Guppy
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 4,338
- Location
- Cleveland, OH
Knew that I had to have it when I saw it. But I waited about two weeks before I pulled the trigger, just to make sure I really did want it. I ride a Moto Guzzi V7, how could I not? It's like they made it just for me. I just wish that the 20% off coupon code that you can find on the internet worked :/
It's, to me, the perfect Vanson riding jacket. Classic, reserved style with D3O armor, and comp weight leather.
It arrived last week, and I've been waiting to get a few pictures to put up.
The D3O armor has a bit of an odor to it, a kind of plastic scent that isn't appealing, and it's still lingering a bit even now, but should fade with time. When I first put it on, I had to figure out how the shoulder armor was meant to lay, but once I did, it felt very good. You can tell there's some padding under the leather, but it's subtle. I don't think it detracts a bit from the classic look. Apparently only the back armor is removable, which is puzzling. I cannot find a way to get into the shoulders or elbow-forearms. Not recommended for non-riders, then. [CORRECTION: It all comes out through the back. Unzip the lining in the fold of the center of the lining, and feel around until you get into the sleeve. The armor is velcroed in place.] Of course, at this price point if you're not a rider, you shouldn't be thinking about it in the first place. But if you do ride, and were thinking about it, I can easily recommend it.
The inside pockets are diagonal slits. I haven't seen that before, but I rather like it, and they feel well situated, easy to get into, more so than either a vertical or horizontal slit would have been. There are two, one on each side, and both snap closed.
Union Garage recommended I go with the 42, based on the measurements I provided them, and that turns out to have been excellent advice. I think the fit is spot on.
The design is simple and understated, and I really appreciate it for that. There's no external branding evident, apart from the Vanson name on the zipper pulls. The zipper appears to be YKK, beefy, and brass. A good practical choice, if not quite as distinctive as a Talon would have been. You don't have to go out of your way to impress when you know you're this good. Vanson hit this one out of the park.
Fit pics to come once I get a chance to shoot some.
It's, to me, the perfect Vanson riding jacket. Classic, reserved style with D3O armor, and comp weight leather.
It arrived last week, and I've been waiting to get a few pictures to put up.
The D3O armor has a bit of an odor to it, a kind of plastic scent that isn't appealing, and it's still lingering a bit even now, but should fade with time. When I first put it on, I had to figure out how the shoulder armor was meant to lay, but once I did, it felt very good. You can tell there's some padding under the leather, but it's subtle. I don't think it detracts a bit from the classic look. Apparently only the back armor is removable, which is puzzling. I cannot find a way to get into the shoulders or elbow-forearms. Not recommended for non-riders, then. [CORRECTION: It all comes out through the back. Unzip the lining in the fold of the center of the lining, and feel around until you get into the sleeve. The armor is velcroed in place.] Of course, at this price point if you're not a rider, you shouldn't be thinking about it in the first place. But if you do ride, and were thinking about it, I can easily recommend it.
The inside pockets are diagonal slits. I haven't seen that before, but I rather like it, and they feel well situated, easy to get into, more so than either a vertical or horizontal slit would have been. There are two, one on each side, and both snap closed.
Union Garage recommended I go with the 42, based on the measurements I provided them, and that turns out to have been excellent advice. I think the fit is spot on.
The design is simple and understated, and I really appreciate it for that. There's no external branding evident, apart from the Vanson name on the zipper pulls. The zipper appears to be YKK, beefy, and brass. A good practical choice, if not quite as distinctive as a Talon would have been. You don't have to go out of your way to impress when you know you're this good. Vanson hit this one out of the park.
Fit pics to come once I get a chance to shoot some.
Last edited: