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FS: Alpinestars black heavy motorcycle jacket, UK/US 44 (EU 54)

Messages
16,851
So here's something special. Can safely say I've seen quite a few jackets up until this point, seen quite a few Alpinestars jackets which were all very good, true riding jackets but I don't think I've handled more than a handful altogether that compare to this.

Among the best from any maker, plain and simple.

Okay, first the the basics...
✦ Classic style, similar to the Highwayman, with maybe a bit more British vibe. One reason I'm listing it here.
✦ One vertical inside pocket with a snap, two hand-warmers.
✦ Green-ish/gold quilted lining. Insulated throughout the sleeves as well. Very warm. Did just fine for me today at 45 f, even with the jacket unzipped.
✦ Cuffs with snaps, two widths.
✦ Snaps on the sides of the bottom hem, for waist regulation.
✦ Shoulder gussets.
Etc...

Now, the leather - If I didn't know any better (and I don't), I'd say Horween. It's exactly, and I mean exactly the same as the CXL Aero is using - or rather, was using a few years back; that super stiff, heavy, shiny sort. Virtually the same, from the slightly oily top coat to the brown core showing through. You know how black Horween CXL seems almost brown at sunlight? Whether it really is Horween, I've no clue but I do know that I've never seen a hide that's even remotely similar and especially not from European tanneries. It's even got the damn smell!
Whatever it is, it's drop dead gorgeous - and I actually believe it might be Horween.

So in short, just think CXL. That pretty much says everything about what you can expect the jacket to be like. Near 7 lbs heavy. Very stiff and heavy. Extremely hard wearing. Vanson or Aero grade, or higher.

Construction, stitching and all is robot perfect. You can easily tell this from the photos. Really well made. Combined with the fact that this is Alpinestars, a company that makes actual riding gear with a cut and a pattern to boot, the jacket feels like a piece of equipment - extremely robust and tough piece of equipment. Freaking tank it is.

Don't know how old it is. Bought it used but 'cause of the super tough leather, it barely shows any signs of use. I wore it literally once to no effect. Not a single spot anywhere on it. Few creases in the sleeves and that's it. The jacket still stands on its own. Which is something you perhaps ought to take as s warning of a sort, at least - This thing isn't broken in yet and it doesn't seem to be in a hurry to get there. Again, think brand new Aero. Maybe about seven consecutive HWT's will do the job.

So like I said. This jacket is absolutely incredible and one of the finest I've ever seen. Like, ever. Not exaggerating here. If you were to see it, to handle it, you'd agree.

Why sell it, then? Too big. I wore it for one day, tried to make it work but it's just too roomy. If it was shorter, fine but it's too long and too big. I'm not in a hurry to sell it, maybe I'll wear it a bit more and if it doesn't sell, keeping it won't break my heart.

As for the size, the tag says it's a European 54 and I'd say it's a textbook US 46 but please be guided by the measurements below...

• P2P: 23.6" / 60 cm
• Waist: 22" / 56 cm
• Shoulders: 21.25"/ 54 cm
• Back: 25.5" / 65 cm
• Sleeves: 26.5" / 67 cm

So yeah, if you're after this style, if the size works for you... Consider your quest for a cool british 60's rocker jacket that's not a cross zip with all those snaps and all, finished. You won't get a better jacket from ANYONE else and you can trust me on this.

Not saying all this just to sell it. I've got half a dozen jackets I'm selling and I'm not listing a single one here 'cause I know they're not worth your time.

This one is.

Asking $290 plus shipping or best offer - a price that certainly won't affect the quality of my life tremendously so even if it doesn't sell, think of this post as a review for a downright spectacular jacket. We can always talk price. Contact me and we'll figure something out.

Kills me to sell it for peanuts, especially knowing there are people selling infinitely inferior jackets for much more.

Anyway, time to wrap this up. Few photos, including some fit pics. Thank you for looking and if you have ANY questions whatsoever, fire away.

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ste60

New in Town
Messages
18
Location
Italy
Hi Monitor, I agree totally with you, about jacket quality and description. I still have one of these, size 52, it's more used and abused than yours, but it's beautiful. These are late 90s production, when Alpinestars entered in the professional bike suits, bike jacket( and bike inspired ) market, till then they made only boots. They had three or four models, and this particular one was the more " civilian", the others being more bike professionals ( windflap, high collars, protections). Those years quality is really unparalled in the Italian market related to everything came next . Only Dainese, italian produced ( but they made only "technicals" jackets, with detatchables protections ), CMJ and "italian" Belstaff (Malenotti owned) had quality in terms of hides, details and finishment comparable to this.
Here are some of my old bike jackets....
Glws
Ciao Stefano
View attachment 101904
 
Messages
16,851
Hi Monitor, I agree totally with you, about jacket quality and description. I still have one of these, size 52, it's more used and abused than yours, but it's beautiful. These are late 90s production, when Alpinestars entered in the professional bike suits, bike jacket( and bike inspired ) market, till then they made only boots. They had three or four models, and this particular one was the more " civilian", the others being more bike professionals ( windflap, high collars, protections). Those years quality is really unparalled in the Italian market related to everything came next . Only Dainese, italian produced ( but they made only "technicals" jackets, with detatchables protections ), CMJ and "italian" Belstaff (Malenotti owned) had quality in terms of hides, details and finishment comparable to this.
Here are some of my old bike jackets....
Glws
Ciao Stefano
View attachment 101904

