Les Motocyclettistes - high quality French / Japanese Shinki, sheepskin,etc. jackets

[marker2037]

I just checked some pics on their instagram account. Indeed, most of the stitching looks perfect. But it's also pretty easy to spot a couple of flaws. Not the kind of flaws I'd expect from a jacket in this price range.

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To be fair here, you are looking at angles of a 2D picture of a 3D object. Even the slightest depression, wrinkle, roll, and fold in that leather (even if it isn't in the direct vicinity of the stitch) can distort the impression of a straight line. I would reserve judgment to holding it in hand.

There's no way I would see those as imperfections based on those pictures alone. If they were out of whack in person, then that's a different story.

 

[Marc mndt]

To be fair here, you are looking at angles of a 2D picture of a 3D object. Even the slightest depression, wrinkle, roll, and fold in that leather (even if it isn't in the direct vicinity of the stitch) can distort the impression of a straight line. I would reserve judgment to holding it in hand.

There's no way I would see those as imperfections based on those pictures alone. If they were out of whack in person, then that's a different story.

That might be true for the wobbly stitching, but it certainly looks like the machinist pulled the seam too tight when he was doing the top stitch on this sleeve/shoulder. Could also just be the angle of lightning though

I'll pay them a visit next time I'm in Paris and find out in person.

 

[Robbie79]

@Tusche Requested me to upload following pics of his Charade jacket (black Shinki HH) he sent me as he's on business travel. I think it looks fantastic.

 

[Marc mndt]

I think it looks fantastic.

It certainly does!

 

[handymike]

This collar is awesome!

 

[Robbie79]

This collar is awesome!
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@handymike This is French high fashion X Vintage style where we US and German guys cannot compete Indeed this collar looks awesome!

 

[Jin431]

@Tusche Requested me to upload following pics of his Charade jacket (black Shinki HH) he sent me as he's on business travel. I think it looks fantastic.

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what a fantastic jacket and cool guy

 

[willyto]

They look nice and all but any website or product page that tells me "Price on Request" is a big NO for me. Just put the damn price online, it's not that difficult.

If I have to ask I can't be bothered because you already know it's super expensive and they know it too so they don't want it out in the open which is weird because the retailers will put the price online anyway...

2950€ feels super expensive for a leather jacket. Even more expensive or on the line of Freewheelers, Jelado, Buzz Rickson, Warehouse, Himel,etc which are all very expensive jackets.

 

[Robbie79]

They look nice and all but any website or product page that tells me "Price on Request" is a big NO for me. Just put the damn price online, it's not that difficult.

If I have to ask I can't be bothered because you already know it's super expensive and they know it too so they don't want it out in the open which is weird because the retailers will put the price online anyway...

2950€ feels super expensive for a leather jacket. Even more expensive or on the line of Freewheelers, Jelado, Buzz Rickson, Warehouse, Himel,etc which are all very expensive jackets.

@Thanks for your feedback and constructive comments. I also wonder and don’t know why the price list is not online. Btw the product catalogue which includes the price list looks very professional - I suppose the owner Pierre submits a price list within one or two days after initiation of the request. Btw. Thedi do not disclose a price list (unless you buy from an authorized dealer but I usually want customizations) and for getting a price you always have to send an email /WhatsApp to Theodoros which is fine for me…otherwise I wouldn’t own 6 (or was it 7 ) of his jackets already. Hopefully Pierre is Reading these comments and probably he reconsiders his decision and put them online - if not I‘m sure he has his reasons.

 

[red devil]

BTW, he only offers OTR, or you can ask for some adjustements?

 

[Canuck Panda]

@Tusche Requested me to upload following pics of his Charade jacket (black Shinki HH) he sent me as he's on business travel. I think it looks fantastic.

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Double top stitch at the quilted edges with the quilting underneath instead of patch on top. This was also done after the regular seams are double stitched first. There is a lot of detail on this very (not so) basic jacket.

Thanks @Robbie79 for info on this new (to me) brand.

@MrProper I am very certain it's the same veg tan sheepskin. We are getting a lot of value from our Lewis sheepskin jackets. But the finishing and construction is very different between the two brands. And I think that's where the price difference comes from. The Paris one is obviously a lot more refined than the London one. Like croissant to crumpet. Both are awesome and yummy but so very different. That is until someone in America decides to make the cronut.

