Fedora Lounge Motorcyclists: Safe Gear with a Vintage Vibe

[Edward]

Goldtop are now producing their Brown Bobber and black Cafe Racer 72 models with armour, with the promise that they hope to roll this out across the whole line in due course.

 

[scottyrocks]

Goldtop are now producing their Brown Bobber and black Cafe Racer 72 models with armour, with the promise that they hope to roll this out across the whole line in due course.

I need another motorcycle jacket like I need a hole in the head, but I am diggin' the BSA jumper.

 

[Edward]

I need another motorcycle jacket like I need a hole in the head, but I am diggin' the BSA jumper.

Yip, me too. I've handled one of their submariners, and the quality is fantastic.

 

[Kuro]

Dainese makes vintage inspired jackets. Check out their 72 line.

https://www.dainese.com/us/en/dainese72/

All of those jackets should have armor.

 

[Edward]

Since last posting to this thread, I see Goldtop have rolledout CE cetified armour to all their leather jackets. (Only their shearling Irvinalike - which istempting at £500 even with the handwarmer pockets - is now without.)

They've also now had several of their models of gloves CE-certified, which is nice. Be coolif they didsomething similar on the bottom half as well, though it's much easier to fidna clssiclook for thatgenerally now.

The big development in the last couple of years has been the greatly increased range of affordable, retro-style full dace helmets available on the market. I'm particularly taken with the Viper F656 Vintage:

Biltwell have also in recent years put an ECE approved version of their Gringo and Gringo S on the UK market too, nicely done. The visor-less Gringo is tmepting with the idea of adding a pair of prescription goggles.

 

[JMax]

Since last posting to this thread, I see Goldtop have rolledout CE cetified armour to all their leather jackets. (Only their shearling Irvinalike - which istempting at £500 even with the handwarmer pockets - is now without.)

They've also now had several of their models of gloves CE-certified, which is nice. Be coolif they didsomething similar on the bottom half as well, though it's much easier to fidna clssiclook for thatgenerally now.

The big development in the last couple of years has been the greatly increased range of affordable, retro-style full dace helmets available on the market. I'm particularly taken with the Viper F656 Vintage:

Biltwell have also in recent years put an ECE approved version of their Gringo and Gringo S on the UK market too, nicely done. The visor-less Gringo is tmepting with the idea of adding a pair of prescription goggles.

In my experience with the Gringo, one best ride with a windshield or just around town (no highways). Buffeting is insane and it sometimes felt like it was about to pop off. And forget listening to music or answering calls, a must for me. Full face all the way.

 

[bn1966]

Recently acquired a Simpson Venom, really nice helmet with an earlier vibe...that was big in the UK in the 80’s.

 

[JMax]

Recently acquired a Simpson Venom, really nice helmet with an earlier vibe...that was big in the UK in the 80’s.

View attachment 310910

Big fan of Simpson. Great looking too. My last few have been Bell Stars.

 

[scottyrocks]

answering calls

While riding?

 

[JMax]

While riding?

Yes. I take my hand off the bars, lean back and answer calls. That’s how I roll.

Seriously though, I have BT in my helmet. I answer and if it’s a client, I tell them to standby until I can stop the bike somewhere safe to talk. I’m on call 24/7/365. I have to answer the phones.

 

[MrProper]

Recently acquired a Simpson Venom, really nice helmet with an earlier vibe...that was big in the UK in the 80’s.

View attachment 310910

My Simpson

 

[nickv]

About 10 years ,long before i discovered this site , i bought a "Classic motorcycle jacket" from Fox Creek Leathers. It has been my go to leather jacket for riding my motorcycle, Modern enough but with a vintage look/style. Still going strong, and the jacket weighs a tonne.

 

[barnabus]

Biltwell have also in recent years put an ECE approved version of their Gringo and Gringo S on the UK market too, nicely done.

By coincidence, just last week I picked up a Gringo on a whim, as Urban Rider had it reduced from £149 to £54. I've been quite surprised by the perceived quality of the construction actually, as I expected something cheaper-feeling.

I haven't ridden with it yet, but I'm hopeful it'll be fine for biffing down to the shops or a lazy sunny Sunday ride to the cake shop.

I also need to show you my new Speedwear Pulford jacket when I get chance, which is perfect for this thread

 

[Edward]

In my experience with the Gringo, one best ride with a windshield or just around town (no highways). Buffeting is insane and it sometimes felt like it was about to pop off. And forget listening to music or answering calls, a must for me. Full face all the way.

