Planning my first jacket

Peacoat said:

Theoretical thinking is one thing; practical experience with them is another. Wind flaps work. As you live close to the equator, you will, fortunately, never have to try one out.

While wind flaps are essential on motorcycles with no windshields, I find they are helpful on motorcycles with windshields as well. On both the fairing and non fairing models I have had, there is enough wind that gets around the windshield that I want wind flaps on all of my riding jackets, especially when the temps are in the 50s and below.

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Fanch said:

I came into this discussion a bit late but will attempt to give my input as I have ordered two Sheene's (russet brown and black Vicenza) in the past. Unfortunately my pictures were lost when I bought a new Windows 10 computer to replace my Windows 7.

I concur with what others have said regarding cotton drill lining throughout which is what I have done on all of my Aero jackets except for body shell moleskin lining on my Aero Teamster. I am partial to the olive cotton drill and used it on both Sheene's. I would not recommend a windflap on a Sheene. Although my Sheene's have HWM collars, an August collar sounds fine; IMO no big deal one way or the other. Although I asked for no shoulder gussets on my black Vicenza Sheene, it came with shoulder gussets anyhow, and I can tell little difference between my black Vicenza Sheene and russet brown Vicenza Sheene with no gussets. No big deal.

My russet Sheene has zipped handwarmer pockets; my black Vicenza Sheene does not. The zipped handwarmer pockets abrade my hands; so I much prefer no zips on handwarmers. I didn't order vertical inside pockets on either jacket but wish I had ordered one vertical inside pocket without closure within the left inside leather facing of each Sheene (I am right handed.

Although you prefer dark brown Vicenza, Aero's seal Vicenza is not quite as dark as the dark brown Vicenza but darker than russet Vicenza. I much prefer seal Vicenza over dark brown Vicenza as the seal is the richest color I have seen, and wish my russet Sheene were seal. Just my personal preference.

If you live in N America, I strongly recommend you go through Thurston Brothers in Seattle as they will send you a fit jacket and go from there. None better than Carrie at Thurston Bros. In my case a friend about the same size as I am sent me his Sheene that was too tight fitting in my midsection and could tell Holly to have at least an additional 2.25” added to waist. The Sheene/CR pattern is very much a fitted jacket with a V shape, and as such has very tight parameters and is difficult to get a good fit. Hence the reason for getting a fit jacket from Carrie, if feasible.

Below are the specifications that were saved in my documents on the Aero invoice for my last Sheene. As a point of reference I am 6'2" 185 lbs 42" chest 38" waist, with long arms but somewhat short torso in relation to my height. Hopefully my input will be of some help as you attempt to navigate through this process:

Sheene // Black Vicenza // Size 42” // 3 Pocket – chest pocket straight, not slanted // Omit Shoulder Gussets/Action Back // No Kidney Panel // Back Yoke // Additional 2.25” added to waist – NO LESS // 27.25” back – NO LESS // 27.25” Sleeve – NO LESS // Antique Brass Hardware // Looped Pocket Zip on Breast Pocket // No zips on Handwarmers // Olive Cotton Drill Lining Throughout >> Additional note – If the Looped zip isn’t available, diamond puller is okay for chest pocket. If Olive cotton drill is out of stock, can substitute for black.

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scurvyfreedman said:

Thanks for your experience. Cotton drill lining appears to be the universal advice. Appreciate the info about the non-zip hand warmers and gussets. Will definitely use Thurston when the time comes.

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Carlos840 said:

It does make a massive difference, but only once you get up to speed of 50-60mph and you don't have a windshield to deflect the wind over you.
When riding without a windshield or a windflap, wind will push through the zipper and your back will turn into a giant flopping baloon, it creates a lot of wind drag and ruins your stability, you will also freeze within minutes.
Because of the the Lewis Leathers Dominator for example is a horrible bike jacket at motorway speeds.

(if you look at modern riding jackets they usually have air vents you can open and close. Most jackets will have them in the front and back. The air that comes in through the front need somewhere to escape from in the back to prevent balooning.)

On foot i have never come across a situation where the wind was strong enought and came at me straight from the front with enough force to do the same thing.

So the answer is yes, if you ride a bike with no windshield at motorway speeds it will make a huge difference.
If you don't ride a naked bike you will most likely never have a need for a windflap.

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scurvyfreedman said:

Thanks for your experience. Cotton drill lining appears to be the universal advice. Appreciate the info about the non-zip hand warmers and gussets. Will definitely use Thurston when the time comes.

Click to expand...