This or That? Gustin or Iron Heart

[Seb Lucas]

Yes, and I appreciate that. But I’m replying as a course of conversation. Besides, you did not answer the actual question. If they don’t apply to you, then simply move on instead of being unfriendly in an otherwise friendly forum.


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Calm down, Son. My comment was meant to be in jest. Sorry.

Of course, I can make the same point back to you - if you don't like the feeback, move on.

 

[Powerband]

For $445 that Gustin, as a Made in California jacket, is actually quite interesting overall. The ad text claims the leather is soured out of Germany, and states a good bit about it's weight and feel, which I would give Gustin credit for. I have zero prior contact or awareness of this company or it's products. If the photos on the website are anything close to what the actual product is, it's really not a bad choice for the cash they charge for it.

For $1575 - the Iron Heart is a considerably more substantial investment. That's Lost Worlds/Langlitz funding right there. The IH has less noticeable action back panels, and I personally feel it's finish on the leather looks richer, however that could just be the camera angle & lighting.

Cafe Racers in general are somewhat of an "odd lot" in the jacket world. Kind of like the motorcycle style of a Cafe Racer or Chopper as they tend to be highly individualistic. Every to try a sell a Chopper Motorcycle? I have, and it was a real struggle as each and every "legitimate" chopper is an individual piece of the creator's imagination.

Similar situation with Cafe Racer jackets of the types mentioned here. This makes them a challenge in my mind as the preferences are so deep for changes that appear to be so "minuscule." 4,3 or 2 pocket. Action back, Back yoke, Kidney panels inside & out, center seam or one piece back, zipper size, lining, collar shape, height and snaps, if any, how far "up" the jacket the end of the zipper is located. It's rather confusing altogether.

I would not go for either of those, if I really had $1200 for a Cafe Racer today, this would be "mine" quickly:http://www.lostworldsinc.com/Horsehide_Leather_Motorcycle_Jacket_Buco_Rider.htm

Thanks—I got a lot of useful insight from your post. And, that Lost Worlds Cafe Racer is what I’m talking about! I will look deeper into that one; thanks for the link.




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[Seb Lucas]

Not a fan of either of those. Especially the Gustin but the IH leaves much to be desired as well. You can do much better (for less than the IH and more than the Gustin).


So....my feeling is: Aero. Their CR pattern is the best imho. Lots of options. No unknowns. They made the best CR’s I’ve ever owned hands down. Not even a question.

This from someone who really knows his jackets.

 

[ProteinNerd]

I think you can do better than both of these for the price.

As to your question though, if I had to pick between these two, it would be the Iron Heart.

 

[Powerband]

I think you can do better than both of these for the price.

As to your question though, if I had to pick between these two, it would be the Iron Heart.

Yes, agreed that, for the price, there are great options. Like ton said, Aero comes to mind; I’ve had plenty of Aero jackets, including a couple of racers. Aero is very reliable, and even (via Thurston) the custom Aeros with various pockets will come in under the price of the Iron Heart. I love my Aero jackets... but something about the Iron Heart teacore horsehide, perhaps to change it up for me. Who knows. But, I will venture through the Aero Leathers pages thoroughly first.




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[Rosecitymike]

FWIW I got an IHJ-35 earlier this year and it is an incredible jacket. I got it to replace an Aero board racer in Vincenza that didn’t quite fit right. The Aero is a great jacket, but the leather on the IH is amazing-thicker and at the same time softer than the Vincenza. It is very similar and on par with the Shinki of my Himel. I went with IH because the measurements were almost identical to the superblack Type III modified, which fits perfectly. This has become one of my favorite jackets and considering the leather, quality of construction, and fit (for my frame anyway) worth every penny.

 

[El Marro]

For $445 that Gustin, as a Made in California jacket, is actually quite interesting overall. The ad text claims the leather is soured out of Germany, and states a good bit about it's weight and feel, which I would give Gustin credit for. I have zero prior contact or awareness of this company or it's products. If the photos on the website are anything close to what the actual product is, it's really not a bad choice for the cash they charge for it.

For $1575 - the Iron Heart is a considerably more substantial investment. That's Lost Worlds/Langlitz funding right there. The IH has less noticeable action back panels, and I personally feel it's finish on the leather looks richer, however that could just be the camera angle & lighting.

Cafe Racers in general are somewhat of an "odd lot" in the jacket world. Kind of like the motorcycle style of a Cafe Racer or Chopper as they tend to be highly individualistic. Every to try a sell a Chopper Motorcycle? I have, and it was a real struggle as each and every "legitimate" chopper is an individual piece of the creator's imagination.

Similar situation with Cafe Racer jackets of the types mentioned here. This makes them a challenge in my mind as the preferences are so deep for changes that appear to be so "minuscule." 4,3 or 2 pocket. Action back, Back yoke, Kidney panels inside & out, center seam or one piece back, zipper size, lining, collar shape, height and snaps, if any, how far "up" the jacket the end of the zipper is located. It's rather confusing altogether.

I would not go for either of those, if I really had $1200 for a Cafe Racer today, this would be "mine" quickly:http://www.lostworldsinc.com/Horsehide_Leather_Motorcycle_Jacket_Buco_Rider.htm

Thank you for this post AeroFan. I had never put that much thought into café racers before and I appreciate your insight. I can certainly say that my idea of what makes the perfect jacket in the style has changed a couple times already and it will probably change again before I am done buying jackets.

 

[Powerband]

FWIW I got an IHJ-35 earlier this year and it is an incredible jacket. I got it to replace an Aero board racer in Vincenza that didn’t quite fit right. The Aero is a great jacket, but the leather on the IH is amazing-thicker and at the same time softer than the Vincenza. It is very similar and on par with the Shinki of my Himel. I went with IH because the measurements were almost identical to the superblack Type III modified, which fits perfectly. This has become one of my favorite jackets and considering the leather, quality of construction, and fit (for my frame anyway) worth every penny.

