Funny Aeroleather Review I found on Schott Website

[Plumbline]

I violently Agree

It's up to the manufacturer to define the level of customisation on offer .... and those that offer no customisation ( off the peg) will attract a certain customer. Those that offer total customisation will attract a different customer ( or perhaps the same customer with different product requirements). Schott offer NO customisation for example.

Aero have always been very clear in their offering .... and their jackets have been fab in my experience ... regardless of the regime. I have no problem with any manufacturer telling me they can't do something for me .. but it might sway my buying decision. There are limitations in any design and also some changes ( one piece back on a Highwayman for example) can change the fundamental look of the product ... and that may compromise the original design so much that the manufacturer may feel that they don't want to accomodate.

I tend to have custom lining, no storm cuffs, inside pockets and shortened sleeves ... but I have also asked for no studs on flap pockets, leather cuff lining, no button cuffs, main zip instead of buttons, olive drab stitching, mutton collar, removable mutton collar, trimmer collar, removal of eppaulettes, zip cuffs, zip close pockets etc. etc. etc. These have mostly depended on my envisaged usage or preference ... and I don't mind paying for them .... but if I can't have what I need on a jacket I can and will go elsewhere.

It's horses for courses ... there are PLENTY of good manufacturers out there .... enough to supply the needs of EVERY type of buyer.

With regards to the view of the FL on what is a "disaster of a jacket" ...... style and taste are funny things and as individual and peculiar and imovable as political persuasion and religious belief IMHO ! One persons disaster is another persons perfect jacket .... also personal biases are even funnier things, internet forums can bring out the best and also the worst of both of these things.

Just MHO ...

 

[ButteMT61]

Not true that they all were free.
Leather HH strip (internal) on my 50's HBD $50
Removable collar $75 or $100 I don't recall.
Well worth it. Other changes were free like heavy cord pockets and snaps on sleeves instead of buttons.

 

[ButteMT61]

And for my last Good Wear, I asked or a wider breast pocket and leather lined cuffs. No problema. Being nice helps too. (Yes, I can do that on occasion)

 

[Jeff M]

And for my last Good Wear, I asked or a wider breast pocket and leather lined cuffs. No problema. Being nice helps too. (Yes, I can do that on occasion)

And..it also helps if the manufacturer is nice. Not necessarily in being open to making small design changes (though that does help) but nice in general.

 

[sshack]

I think the old management at Aero (Wil/Amanda) was a lot more liberal in their customizations. When I originally placed my HWM order way back then, I had included a detachable fur collar. When Holly and family came back into the fold, they said the collar was no longer an option. Luckily, they still allowed me my one piece back.

 

[ButteMT61]

I think the old management at Aero (Wil/Amanda) was a lot more liberal in their customizations. When I originally placed my order way back then, I had included a detachable fur collar. When Holly and family came back into the fold, they said the collar was no longer an option. Luckily, they still allowed me my one piece back.

I do believe that's because the old design was lacking. I recall someone (Sloan?) saying they wanted to design a better option. Having one myself. I'd agree it could use improving.

 

[Sloan1874]

I'd spoken to Holly (close to a year back!:eeek, and she'd said Ken had been unhappy with the way the removable collar attached to the jacket, I think it just didn't sit properly.

 

[ButteMT61]

I'd spoken to Holly (close to a year back!:eeek, and she'd said Ken had been unhappy with the way the removable collar attached to the jacket, I think it just didn't sit properly.

Yeah, when I was freezing my ass off in Kelso, it didn't matter to me how it looked. In milder but cold climes. I opted for the scarf as it needs some man-handling. I have since soaked it and done some work on it so it's better, but not perfect. Schott actually does a good job with this. But they don't have FQHH like Aeros and the sheerling on mine is the heavier Irvin type stuff. I think you'd need to use a thinner leather and fleece to get it right.

 

[HorseHide]

I'm not sure anyone was suggesting putting an idiot in charge of product development

HEY! You guys can debate the merits of custom this or special order that but don't you go calling Homer Simpson an idiot!

And for what it's worth, the zipper pockets on my (former) stock Insurrection Aero Cafe Racer really did scratch up my knuckes and the back of my hands. I sold the jacket because of it.

