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Vanson Chopper
- Thread starter Carlos840
- Start date
Amazingly fast shipping from Union Garage. UPS ground to NJ the following day. That along with the excellent jacket quality are the positives. Definitely a much better hide than the Force I received and I believe this one is called the XL150 Heritage leather with hand finished waxy topcoat. I can see this breaking in and turning into an amazing jacket.
Unfortunately, I think the Medium is too skin tight in the upper chest and will never loosen up enough to let me breath comfortably. It fits perfect everywhere else. I'm 5'9 160, athletic chest, with a Forcefield Armor shirt underneath (Level 2). Thoughts??
Unfortunately, I think the Medium is too skin tight in the upper chest and will never loosen up enough to let me breath comfortably. It fits perfect everywhere else. I'm 5'9 160, athletic chest, with a Forcefield Armor shirt underneath (Level 2). Thoughts??
El Marro
My Mail is Forwarded Here
- Messages
- 3,599
- Location
- California
Looks like a perfect fit from the photos, but I have found that the jackets that are just a hair too tight for comfort always look great in pictures...
If your first impression is that it’s too tight you should probably try a size up.
That, and jackets that are just a hair too tight for comfort tend to stay in closet. That's the case with me, at least.
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- 10,631
It looks good. I will say that the X-150/Octagon type leathers do loosen a bit with wear. I guess it depends how constricting it feels to you right now.
This is a very different leather than CW and I very much enjoy how it breaks in. Great choice.
This is a very different leather than CW and I very much enjoy how it breaks in. Great choice.
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jacketjunkie
Call Me a Cab
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- 2,321
- Location
- Germany
Perfect fit, it is that size or no jacket at all, a size larger won't work, in my humble opinion. Only you can make the final call on how tight and restrictive it is, but I feel Vanson jackets will wear easier once the leather softens up and will give room here and there while it forms to your body and yours does not look overly tight...
Unfortunately the next size up jumps to Large, which will then get sloppy everywhere else. Both photos show the two "folds" in the leather right near the outer chest where its tight. I can zip it fully no problem, but there is no excess room anywhere. Definitely a "second skin" fit which I suppose would be a plus for safety sake. But breathing comes first!
Heretic!
- Messages
- 10,631
If you contact Vanson they will build you an in-between size, in the leather you want. That said, I think this looks great and with break-in will feel less constricting. I for one can hold my breath for long time lol.
Looks good to me. I think that if you size up it's probably going to end up being baggy at the waist and too long in the body and arms.
Unless you want to get one custom sized in between, i think this is as good as you will get.
(actually, if i remember right, M is 40 and L is 44, Vanson doesn't offer size 42 off the rack, but you might be able to get one from Thurston Bros.)
Unless you want to get one custom sized in between, i think this is as good as you will get.
(actually, if i remember right, M is 40 and L is 44, Vanson doesn't offer size 42 off the rack, but you might be able to get one from Thurston Bros.)
- Messages
- 10,631
They will build you a sized 42 Chopper, just need to ask them. Probably can get from TB too, no idea.
If you can get the zip all the way to the top like that it's not too tight! I could almost never do that with my cross zips! The fit certainly looks perfect!
Hmm, words of wisdom from the cross zip master himself Ton! This is my first go at a cross zip style so maybe that’s it. Not used to any halfbelt or Cafe Racer being that “strapped in” at the upper chest when zipped. Almost like medieval armor or a straight jacket. Just trying to decide if it will ever “give” in that area with enough break in. No complaints about any other areas.
Yes, a 42 custom from TB or Vanson direct would be better I think but I need this for fall. Not up for a 2mth+ wait
Yes, a 42 custom from TB or Vanson direct would be better I think but I need this for fall. Not up for a 2mth+ wait
marmalademan
Banned
- Messages
- 373
I reckon if you break that in it's going to be perfect. But from what I know of Vsnson leather breaking it in aint gonna be much fun! Good luck
- Messages
- 16,842
My thoughts are that this is the jacket you keep.
El Marro
My Mail is Forwarded Here
- Messages
- 3,599
- Location
- California
Yep, I checked the measurements out on union garage and there is a big jump from size to size. I agree that a large would be a sloppy fit pretty much everywhere.
Man I think you nailed this puppy right to the ground. This is the exact way I'd want one to fit. The z-150 is no joke when new but it will relax, it's not a terribly fast process...but it certainly will.
felix03
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 124
- Location
- Castro Valley, CA
I'm 5'6" 165 with a size 33" waist and I have a chopper in a Medium: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/my-new-vanson-chopper.77944/#post-1807639
I like my jackets to be slim fitting but not tight. I think yours fits perfectly. Agree that the leather will loosen up over time and use -- I've had my comp weight chopper for about 4 years (maybe 100 wears total?) and it certainly has. Another thing to consider is that motorcycle armor will get thinner over time as technology improves so that fit is just gonna get better and better.
I like my jackets to be slim fitting but not tight. I think yours fits perfectly. Agree that the leather will loosen up over time and use -- I've had my comp weight chopper for about 4 years (maybe 100 wears total?) and it certainly has. Another thing to consider is that motorcycle armor will get thinner over time as technology improves so that fit is just gonna get better and better.
roadking04
Practically Family
- Messages
- 938
- Location
- The Rock 'n Roll Capital
Looks like a proper m/c fit! Don't think you could do much better. Nothing worse than a jacket that balloons out and acts like a sail on the bike. I sized down on my highwayman, what a difference! Like night and day on the bike. I would rather have a tad snug than a tad loose for a true m/c jacket. The opposite would apply to a casual jacket.
