Help choosing between Aero Board Racer & Cafe Racer

[ProteinNerd]

I finally had a chance to weigh my two Board Racers and I was quite surprised by the difference. TBH I didn't think it would be that much although I hadn't really thought about the weight differences or bothered comparing that before.

Size 40 steer = 5.06lb
Size 42 Vicenza = 3.75lb
Size 40 DD Shinki J-100 (just for my own interest) 3.5lb

 

[Monitor]

My size 40 FQHH Cordo is exactly 6.8lb.
My brothers A-2 in Jerky Seal HH size 52 is 4.2lb.

Not always is Steer the heaviest.

 

[holdemchamp1225]

I finally had a chance to weigh my two Board Racers and I was quite surprised by the difference. TBH I didn't think it would be that much although I hadn't really thought about the weight differences or bothered comparing that before.

Size 40 steer = 5.06lb
Size 42 Vicenza = 3.75lb
Size 40 DD Shinki J-100 (just for my own interest) 3.5lb

This is exactly why I did not consider Vicenza as a leather option. Sorry, but for me a jacket of this quality and supposed durability should not weigh less than 4 lbs, especially if it is a size 42!! That just seems more like a fashion jacket than a motorcycle jacket unless it was a professional mototcycle outfit made from Kangaroo or something that light but also super durable and flexible. I have a friend who use to race Moto GP for Yamaha and I have seen some of his custom made racing suits which were made from Kangaroo and similar leather that were supposed to be the best compromise between light weight, durability, and wearability.

To give you an example, my size 36 Aero CR in 4oz CXL Steerhide weighs in at 3.05 kg which is 6.7 lbs. I have a size 38 Aero HWM in the same 4oz CXL Steerhide that weighs 3.3 kg which is 7.27 lbs (7 lbs 4 oz).

I also have a custom made Langlitz from heavy weight buffalo that weighs 3.9 kg or 8 lbs 9 oz.

 

[Monitor]

This is exactly why I did not consider Vicenza as a leather option. Sorry, but for me a jacket of this quality and supposed durability should not weigh less than 4 lbs, especially if it is a size 42!! That just seems more like a fashion jacket than a motorcycle jacket unless it was a professional mototcycle outfit made from Kangaroo or something that light but also super durable and flexible. I have a friend who use to race Moto GP for Yamaha and I have seen some of his custom made racing suits which were made from Kangaroo and similar leather that was supposed to be the best compromise between light weight, durability, and wearability.

To give you an example, my size 36 Aero CR in 4oz CXL Steerhide weighs in at 3.05 kg which is 6.7 lbs. I have a size 38 Aero HWM in the same 4oz CXL Steerhide that weighs 3.3 kg which is 7.27 lbs (7 lbs 4 oz).

I also have a custom made Langlitz from heavy weight buffalo that weighs 3.9 kg or 8 lbs 9 oz.

Fully agreed. I'm sure Vicenza is a nice hide but at such a weight difference, I think I'll pass. If I'm dropping that much money on a leather jacket, least I want of it is to be heavier than anything that can be found at the mall. Most motorcycle jackets are extremely tough and durable without being stiff, uncomfortable and overly heavy and applying the same standard for any non riding jacket is only a positive thing in every possible aspect. It doesn't need to be Vanson or LW either - Dainese or Alpinestars gear is midweight, soft and nice looking while still being plenty heavy and really tough. There are no cons to light leather. 2kg plus is okay but anything under 1.5 kg, I really don't understand what is it that I'm paying this much money for...

 

[ProteinNerd]

Funny you say that, I've had a hairdresser absolutely freak out at how heavy my DD Shinki Buco was when they took my jacket to hang up once, they called other staff over to feel how heavy it was and it's my lightest leather jacket lol.

For me, for a jacket I don't intend to wear on the bike, Vicenza is heavy but not to heavy, thick but not too thick. One thing to note is, I don't recall anyone who actually has a Vicenza jacket complained it wasn't a substantial enough leather......but quite a few who have never worn one seem to have strong opinions on it [emoji13]

 

[Fanch]

Well said. ^^^^

 

[holdemchamp1225]

Funny you say that, I've had a hairdresser absolutely freak out at how heavy my DD Shinki Buco was when they took my jacket to hang up once, they called other staff over to feel how heavy it was and it's my lightest leather jacket lol.

For me, for a jacket I don't intend to wear on the bike, Vicenza is heavy but not to heavy, thick but not too thick. One thing to note is, I don't recall anyone who actually has a Vicenza jacket complained it wasn't a substantial enough leather......but quite a few who have never worn one seem to have strong opinions on it [emoji13]

I appreciate and respect your advice and opinion but I have to disagree. I have owned OVER 20 different Aero jackets ranging in styles and hides. I have also owned over 10 different Eastman jackets ranging from an A2 to a B3 and Irvin. This is NOT including jackets I have from Langlitz, Schott, etc...

Your hairdresser is like 99% of the population when it comes to understanding or knowledge of a quality leather jacket. That person would not know the difference between a mall jacket made by Wilson Leather compared to an Aero jacket or fashion brand like Prada, Versace, or higher up such as Brioni, Kiton, etc...

