Lets see those Motorcycle Jackets!

[2wheelgrplr]

Here are some of mine--

Bates Highwayman I

View attachment 159320

Cal LAPD

View attachment 159321

Langlitz Columbia

View attachment 159322

Lost Worlds CHP

View attachment 159323

Lost Worlds PJ27

View attachment 159324

Vanson Chopper

View attachment 159325

Vanson Commando (X-150)

View attachment 159326

Vanson Force

View attachment 159327

Vanson Highwayman

View attachment 159328

Great selection of jackets. A question if I may - how much longer is the Vanson Commando vs. let’s say the Vanson Chopper or the Vanson Highwayman. Pics I see of the Commando shows it’s a longer body jacket but I can’t decide whether the body is too long for this style or whether it’s practical-long. Thinking about both on-bike and off-bike situations. Many thanks!

 

[gmcd]

View attachment 159309 View attachment 159310

Above two are the UnionGarageNYC X Vanson V7 armored leather motorcycle jacket, in their super nice brown (octagon-ish) and deep black leather. UGNYC took the Vanson AR3 armored jacket and reworked them to this design. Its a great riding jacket with so many neat tweaks and features. The armor used is the softer and more easily malleable yellow D3O pads, instead of those thick, big black hockey-style pads that Vanson usually uses on their armored jackets. I reviewed this jacket in a separate thread around a year or more ago.

What size are are you wearing if you don't mind my asking? I'm also curious what size your PLU-3 is for comparison as I've owned one of those and am considering a V7.
Thanks

 

[JMax]

Great selection of jackets. A question if I may - how much longer is the Vanson Commando vs. let’s say the Vanson Chopper or the Vanson Highwayman. Pics I see of the Commando shows it’s a longer body jacket but I can’t decide whether the body is too long for this style or whether it’s practical-long. Thinking about both on-bike and off-bike situations. Many thanks!

Thanks. About 2 inches longer. With the two-way zipper is works on the bike but would probably not be as comfortable as the others without it. Left Field’s version is slim fitting, both in the body and sleeves. Butterscotch sells a version that is less fitted. I find it is more versatile than the others for off-bike wear— less accouterments lol. It is one of my favorite jackets. IMO, X-150 is Vanson’s best (Octagon is the same type leather).

 

[2wheelgrplr]

What size are are you wearing if you don't mind my asking? I'm also curious what size your PLU-3 is for comparison as I've owned one of those and am considering a V7.
Thanks

They’re size 42, same size as my PLU3. Here’s a review thread I did about these jackets: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...-nyc-armored-leather-motorcycle-jacket.91820/

 

[2wheelgrplr]

Thanks. About 2 inches longer. With the two-way zipper is works on the bike but would probably not be as comfortable as the others without it. Left Field’s version is slim fitting, both in the body and sleeves. Butterscotch sells a version that is less fitted. I find it is more versatile than the others for off-bike wear— less accouterments lol. It is one of my favorite jackets. IMO, X-150 is Vanson’s best (Octagon is the same type leather).

Great! Thanks so much for the detailed reply. Answers my questions, and yes, I’ve been eyeing the butterscotch versions very closely for a bit now. Might have to pull the trigger sometime soon.

 

[technovox]

Just for something different- Here's a blue Shields cafe racer with the padded elbows.

 

[fulcanelli]

Who makes good looking motorcycle jackets with armour? Unlike the look of fine creek and aero but if you come off I bike wearing those you have no protection.

 

[barnabus]

Goldtop is surely the answer to this question?

https://www.goldtop.co.uk/jackets

Or you can get armoured Lewis Leathers through Urban Rider :

https://www.urbanrider.co.uk/jackets/leather.html

 

[Edward]

Who makes good looking motorcycle jackets with armour? Unlike the look of fine creek and aero but if you come off I bike wearing those you have no protection.

I heard a rumour Aero have done armour pocketson a custom basis, but I don't know for sure. I'd love a Royale with disreet armour. Oh....or how about a Hilts repop A2 with disreet bike armour in it for the Summer?

Goldtop is surely the answer to this question?

https://www.goldtop.co.uk/jackets

Or you can get armoured Lewis Leathers through Urban Rider :

https://www.urbanrider.co.uk/jackets/leather.html

Quite a few firms are now doing tha mandarin collar / lancer front type jackets that were very popular in the UK in the 70s and into the eighties with armour - the REvit Vaughn is one such, Lewis' project with Urban Rider is another. Currently, the latter do two models - a Super Monza, and the Racer (a padded cafe-racer type, very similar to some of the Gold Top models). THese retail at around £800; the REvit Vaughn is £500ish. The Gold top range are made in China (which is an issue for some), which helps keep the price down. Compared to other, armour-equipped bike jackets in the same £500 or less market, they ared very impressive. They're the only ones I've seen as of yet (apart from the odd cheap Brano style, though tbh I'd be wary of even an armoured jacket at sub £100) that do an earlier style: the 59 model would be an excellent base for someone who wanted a real Ton-Up style jacket but wih CE armour protection.

