D Pocket Horsehide Double Rider (brown)?

[Schneidermann]

Dear all, I hope you'll forgive the ignorant questions, but I've sort of haunted this forum for some years now and I recently decided I'd like to get the jacket type noted above. My inspiration is

https://www.contextclothing.com/brands/schott-nyc/ss14-model-113-cxl

Which obviously I missed the boat on. I'm currently considering an Aero J106 or Daytona custom from Thurston in either CXL FQHH Cordovan or Brown, or the Vincenza Brown FQHH.

Can anyone advise me as to whether I should be looking elsewhere for a jacket like this? I do ride, but am a younger guy and higher-end jackets are still new to me. I do have a Schott 316US in black steer -- a Japanese version that I feel fits me well. But the horsehide, the lure of brown leather (more versatile with my wardrobe) and that D pocket have got me.

Thanks.

 

[handymike]

A1's Diamond Dave Buco D-pocket is off the hook!
Mendleboaz has a super-cool 2 tone J106 too.
I think the Daytona is sooo underrated.
For me, the ultimate goes to either Himel Bros or Norshor Leather though.

 

[singer]

Take this with a grain of salt, because I don't wear double riders, yet. But I really like the Himel Avro:

 

[ton312]

I had three j-106 jackets and they were all spectacular. For me however, nothing beats Vansons highwayman for riding.

 

[Gav]

The thing that bugged me about my aero j106 was the lapel shape. It's otherwise a great jacket but... that himel looks awesome.

 

[Pdxgeo]

that brown one in the second pic...dang. That is cool as

 

[ton312]

The thing that bugged me about my aero j106 was the lapel shape. that himel looks awesome.

Yeah it's definately a tighter "w" than most. It's precisely that detail that makes me love my Bootlegger, but ultimately prefer my Vanson for scoot'n. The Himel is gorgeous. Probably the best looking cross zip I've ever seen. Would never, ever ride in it tho.

 

[Monitor]

Aero really nailed it with the J106. It even sort of barely worked for me...

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I agree with ton about the Vanson. Comfort on the bike also means a lot (I ride all summer). Notice ton's fit with each jacket. Right on concerning sleeve length and properly proportioned well for a MC jacket IMO. However, Vanson is one brand that has nailed the overall construction, in several areas, for the dedicated rider...setting it above just the motorcycle jacket 'look', and still can pass nicely for only streetwear.
HD

 

[ton312]

I agree with ton about the Vanson. Comfort on the bike also means a lot (I ride all summer). Notice ton's fit with each jacket. Right on concerning sleeve length and properly proportioned well for a MC jacket IMO. However, Vanson is one brand that has nailed the overall construction, in several areas, for the dedicated rider...setting it above just the motorcycle jacket 'look', and still can pass nicely for just streetwear.
HD

It's true. There's just something about Vanson that makes it easier to sit hunched over, arms stretched out in. It has nothing to do with weight, the Vanson outweighs the Aero jackets by a fair amount but the cut on the Vanson seems to really hit the mark with that position in mind. It does have some features that some might find unattractive, full action back and side laces, but it's those very things that allow it to be a very personal fitting jacket that just works on a bike. I certainly could ride in a j-106, no doubt, but I just always prefered the Vanson. And agreed, I wear it everywhere and it's ultimately that fact that made me pass along the j-106's and a LW J24, which were really spectacular in every way you can judge a jacket.

 

[Superfluous]

This is the fundamental problem with this forum. Ask which is the best xxx, and you get 37 suggestions, each of which, standing alone, is a fantastic option. Its information overload, and often results in paralyzing indecision. If I was in the market for a D Pocket, I would now be utterly incapable of deciding.

One of each please.

 

[ton312]

This is the fundamental problem with this forum. Ask which is the best xxx, and you get 37 suggestions, each of which, standing alone, is a fantastic option. Its information overload, and often results in paralyzing indecision. If I was in the market for a D Pocket, I would now be utterly incapable of deciding.

One of each please.

Exactly. Best to come here only after you've made your own justifications, then, at least, you can still tread water.
The good news is, with the makers discussed here...you literally can't go wrong.