The main reason I like and order Aero jackets is due to the fact that they offer something few others can provide. One being their signature CXL FQHH or 4oz CXL Steerhide. If I wanted a hide similar to the Vicenza I could order a jacket from at least 3 or 4 jacket producers who could get a similar hide.

Like I said, I understand your point but your example with your hairdresser has little to do to what the Vicenza hide is in comparison to a CXL FQHH or 4oz CXL Steerhide.

I also collect watches and cars so it would be like me wearing my Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Kasparov LE Dubai boutique edition in platinum and someone looking at it and making a similar comment as someone else wearing a Citizen Ecodrive. Not apple to apples.

 

[ProteinNerd]

No need to explain or justify wanting a super heavy thick jacket, if that's what you want, that's what you want. No problem disagreeing with me, they are just my opinions.

I hope you end up with what you are after and please post some pics up when it arrives, everyone wins from shared experiences.

I'd love to hear more about your martial arts experience, we both have a similar training history from what I can tell over, 25 years in more traditional styles then a more recent move to MMA but that might be better over PM.

 

[Monitor]

Just to clarify, I didn't want to make it sound like Vicenza is not sufficiently heavy by some (my) imaginary standards just that I personally don't feel comfortable wearing a lightweight jacket, on and off the bike. And I prefer getting something for this insane kinda money that I cannot easily fake out by getting something that's close enough and will do as a quick fix. It's near impossible to find a leather jacket of the sort we talk about here through normal channels (lol) which would be street stores, malls, etc. I simply have no other choice but to turn to either eBay or, say, Aero for a heavyweight leather jacket, as simple as that. But yeah, Vicenza is definitely not lightweight.

I wish it wasn't like that, though 'cause then I'd have a lot more jackets to buy and TBH when people actually do show interest in any of my jackets, I almost always say it's something old I've picked up from a trift shop. I don't think I've ever once actually advertised any of these brands IRL. I don't know why, though. That's just so... tacky.

 

[Harris HTM]

maybe a bit off topic but does Aero offer a 4oz hide? As I had understood from posts here from Aero they never advertised such a heavy leather.

 

[Monitor]

maybe a bit off topic but does Aero offer a 4oz hide? As I had understood from posts here from Aero they never advertised such a heavy leather.

They used to some time ago, though.
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627190355/http://aeroleatherclothing.com/product-detail.php?id=1296

 

[Fanch]

No need to explain or justify wanting a super heavy thick jacket, if that's what you want, that's what you want. No problem disagreeing with me, they are just my opinions.

Again I concur with what @ProteinNerd just said regarding preference and opinions. In fact this forum would be terminally boring if we all wanted the same thing(s). I too have owned a number of jackets and still retain far more than I really need, although my preference is Aero's Vicenza which IMHO is heavy enough for my use but not too heavy. I do like my brown FQHH Teamster though when it is wet and cold here in N Texas.

BTW @holdemchamp1225 you have a fantastic watch collection. Many of us on the forum also collect things other than jackets, including watches, cars, motorcycles, firearms, etc. Part of the common illness we all share. In my case I also collect watches and would collect cars too if I had a place to store them. Motorcycles too if my wife weren't so adamant against it.

Repeating what @ProteinNerd said, be sure to post pictures on arrival as everyone wins from shared experiences!

 

[holdemchamp1225]

Again I concur with what @ProteinNerd just said regarding preference and opinions. In fact this forum would be terminally boring if we all wanted the same thing(s). I too have owned a number of jackets and still retain far more than I really need, although my preference is Aero's Vicenza which IMHO is heavy enough for my use but not too heavy. I do like my brown FQHH Teamster though when it is wet and cold here in N Texas.

BTW @holdemchamp1225 you have a fantastic watch collection. Many of us on the forum also collect things other than jackets, including watches, cars, motorcycles, firearms, etc. Part of the common illness we all share. In my case I also collect watches and would collect cars too if I had a place to store them. Motorcycles too if my wife weren't so adamant against it.

Repeating what @ProteinNerd said, be sure to post pictures on arrival as everyone wins from shared experiences!

Thanks for the compliment on my watch collection. Have been collecting watches for around 25 years so far longer than jackets, LOL.

I will definitely post pics when the jacket arrives but unfortunately for me Aero is slow to produce so we are looking at a minimum of 8 weeks :-(

I will be listing some jackets for sale which just sit in my closer if anyone is interested.

 

[Fanch]

@holdemchamp1225[/USER] have you considered waiting until you return to the US so you can get a fit jacket from Thurston Bros? My perception is that the CR design is not very forgiving regarding fit, and the BR even less forgiving than the CR. My 42 CR (Sheenes) are definitely not tight fitting, and I was really surprised at how tight fitting a 42 Vicenza Premier HWM was in the chest and shoulders. If the 42 Premier HWM had been CXL FQHH rather than Vicenza, I would have needed an iron lung assembly to breathe.