 

[MrProper]

Double top stitch at the quilted edges with the quilting underneath instead of patch on top. This was also done after the regular seams are double stitched first. There is a lot of detail on this very (not so) basic jacket.

Thanks @Robbie79 for info on this new (to me) brand.

@MrProper I am very certain it's the same veg tan sheepskin. We are getting a lot of value from our Lewis sheepskin jackets. But the finishing and construction is very different between the two brands. And I think that's where the price difference comes from. The Paris one is obviously a lot more refined than the London one. Like croissant to crumpet. Both are awesome and yummy but so very different. That is until someone in America decides to make the cronut.

It was not my intention to compare the two manufacturers.
The French one will already know why his prices are how they are.
I just thought if that's the same veg tanned sheep as LL's, then I'm not surprised @Robbie79 liked it

 

[Robbie79]

BTW, he only offers OTR, or you can ask for some adjustements?

@red devil good question. I‘ve not asked him

 

[Robbie79]

They look nice and all but any website or product page that tells me "Price on Request" is a big NO for me. Just put the damn price online, it's not that difficult.

If I have to ask I can't be bothered because you already know it's super expensive and they know it too so they don't want it out in the open which is weird because the retailers will put the price online anyway...

2950€ feels super expensive for a leather jacket. Even more expensive or on the line of Freewheelers, Jelado, Buzz Rickson, Warehouse, Himel,etc which are all very expensive jackets.

@willyto Most of the prices are stated on Kentaurus' website which are the same as displayed in Pierre's product catalog - I guess only the new styles are missing. Currently I guess they offer special showroom prices (I have no idea about the discount as I didn't ask).
Here's the link with the price information:
https://www.kentaurus.de/marken/les-motocyclettistes/

 

[Robbie79]

I somewhat feel in love with the Charade and Montlhèry jacket after handling them....can't stop looking at the pics....but I already have (too ??) many black leather jackets

 

[Will Zach]

Les Motocyclettistes - when your jacket costs more than your motorcycle...

 

[Tusche]

Sorry my late reply.

First of all thanks @Robbie79 for the great review, the pics and all the comments and questions you are answering to.
Not much to add for me.
Unfortunately I’ve been extremely busy lately and wasn’t able to visit Pierre and Dirk during their stay in cologne.
Really a shame because it is always a pleasure to chat with these great people.

As Robbie79 mentioned I own 4 Les Motocyclettistes jackets. ( 3 leather / 1 waxed )

The Charade was the first one I bought 5 years ago.
I absolutely love this jacket to ride my motorcycles, the fit, the leather and the lining makes it a very comfortable jacket what ever style of motorcycle I ride.

The second one was the Montreuil, a red waxed jacket.
A perfect replacement for my 40 years old belstaff trialmaster. A great rain gear with a more modern cut and enough space to layer underneath.

The other two jackets are the Rapide and the Vitesse which I use more as a casual jacket.

I agree absolutely with Robbie79 the Les Motocyclettistes jackets playing in the same league as Freewheelers, Real Mccoys and The Few.
I own some of these jackets and can easily compare it. But to be honest I never ever judge a leather jacket over the stitching. For me I see the complete product and I can live with maybe 1 cm not 100 percent accurate stitching as long the jacket itself is perfect to me.
All of my Les Motocyclettistes jackets are perfect from my point of view.


Some words to the price point.
Sure the jackets are not cheap but I would not call the price obscene. Not only the quality is the same league as Freewheelers the price as well.
Due to the fact I live in Germany I have always to add when ordering jackets from Japan or the US around 28 % German import / custom tax on top of the jacket.
As an example: I thinking about to order a Himel Imperial…
Price in Euro via Dave’s homepage 2350,- € plus shipping 100,- plus 28% German tax so I am easily over 3000,- €.

For me the price point is always a very personal thing and everyone has to answer the question is it worth to spend such a big amount of money for jackets for himself.

I am in the leather jacket game more than 40 years now and over the time lots of expensive jackets are coming in. Some people call me a “ leather junkie“…


During my first contact with Pierre 5 years ago he told me a custom version is possible.

As far as I know during the next 4 weeks most of the jackets are still at Kentaurus cologne. Maybe for someone in Europe a chance to check the jackets personally.

To be pretty clear I am not sponsored by Pierre neither I would call myself a rich person.
I work hard for my money and just love to collect and wear my leather jackets.





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