Vanson Chopper, OTR fit

[abone]

Here’s another Chopper fit and impressions thread. While I was measuring and posting about my Sheene in another thread, UPS arrived with this hunk of leather.
I was going to order from TB but they’re out of stock for 12 or more weeks which puts me right in the middle of riding season.
I’m never sure when my last riding season will be due to my age and health issues so wanted to pull the trigger ASAP as I’ve had a hankering for one of these for a while.
Vanson just happened to have a TB reject in their nearly new pile. It’s a brand new size 42 with a very small, now corrected construction issue. If I didn’t know it was there I wouldn’t have noticed it, and hence an appropriate healthy discount.
Like many I toggle between 42 and 44 so needed some measurements to nail this one down and always worrying about my monkey arms.
After a week of trying to get the dude that answers the phone on weekdays to provide some measurements (“the jacket was far away in storage, difficult to get to”) I called on a Sat and got Kim to provide me with what I needed (oddly the jacket wasn’t far away in storage after all). Unfortunately the nape of neck to sleeve length she provided of 36.5 is about an inch longer than what I measure on arrival and sure enough, I’m light on length... story of my life!!

So here is what I measure it at:

*Shoulders - 20”
*P2P - 22.5”
*Length - 27”
*Sleeves - 26” straight down
*Nape of neck to end of sleeves - 35.5” (the guy that answers the phone on weekdays says it’s a very difficult measure unless one is experienced)
*Hem - 21” outside of buckles with one more hole to let out.

My first experience with comp weight of any kind. This is more matte than shiny. Smells almost petroleum like. I’m never sure if the sleeve end gussets are a true representation of the thickness but I measure 1.3-1.4mm with my digital calipers if that means anything and my cheap ass luggage scale indicates 6.5lbs. UPS said 8lbs. Somewhere in between I’d say.
Won’t have a chance to get on the bike for a bit because we’re off camping tomorrow for a week. And on the bike is what this jacket is made for.

Fit impressions are it’s damn near perfect except for my sleeve length. I’m resigned to always being short on length unless I go custom, and even then it’s a crap shoot (hello 5*), so I’ve kinda learned to live with it. I wear gauntlets on the bike so it’s not like anyone will shout out as I’m riding down the road “hey sucker you’re an inch shy on length”!

Special thanks to @JMax for advice and recommendations!!

Comments welcome!

 

[TREEMAN]

Could you go into detail a bit more about the leather ?

 

[abone]

Could you go into detail a bit more about the leather ?

Sure...what would you like to know? I don't have a frame of reference to previous versions of comp weight.

 

[TREEMAN]

Texture , feel , thickness , quality etc.

 

[abone]

Ok I'll give it a go.
I've read about comp weight being stiff, extremely tough and requiring a lot of time to break in, almost like a straight jacket at first. The jacket I received is not that. It's thick, tough I'm sure, but pliable, somewhat soft in feel. I think with wear this leather will relax and form easier to the user than the older comp leather.
The grain is very uniform, no natural imperfections at all as far as I can see so far.
The usual Vanson rolled sleeve edges are present, and bulbous. My other Vanson was like that too, and I didn't like it until they broke in and formed.
I just found another spot where the leather is exposed, down by the waist behind the buckles, and that measures at 1.69mm. I believe the true thickness is more 1.6-1.7mm, rather than what I measured at the wrist gussets.
Anything else?

 

[abone]

Let me know if you want more info

 

[abone]

Couple more closeups:

 

[TREEMAN]

Thanks abone . Enjoy your Chopper !!
Good choice .. good fit also !!

 

[Kubatu]

Ok I'll give it a go.
I've read about comp weight being stiff, extremely tough and requiring a lot of time to break in, almost like a straight jacket at first. The jacket I received is not that. It's thick, tough I'm sure, but pliable, somewhat soft in feel. I think with wear this leather will relax and form easier to the user than the older comp leather.
The grain is very uniform, no natural imperfections at all as far as I can see so far.

This is my experience too. I have a more recent CHP2, and while it is very heavy, the leather is soft to touch and far from being stiff. It's actually so pliable that its not easy to prop up by itself, whereas with my Cal I can just set it down right away and it stands up. I still like it, though. I'm not sure if the lack of stiffness is solely due to the leather source changing (a topic widely discussed here), or if it's an intended new direction.

Jacket looks good!

 

[abone]

This is my experience too. I have a more recent CHP2, and while it is very heavy, the leather is soft to touch and far from being stiff. It's actually so pliable that its not easy to prop up by itself, whereas with my Cal I can just set it down right away and it stands up. I still like it, though. I'm not sure if the lack of stiffness is solely due to the leather source changing (a topic widely discussed here), or if it's an intended new direction.

Jacket looks good!

Yep, same. I didn’t try to stand the jacket up by itself but I know it won’t. Doesn’t have that stiffness to it. But that’s ok.