In terms of coping with a slide, a good Aero would be hard to beat, however where armour comes into its own is in an off where you hit the ground. The other alternative to having armour fitted would be to wear an armoured garment of some sort below the jacket. In the past, this meant a bulky 'underjacket' - and having to think about putting something else on every time, and sizing the jacket over it, and what happens at destination, and.... These days, and with effective armour getting thinner all the time, wearing something like this: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=riding+shirt+plaid+armour+pockets+kevlar+aramid under the jacket is a viable option. Alternatively, you could go for the 'kutte' look, and wear something like this over your Aero: https://www.rolandsands.com/product/622/ramone-vest/black . Won't help your arms, but at least it would allow you to have a backplate.

 

[Edward]

FWIW, Back in December, I asked in the Lewis shope whether they would extend this to their wider range; for now, the answer it no. Pity; a Lightning with the armour in it would be an impressive riding jacket.

 

[2wheelgrplr]

Who makes good looking motorcycle jackets with armour? Unlike the look of fine creek and aero but if you come off I bike wearing those you have no protection.

What we were discussing in the post above yours - Vanson x UGNYC V7 collaboration jacket: http://uniongaragenyc.com/shop/featured/union-garage-v7-jacket

Vanson also makes some several cool leather jackets with armor options. You can go to their site and click on armor options: https://vansonleathers.com/

Others have mentioned Lewis Leathers armored jacket collaboration with Urban Rider UK.

Then there are several decent options from Revit, Helstons, Richa, Segura etc. MotoLegends UK seems to be a one-stop shop for many of these European brands. These jackets have more of a 70s vibe than the 50s, 60s or earlier vibe of brands like Aero etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[Edward]

It's much easier for a cafe-racer type, certainly.... Vanson just don't eem interested when it comes to their cooler 'Heritage' type jackets. Maybe the bulk of their buyers for the latter just either are non-riders, or simply not interested in armour? I'm sure, just as there are the ATGATT faction, there will be those who sneer at the idea of wearing armour in a jacket, in the same way that some folks prefer, where allowed, to ride without a helmet. Each to his own, within the limits of the law; the one thing that always seemed odd to me were the guys who, in States where a helmet is required by law, insist on wearing one that is no more protective than a child's bicycle helmet, just to make a point. By all means go lidless if that's your choice and the law allows, but I've never quite understood the mindset that, when obligated to wear a helmet, would deliberately choose one that offers no protection. Hey ho.

 

[JMax]

Harley riders typically do not wear armor. I would bet that most 'heritage' type jacket sales in the US that go to riders go to Harley riders, with some Indian, Triumph, etc. thrown in (increasingly so). Further down that rabbit hole, I would say that most riders on big cruisers in the US do not wear armor. At least that has been my experience. I took the armor out of my Force. Feels better without.

I would say that most folks that ride without armor aren't sneering at those who do, just making a personal decision not to wear the armor. I do not sneer at the guys who show up at the usual bike stops looking like Jet Jaguar about to fight Godzilla. They can do what they want. Just as many who wear half-lids are not trying to make some political point, though some certainly are. Many just prefer no helmet and the feel of riding without a full-face, etc. And they are willing to risk it. I was that guy at first but now much prefer a full-face. I can listen to my music, etc. And if I go down hard my wife can have an open casket at my funeral. I am considerate that way.

 

[lucky23]

Wow, what a pleasant surprise I got today. The Lesco cafe racer jacket came today and I gotta say, it more than exceeded my expectations. Fits perfectly (for a change) and is made from pretty heavy duty steer hide? Horse hide? Im not sure buts its absolutely bullet-proof. Great shade of dark brown. Love it! I can't believe such a well made substantial jacket went for so cheap ($130), easily worth a lot more IMHO. My Langlitz may have to move over, this may become my favorite riding jacket

 

[Ric.]

@Lucky 23 - great score. Was that on the bbay site? Who/where is it made. Color would look good with my old Beemer.
Regards, Ric.

 

[Clifton]

I guess I'm the definition of hypocrite. I wear cowhide but wouldn't wear horsehide no mater how good it looks or how well it performs. I've been around horses most of my life and both my partners have been horsewomen. The idea of wearing equine is as bad for me as eating one. Never had cows though.

If I can find a pic I'll send it, but Furygan Leathers from 20 plus years ago were wonderful and so comfy.

 

[lucky23]

@Lucky 23 - great score. Was that on the bbay site? Who/where is it made. Color would look good with my old Beemer.
Regards, Ric.

It was made by Lesco Leathers. Other than that, I don't know anything else. I looked but there is little info on the web about them. Too bad, they apparently made fantastic jackets. I sure miss my old R75/5

 

[regius]

If someone here has my Johnson made Horween jerky HH T2 replica, please post lol, that was a nice jacket, I sold it as the chest was a bit small.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gamma68]

Wow, what a pleasant surprise I got today. The Lesco cafe racer jacket came today and I gotta say, it more than exceeded my expectations. Fits perfectly (for a change) and is made from pretty heavy duty steer hide? Horse hide? Im not sure buts its absolutely bullet-proof. Great shade of dark brown. Love it! I can't believe such a well made substantial jacket went for so cheap ($130), easily worth a lot more IMHO. My Langlitz may have to move over, this may become my favorite riding jacket

Few folks fully appreciate the Lesco jackets. I had a really nice CR and sold it to make room in my collection. Didn’t quite get my money back on the resale, and I didn’t pay much to begin with. Yours looks very nice. Enjoy!

 

[Gamma68]

The Lesco CR I once owned. Beautiful marbled brown leather.