Vanson Enfield

[HoosierDaddy]

For reference here are the measurements of my size 42 Vanson Enfield.
Chest...23"
Shoulders...18"
Shoulder to sleeve...26"
Collar to sleeve end...35.5
Arm inseam(pit to sleeve end)...20"
Waist...21"
Length(base of collar to bottom)25"

Normally I wear a size 40 in most jackets...but,I was advised to order one size up for the Enfield. It seemed to work great for me. However..compared to jchosko's size 46 "Octagon" Enfield thread...this may not necessarily be true for the larger sizes.
BTW...I am 6'2"...40.5-41 chest..34.5 shirtsleeve...32.5-33 waist.
HD

 

[Lama]

My recent Vanson experience.

I recently recieved a new Vanson Comet (original type, not the armoured one) that was custom spec'd in a 3" longer length and with a dual action zipper (to allow upzip), in competition weight black cowhide:

I needed a spring/fall motorcycle jacket, for real riding. I also wanted something that looked good when I got off the bike and went indoors.

I knew I wanted a cafe, and narrowed my choices down to the Schott HH, Aero Cafe, Vanson Comet or Vanson B and D.

The Schott pasted-in lining issues I have read on here had me concerned, although is is a beautiful jacket in every picture I have seen it worn.

The Aero is also georgeous, but I have heard of the insane wait times as well as parculiar sizing issues.

I found a dealer of vintage cafe jackets in Seattle who knew just what I wanted after explaining my thoughts. He reccomended the Vanson Comet, modified version.

I am completely in love with the jacket. I usually wear a 42 if I want a snug jacket, or a 44 if I want something I can layer up in. This jacket in 42 fits like a second skin, and the quality of materials, stitching, zippers as well as the patterns cut is top shelf.

Anyone who is thinking about buying a Vanson for real motorcycle riding: Order it with the upzip type main zipper, it is the smartest idea ever for a motorcycle jacket.

I highly recommend Vanson products. This was my first Vanson, and I will be buying another for sure, most likely a Model B with a liner for colder fall and early winter rides.

 

[South]

My recent Vanson experience.

I recently recieved a new Vanson Comet (original type, not the armoured one) that was custom spec'd in a 3" longer length and with a dual action zipper (to allow upzip)...

...Order it with the upzip type main zipper, it is the smartest idea ever for a motorcycle jacket.

Lama,

Can you elaborate a bit more on the zipper? I'm not clear on what that is.

Thanks and welcome to the forum.

 

[Lama]

Basically, its the main zipper.... that has two zipper pulls.

You place the zippers together normally, zip up the jacket (usually all the way up), then there is another zipper pull waiting for you at the bottom of the main zipper that you can zip up, which re-opens the zipper.

Thus, you can unzip the lower half of the zipper open, to allow you to sit down (on a motorcycle...or anywhere) without the entire jacket climbing up your back, by the force of your thighs pushing up on it.

Simple but ingenious.

A great site to see Vanson products in high quality images is:

http://www.vanson.jp/cart.cgi?cmd=s&sc=ca1

An example of a double zipper:

http://www.vanson.jp/cart.cgi?cmd=dp&num=207

 

[South]

Thanks for the info. That's interesting.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Updated Enfield Images

After a few weeks wear...

HD

 

[Cooperson]

Very, very nice jacket HD, it's wearing in a treat and the fit looks perfect.

I would seriously consider one but I'm not really a black leather wearer. Do you know if Vanson do anything in a dark brown, similar the Aero brown front quarter horse, or are they predominantly black leather specialists?

Cheers

 

[Peacoat]

Coming along nicely HD; hope the leather on mine is that nice.

Coop: I like your phrase, ". . . it's wearing in a treat." That's a neat English, or perhaps, UK, expression. I had just learned from you guys, "That's the business." I have used it on the Lounge several times over the past week or so without anyone calling me on it, so I guess I am using it correctly. Now I have another English term to learn. Soon I will be sufficiently well versed in the Queen's English so I can go back to the homeland for another visit.

Cheers, Mr. Peacoat

 

[South]

HD,

Thanks for the new pictures. That jacket looks great.

 

[piranha]

Very nice. It fits well.

How is the stitching? Tight and close or loose and wide?

Are there snap tabs on the collars?

Does Vanson make the Enfield in Horsehide? I searched the website and can't find the information!

 

[Lama]

Horsehide:

http://www.vansonleathers.com/product_pages/jackets/enf_horse.htm

 

[Cooperson]

Horsehide:

http://www.vansonleathers.com/product_pages/jackets/enf_horse.htm

Thanks for that Lama - do know of any photos anywhere that show a jacket in their brown horsehide?

