How long/short do you like your cafe racer for casual wear?

AeroFan_07 · Aug 4, 2019

So the Vanson Comet is a great example of an impossibly short torso mixed with long arms. Look at their specs for a 42 right from their website:

Size 42 ---Chest measures 47.5 inches = there is 5.5 ease in this fit.
Back length is 24 - Front 21.5 - Sleeves are 35.5
Bottom circumference sweep of the jacket is 41 inches.
These jackets are short
These jackets follow classic race suit design with broad shoulders and narrow waist.

I had one of these once, it ran almost 2 inches above my belt. Could not get used to it. Moved it on and never looked back. Carlos - your second jacket - the AL to me is as perfect as it gets!

I prefer the jacket to cover my belt, and not dip too far below that. Not easy to find sometimes!

patrick_b · Aug 5, 2019

Interesting question, and one I've spent far too much time considering. I tend to like a jacket to hit below the belt by an inch or two. I recently bought an RMC J100 that hit below my jeans pockets (tops of the pockets). I felt it way too long so I sent it off to Johnson and they shortened by 2". It's great now.

Before/original:

After/Shortened:

Next up is an Aero BR/J100 in dark seal Vicenza. Hits longer but also great IMO. Truth be told, I like this length a bit more.

Will Zach · Aug 5, 2019

What is the length of these jackets and how tall are you, if you don't mind me asking?

patrick_b · Aug 5, 2019

@Will Zach

I’m 5’11” with short legs.

RMC Front/Rear 22”/25.5

Aero F/R 23.5” /26.5

Will Zach · Aug 5, 2019

Front is measured from where the two parts of the collar converge to the hem?

AeroFan_07 · Aug 5, 2019

Good illustration there. To me I also like to zipper to reach very close to the bottom of the jacket as well. This may get me some negative press on here, but it just looks "tidy." Guess that's why 99.5% of the time, my shirts are always tucked in and buttoned up as well.

patrick_b · Aug 5, 2019

Will Zach said:
Front is measured from where the two parts of the collar converge to the hem?

Sounds right, bottom of collar right along the zipper to the lowest point of hem.

Seb Lucas · Aug 5, 2019

AeroFan_07 said:
So the Vanson Comet is a great example of an impossibly short torso mixed with long arms. Look at their specs for a 42 right from their website:

Size 42 ---Chest measures 47.5 inches = there is 5.5 ease in this fit.

Back length is 24 - Front 21.5 - Sleeves are 35.5

Bottom circumference sweep of the jacket is 41 inches.

These jackets are short

These jackets follow classic race suit design with broad shoulders and narrow waist.

I had one of these once, it ran almost 2 inches above my belt. Could not get used to it. Moved it on and never looked back. Carlos - your second jacket - the AL to me is as perfect as it gets!

I prefer the jacket to cover my belt, and not dip too far below that. Not easy to find sometimes!

Which is why Thurston Bros has updated Vanson's old Comet pattern adding 2 inches to it. It's now 26 inches at back on a size 42.

Edward · Aug 5, 2019

jonbuilder said:
how few vintage reproduction bike jackets will ever actually see the back of a motorcycle....

I am a small sample yet my vintage jackets are worn riding hard[/QUOTE]

You're one of the few, I suspect. Though I always think, myself, that period-looking gear really complements a classic bike, especially on a run.

Downunder G Man · Aug 5, 2019

I have 4 café racer jackets.

1) Schott 641 HH in Black 44" . Fits lovely right off the rack. 26 inch back. LOVE this jacket

2) Excelled ( 70's) Steer in Brown 42". Fits well and has 26 inch back. Fits "big" for a labelled 42"

3) Vanson Comet in Black medium Firenze steer 44". Fits real snug ( T shirt only !) 24" back. SUMMER only riding

4) Vanson "perforated" café racer, very close in fit/size to the above Comet. Will be my other SUMMER only riding jacket.

I like them all , each has their place and time of use. I am 5 foot 11 , 33" inseam, 90Kg , 36 waist ( I know I know haha..)

AND I look just like the "male model" in the Vanson Comet section of their sales page ! Actually I am a very similar shape/size

EXCEPT he is much better looking haha...