 

[IXL]

I have never owned a motorcycle jacket without zippered pockets, and would not own one without them. They provide security for small items. That being said, some of the jackets require a certain "gentleness" when accessing these pockets, as the zippers can be a bit abrasive.

 

[Xenophon]

About the Schott jacket in the picture: how does the main zipper hold up when riding in heavy rain? It has a bit of an atypical construction in the sense that the zipper itself is totally open and exposed, compare with the zippers on the chest/side pockets and you'll see what I mean. Usually they're constructed in a way that leaves a thin leather 'flap' partially covering the zipper on the outside, like Aero (and most other manufacturers) do. Seems more sensible to me. On the Schott these might be internal by the looks. Zippers are usually weak spots anyway. Might not matter a lot when riding in Arizona but Scotland or rainy climes might be a different matter.

 

[IXL]

I own several Schott jackets and every one of them will admit rain at the zippers. They will survive light showers, but they are certainly not rain gear.

 

[Fanch]

I own several Schott jackets and every one of them will admit rain at the zippers. They will survive light showers, but they are certainly not rain gear.

Doesn't matter: Never rains in Oklahoma anyhow (or Texas either).

 

[jimmer_5]

I have owned that exact Schott 689H jacket (briefly) and I can attest that the quality of Aero's Horween horsehide leather is much better than Schott's. It is also a documented fact that Schott uses thinner horsehide with a layer of felt (they call it a "fusible") glued to the back to make the leather feel thicker.

Under Aero's previous management, I believe there was a tendency to oversize the jackets slightly. It's hard to fault them though, because I think it takes most customers a while to figure out what a good fit is. I sold my Aero because I felt it was about a size too big on me.

 

[Xenophon]

I have owned that exact Schott 689H jacket (briefly) and I can attest that the quality of Aero's Horween horsehide leather is much better than Schott's. It is also a documented fact that Schott uses thinner horsehide with a layer of felt (they call it a "fusible") glued to the back to make the leather feel thicker.

Under Aero's previous management, I believe there was a tendency to oversize the jackets slightly. It's hard to fault them though, because I think it takes most customers a while to figure out what a good fit is. I sold my Aero because I felt it was about a size too big on me.

I got my halfbelt deluxe made just after the 'switch', was still a size too large (and I'm generous). Part of it was due to my own stupidity b/c I was unfamiliar with the cut of the jacket, part of it was in my honest opinion due to the fact that most tailors prefer over- to undersizing. To do them justice: I didn't attempt to have the jacket returned or modified b/c it got delivered while I was in my residence outside Europe and to complain 4 months after it arrived would have been indecent so I'm not throwing a stone here, just want to repeat -ad nauseam- that before ordering it's absolutely vital to 'know' the cut and style and to make very clear agreements about sizing (not by the tag but actual sizing in in or cm).

And in that respect I DO think Aero should do more to inform customers via the site.

 

[Seb Lucas]

My Scott jacket is my favourite. I prefer their Horse Hide to the Aero. Less stiff and unyielding. For a non-biker it's better to wear. Don't think they use the backing cloth any more. But some companies do use a layer of synthetic backing on their leather. I forget the reason but I don't think it was to fake thickness.

 

[Xenophon]

My Scott jacket is my favourite. I prefer their Horse Hide to the Aero. Less stiff and unyielding. For a non-biker it's better to wear. Don't think they use the backing cloth any more. But some companies do use a layer of synthetic backing on their leather. I forget the reason but I don't think it was to fake thickness.

Leather without armour and even with armour is in this era of modern and breathable synthetics simply not a good choice for biking unless you ride on a circuit: in the summertime you boil like a lobster in its carapace, in winter you freeze (liner or not) or the suit becomes stiff like cardboard and when it rains it's not ideal either. But it looks great, that's true. When I ride in Europe I look like a dork wearing this. But I'd rather look like a dork than like a fashionista corpse. Style and a 167 kg/125 hp bike don't mix well when the crap hits the fan. And sooner or later it will hit.

 

[Plumbline]

+1

you need to upgrade to Rukka .... then you'll be col as cucumber in the vegtable drawer of the fridge

 

[Seb Lucas]

Like many leather enthusiasts, I've never sat on a bike or wanted to so I'll take your word. Sounds right to me.

 

[ButteMT61]

Schott has not lined the back of the leather for quite some time…