 

[holdemchamp1225]

@holdemchamp1225[/USER] have you considered waiting until you return to the US so you can get a fit jacket from Thurston Bros? My perception is that the CR design is not very forgiving regarding fit, and the BR even less forgiving than the CR. My 42 CR (Sheenes) are definitely not tight fitting, and I was really surprised at how tight fitting a 42 Vicenza Premier HWM was in the chest and shoulders. If the 42 Premier HWM had been CXL FQHH rather than Vicenza, I would have needed an iron lung assembly to breathe.
View attachment 68042

If I thought I was coming stateside soon I would have contacted Carrie and tried out the fitting system they offer. Unfortunately for me I do not have any plans of coming stateside until probably August or September to attend a couple marriages. I currently have over 20 jackets (7 Aeros) and IMHO the CR fits me the best or at least that is what my fiance tells me LOL !!

I probably will just order a CR and a Board Racer to feel and see the difference for myself. I am a little surprised that a 42 Premier HWM would fit tighter in the chest and shoulders than a 42 Cafe Racer. I have never tried a Premier HWM but I do have several standard HWM jackets and they in no way fit as tight as my CR in the chest, shoulders, or waist.

 

[Fanch]

There is a radical difference between the standard HWM and Premier HWM patterns. I am swimming in a 42 HWM but very constricted in the shoulder/chest of a Premier HWM. Maybe a 44 Premier HWM would work for me?

When you wear your 38 Cafe Racer, exactly where is your jacket too loose? When I ordered my two Sheenes, I went with size 42 with 2" added to the circumference of the torso/waist (1" added to each side panel). A 44 CR would have achieved the same effect in the midsection but would have been a bit too big in the chest and shoulders.

If you are going through Denny at Aero, you might want to tell him exactly where your sizes 36 and 38 don't fit the way you wish. Pictures sent to Denny would also help him. Best of all would be a trip to Galashiels.

 

[AeroFan_07]

+1 on very nice watch collection! I have one, given to me as a gift a few years back. Need to get back into the habit of wearing watches again.

 

[Fanch]

Guy does have a nice watch collection. Easier to store a large number of watches than a large number of jackets too.

 

[holdemchamp1225]

There is a radical difference between the standard HWM and Premier HWM patterns. I am swimming in a 42 HWM but very constricted in the shoulder/chest of a Premier HWM. Maybe a 44 Premier HWM would work for me?

When you wear your 38 Cafe Racer, exactly where is your jacket too loose? When I ordered my two Sheenes, I went with size 42 with 2" added to the circumference of the torso/waist (1" added to each side panel). A 44 CR would have achieved the same effect in the midsection but would have been a bit too big in the chest and shoulders.

If you are going through Denny at Aero, you might want to tell him exactly where your sizes 36 and 38 don't fit the way you wish. Pictures sent to Denny would also help him. Best of all would be a trip to Galashiels.

My 36 CR fits PERFECT in the shoulders and chest with just a T-shirt. The 38 that I just sold last week was slightly too big in the chest but fit well in the shoulders and waist. The problem is if and when I wear a thick cashmere or baby alpaca sweater. The 36 CR is SUPER tight in the shoulders and chest, almost TOO tight as I can barely zip the jacket. The 38 CR fit better with a thick sweater but again it was too loose without. That is my dilemma but I guess I will have to choose between a 36 and 38 CR but maybe I could ask for an extra inch or 2 in a 36 CR which I think would be between a standard 36 and 38 CR.

This was why I was curious about the BR since it seemed to fit slightly smaller than a CR. I thought maybe going with a 38 BR would be equivalent to a 36 CR with some extra room.

I will try to talk and request Denny at Aero. I do know that I want the body and sleeves slightly longer so around 25" - 25.5"

My measurements are:

5' 10"
69 kg or 152 lbs
36" chest relax and 37.5" expanded with a T-shirt
29.5" - 30" waist depending on the day and what I ate LOL

 

[b1lf]

One thing to note, the Board Racer also does NOT have back/shoulder gussets, which would likely limit mobility, however I haven't owned or even tried on both of them... so just take that as a minor observation.

Apparently, you can custom order the Board Racer with gussets.

So my 4-pocket Cafe Racer (size 42 on tag) purchased off the rack at Thurston's fits me perfect with a t-shirt, and just barely with a long sleeve dress shirt on. The shoulder gussets it has on it Do Not limit mobility, instead they do the opposite (to a degree). They open up a little more flexibility. It's 4-oz Steerhide and the break-in was quick and simple.

I might offer this for a thought...a Cordovan Steer CR with Olive cotton drill lining, and Olive, brown or black 3" Cordoroy bottom lining trim makes for a very solid, long-wearing jacket. Especially on a close fitting jacket, the Cordoroy lower lining helps keep the lining from showing wear & tear. Mine has it, (with a wool tartan lining) and I really like it.

Good luck, wish your other jackets were just a bit larger...(But I don't need the temptation.)

I think you misunderstood my point. Or I mis-phrased it.

back/shoulder gussets = allow for MORE flexibility



... so the Board Racer in it's stock configuration, would potentially be less-mobile, since it does not have them.