V7 - The Vanson X Union Garage NYC Armored Leather Motorcycle Jacket

[2wheelgrplr]

@jacketjunkie if you ever plan on coming to Bhutan, you have to let me know!

@JMax yes, it's a great place to ride, some of my friends have motorcycles for hire, can arrange moto tours etc too ☺

 

[2wheelgrplr]

How do either jackets compare to the LW Easy Ryder leather?

I own jackets from Vanson in comp weight, and a LW Buco Rider. The Lost Worlds leather feels stiffer, and is horse. Comp weight is not horsehide, I'm pretty sure it's cow or steer, and still plenty thick, and is fairly stiff, but not like LW horse. I'd say the LW is noticeably thicker, maybe 1.5x the thickness of the leather in my V7 jacket.

I have a LW Buco Rider too, have had it for several years now, it's horsehide and plenty thick. I find it pretty similar in thickness to my Vanson comp weight. Feel & texture is a bit different. I've had the LW for a while now and its softer and more pliable than when new. The Vanson oxblood is pretty much their octagon - feels and behaves like that leather, slightly different than the comp weight, a tad bit thinner perhaps, a little stiffer ... end of the day I find that I'm not bothered too much by a little extra or a little less weight & thickness here & there, so long as its top stuff and performs like it's supposed to. So, many times, I'm not the best judge for exact thickness, weight etc of these hides, I can usually only give vague, general sense of things. Anyways, these are all superbly made, super thick heavyweight moto jackets, and I'm mighty pleased wth them all - Vanson and LW.

And yeah with $100 back promo, and limited availability of oxblood, anybody on the fence, jump on them NOW!

 

[2wheelgrplr]

Cycle World Magazine did a nice feature on Union Garage and owner Chris Lesser recently, amongst other things they discuss this jacket as well as their earlier Vanson colaboraton, the Robinson armored wax cotton jacket. https://www.cycleworld.com/union-garage-has-taken-motorcycle-retail-to-new-experiential-level

 

[2wheelgrplr]

More media ... "Ride with Norman Reedus" current season final episode features a cameo appearance of thisV7 jacket. The Union Garage crew rode with the Walking Dead star for a spring ride earlier this year which got a few minutes time on his motorcycle documentary. Here's the episode link, and some pics from UGNYC IG page:

http://www.amc.com/shows/ride-with-norman-reedus/season-2/episode-06-my-new-york

 

[ProteinNerd]

All this talk of the newer (inferior) competition weight leather, I’m assuming these Union Garage jackets would all be made with this newer leather?

 

[JMax]

I wouldn’t say the new comp weight is inferior, far as I can tell the difference is neglible (if any) and the leather is still armor, heavy, etc. I recall reading somewhere that the change occurred some time ago. I have seen brand spanking new comp weight Vanson in the wild and they look amazing. Just possibly a bit quicker to grain break in is my guess but take that for what it’s worth— nada. I base this on my multitude of comp weight vanson jackets and some of the photos and comments floating around here.

That said, the oxblood (new), octagon, x150, z150, and so forth are unchanged from a weight and feel perspective. The octagon may be darker. Most of my brand new vanson parchases in the past couple years have been in their other types of leather— and they are amazing.

 

[Guppy]

All this talk of the newer (inferior) competition weight leather, I’m assuming these Union Garage jackets would all be made with this newer leather?

First I've heard of this. Inferior how, exactly?

 

[ton312]

First I've heard of this. Inferior how, exactly?

Not to say it's inferior but it's certainly different. Much softer looking. Not the super smooth stiff stuff I associate with comp weight. Apparently a tannery change occurred.

 

[Guppy]

Not to say it's inferior but it's certainly different. Much softer looking. Not the super smooth stiff stuff I associate with comp weight. Apparently a tannery change occurred.

I did note that the leather on my V7 feels thinner than the comp weight leather on my vintage model F. I meant to find a way to measure it so I could see how much, but calipers for measuring leather are surprisingly expensive. So I still don't know.

 

[Hh121]

V7 is definitely their new competition weight leather

 

[ProteinNerd]

First I've heard of this. Inferior how, exactly?

Maybe I shouldn't have used the term inferior but generally people that have handled both describe the older comp weight as preferable.

 

[Guppy]

Maybe I shouldn't have used the term inferior but generally people that have handled both describe the older comp weight as preferable.

Well, since you mentioned it, if it were as heavy as the Model F, I think I would like it even more.

 

[Hh121]

Their customer service is really a pain in the ass, I can't imagine how can somebody complain Lost Worlds Stuart if they experienced Vanson's customer service. There is basically no customer service. I give up.

 

[dannyk]

Their customer service is really a pain in the ass, I can't imagine how can somebody complain Lost Worlds Stuart if they experienced Vanson's customer service. There is basically no customer service. I give up.

I emailed them and they answered within 12 hours. I emailed back that was a month, maybe longer ago. No response. It’s such a shame because they are so good. The designs, the leather, the versatility. Just answer. You have the product down. Come on

 

[Hh121]

I emailed them and they answered within 12 hours. I emailed back that was a month, maybe longer ago. No response. It’s such a shame because they are so good. The designs, the leather, the versatility. Just answer. You have the product down. Come on

They are shortage of people, that's why, and it looks like Mike is in charge of everything, he wants to take care everything by himself, which is good, but it is impossible for me to reach him, if he's not in the meeting then he is in production line, or on the phone, everytime the lady (Amanda I think) on the phone said he will call me back but he never did.

It is very frustrated experience which I never had before.

 

[Hh121]

I really like the oxblood one, do you mind share the weight and the measurements of your oxblood V7 in size 42? Thanks!

 

[Guppy]

I really like the oxblood one, do you mind share the weight and the measurements of your oxblood V7 in size 42? Thanks!

With the armor installed, I'm about 8lbs heavier in it on my bathroom scale.

In size 42:

pit-pit: 22"
shoulders: 19.5"
back: 26"
sleeve: 25.5"
waist: 19.5-20"

Note there are no side adjusters. I find it fits me like a glove. UnionGarage advised me to go with a 42, and they were so right.

 

[Hh121]

With the armor installed, I'm about 8lbs heavier in it on my bathroom scale.

In size 42:

pit-pit: 22"
shoulders: 19.5"
back: 26"
sleeve: 25.5"
waist: 19.5-20"

Note there are no side adjusters. I find it fits me like a glove. UnionGarage advised me to go with a 42, and they were so right.

Thanks!!

 

[Hh121]

With the armor installed, I'm about 8lbs heavier in it on my bathroom scale.

In size 42:

pit-pit: 22"
shoulders: 19.5"
back: 26"
sleeve: 25.5"
waist: 19.5-20"

Note there are no side adjusters. I find it fits me like a glove. UnionGarage advised me to go with a 42, and they were so right.

So is oxblood still their competition weight leather?

 

[Guppy]

So is oxblood still their competition weight leather?

That's my understanding. It should say on the website, but you can always ask Union Garage if there's doubt.