Your thoughts on Levis Buffalo Leather Moto Jacket

[Kuro]

https://www.levi.com/US/en_US/clothing/men/outerwear/leather-moto-jacket/p/477650000

Any thoughts? The buffalo leather trucker seems to be popular here with it's own thread.

I am looking for a double rider that is casual and easy to wear. Would prefer a non-quilted liner though.

Anything else I should look for that is not eight pounds and stiff as rolled up carpet? Nice liner is a plus, not afraid of pre-owned leather either.

Thanks!

 

[dubpynchon]

Anything else I should look for that is not eight pounds and stiff as rolled up carpet?

Thanks!

You may have come to the wrong place...

 

[Kuro]

You may have come to the wrong place...

Not really concerned. I already own eight pound Horween steerhide jacket, so I am home.

Looking at other options as well.

 

[Monitor]

Not really concerned. I already own eight pound Horween steerhide jacket, so I am home.

Looking at other options as well.

Japanese makers produce stuff in lighter leather. Not lightweight by any definition but definitely not as heavy as Aero, Vanson, etc.

 

[Kuro]

Japanese makers produce stuff in lighter leather. Not lightweight by any definition but definitely not as heavy as Aero, Vanson, etc.

Awesome.

I have been considering saving for an Aero Ridley in a soft steerhide like my BR.

But I was wondering if there are any other jackets I should look for that are out there on the open market. Older Schott or Vanson styles in a lighter weight leather for example. Yes I understand that probably does not exist, but I won't know if I don't ask from this pool of experience.

 

[Monitor]

Awesome.

I have been considering saving for an Aero Ridley in a soft steerhide like my BR.

But I was wondering if there are any other jackets I should look for that are out there on the open market. Older Schott or Vanson styles in a lighter weight leather for example. Yes I understand that probably does not exist, but I won't know if I don't ask from this pool of experience.

Vintage stuff isn't nearly as heavy as repros of today so buying anything old, other than Cal leathers of course, is one way to go about it.

Other than that, Himel, Diamond Dave, EL(M)C, Aero in Vicenza, Mister Freedom and some others make jackets that aren't in the extreme range of weight spectrum.

As for the Japanese makers, there's so many of them now... RMC, Freewheelers, White Feather Manufacturing, High Large Leathers, Jelado, Addict Clothes, FourSpeed Leathers... And many more.

 

[Kuro]

Vintage stuff isn't nearly as heavy as repros of today so buying anything old, other than Cal leathers of course, is one way to go about it.

Other than that, Himel, Diamond Dave, EL(M)C, Aero in Vicenza, Mister Freedom and some others make jackets that aren't in the extreme range of weight spectrum.

As for the Japanese makers, there's so many of them now... RMC, Freewheelers, White Feather Manufacturing, High Large Leathers, Jelado, Addict Clothes, FourSpeed Leathers... And many more.

Great list, thank you!

I suppose what I am asking for is experience with particular jackets? For example I know that Schott makes a nice jacket for the japanese market, with a wonderful burgundy liner and brass zippers, the PER22. I don't know the weight of it of course. But it is an example of a specific double rider.

If anyone has owned a nice casual double rider, say without a belt that is easy to wear, vintage or otherwise I would enjoy learning about it.

Or what are the thoughts on this Levis jacket? Yes there is a seam on the back panel which is already a negative mark. Anything else scream stay away, or perhaps it could be as good as the Trucker they are currently selling many people here like in the same leather?

 

[ton312]

I feel the Levi's is priced too high for what's being offered. You could do better second hand, or save and pay more but get exponentially more. Just my humble opinion.

 

[Hh121]

That jacket looks weak.

 

[Hh121]

Check Aero's new apprentice jacket, it's around $550

 

[Kuro]

I feel the Levi's is priced too high for what's being offered. You could do better second hand, or save and pay more but get exponentially more. Just my humble opinion.

I figured with what accolades the recent Levis Trucker in the same leather received here, I was wondering where this one would fall. I respect the eyes of those with more experience in this field than I do.

Thank you.

P.S. That grey VANSON you once had... WOW! Now if only I could find one of those...

 

[Kuro]

Check Aero's new apprentice jacket, it's around $550

Thanks! I assume you are referring to the Bootleggers they have listed on their sale/used page?

 

[JMax]

If the perfecto/highwayman-type jacket is what you are looking for I would also consider Bates.

 

[Kuro]

If the perfecto/highwayman-type jacket is what you are looking for I would also consider Bates.

Thank you. Looking for a Double Rider, or a cross zip. I will look at Bates, I have never looked at a jacket from them before!

 

[Seb Lucas]

Ive owned Japanese Schott. Leather is very nice around 3oz. I favour 2.2 to 2.5 oz myself as I have no use for a heavy jacket here.

 

[Peacoat]

Johnson Leathers has a soft broken in out of the box jacket that is 3.0. to 3.5 oz. leather that is a comfortable to wear casual jacket. I have two of Johnson's offerings and like both of them. One is a tough 4+ oz. leather; the other is a soft 3 to 3.5 oz. leather.

Also an overlooked jacket maker is Fox Creek, out of Massachusetts. It makes a very nice soft 3.5 oz. leather jacket that is suitable for a motorcycle jacket or for casual wear. I have one that was broken in out of the box. Their chaps are also excellent, and are the only ones I wear for cool weather riding.

 

[handymike]

Thedi Leathers makes very nice jackets and the leather is not heavy.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I don't like cross zip style jackets at all so my advice is probably superfluous but this one by Levi's doesn't look very convincing. The pattern and drape of the thing makes it feel like a Wilson's leathers job. I have to say I do like the Aero Bootlegger - as cross zips go, it has less of those hideous extra pockets, belts and zips and has some swagger to it.

 

[marmalademan]

My thoughts on that jacket are that I've got it in size large in storage unworn and I'd sell it for a hundred pounds plus postage.

From memory I think it fits like a 42. I'm a 40 and it's too big

 

[JMax]

All of the makers make cross-zips with less or without all of the accouterments. Really comes down to other considerations, like leather, zipper placement, etc. There is a clean and tasty Bates on eBay right now as an example::

Vtg 70s Bates Highwayman Black Leather Motorcycle Jacket 38 Biker https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/202371587457


Good luck, the options really are endless.