AeroFan_07
I'll Lock Up
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So this could be an unusual jacket review for this forum. It's my first attempt to give a review of a consumer product in any semi-formal manner. This product may not be to everyone's liking since it's attributed to a motorcycle company and is the assemetic/Buco/Perfecto design. However it's sure been a jacket I have enjoyed owning since brand new in 2001. Just so it's clear I don't want to sell it, I'll just give a story about owning this jacket. So here goes...
This Basic Skins jacket from 2001 was among the last Harley Branded jackets that was still made in USA, however of imported cowhide of unknown origin. As photos indicate, this is also one of the few newer HD jackets not covered with all kinds of patches, flames, or even "Harley Davidson" written all over it. It does have a small nickel label under the left hand warmer pocket and the snaps also have the name on them.
I was also drawn to this jacket by the simplified Perfecto style - no belt, no smaller snap-closure pocket, just a simple and timeless style along with thick, good quality cowhide with a satin lining. I had realized by this point that poly-filled or "thinsulate lined" jackets generally kept me too warm unless the lining was removable, so finding this jacket "un-lined" was great in my book. The best part: Price. In 2001 this was HD's least-expensive jacket at $235.00 list price. I actually found this one on clearance at $125.00 and picked it up at once, I had tried on several in stores before finding this one.
This tag shows the Basic Skins' manufacture location, and the size of the jacket. This is one point I do slightly regret with this jacket, if I were doing it all again, I would have bought a Large instead of an XL, the L runs around 44L, this XL is closer to a 46L or even a 48. But in those days I wasn't used to a slimmer fitting jacket, and I was always taught to "allow room for layers." 
Also of note even in early 2001 most Harley leathers were already being produced in Aisa, and those all had higher prices thant this jacket.
Now to the real review, at least in my mind. This cowhide, while initally quite firm and stiff, softened up quickly with use, and developed very unique grain and patina over the literally hundreds of hours I've worn it since that time.
While this leather does not tend to "bunch up" on the arms the way CXL steer and horse tend to, it's developed a unique character that I have really enjoyed. The leather itself tends to adjust well to your body temperature as you wear it, so it never really feels too warm or too cold unless you are in a extremely cold or hot day. For riding purposes, this jacket lacks both ventallation areas as well as pockets for armour. For a traditional rider, it could make sense to wear this jacket, I found I wore it more off the bike than on, I prefer pads + leather on a motorcycle.
I find the sleeves on this jacket ride a bit far out onto my hands however this is also typical of a motorcycle jacket. The sides lack any type of adjustment for fit, and if I were designing this jacket I would have upped the price $10 and included something.
As can be seen here the back does feature small action back panels near the sleeves, this jacket gives good freedom of motion, especially once broken in. Also the back panel is mostly a one piece design, the false kidney "belt" being more a styling feature on this jacket. As a side note, I owned for a year a late 60's AMF-Harley Perfecto style jacket with both a full belt and a hard leather kidney belt area. It actually supported your back while seated. I truley wish I had not sold it as I did last spring.
So in summary, I would reccommed one of these Basic Skins jacket to you if:
-You really like the Perfecto Style but don't like the belt
-You are a Harley Davidson enthusiast who apprciates Made in USA jackets
-You would like a Perfecto with no insulation and for a lower cost
-You want to hang onto a jacket such as this as a *possible* vintage collectors piece
-You run across one in a consignment or resale shop
I don't reccommend this jacket to you if:
-You need good ventallation while riding a motorcycle
-You are used to lambskin jackets and don't want to break something in
-You plan to wear your jacket to a formal, professional office setting often
-You live in Antartica and are trying to stay warm
I hope this is helpful and I welcome any feedback you all may have.
This Basic Skins jacket from 2001 was among the last Harley Branded jackets that was still made in USA, however of imported cowhide of unknown origin. As photos indicate, this is also one of the few newer HD jackets not covered with all kinds of patches, flames, or even "Harley Davidson" written all over it. It does have a small nickel label under the left hand warmer pocket and the snaps also have the name on them. I was also drawn to this jacket by the simplified Perfecto style - no belt, no smaller snap-closure pocket, just a simple and timeless style along with thick, good quality cowhide with a satin lining. I had realized by this point that poly-filled or "thinsulate lined" jackets generally kept me too warm unless the lining was removable, so finding this jacket "un-lined" was great in my book. The best part: Price. In 2001 this was HD's least-expensive jacket at $235.00 list price. I actually found this one on clearance at $125.00 and picked it up at once, I had tried on several in stores before finding this one.
This tag shows the Basic Skins' manufacture location, and the size of the jacket. This is one point I do slightly regret with this jacket, if I were doing it all again, I would have bought a Large instead of an XL, the L runs around 44L, this XL is closer to a 46L or even a 48. But in those days I wasn't used to a slimmer fitting jacket, and I was always taught to "allow room for layers." Also of note even in early 2001 most Harley leathers were already being produced in Aisa, and those all had higher prices thant this jacket.
Now to the real review, at least in my mind. This cowhide, while initally quite firm and stiff, softened up quickly with use, and developed very unique grain and patina over the literally hundreds of hours I've worn it since that time.
While this leather does not tend to "bunch up" on the arms the way CXL steer and horse tend to, it's developed a unique character that I have really enjoyed. The leather itself tends to adjust well to your body temperature as you wear it, so it never really feels too warm or too cold unless you are in a extremely cold or hot day. For riding purposes, this jacket lacks both ventallation areas as well as pockets for armour. For a traditional rider, it could make sense to wear this jacket, I found I wore it more off the bike than on, I prefer pads + leather on a motorcycle.I find the sleeves on this jacket ride a bit far out onto my hands however this is also typical of a motorcycle jacket. The sides lack any type of adjustment for fit, and if I were designing this jacket I would have upped the price $10 and included something.
As can be seen here the back does feature small action back panels near the sleeves, this jacket gives good freedom of motion, especially once broken in. Also the back panel is mostly a one piece design, the false kidney "belt" being more a styling feature on this jacket. As a side note, I owned for a year a late 60's AMF-Harley Perfecto style jacket with both a full belt and a hard leather kidney belt area. It actually supported your back while seated. I truley wish I had not sold it as I did last spring.So in summary, I would reccommed one of these Basic Skins jacket to you if:
-You really like the Perfecto Style but don't like the belt
-You are a Harley Davidson enthusiast who apprciates Made in USA jackets
-You would like a Perfecto with no insulation and for a lower cost
-You want to hang onto a jacket such as this as a *possible* vintage collectors piece
-You run across one in a consignment or resale shop
I don't reccommend this jacket to you if:
-You need good ventallation while riding a motorcycle
-You are used to lambskin jackets and don't want to break something in
-You plan to wear your jacket to a formal, professional office setting often
-You live in Antartica and are trying to stay warm
I hope this is helpful and I welcome any feedback you all may have.