These things that you wrote are everything I got from extensive reading about this particular Iron Heart jacket, that this horsehide from a small tannery in Japan is one of the best and is hard to compare with the typical makers that we all know, love and respect. Your comparison of the IH hide to Shinki isn’t the first I’ve read. Owners report amazing break-in results that come fast: stiff at first but quickly malleable with a very complex-yet-mellow look, and once the teacore shows through with a certain patina shine, the jacket will be hard to resist.


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[Powerband]

Just size it better than SE did with model. He couldn’t possibly get a cup of coffee to his mug (either mug) in a fit like that! I do agree it’s the better of the two.

Hahaha! This model always poses with a jacket two sizes too small.


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[Entropic Thunder]

I too own the iron heart jacket. I also own several Aeros, vanson, Simmons Bilt, vintage HD sportster, vintage Beck 666, vintage taubers horsehide cafe racers as well. The iron heart is the best of all of them. I ride exclusively with my vans on vaj-3 because it costs less than half what the iron heart did, but if not for that I’d ride in the iron heart. The fit is amazing, slim but the absolute best freedom of motion of any of my jackets, the underarm footballs and shoulder gussets provide completely unhindered movement. The leather seems plasticky at first or like a styrofoam plate, but as it breaks in the grain becomes unmatched and truly beautiful, the weight of it is perfect and it’s soft yes substantial, very much like Shinki. Water also beads right up and rolls off because it’s a painted leather, which is good for the bike, yet it still retains all the grain you’d expect from an aniline dyed leather. The sleeves are cut long for the bike, the zippers are chunky and high quality, and the two way main zip provides an extra dimension of comfort while sitting, since it won’t punch up in your lap the way that long gustin will without any splay at the bottom. The teacore is slow and natural, but it’s there, it just takes awhile as it isn’t the artificial kind designed to happen fast like on some jackets. Of all my jackets it’s also my girlfriends favorite, and she has excellent taste. The rear center seam allows the jacket back to have some shape to it and follow the curve of the spine easier than if it was a single piece, as with any flat surface in order to get some shape into it you either need the fabric to stretch or you need a seam, in my opinion it totally works. I got the iron heart basically brand new on eBay for less than half the price of new, but it’s definitely worth the full retail price in my opinion. You won’t regret it.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Iron Heart jackets used to be made by Simmons Bilt - who do they outsource to these days?

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Honestly, I wouldn't buy either of them. Both are uninspired designs. You can get better jackets with better leather elsewhere (Himel, Freewheelers, RMC, Aero, Thedi etc)

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Iron Heart jackets used to be made by Simmons Bilt - who do they outsource to these days?

They still use that brand, but they also use Four Speed Leathers in Japan.

 

[Will Zach]

Iron Heart def looks better than Gustin. General comment on Gustin - I have several of their items and love their tan waxed trucker. Also indigo-dyed moleskin chinos and heavy duck cotton chinos are the most worn in my pants rotation. Horween belts are good. Other stuff was hit or miss. T-shirts are worse than worst chinese crap. Would not risk $650 on a Gustin jacket.

 

[Powerband]

Iron Heart def looks better than Gustin. General comment on Gustin - I have several of their items and love their tan waxed trucker. Also indigo-dyed moleskin chinos and heavy duck cotton chinos are the most worn in my pants rotation. Horween belts are good. Other stuff was hit or miss. T-shirts are worse than worst chinese crap. Would not risk $650 on a Gustin jacket.

I have a couple of denim jeans, some chinos and a couple of pairs of shoes from Gustin and they’re very well-made. I have a bundle of tees from them, too, but won’t be buying tees from them again. At this point, I’ve pretty ruled out the Gustin jacket but I’m still reading about the Iron Heart jacket (made, Ive read, by Four Speed Leathers Japan) and considering everyone’s comment here.

Since I own or have owned a bunch of Aero Leathers, Lost Worlds, Vanson, Lewis Leathers, Johnson Leathers, Langlitz, etc., I am just curious with other makers and something from Four Speed Leathers seems to keep falling into my crosshairs.


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[navetsea]

if you have to choose between those 2, the IH looks much better, and double zip on longer jacket is a plus, also from the back I don't get the inverted curve of kidney panel on that gustin, I dislike handwarmer on both, and I rather like lower set slant chest pockets, just personal opinion

 

[El Marro]

These things that you wrote are everything I got from extensive reading about this particular Iron Heart jacket, that this horsehide from a small tannery in Japan is one of the best and is hard to compare with the typical makers that we all know, love and respect. Your comparison of the IH hide to Shinki isn’t the first I’ve read. Owners report amazing break-in results that come fast: stiff at first but quickly malleable with a very complex-yet-mellow look, and once the teacore shows through with a certain patina shine, the jacket will be hard to resist.


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This post reads like that of a man who is already pulling out his credit card and sitting down to order the jacket. Congratulations, post pictures when you get it.

 

[Boyo]

@Powerband .. Im not sure what size youre after but there's a size 40 for sale on the IH forums.. half price

https://www.ironheart.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=13289.0

EDIT..
I see you posted there asking a few questions.. Lol. I'll leave the link in case anyone else is interested..

 

[ton312]

@Powerband .. Im not sure what size youre after but there a size 40 for sale on the IH forums.. half price

https://www.ironheart.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=13289.0

EDIT..
I see you posted there asking a few questions.. Lol. I'll leave the link in case anyone else is interested..

It looks better on that guy's bed than it does on the model.

 

[Captain Sensible]

Reminds me of a chat up line