 

[JMax]

NP at all. Looks awesome. It really does and I am glad it does. Now I have to fish my Chopper out of storage.

Which gauntlets to you use? I’ve been looking for a good pair.

Now you gotta ride like crazy so we all can see how the new CW breaks in. Your description and pictures of the leather sort of remind me of the hide of my Leatherman Cal. Which would indicate a super looking jacket with time in the saddle, both visually and fit wise.

 

[abone]

NP at all. Looks awesome. It really does and I am glad it does. Now I have to fish my Chopper out of storage.

Which gauntlets to you use? I’ve been looking for a good pair.

Now you gotta ride like crazy so we all can see how the new CW breaks in. Your description and pictures of the leather sort of remind me of the hide of my Leatherman Cal. Which would indicate a super looking jacket with time in the saddle, both visually and fit wise.

Thanks, appreciate the feedback.

I wear Watson Gloves gauntlets.
A very old Vancouver BC company. I’ve three pairs, one lined,
one unlined, and have their deerskin short gauntlets too.
Excellent gloves and very well priced.
https://www.watsongloves.com/products/815-interstate/?cat=596

 

[JMax]

Thanks. They look perfect. I will measure my hands and order a pair when I get back home.

 

[abone]

@JMax I updated the link above. The previous one seemed to direct to my personal Amazon account. Ha

 

[JMax]

@JMax I updated the link above. The previous one seemed to direct to my personal Amazon account. Ha

I should have just ordered a few sizes quickly. Missed my chance. Actually, I’ve done what you did and always thought, damn, did I just send someone access to my account. I can tell you that when I hit your original link it opened up Amazon and my name was everywhere. Peace of mind for both of us. Amazon is the devil.

 

[abone]

Thanks. They look perfect. I will measure my hands and order a pair when I get back home.

One more thing, make sure when you order it’s lined, or unlined you want. It’s difficult to see which are which. I called the factory to double check.
I prefer the unlined unless it’s cold as they provide more feel on the grips and controls.

 

[TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead]

well done. Fit is spot on. Sleeves right on the edge though. You probably going to lose another .25 to .5 inch with the creases. I don't ride so I don't know, are the sleeves necessary to be longer to block out wind or just to provide more skin protection? If the wrist zips work anywhere near how the ones do on my Enfield, you should be air tight regardless of where the sleeves hit. Don't know how Vanson does it, but my Enfield zips to the edge and doesn't move. Compared to my Aeros especially, but even some Schotts, not even close.

Sounds like you need custom length on the sleeves, so depending on how good of a deal you got on this + wait time + extra costs + practical use of the extra sleeve length.

 

[abone]

well done. Fit is spot on. Sleeves right on the edge though. You probably going to lose another .25 to .5 inch with the creases. I don't ride so I don't know, are the sleeves necessary to be longer to block out wind or just to provide more skin protection? If the wrist zips work anywhere near how the ones do on my Enfield, you should be air tight regardless of where the sleeves hit. Don't know how Vanson does it, but my Enfield zips to the edge and doesn't move. Compared to my Aeros especially, but even some Schotts, not even close.

Sounds like you need custom length on the sleeves, so depending on how good of a deal you got on this + wait time + extra costs + practical use of the extra sleeve length.

Same as your Enfield, zipped up they are tight, real tight. And don’t move!
Re sleeve length on bikes is probably a few reasons.
Ape hangers put your arms in the air so the sleeves fall back a bit anyway, a bit more protection from the elements and preference. As I mentioned earlier, I wear gauntlets so my wrists aren’t exposed. I’d never ride without gloves.
Going custom is such a hassle for me. Too long. I change my mind. Not sure what I will end up with. More money too. And most importantly I never know if this is my last riding season or not.
If I went custom I’d change the leather to Octagon or go horse if I could get it, and then I might go with another design like hardcore or?
This was there and at a good price. I’ll work on stretching those sleeves!!

 

[TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead]

Same as your Enfield, zipped up they are tight, real tight. And don’t move!
Re sleeve length on bikes is probably a few reasons.
Ape hangers put your arms in the air so the sleeves fall back a bit anyway, a bit more protection from the elements and preference. As I mentioned earlier, I wear gauntlets so my wrists aren’t exposed. I’d never ride without gloves.
Going custom is such a hassle for me. Too long. I change my mind. Not sure what I will end up with. More money too. And most importantly I never know if this is my last riding season or not.
If I went custom I’d change the leather to Octagon or go horse if I could get it, and then I might go with another design like hardcore or?
This was there and at a good price. I’ll work on stretching those sleeves!!

keep. If deal was good, you know you can sell down the road and at least break even.

 

[TheDonEffect]

Awesome jacket and fit, with the gauntlets shouldnt be a problem. I've been digging these nero collar cross zips lately, the chopper looks great!