Mr Peacoat - I tend to forget that we are world wide here and the odd colloquial expression might cause some confusion. Yes, 'the business' is common here for anything really good. There are of course many more, some not so suitable for polite society

 

[Aaronlowe]

Very, very nice jacket HD, it's wearing in a treat and the fit looks perfect.

I would seriously consider one but I'm not really a black leather wearer. Do you know if Vanson do anything in a dark brown, similar the Aero brown front quarter horse, or are they predominantly black leather specialists?

Cheers

I just ordered an Enfield that is in dark brown heavyweight comp leather thru Dan at Loganscloset.com. His website has a lot of color options (as does Vanson's website) and you can get brown horsehide, it just may take time for them to get the correct color hide in stock.

I'll have mine around June and will post pics as soon as it's in my grubby little hands.

Aaron

 

[Cooperson]

I just ordered an Enfield that is in dark brown heavyweight comp leather thru Dan at Loganscloset.com. His website has a lot of color options (as does Vanson's website) and you can get brown horsehide, it just may take time for them to get the correct color hide in stock.

I'll have mine around June and will post pics as soon as it's in my grubby little hands.

Aaron

Thanks Aaron, I look forward to seeing it.

 

[Lama]

For those who want great pictures of Vanson jackets, here is their Japan distributors website:

http://www.vanson.jp/cart.cgi?cmd=s&sc=ca1

Note: The only Horsehide jackets on the Japan site are some weird thin lightweight horsehide that the Japanese spec'd out, and I once talked to Vanson about it (they have them in stock in Mass., cannot sell) and they stated it was ugly and wrinkled looking.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Very nice. It fits well.

How is the stitching? Tight and close or loose and wide?

Are there snap tabs on the collars?

Does Vanson make the Enfield in Horsehide? I searched the website and can't find the information!

The stitching is very nice on this Enfield. Tight,close,uniform,heavy and straight. No loose threads whatsoever. Probably one of the better aspects of this jacket. Neater than my Aeros..and certainly my Schotts.

No collar snaps. If you notice..the Enfield collar is quite small. However,during all these years of MC riding..I've never had any leather jacket collar slap me in the face no matter the size..although some lighter weight denim..or shirt collar material certainly will.

The Enfield is made in Horsehide(I once had one)..but seems that the hides are on backorder..or Vanson is looking for a new supplier.

I must say that I do like this heavy steerhide on my new Enfield much better than the HH on my old one. Simply because it seems much more comfortable although of substantial hide and grainy with a nice crisp finish compared to the HH Vanson had offered. For me a stiffer super hvy HH like Aero's FQHH is just not my cup of tea for enjoyable Motorcycle riding. I wear my HH Aeros only as streetwear. Vanson's HH wasn't quite as heavy as Aero's FQHH...but still incorporated similar stiffness. It did breakin and relax..but never to the comfort level of this one..even when this steerhide Enfield was new. I may have gotten a steerhide from an unusual batch of Vanson hide...or their steer is unique to most other maker's steerhide as Aero's FQHH is to other HH. In any event I'm very pleased with this Jacket.
HD

 

[Peacoat]

HD, your jacket certainly looks a treat. I hope mine is as nice and that I am as happy with it as you are. I agree with you about the stiff jackets for riding. If the comfort level isn't there, I leave it at home. That's why I like my Fox Creek so much for riding. Even with the elbow armor in (it's out now for street wear), the jacket is still the most comfortable heavy jacket I own.

 

[Pushrod]

Thanks for that Lama - do know of any photos anywhere that show a jacket in their brown horsehide?

Mr Peacoat - I tend to forget that we are world wide here and the odd colloquial expression might cause some confusion. Yes, 'the business' is common here for anything really good. There are of course many more, some not so suitable for polite society

I had one in a brownish horsehide for a while but sold it to my regret:

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Hi Pushrod
I can't tell with the small pics if that is an Enfield or not...but the color of the HH is exactly like the HH Enfield that I once had. It was a rich brown of very nice color.

Peacoat....
I think.."a treat"...is a great discription for,every once in a while,obtaining a jacket that seems to have it all...or suit your purposes to a T. When it happens...it certainly is a treat for sure.

HD

 

[jimmer_5]

I had one in a brownish horsehide for a while but sold it to my regret:

Pushrod - Fantastic looking jacket! Would you be able to put up a larger image? Or if you'd like, you can e-mail them to me and I would be happy to put them up.