 

[ProteinNerd]

I quite like my ELMC Roadstar

 

[Monitor]

This is the fundamental problem with this forum. Ask which is the best xxx, and you get 37 suggestions, each of which, standing alone, is a fantastic option. Its information overload, and often results in paralyzing indecision. If I was in the market for a D Pocket, I would now be utterly incapable of deciding.

One of each please.

That's true but on the other hand, it's exactly what Ton said - at the level we play on, you simply cannot go wrong. I mean, nobody's gonna say "Wow, this sucks ass!" after they unbox their first RMC or Aero or whatever. suggestions that should immediately be disregarded though are the ones claiming that one maker is much better than the other or that a certain maker is garbage. Most makers discussed here are on an equal level with the difference being perceived by one's subjective perspective.

It would be extremely difficult for me to recommend Aero J106 over Vanson D-pocket, despite the price difference which should in theory account for something. And it doesn't. Vanson jacket makes for a better riding jacket that I would put more trust into while personally, I would prefer the CXL HH.

To answer OP's question; what you're looking for Himel Avro. It's pricey, but I think this jacket should tick all the boxes for you.

 

[Guppy]

I quite like my ELMC Roadstar

Every time I convince myself that a D pocket is not a practical style, I see a picture like this and reconsider the whole thing.

 

[Monitor]

Every time I convince myself that a D pocket is not a practical style, I see a picture like this and reconsider the whole thing.

Ditto. But it's the same with every style for me, especially with the CR's. Even the cheapest Fidelity has me impulsively going for the Buy it Now button.

 

[Schneidermann]

So I'm blown away by every pic in this thread. And while I'm basically dumbstruck, I've also been introduced me to some incredible makes. Slowly, I'm leaning toward the Avro though! But man, Himel Bros do charge top dollar. I've had a look around and it looks like most here feel it's worth it. The jackets LOOK worth it. The only thing for me is the back on the Avro is almost a little too complex ... though I realize that this does make the jacket authentic and will add functionality. Thanks to all for all the really helpful replies and for taking such awesome pics. Incredible shots of those J106s. Wow. I probably should have remained silent as now ... I will soon be broke.

 

[handymike]

Give Himel a buzz. He's around at many trade shows. You can try on his jackets and see his work up close at Inspiration (NY/ LA). It's worth it ifyou can get there

 

[Monitor]

So I'm blown away by every pic in this thread. And while I'm basically dumbstruck, I've also been introduced me to some incredible makes. Slowly, I'm leaning toward the Avro though! But man, Himel Bros do charge top dollar. I've had a look around and it looks like most here feel it's worth it. The jackets LOOK worth it. The only thing for me is the back on the Avro is almost a little too complex ... though I realize that this does make the jacket authentic and will add functionality. Thanks to all for all the really helpful replies and for taking such awesome pics. Incredible shots of those J106s. Wow. I probably should have remained silent as now ... I will soon be broke.

Oh, I have an idea - Johnson Leathers. Significantly cheaper, equally nice and definitely more serious if you intend to ride in it. JL is a proper motorcycle gear maker so no worries about the quality. They can source you just about any leather you want and will definitely do any design you like. You can just send 'em photos of what you'd like, like I don't know, that Schott Beck you mentioned in the OP and they'll do it. As simple as that. I've seen their Terminator 2 replica, it's actually so much nicer than the original Bates it's not even funny. Not a whole lot of photos of their jackets online but so far everyone who has bought a jacket from them has been swept away with it. Look around the forum for reviews.

They even do the fit jacket, textile mock up, everything. I seriously think you cannot do better than them.

 

[AeroFan_07]

You're on a good path here, welcome to FL by the way! You may indeed (temporarily) be broke with this purchase, but it's good that you are doing this while young, so you have a long, long time to enjoy it, and when funds recover, you can try another type of jacket. You'll love any of these, I have a J106 awaiting it's break-in (all black, FQHH in this case) but I can say that I've loved many Vanson's over the years too. The Johnson Leathers idea is a great one too! Really can't go wrong overall...