AeroFan_07 · Aug 5, 2019

Seb Lucas said:
Which is why Thurston Bros has updated Vanson's old Comet pattern adding 2 inches to it. It's now 26 inches at back on a size 42.

I recalled that now. I actually bought the "high water" Comet as a used jacket from Carrie at thier store in Seattle. She did advise I probably would not like the fit, but I was stubborn...and foolish...

jpk_NJ · Aug 6, 2019

AeroFan_07 said:
So the Vanson Comet is a great example of an impossibly short torso mixed with long arms. Look at their specs for a 42 right from their website:

Size 42 ---Chest measures 47.5 inches = there is 5.5 ease in this fit.

Back length is 24 - Front 21.5 - Sleeves are 35.5

Bottom circumference sweep of the jacket is 41 inches.

These jackets are short

These jackets follow classic race suit design with broad shoulders and narrow waist.

I had one of these once, it ran almost 2 inches above my belt. Could not get used to it. Moved it on and never looked back. Carlos - your second jacket - the AL to me is as perfect as it gets!

I prefer the jacket to cover my belt, and not dip too far below that. Not easy to find sometimes!

I'm pretty sure Vanson revised their Comet pattern in the last couple years to be slightly longer / more modern. It used to be an old school 80's high waisted jeans super short cafe racer but now appears to be perfect length for on bike use. My size 40 Armored Comet is just about 25" back length from base of collar.

At 5'9, that's my preferred riding length but for casual wear CR I go 26" / 26.5". My casual jeans are a bit loser/lower rise than the pair I pick for riding only.

patrick_b · Aug 6, 2019

jpk_NJ said:
I'm pretty sure Vanson revised their Comet pattern in the last couple years to be slightly longer / more modern. It used to be an old school 80's high waisted jeans super short cafe racer but now appears to be perfect length for on bike use. My size 40 Armored Comet is just about 25" back length from base of collar.

At 5'9, that's my preferred riding length but for casual wear CR I go 26" / 26.5". My casual jeans are a bit loser/lower rise than the pair I pick for riding only.

I tried on a couple of Comets at Vanson this summer. They all covered my belt, a hair longer in fact than my RMC J100 (pictured above). For reference, size was a 46. While I was browsing the retail shop floor, a guy rolled in a rack from manufacturing with a freshly made 46 Comet in Octagon. I'm still thinking about that one but I clearly have the cafe racer slots filled.

Gamma68 · Aug 6, 2019

I really like my Vanson Comet, size 42, from 2003. I bought it knowing it’s designed to be on the short side. I’m 5-9, 155.

AeroFan_07 · Aug 6, 2019

"^^ Gamma that is literally perfect!! Nice find there!

miglan30 · Aug 6, 2019

Right below belt on mid-rise jeans/pants though the hem style plays into it. Don't mind a tad lower on extended hem or whatever it is called, as long as zipper is not too low.

Seb Lucas · Aug 6, 2019

Looks great M30. I prefer longer too. My favoured back length is 27.5 inches - I'm 6'2".

When CR's are short they make a lot of larger built guys look chubby. If you're gonna wear them short it seems to me you need the body of a 15 year-old boy.

patrick_b · Aug 6, 2019

miglan30 said:
Right below belt on mid-rise jeans/pants though the hem style plays into it. Don't mind a tad lower on extended hem or whatever it is called, as long as zipper is not too low.

Perfect length IMO.

Seb Lucas said:
Looks great M30. I prefer longer too. My favoured back length is 27.5 inches - I'm 6'2".

When CR's are short they make a lot of larger built guys look chubby. If you're gonna wear them short it seems to me you need the body of a 15 year-old boy.

Couldn't agree more. That why I couldn't pull off the same length as @Gamma68's jacket above. Works well on him!

Gamma68 · Aug 6, 2019

Seb Lucas said:
If you're gonna wear them short it seems to me you need the body of a 15 year-old boy.

I’m well over 15. But I do exercise 3-4 times a week and try to watch what I eat. CRs keep you honest.

How long/short do you like your cafe racer for casual wear?

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