite. I wear cowhide but wouldn't wear horsehide no mater how good it looks or how well it performs. I've been around horses most of my life and both my partners have been horsewomen. The idea of wearing equine is as bad for me as eating one. Never had cows though.

If I can find a pic I'll send it, but Furygan Leathers from 20 plus years ago were wonderful and so comfy.

lucky23 · Mar 11, 2019

Ric. said:
@Lucky 23 - great score. Was that on the bbay site? Who/where is it made. Color would look good with my old Beemer.
Regards, Ric.

It was made by Lesco Leathers. Other than that, I don't know anything else. I looked but there is little info on the web about them. Too bad, they apparently made fantastic jackets. I sure miss my old R75/5

regius · Mar 11, 2019

If someone here has my Johnson made Horween jerky HH T2 replica, please post lol, that was a nice jacket, I sold it as the chest was a bit small.

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Gamma68 · Mar 12, 2019

lucky23 said:
Wow, what a pleasant surprise I got today. The Lesco cafe racer jacket came today and I gotta say, it more than exceeded my expectations. Fits perfectly (for a change) and is made from pretty heavy duty steer hide? Horse hide? Im not sure buts its absolutely bullet-proof. Great shade of dark brown. Love it! I can't believe such a well made substantial jacket went for so cheap ($130), easily worth a lot more IMHO. My Langlitz may have to move over, this may become my favorite riding jacket

Few folks fully appreciate the Lesco jackets. I had a really nice CR and sold it to make room in my collection. Didn’t quite get my money back on the resale, and I didn’t pay much to begin with. Yours looks very nice. Enjoy!

Gamma68 · Mar 12, 2019

The Lesco CR I once owned. Beautiful marbled brown leather.

Lets see those Motorcycle Jackets!

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