The choice of Two Cafe Racers

[nick123]

That's tough. Not to detract from the CR, but the Board Racer looks better on you in every way!
However, the CR looks good as is and I'm sure you've developed some sentimental connection with it. This might be compared to gambling. Sure, there's always better/more, but don't disregard what you already have. Really up to you. Both choices are correct.

 

[trapp]

Haha, I'm in the middle. I think the BR looks amazing from the front - but without a sliver's breath of extra room. I like the slant pockets, the zip starting a bit higher, and other details which (from the front) give the BR an edge over your CR. But, my immediate thought after "Wow, nice" on the BR was how mobile you actually were in it. It looks like a model fit...but damn snug. In my experience, the difference between well-fitted and painted on can be tough to objectively parce out through photos. Does it feel good? How would it feel after six-eight hours? I like a fitted jacket, but there is nothing more stifling than leather that's too tight. The rear shot looks even snugger and, yeah, I can't get down with that center seam.

If the BR feels as good as it looks, then I personally would still send it back (because of the center-seam) then, as suggested a few times above, sell CR and enjoy what will be an amazing Sheene.

 

[Grayland]

I like the CR. I don't care for the seam in the back of the BR and I feel the sleeves are a bit short on the BR. In addition, the BR looks a little too tight to me. I know the BR is based on an old design, but the fit on yours is a little too "hip". I'm not suggesting you're a geezer by any measure, but a jacket that tight looks wrong on anyone older than about 21 - IMHO. I'll catch grief for that remark, but I think long-term when buying quality leather jackets that will last me decades.

I do like that the zipper ends a few inches up on the BR. My Brooks Cafe Racer has the same feature and it makes the jacket much more comfortable when I sit (assuming it is zipped up).

 

[Superfluous]

^ I agree with Grayland

 

[trapp]

ProteinNerd, just realized you'd already stated the jacket is not at all restrictive. My vote is for the Sheen in that size -- if you intend yourself to stay your current size.

 

[trapp]

Incidentally, I do like the CR - it looks great from the front. But it does appear roomy from the back for a cafe racer. If you're not wearing it because it feels too big, that seems significant.

 

[ykurtz]

If Sheene > BR, send the BR back and get the Sheene. If BR > CR, sell the CR after you receive your Sheene, then use the $ as funds for the BR (the wife will be glad you have the money in hand AND you're not getting 'the same jacket you already have.')

 

[technovox]

Great post! I've been considering (lusting after) an Aero Board Racer lately, so these comments are very helpful and timely. I've wrestled with the same concerns- does one really need two brown cafe racers? Well imho, life is short, and if something as simple as owning a couple of cafe racers makes one happy... then in the scheme of things, it's a small price to pay. And it's so hard to find a perfect fit in a jacket.
But, if you really had to make a choice, then I would suggest that you send the Board Racer back, and get the Sheene you've been wanting. That way, you get to enjoy the difference between your old cafe racer, and the sleeker fit of a new Board Racer with a spread collar.
Personally, I like the look of the Board Racer with the simpler "Buco style" back with horizontal yoke, and without the kidney panel and vertical seam. And you might consider the Italian Vicenza horsehide in seal or dark seal. It's a really amazing leather.

 

[Cocker]

For what it's worth, I voted for the CR. I agree with nick, for me, the BR is really too fit, looks like a hipster jacket. I know lots of people like their leather jacket to be tight, but I fail to see of a jacket THIS tight could be any practicable. First thing you'll put in one of the pocket, it will make a big bulge, and won't be comfortable on your body.

 

[Cooperson]

Finding a jacket that fits perfectly, with no mods needed, is very rare indeed. I would not let that out of my sight! You say the old one isn't worn much, that's the sign it's not the one. I would sell it and use the money to get a collared sheene version as well, the pattern is perfect on you!

 

[Monitor]

I must diverge from the majority here. While the BR looks good, I think the CR looks MUCH better on you. IMHO, the BR is too tight. The BR looks like it was painted on. While a good fit is obviously desirable, a tight fit is not. Conversely, the CR fits you perfectly, while allowing room for you to take a deep breath.

