Why Should I Buy A Vanson?

[JohnS33931]

I don’t ride a motorcycle anymore, but I do like to have freedom in my arm movement. I own a lot of jackets from US Leathers in Massachusetts and they all allow great arm movement - which is one of the most important factors for me.
I’m hoping to drive down to Vanson this year if I can get them to fit me for one of their Dakota jackets.
I had thought competition weight, but I’ll have to see the difference.

 

[Bahabp100]

I'm painfully aware, Carlos. It was really cool to be built like the hulk when younger, but not so much now. I've got a bunch that fit me reasonably well...Schotts, Aero's(their size 48 fits me), Branded, Hein Gericke, Natel, etc. For some reason, at least on ebay, unbranded, large Vansons have eluded me.

There are tons of used, high-end dress shirts in big sizes on ebay. There are lots of big guys out there(over 40% of American males weigh more than 200 pounds), but they probably gave up trying to find a leather jacket because they couldn't find one and/or couldn't afford custom. Certain industries have a hang-up about making bigger sizes. I get it with leather jackets, but I have fits finding higher-end, relaxed fit t-shirts. Everyone wears t-shirts, so I can't see the argument for inadequate demand to justify making larger sizes.

Speaking of high end shirts and stuff On EBay I’ve scored a few Zegna suits and sports jackets in size 50 . It’s their size 60 or xxl. Sports shits too, super high quality Italian made beautiful. Fabrics include silk and or cashmere, with surgeons cuffs and pearl buttons. Jackets $50 Suits $100 (retail at $3000) Shirts $20 ties $10 (all - also less than quotes) the Italian fit is nice and gives my bulky body some shape. Sometimes they’re custom made for someone and when I google the name they’re millionaire CEO’s, or even millionaire fraudsters (it’s true) so I get to have a nice wardrobe on the cheap and it comes in handy as I’m in the nightclub business and need to look sharp for work. If you ever check out Zegnas line of fabrics it gets even deeper than let’s say for example Horween.

 

[Peter Mackin]

This competition weight beats any fqhh I’ve ever owned or seen,it gets better and better with every wear

 

[AeroFan_07]

^^ That is what is correctly termed "old-school" competetion weight.

 

[TREEMAN]

^^ That is what is correctly termed "old-school" competetion weight.

Wonder what year it’s from ?

 

[Peter Mackin]

Bought new from Thurston late 2011,& no customs charges coming into the U.K.

 

[Leadfoot]

Regarding the current Comp Weight leather, I just got my custom Maverick today. Right out of the box...



I like it.

 

[JohnS33931]

Very nice!

 

[ton312]

I can’t wait to update this thread

 

[Schambach]

Thank you. I usually wear a 52. It's funny because Vanson does offer sizes for larger guys, they just don't seem to show up on ebay.

Did you see this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vanson-Lea...-/114803185183?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

 

[ton312]

Having received what is around my (12th?) and final Vanson model E yesterday I came to realize, actually remember, what makes Vanson so great. My first “real” leather jacket that I bought from a thrift store in DeKalb, IL was an 80’s Vanson, Rocky III looking cross zip with a twin track front zip, horrible padding and a fixed front belt (which I promptly cut off). $40 and that felt expensive!!! It was an eye opener. I never knew leather could be that THICK!! Prior to that I was wearing thrift store main stays like Excelled and Beau Breed when I rode. They felt like pure junk in comparison, and frankly, they absolutely were.

I sold my first bike and that jacket to a buddy of mine and God only knows what became of both. Fast forward several years later and when I was still actively riding, I had a Vanson model E and a model A. Best bike jackets on the planet. The older, longer A’s started the zipper about 1.5” from the hem so they splayed nicely when seated. As is the way, when disposable income became more available I started to question weather or not I could find something better. Surely I could as there are more expensive jackets out there and they MUST be better, right? Wrong.

I tried all the vintage players, CAL, Bates and Schott. I loved CAL and Bates (still do) but they didn’t fit my bill. Schott, I didn’t care for. Sleeves were always too short and the fixed belt made the entire jacket balloon up.

Aero? Must be better. Actually worse than all of them. The first time I sat on my bike in my fresh j-106 I knew I’d never ride 10 feet in it. Stiff as balls, rode up like a bucking bronco. A disaster. As beautiful as the jacket was, it is street wear, plain and simple. I purchased several j-106 in the years that followed. As street wear. That’s what they are, nothing more and nothing wrong with that.

Gotta be LW then. If Aero is to Vanson what LW is to Aero, then that has to be the one. Wrong again. While it was far better than the Aero on the bike my j-23 was still a battle. If I rode a saw horse style, straight up bike, it may have been fine but my scoot at the time was aggressive in its seated position. Classic monkey humping a football. LW had to go. And it did. Twice.

