Lewis Leathers

[karhu21]

Just joined the lounge and a pleasure to be here.
Considering a Lewis Leathers jacket...any thoughts or advice?

 

[Tony B]

By the sounds of what people were saying about them on here a while back and from experience of the old ones If you want it for bike use try to get an older one off ebay.co.uk, it sounded like they went "fashion" a few years back and are using lighter leather.

If you can get an old one it should have many years left in it and after twenty years or so they should just about be broken in by now and if you are going to have a little "off bike incident"they do take the tarmac on very well.

 

[Justhandguns]

By the sounds of what people were saying about them on here a while back and from experience of the old ones If you want it for bike use try to get an older one off ebay.co.uk, it sounded like they went "fashion" a few years back and are using lighter leather.

If you can get an old one it should have many years left in it and after twenty years or so they should just about be broken in by now and if you are going to have a little "off bike incident"they do take the tarmac on very well.

Agree.

But on the other hand, if you want top quality jacket for everyday wear, I think you can seriously consider getting the new ones. They do custom sizing as well.
I think they are in between fashion and real bikers jackets.

 

[Edward]

In my understanding and limited experience, British bike jackets of the 50s and 60s always were much softer than we would tend to look for now. Certainly the original Lewises I've handled weren't any heavier than the average A2. If they're your aesthetic (a bit Sixties for me, many of them), the modern Lewis are really nice, if pricey. They're a small, independent operation.

 

[CeeDee]

Even the Lewis Leathers from the 60s and 70s were pretty flimsy compared to what Vanson and Aero use now. But the new leather still isn't what the old Lewis Leathers was either, and that will its ability to get the cool character that the older Lewis's acquired over time. If you want something that looks like an old Lewis, I wouldn't recommend a new Lewis.

 

[karhu21]

Interesting views. It shows on the website an A2 style jacket as well.
Neat style if not a bit pricey.

Cheers!

 

[Deleted member 16736]

They are selling a couple of vintage sheepskin jackets that look (and claim to be) identical to the originals. I particular like the Country Man.

 

[Aether]

I'd heartily recommend Lewis Leathers. I've got a new Super Monza and it's a fantastic jacket, very well made and beautifully tailored. The leather is about 3oz I'd say, and is extremely supple and water resistant (kept me nice and dry on my motorbike), it has a very fine grain and the owner of LL told me that they use the 'closest to flawless hides' that they can. When I visited the shop/HQ I really got the impression that it's a labour of love, they have a large collection of old jackets on display and are very knowledgeable about the old British M/C jacket companies.
I own a couple of Aeros and have had a few others in the past, and it's true that the Lewis isn't as heavy and the leather is thinner, but that's not a bad thing in my book, it certainly makes the jacket a lot more comfortable.

 

[karhu21]

Superb looking jacket, the leather looks heavy enough too.
Just wondering after looking at the Lewis site do supply off the peg ready to go jackets or must you place
an order.

 

[Aether]

They have jackets in stock in the shop and do made to measure too. Mine was off the peg because the fit was perfect. I believe the wait for MTM was about 4 weeks when I asked in August.

 

[karhu21]

Now you got me thinking big!

...Cheers!!

 

[Justhandguns]

Last year when I ordered, it was only 2 weeks before I got the call, maybe I was lucky. Mine is the 391 Lightning.

 

[CeeDee]

I'd heartily recommend Lewis Leathers. I've got a new Super Monza and it's a fantastic jacket, very well made and beautifully tailored. The leather is about 3oz I'd say, and is extremely supple and water resistant (kept me nice and dry on my motorbike), it has a very fine grain and the owner of LL told me that they use the 'closest to flawless hides' that they can. When I visited the shop/HQ I really got the impression that it's a labour of love, they have a large collection of old jackets on display and are very knowledgeable about the old British M/C jacket companies.
I own a couple of Aeros and have had a few others in the past, and it's true that the Lewis isn't as heavy and the leather is thinner, but that's not a bad thing in my book, it certainly makes the jacket a lot more comfortable.

Definitely a great looking jacket! Great fit! Thanks for posting that photo up. In terms of quilting, no one ever did it as well as LL!

 

[rocketeer]

I visited the London shop last march, wow, what a selection. Having owned a couple of old 1960s lewis leather jackets I was very disappointed with the hides used on the modern versions. Nowhere near the quality of an old jacket. Also I would say wayyyyy overpriced when compared to an Aero.
One thing that disappointed me was the proprietor knew nothing about motorcycles, he even admitted he was not a biker and that his Japanese cutter knew more about bikes than he did.
Not everybody who is into old style vintage clothing etc is interested in wearing second hand jackets etc so these do fill a market, but as a bike jacket they are a bit of a non starter compared to todays armoured jackets though might save your skin in a low speed spill. I do believe the owner was considering designing a modern version to include slip in armour.
As a biker myself, I would buy one of these only as a fashion item, but would not due to the price of around £600, and I doubt they will ever obtain the same patina as an old lewis.

