Simmons Bilt D-1 sheepskin jacket

[Bluegrass Phil]

Already owning an Aeroleather highwayman and currently selling my almost brand new Schott B-3 (much too bulky for a regular use) I have ordered a redskin D-1 at Simmons Bilt in Scotland and waiting for it before X-mas. I will surely let you know about the quality but while in Paris last week, I went to Indian Rock store and had the opportunity to try a Simmons Bilt B-3 and was really enthusiastic about it (still too bulky for me) but the quality of materials and craftmanshift are awesome. I also wanted everybody to know that the service at Simmon Bilt is fantastic. I am in touch with Berts who is really helpful concerning the choice and sizing ! Now I'm really looking forward receiving the jacket ...

 

[handymike]

Can't wait to see the pictures.
Welcome to the Lounge!

 

[nevadapd]

I'll second the welcome. Also looking forward to the pictures as the D-1 is one of the jackets on my bucket list.

 

[IXL]

Guys, Bluegrass Phil joined the Lounge back in 2010......

 

[handymike]

8 posts in 5 years....still a young'un.

 

[Stand By]

I can second the service, Phil - I recently got 2 pairs of amazing trousers from Orvis made with a very substantial material and they each have 8 substantial belt-loops, and none of my belts seemed totally worthy of them as they can take a belt almost 2" wide and all mine are 1.25-1.5" wide and my 2 favourite belts (one by Camel and one by RM Williams) are still going but are now 23 years old and looking tired.
After looking around online for some thing just right for them (something classic and very sturdy), I chose a custom belt from Simmons Bilt - and the service (with Deb) has been nothing short of superb.
The process (and my direction of my preferences regarding the colour/hide thickness, hole settings and the buckle) of the belt's construction has been a treat too. I've just seen photos of the finished belt and it looks like an utter beauty! Can't wait to slip that beast on.

 

[Bluegrass Phil]

Great to read that ! And thanks for the young'un ! I'm not posting very often but I do come now and then.,I promise I'll send some pics as soon as I got the jacket

 

[Bluegrass Phil]

Here is a pic of my Schott B-3 and my current ride !

 

[Bunyip]

Here is a pic of my Schott B-3 and my current ride !

Wow! Great bike. That Schott looks heavy duty.

 

[Stand By]

A serious jacket for a serious bike! Doesn't look like the windchill will get through that one easily!

 

[Sloan1874]

Are shearling jackets good for biking? I can imagine they keep out the cold but I wouldn't want to rely on one if I went for a slide on a bike.

 

[Bunyip]

Are shearling jackets good for biking? I can imagine they keep out the cold but I wouldn't want to rely on one if I went for a slide on a bike.

That's the problem. The first Aero I saw was an ANJ-4, love it. That's what led me here. The only way I could justify getting one is to use it as a bike jacket in winter/Autumn.I would imagine they are no good in the rain, and I would hate to hit the black top in one. I would love a hybrid b-6 with the action back, sealed cuffs and waist and the leather arms like a B-3 or ANJ-4. It would be pretty functional.....That being said, hitting the deck in a shearling, even with the extra leather on the sleeves, wouldn't offer as much protection as leather MC jacket. They are beautiful jackets nonetheless.

 

[Sloan1874]

Maybe a B-2 would be the answer - basically a leather-coated B-6.

 

[Carlos840]

What you mostly need is armour! I would ride in a B3 if i had a Knox or Forcefield armoured shirt underneath.
I would still wear a leather suit for spirited riding, but to go on a short ride, sure.

Nice jacket anyway, i have the same one, rarely wear it as winters seem to be so warm around here for the moment.

 

[Bunyip]

What you mostly need is armour! I would ride in a B3 if i had a Knox or Forcefield armoured shirt underneath.
I would still wear a leather suit for spirited riding, but to go on a short ride, sure.

Nice jacket anyway, i have the same one, rarely wear it as winters seem to be so warm around here for the moment.

I thought about the armour too. The only drama for me is that a sexy as hell jacket would be totally shredded....if only we knew what days we were going to fall off,the. We could dress accordingly. I just saw a crazy peanut riding his. Harley down the road in thongs( flip flops?) and a singlet.

 

[Bunyip]

Maybe a B-2 would be the answer - basically a leather-coated B-6.

Yes, I love that jacket. With LW up charging for "robust" sizing it's out of reach. Totally different jacket, but I've been seriously contemplating a shearling lined J106 with a fur collar. That would absolutley be the cats meow for me.

 

[heron163]

Here is a pic of my Schott B-3 and my current ride !

that bike is badass!!!

 

[Worf]

I have an AL/Simmons bilt D1. It's a "redskin". Nothing but compliments everytime I wear her out.... Don't know if it stand up to the rigor of bike riding though...

Worf

 

[Edward]

Are shearling jackets good for biking? I can imagine they keep out the cold but I wouldn't want to rely on one if I went for a slide on a bike.

Surplus Irvins - both genuine and less so - were a popular jacket forf motorcyclists in the pst war period. My paternal Grandfather had, afaik, the jacket - he also had the Spitfire pilot's gauntlets and goggles (which I do have at my folks' place) that he bought surplus to wear on the bike. It's also not uncommon to see photos of rockers at the Ace Cafe in the early sixties, wearing Irvins and similar jackets. They seem to have disappeared as bikes got bigger, faster, and less common on the roads (one of the biggest dangers of a motorcycle nowadays is the lack of understanding / awareness on the part of car drivers on the roads). Sheepskin wouldn't be much use in the event of a spill - as already noted above, it would shred quickly. An armoured shirt underneath would provide the protective function, but I can't see sheepskin having any abrwasion resistance whatever.

Maybe a B-2 would be the answer - basically a leather-coated B-6.

Would certainly provide a bit more protection in an off. The B2 - or, indeed, the ThunderBay, which could pas for a 'civilianised B2', though as I recall, Aero based it on an original 30s bike jacket Ken had had for years.

 

[Stand By]

I love the look of a nice bike - and the gear. My girlfriend rode her motorcycle for many years until recently, and I always used to go with her to the bike store where she would stow her bike for the winter and retrieve it in the spring, and seeing all the gear was an eye-opener. Great jackets and boots - and yes, all armoured, and that totally makes sense to me.
And I must say, it really made me think about learning to ride - I think I'd love the classes and confronting my fears over the bikes and speed, and getting some gear for myself. And having passed the test, I feel it would obligate me to then get a nice bike - nothing big. A Honda Rebel would more than suffice.
But having ridden mountain and road bikes as well as driven here in the city for as long as I have, and witnessed the poor standard of driving that can be seen in certain quarters, I know I wouldn't have the stones for it.
So I really admire those who do.