Best Stock Jacket w Armor ??

[jpk_NJ]

Just getting into biking and looking for a proper stock jacket that has Elbow/Shoulder armor pockets built in. Not looking to retrofit any of my existing jackets. Any suggestions on what maker / model you guys would recommend? Again, has to be stock that Id get within a week. New triumph arriving this week! In case it matters, Im about 5'9 160 so usually looking at 19"shoulder/23 pit in most jackets.

 

[JMax]

I would go to Vanson’s website and check out their armored jackets. Whole bunch of them in different styles. I have the perforated force with armor, love it.

Johnson Leathers also has armored jackets.

 

[ton312]

Vanson v-7 sold thru union garage NYC would be my vote. No first hand experience but it looks the absolute business.

 

[Guppy]

Vanson v-7 sold thru union garage NYC would be my vote. No first hand experience but it looks the absolute business.

I have it. It's very nice, but a premium cost. If you are new to riding I'd suggest starting with something more modestly priced. There are good used armored vanson jackets all over ebay for $300-400. That's what I would recommend.

 

[dan_t]

Really depends on what look you’re going for.
Dainese, Alpinestars are both exceptional products from a safety perspective. They may (or may not) meet your aesthetic needs though.

 

[jpk_NJ]

Got convinced into trying an off the rack Vanson due to their recent promo for 15% off. Liked the AR3 model but when I viewed the size charts / notes, saw its clearly a bit too long unless you have a long torso. Like 27"back length on a 42. Ended up trying their cross zip Force model. Hopefully it doesn't end up looking too "village people" on me!

 

[jpk_NJ]

Guppy - I did like that V7 but the pocket on the right hand side instead of left definitely irks me. And at that price premium I could probably have a custom from JL.

 

[Edward]

Be interested to see what you make of the Vanson. They have a lot of nice looking jackets - though a shame that they don't seem interested in offering the armour options in their more classic designs.

 

[roadking04]

Be interested to see what you make of the Vanson. They have a lot of nice looking jackets - though a shame that they don't seem interested in offering the armour options in their more classic designs.

Fox Creek is making their classic jackets with armor provisions. I am not a big fan of naked leather. I have one of their vests and a pair of chaps. Excellent customer service, thick leather, and built well. I just don't care for the naked leather part.

 

[Edward]

Fox Creek is making their classic jackets with armor provisions. I am not a big fan of naked leather. I have one of their vests and a pair of chaps. Excellent customer service, thick leather, and built well. I just don't care for the naked leather part.

Thanks - I've looked at them before, they certainly look an option, though I'm wary of ordering from the US when I can't try on first. Might check them out when I'm next over there (though I need to pound to get out of the toilet first!). Never understood why more people aren't offering the classic designs with armouring in them - I can only assume this is still a newly growing area of interest in the market.

 

[Guppy]

Never understood why more people aren't offering the classic designs with armouring in them - I can only assume this is still a newly growing area of interest in the market.

Because armor completely changes the jacket, and it needs to be redesigned from the ground up. This can be done with a nod to classic style, but the end result will still not look classic.

 

[Bfd70]

Imho armor for street riding is not super vital. In a crash there is impact (rider and ground or vehicle) risk, and abrasion (rider and ground) risk. A good leather jacket will protect your upper body from abrasion. Over the ankle lace or zip up boots will protect your feet and ankle from abrasion. I do think there is an advantage to armor’d pants as hips and knees are a popular impact/abrasion point and denim offers little protection. Jacket armor is typically only in elbows, shoulders, and maybe back. In my experience elbows are not a high impact point (for everyday street riding, low side get offs on track days are another story). Shoulders are an impact point but armor or not, if you high side onto your shoulder a break is likely, particularly the clavicle. These are anecdotal observations from spending some time working on an ambulance. Unfortunate 1st hand experience is that when you highside the natural reaction is to put your hands out. No jacket protects your wrists from impact and that can mean that wiping the ole back side is.....an adeventure at minimum for quite some time. Low siders aren’t terrible if you manage to be clear of the bike and not stop abruptly by meeting a fixed object.
Lastly, and while it goes without saying in much of the world, but not this vicinity, if you don’t have a helmet on, don’t worry about a jacket unless you want to make sure you look cool at the morgue.

 

[Edward]

Because armor completely changes the jacket, and it needs to be redesigned from the ground up. This can be done with a nod to classic style, but the end result will still not look classic.

Traditionally, yes - though I believe this can and will change as the armour panels have become much more flexible and thinner in recent years. There's been a significant surge in the number of 70s style jackets with modern CE-approved plates in them in the last few years; it's only a matter of time before somebody sticks them in a 50s style jacket. TBh, though, I'd be happy enough to accept a level of 'wrong' in the look for the added advantage - but then I'd think nothing of adding flashing indicators to a Gold Star either....

Imho armor for street riding is not super vital. In a crash there is impact (rider and ground or vehicle) risk, and abrasion (rider and ground) risk. A good leather jacket will protect your upper body from abrasion. Over the ankle lace or zip up boots will protect your feet and ankle from abrasion. I do think there is an advantage to armor’d pants as hips and knees are a popular impact/abrasion point and denim offers little protection. Jacket armor is typically only in elbows, shoulders, and maybe back. In my experience elbows are not a high impact point (for everyday street riding, low side get offs on track days are another story). Shoulders are an impact point but armor or not, if you high side onto your shoulder a break is likely, particularly the clavicle. These are anecdotal observations from spending some time working on an ambulance. Unfortunate 1st hand experience is that when you highside the natural reaction is to put your hands out. No jacket protects your wrists from impact and that can mean that wiping the ole back side is.....an adeventure at minimum for quite some time. Low siders aren’t terrible if you manage to be clear of the bike and not stop abruptly by meeting a fixed object.

As with anything else, of course, it's all about calculation of acceptable risk... it's nice to see the safety gear becoming less obtrusive now (at least the regular stuff; I'd never have any interest in the kind of massive, separate back protectors that are standard track wear, but then I'm also not licking vees at the reaper in the mode of the Dunlop boys, God rest their souls...).

Lastly, and while it goes without saying in much of the world, but not this vicinity, if you don’t have a helmet on, don’t worry about a jacket unless you want to make sure you look cool at the morgue.

Some of the sights I see here in London.... a helmet to ECE standards has been a legal requirement since 1973, but it's amazing the people I see out there in hotpants and t-shirts, as if they think only their head is vulnerable! Mostly scooter riders are the worst. Can't imagine the law changing there, though - much too difficult to enforce. I expect we'll see open face helmets phased out in due course, though interestingly I see a trend for retro motocross style helmets appearing on the street, the draw being the compromise between the feel of the open face but with the jaw bar to protect what is statistically the highest impact point on the head.

 

[Bfd70]

^ no helmet law at all here. My estimate would be 30% of people wear one.

 

[jpk_NJ]

Be interested to see what you make of the Vanson. They have a lot of nice looking jackets - though a shame that they don't seem interested in offering the armour options in their more classic designs.

So the Vanson Force arrived today. Unfortunately, I was left VERY underwhelmed / disappointed to be honest. In both hide and construction quality. Though in full disclosure, Im used to Aero / Simmons Bilt / some Schott.

This Force Jacket (Police Model w Armor) was supposedly made in their "Competition Weight" leather. Honestly, it was significantly thinner than the CXL Steer used by either SB or Aero. It was also nothing like the Vanson hides I recall from 5+ yrs ago. Apart from weight, the topcoat was very plastic'y / cheap looking with a heavy even finish on it. I doubt it would ever wear down, patina or change in appearance. Then the stitching /finisihing, attention to detail was lacking. Uneven bottom hem. Shoulder epaulets cut uneven with the double ply leather not trimmed flush at the points.

Needless to say, this is going directly back for a refund. No desire to try my luck on an exchange.

 

[JMax]

Too bad, total opposite of mine on a number of fronts. And mine is the perforated version. Perhaps an “off batch” of leather discussed in another thread a couple of weeks back? This does seem to be a more common occurrence lately. Glad my eight Vanson are already purchased and i’ve no need to push my luck. Good luck hunting down the jacket you want.

Edit:: How does it fit and have you put it on and sat on bike? Ridden in it? It should feel great and comfortable on bike. The weight of it should “disappear”. If not, wrong size or whatever. These things are made to ride in, not impress by stitch count, etc.

 

[Guppy]

the topcoat was very plastic'y / cheap looking with a heavy even finish on it. I doubt it would ever wear down, patina or change in appearance.

You'd be surprised... I've seen what old vansons looked like when they were new, and it's pretty unbelievable how they go from plasticy looking to amazing.

But yeah, on all the other points you mentioned, that would be a major disappointment for me, too.

 

[Edward]

So the Vanson Force arrived today. Unfortunately, I was left VERY underwhelmed / disappointed to be honest. In both hide and construction quality. Though in full disclosure, Im used to Aero / Simmons Bilt / some Schott.

This Force Jacket (Police Model w Armor) was supposedly made in their "Competition Weight" leather. Honestly, it was significantly thinner than the CXL Steer used by either SB or Aero. It was also nothing like the Vanson hides I recall from 5+ yrs ago. Apart from weight, the topcoat was very plastic'y / cheap looking with a heavy even finish on it. I doubt it would ever wear down, patina or change in appearance. Then the stitching /finisihing, attention to detail was lacking. Uneven bottom hem. Shoulder epaulets cut uneven with the double ply leather not trimmed flush at the points.

Needless to say, this is going directly back for a refund. No desire to try my luck on an exchange.

That's a shame. You're not the first I've heard of express surprise at how light the hide felt on a Vanson in recent months.

 

[Hh121]

So the Vanson Force arrived today. Unfortunately, I was left VERY underwhelmed / disappointed to be honest. In both hide and construction quality. Though in full disclosure, Im used to Aero / Simmons Bilt / some Schott.

This Force Jacket (Police Model w Armor) was supposedly made in their "Competition Weight" leather. Honestly, it was significantly thinner than the CXL Steer used by either SB or Aero. It was also nothing like the Vanson hides I recall from 5+ yrs ago. Apart from weight, the topcoat was very plastic'y / cheap looking with a heavy even finish on it. I doubt it would ever wear down, patina or change in appearance. Then the stitching /finisihing, attention to detail was lacking. Uneven bottom hem. Shoulder epaulets cut uneven with the double ply leather not trimmed flush at the points.

Needless to say, this is going directly back for a refund. No desire to try my luck on an exchange.

I am not surprised, the construction is not as good as before, my returned Enfiled has strange shape collar , asymmetrical side buckles, one much higher than other, and the hand warmer pocket can’t even fit my hand , it is so shallow and can only fit 2/3 of my hand.
But who will notice that? Except in small circle like here. They are busy with collaborations, I don’t think they cares.

 

[JMax]

I am not surprised, the construction is not as good as before, my returned Enfiled has strange shape collar , asymmetrical side buckles, one much higher than other, and the hand warmer pocket can’t even fit my hand , it is so shallow and can only fit 2/3 of my hand.
But who will notice that? Except in small circle like here. They are busy with collaborations, I don’t think they cares.

I think I have said this before but a way to ensure the Vanson is spot on is to tweak it a bit to make it “custom” or get a collaboration jacket. Pretty sure I mentioned the first part in other discussions. Nobody wants to wait lol. I don’t blame them at all.