Just my opinions.
I have been riding since 1976 and owned all types of bike jackets from Napper lamb(pure rubbish) to heavy horse hide. Though the HH is stiff and will protect you, hit a hard lump in the road and its broken arms and legs, you may get away with some bruising but todays bike jackets are far superior, as bike jackets.
Cheers, J

 

[karhu21]

I must say that having visited the LL website, the prices are a bit high for a new jacket.
As you say, six hundred notes is a bit high
I am into the old style bike jackets and feel that once you buy a new one and wear it in
it becomes a personal statement like jeans or a guitar so buying a second hand one, nice as it would
look, would not be the same thing.
Suprising about the owner not knowing much about old Triumphs, BSA s and so on but then his end of the business
after all is about jackets.
Horses for courses as the say.

Thanks for the reply.
Cheers and safe riding!
P.

 

[Justhandguns]

Like I always say, Lewis is more like a fashion brand these days then a specialist riding jacket maker. They have changed hand more than two times in the past 20yrs, and I must say it is lucky to have them around still. But in my opinion, they are way better than brands such as Belstaff and etc.

I am prohibited to ride a bike by the women in my family, don't know whether I am the lucky one or not (.....!!!). But my mates who ride bikes all have the new synthetic outfits these days, waterproof, with body armour inserts and most importantly, more practical. Maybe plenty of the people may disagree, wearing an expensive leather biker jacket under the typical British weather is not the best of ideas. Moreover, Lewis has a huge fan base outside the UK as jackets like Aeros and Vansons are way too thick (and thus too hot) to wear in the warmer countries. As for the price, yes, 600quids is a bit expensive, but after the price increase, I honestly don't think Aero is that economical anymore.

 

[karhu21]

Well, having weighed up the collective opinions of fellow loungers I feel that while the Lewis range looks terrific, the price factor plus shipping is a minus.

Perhaps when I am in the UK next time I will check out the shop and see whats on offer.

Thanks for the assistance,
Cheers!

 

[Edward]

. As for the price, yes, 600quids is a bit expensive, but after the price increase, I honestly don't think Aero is that economical anymore.

True. When Lewis last disappeared, changed hands, and the brand was relaunched, there was a very significant price jump. About 2006, the jackets were in the region of GBP400 a pop. I happen to know this as I was aware of Lewis for much longer than any of the other brands we favour in these parts (Tim Curry's own personal Lewis leather became famous as the leather jacket sported by Doctor Frank'n'Furter first on stage in the Rocky Horror Show and later immortalised on screen in the Rocky Horror Picture Show). When they reappeared prices had gone up to their current levels. This did look pricey compared to Aero and ELC, but they have both closed the gap now. In large part in all cases you're simply playing the premium for what is a labour-intensive, niche product. Lewis wouldn't be my first choice as their styles are a bit too late for my period of interest, but they are great jackets. They do tend to lose lighter leathers which I would not prefer, but that's to personal taste. Their A2 - style jacket (from memory, I think they call it the "Vintage Dominator") is a superb design - basically an A2 with B15-style slash pockets. Made out of something like Aero's goat it would be a superb jacket - lamb just doesn't have the durability I would want myself.

 

[garzo]

Just my two cents: I bought a new Dominator a couple of years ago and love the jacket. While I have a leather riding jacket with pads (from Fox Creek), I've also ridden around the neighborhood in the Lewis Dominator. Its cowhide is comparable to what Eastman uses and tough and sturdy, but of course not as thick as Fox Creek or Vanson, but still a lot thicker than a cheap leather mall jacket.
You can still wear the Dominator on the bike and it will offer plenty of protection -- I'm used to seeing bikers in California wearing nothing more than t-shirts on the freeway! -- but if you are looking for a real motorcycle jacket, the Dominator is lacking. In addition to not having pads, it also does not have an interior storm flap under the zipper (which might not be bad on a hot day, but you would normally want some kind of zipper storm flap on a bike jacket).
Having said that, the Dominator is still one of the coolest jackets that I own.

 

[ralfh]

Plus and minuses for a Lewis Leathers “Super Sportsman” from my point of view.

+ GREAT craftsmanship. Seams are straight, stitches even, lining has the right choice of materials, good, warm padding, over-build, sturdy zipper.
+ Elegant cut. The jacket fits very well and has a modern, slimmed down, cool appearance.
+ Nice quality of the leather. Sturdy but not too stiff or too heavy. Neither too light.
+ Perfect selection of hides used. Very even in appearance and thickness. No wrinkles or soft spots.
+ Good communication when ordering and perfect sizing after they had my measurements. All customizing incorporated as requested.
+ Quick shipping. Quoted was six weeks, jacket arrived after three weeks.
+ Cool choice of colours! Here you can get a jacket which you can’t get in this quality somewhere else.

- Price. But when you see what fashion labels go for it’s still ok.
- Not suitable for serious motorbike riding since it doesn’t give enough protection.

To sum it up. You can’t go wrong with a Lewis Leathers jacket for casual wear. The leather is smooth and even and repels water easily. Craftsmanship is flawless.

The style is cool. I got a navy blue Super Sportsman with just one chest pocket. It looks modern and fresh, different from the classic motorcycle style you can get everywhere.

For motorcycle riding I would not recommend this jacket as it doesn’t have any protectors.