I'm so glad you chimed in, ste60! Yep, that's the one right there! Thank you for the bit of info on the jacket, had no clue it was the late 90's. Also really happy you can testify to the quality of this. And I hear you about how it compares to the later Alpinestars jackets - the later models I've seen were all good jackets but not even remotely close to this. This is Aero/Vanson grade. I don't think I've ever seen such leather outside of Aero. Not even on the best Dainese I'm honestly a bit jealous your jacket is a 52. If the jacket I'm selling was just a size smaller, I'd keep it.

What's that insanely cool yellow jacket?
Also, is that A-pro, the black cafe racer on the photo, one with the A-pro hanger??? Got to be, I'd recognize it anywhere. That used to be my favorite jacket ever! And it really is a great jacket. Had a few A-pro jackets but that one was my fav. It has top sleeve zippers and shoulder gussets. Man, such a good jacket.
 

ste60

New in Town
Messages
18
Location
Italy
Compliments, you're right, it's the A pro, the thickest and softest leather I've never seen.
The orange (sorry, difficult to capture the real color) is a CMJ, beatiful hide, it's really a "cuoio", must be some kind of vegetable tanned. CMJ was a little atelier, appeared and disappeared in the 90s, they were, in my opinion, at the same level of the greatest of today.
Ciao P_20180112_180652.jpg P_20180112_180735.jpg P_20180112_180849.jpg P_20180112_180919.jpg P_20180112_181007.jpg P_20180112_181217.jpg
 

AeroFan_07

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,736
Location
Iowa
Ivan - such a neat A-S jacket there and neat to see the collection here later on as well. I had a very well broken in fully padded and ventalated A-stars jacket from their early "multi-color" days, that I lent to a "friend" and was never returned. Still miss that jacket, leather was so thick and soft, it was never a chore to wear at all. But I've never seen one of these. Very well preserved, taken care of, especially with the white quilted interior.
 
Messages
16,851
Compliments, you're right, it's the A pro, the thickest and softest leather I've never seen.
The orange (sorry, difficult to capture the real color) is a CMJ, beatiful hide, it's really a "cuoio", must be some kind of vegetable tanned. CMJ was a little atelier, appeared and disappeared in the 90s, they were, in my opinion, at the same level of the greatest of today.
Ciao View attachment 101935 View attachment 101936 View attachment 101937 View attachment 101938 View attachment 101939 View attachment 101940

Am in love with the orange one! I have to admit C.M.J. is an unknown to me but I'll definitely keep watching for one. But yeah, that's the A-pro I had. The jacket was really heavy and so well made and designed... Sold it when I was getting my first Schott. I remember thinking, man, if A-Pro makes such a good jacket, imagine what giants like Schott or Vanson can do! How little did I know back then...
Now I want another one.

Ivan - such a neat A-S jacket there and neat to see the collection here later on as well. I had a very well broken in fully padded and ventalated A-stars jacket from their early "multi-color" days, that I lent to a "friend" and was never returned. Still miss that jacket, leather was so thick and soft, it was never a chore to wear at all. But I've never seen one of these. Very well preserved, taken care of, especially with the white quilted interior.

I'm telling you - you know I've had Langlitz, Aero, Schott, Vanson, etc., etc. but I would have to think real hard to recall a jacket of comparable quality. What ste60 says, this is unparalleled in both construction and hide. The later ones, albeit all top grade jackets, were mostly your standard modern racing jacket leather, the plasticy type that's sometimes on the lighter side. This thing here... I'd literally think LW if I saw it on someone in town.

By the way, the Alpinestars logo on the chest is actually a metal plate and it's glued to the jacket, not sewn in or punched thru. There's some kinda opening in the lining (it's factory built in, although I have no clue what purpose it could serve but it's there) so I checked to see if the metal logo could be removed and I believe it could be without damaging the jacket.

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Messages
16,851
Got some other stuff moving, need the cash. New prices...

$200 + shipping to the EU (shouldn't be much over $15 - $20 tops)
$250 shipping included to the US and mostly elsewhere
 

Worf

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,207
Location
Troy, New York, USA
I'm interested but I'd have to get it cut down mebbe. I'm a true 48 now 50 at the largest. Hmmm I'm a ruminatin'! That's not a left hand zip is it?

Worf
 
Messages
16,851
I'm interested but I'd have to get it cut down mebbe. I'm a true 48 now 50 at the largest. Hmmm I'm a ruminatin'! That's not a left hand zip is it?

Worf

@ProteinNerd is right, it's actually a European 54. Made a mistake not adding a US size to a title, figured later the large number will have people confused. In reality, it's around US 44-46. It fits me approx. like an Aero HWM in a size 44. Or maybe slightly big larger... Stretched out, P2P is close to 24".
 

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