I had half a notion the standard Gringo might be nice for Summer - or, better yet, the Premier Trophy MX - though knowing my luck, I'd get half a mile down the road and a wasp would fly in... ha! Nice option for those who want the sense of open face but the safety of having that jaw bar (in truth I'm surprised it's still legal to ride in an open-face), though I'd agree all round the Gringo S with the windshield is the more practical option.

By coincidence, just last week I picked up a Gringo on a whim, as Urban Rider had it reduced from £149 to £54. I've been quite surprised by the perceived quality of the construction actually, as I expected something cheaper-feeling.

I haven't ridden with it yet, but I'm hopeful it'll be fine for biffing down to the shops or a lazy sunny Sunday ride to the cake shop.

Quite the reduction! The ECE version is impressive, and only fractionally (by a couple of mm) bigger than the DOT original. A nice redesign.

I also need to show you my new Speedwear Pulford jacket when I get chance, which is perfect for this thread

Funnily enough, I was browsing their site yesterday. I've been considering that if Goodwood Revival happens again this year it might be a nice excuse to finally pick up a brown wax cotton jacket in this style, for the inevitable wet day! I noticed they've introduced the Pulford and there seems a sale on the Grenford; I wonder is there more of a difference than only cosmetic? Is the former replacing the latter? They have some very nice looking models on the site, it's a pity they don't have a clearer distinction between them. A table indicating all the significant difference across the range (weight, armoured, et cetera) would be helpful.

Be very interested to hear how you get on with the Pulford, that's exactly the kind of thing very pertinent to this thread.

 

[bn1966]

Just picked up a Corazzo summer bike jacket the ‘Speedway’ for about a quarter RRP in a sale, very light with mesh chest panel. Came with KNOX armour which I won’t be using due to owning a Knox armoured under shirt.

 

[barnabus]

@Edward Looks like the Gresford might be a redesigned, streamlined update. My Pulford was bought on clearance (like so many of my things!) so was only £70 and is their discontinued Sand colour - which is lovely.

From a quick look, my Pulford seems to differ in having a removable quilted liner instead of a pile liner. Waterproof fixed membrane. Quilted shoulders and elbows, and more rounded pocket shapes (with one on the slant to emulate the International/Trialmaster style)

I'll do some pictures later and tell you more about it.

 

[Edward]

@Edward Looks like the Gresford might be a redesigned, streamlined update. My Pulford was bought on clearance (like so many of my things!) so was only £70 and is their discontinued Sand colour - which is lovely.

From a quick look, my Pulford seems to differ in having a removable quilted liner instead of a pile liner. Waterproof fixed membrane. Quilted shoulders and elbows, and more rounded pocket shapes (with one on the slant to emulate the International/Trialmaster style)

I'll do some pictures later and tell you more about it.

Cool. Interestingly, I see the Pulford is listed as CE-rated, which the Gresford is not. AFAIK, the UK hasn't (yet) deviated from the EU standards on motorcycle ppe, though obviously for any business wanting to carry on sellinginto the EU that's not an option anyhow.

I hope they extend the colour ranges eventually; I love the dark green, but they only seem to do that in their "classic" range so far.

 

[barnabus]

If you like a dark green, Warrior do a similar jacket - although no mention of CE rating other than the armour inserts:

http://warriorgears.com/collections...-coat-for-men-touring-urban-riding-army-green

 

[TheDonEffect]

Recently acquired a Simpson Venom, really nice helmet with an earlier vibe...that was big in the UK in the 80’s.

View attachment 310910

I got a Simpson Bandit for car track use, because, I am... The Stig. I really wanted the a Simpson helmet for bike riding too, but wound up with a Shoei.

 

[bn1966]

I got a Simpson Bandit for car track use, because, I am... The Stig. I really wanted the a Simpson helmet for bike riding too, but wound up with a Shoei.

Had a Shoei of recent times, followed by a Shark, at upgrade time I went to a Motorcycle super store intending to look at a Shoei Neotec or another Shark. Shop had just had a delivery of the Simpson Venoms so I tried one on for fun..perfect fit so I looked up a few reviews on my phone & those being mainly very positive I handed over my money. What I would say is that the internal sun visor isn’t as good as on the Shark, doesn’t come down quite far enough for my liking and the drop mechanism isn’t as smooth as the Sharks was...overall very happy though..light and great visual fields.