CR all the way -- send back the BR and get a Sheene.

+1

 

[Plumbline]

+2

 

[pawineguy]

While I would find the CR more comfortable to wear, the OP has already stated that it's not frequently worn by him... we all know how that goes. Once a jacket doesn't feel "right", no amount of our telling him it looks good will change that feeling. If the BR is comfortable and that's the fit he wants then casting off a jacket that's already not seeing much wear doesn't seem like a tough decision.

 

[Azog]

To my eye the BR is too small. I find on cafe racers, or any jackets, that if your shoulder muscles are bulging wider than the shoulder seams then the jacket is too narrow in the shoulders. That bulging shoulder look is slightly evident on the BR. It also looks quite tight across the back.
If I may offer a suggestion on photos, on product shots it's better to move the camera further away and zoom in a bit rather than to have the camera quite close and go to very wide angle to fit everything in. There seems to be a fair amount of wide angle distortion in the photos which makes it hard to see the true fit and silhouette.

 

[gtdean48]

I say follow thru with the Sheen purchase, send the fit jacket back. You can then see how much your CR gets used once the Sheen arrives then sell it if you don't use it & have the BR to get with any changes to the back & yoke....JMHO.

 

[Fanch]

The only other question that I have is regarding sleeve length. The CR appears correct whereas the BTR sleeves look a bit short to me, especially if you are a rider. Sleeve measurements might be the same for the two jackets, but the tighter shoulders of the BTR might be pulling the sleeves up. Hence you might want to add at least an inch for a tighter jacket, especially for a tighter fitting one. [huh] Just my impression but recommend bring this up with Insurrection before making your final decision.

 

[Monitor]

I've never seen a Board Racer in person but I think if Aero's product description is to be taken into consideration, apples and oranges are being mixed here. These are two very different jackets. I mean, I'm guessing that a BR shouldn't fit the same way Cafe Racers do and that's pretty evident by looking at the photos online - and judging from what Aero has to say, they've put a lot of effort into making it a different kind of jacket than the CR (otherwise they could've just removed the bi-swing back, moved the zippers to the top of the sleeves and call it a day).
CR may have evolved from these Board Racer jackets but Aero's CR is a serious piece of motorcycle jacket. BR's... Different. Aero refers to it a shirt, and that's exactly what the first picture the OP posted screams (to me, at least). A shirt. It fits the OP the same way a shirt would so all things considered, the fit is just about perfect on that one.
So right now it's down to the OP what he wants and while the BR certainly looks cool on you, mate, it doesn't strike me as a leather jacket but, yeah, a leather shirt of a sort. Looks great, but I... Prefer leather jackets.

 

[Fanch]

I'm hoping Sloan sees this thread and would be interested in seeing a couple of pics of his BTR as I recall liking the way his fit him. You out there Sloan??

 

[ProteinNerd]

I'm hoping Sloan sees this thread and would be interested in seeing a couple of pics of his BTR as I recall liking the way his fit him. You out there Sloan??

I've been back and looked at Sloan's post and pics, his fits him well but I think we have very different body types. I also found it interesting that the back on his, although identical to this one, had no negative comments regarding the centre seem...

I thought I'd post some pictures of the Board Racer being worn, unzipped which is how I usually would wear it. Let me know if it changes anyones initial opinion. As you can see, when the sleeve zips are undone, it shows the sleeve length is fine in my opinion.

Either way, my wife gave almost the first opinion on any of my jackets ever and said she thinks the Standard Cafe Racer is a bit too big. I know it doesn't look it in the photos but I really do swim in it. I can wear a very thick hoodie underneath and still have room, I've worked out its primary the shoulders that are big. So it looks like I'll probably sell that off and replace with a Board Racer, just need to work out if a size up from this one would fit well without being too big and losing that "great fit" look.



Again, I appreciate everyone taking the time to indulge my constant second guessing!

 

[Monitor]

You know, man, it really looks badass on you... If the tight, fit look is what you're after, I don't think you should mess with the larger jacket as this can't be topped. Fantastic jacket in any case.