Back to Vanson. But why!?? How can it be. It’s been said before and it’s simple. They know how to engineer a bike jacket. Moves with you. You can feel the expansion in the shoulders unfold when you reach forward and retract when you put your arms down. Sleeve and body length are perfect without alteration from stock. Customizable fit is built in (in the E anyway) via the well positioned back laces. Under arm footballs, heavy duty zips, tightly closed cuffs. Vanson builds race suits for people whose lives depend on it. It shows across their range. But all that aside, the reason to buy a Vanson is actually much more simple. It’s b/c they look so freak’n’ good! In all my cross zip adventures one thing has become vividly clear, for me anyway, nothing beats a Vanson.

 

[Hh121]

Wow, congrats!!

 

[skybert]

Nice! A great, slim fit...and it still looks comfortable.

Now don't sell this one or I'll whack your head with leather fringes

 

[Hh121]

Must be an old E, the one I had doesn't have an underarm gusset.

 

[AeroFan_07]

A keeper for sure Tony! Excellent fit, and all the "hard work" has already been done - 20+ years of break in and roughhousing it to tame the beast!

 

[roadking04]

Awesome write up Ton. That is one badass E. Perfect amount of wear. I wish they still made them like that. Your E and doubleH's E are MILES apart. The new model E's look like cheap Chinese knock offs compared to yours. Never let that one go. I hope to see MANY more pics in the WJAYWT thread.

 

[ton312]

Must be an old E, the one I had doesn't have an underarm gusset.
View attachment 334995

I’m not sure when but the e has undergone some revisions. The collar shape, under arm footballs and belt loop attachment all changed. I learned long ago that if I spy these snaps holding the loops, time to BIN

 

[JMax]

Having received what is around my (12th?) and final Vanson model E yesterday I came to realize, actually remember, what makes Vanson so great. My first “real” leather jacket that I bought from a thrift store in DeKalb, IL was an 80’s Vanson, Rocky III looking cross zip with a twin track front zip, horrible padding and a fixed front belt (which I promptly cut off). $40 and that felt expensive!!! It was an eye opener. I never knew leather could be that THICK!! Prior to that I was wearing thrift store main stays like Excelled and Beau Breed when I rode. They felt like pure junk in comparison, and frankly, they absolutely were.

I sold my first bike and that jacket to a buddy of mine and God only knows what became of both. Fast forward several years later and when I was still actively riding, I had a Vanson model E and a model A. Best bike jackets on the planet. The older, longer A’s started the zipper about 1.5” from the hem so they splayed nicely when seated. As is the way, when disposable income became more available I started to question weather or not I could find something better. Surely I could as there are more expensive jackets out there and they MUST be better, right? Wrong.

I tried all the vintage players, CAL, Bates and Schott. I loved CAL and Bates (still do) but they didn’t fit my bill. Schott, I didn’t care for. Sleeves were always too short and the fixed belt made the entire jacket balloon up.

Aero? Must be better. Actually worse than all of them. The first time I sat on my bike in my fresh j-106 I knew I’d never ride 10 feet in it. Stiff as balls, rode up like a bucking bronco. A disaster. As beautiful as the jacket was, it is street wear, plain and simple. I purchased several j-106 in the years that followed. As street wear. That’s what they are, nothing more and nothing wrong with that.

Gotta be LW then. If Aero is to Vanson what LW is to Aero, then that has to be the one. Wrong again. While it was far better than the Aero on the bike my j-23 was still a battle. If I rode a saw horse style, straight up bike, it may have been fine but my scoot at the time was aggressive in its seated position. Classic monkey humping a football. LW had to go. And it did. Twice.

Back to Vanson. But why!?? How can it be. It’s been said before and it’s simple. They know how to engineer a bike jacket. Moves with you. You can feel the expansion in the shoulders unfold when you reach forward and retract when you put your arms down. Sleeve and body length are perfect without alteration from stock. Customizable fit is built in (in the E anyway) via the well positioned back laces. Under arm footballs, heavy duty zips, tightly closed cuffs. Vanson builds race suits for people whose lives depend on it. It shows across their range. But all that aside, the reason to buy a Vanson is actually much more simple. It’s b/c they look so freak’n’ good! In all my cross zip adventures one thing has become vividly clear, for me anyway, nothing beats a Vanson.
View attachment 334968 View attachment 334969
View attachment 334971
View attachment 334970

Amen.

 

[Andrew Putnam]

Vanson Cobra here. Size 48. The original not Mark II. Why I like Vanson compared to other brands? Because on the bike it fits better than other brands, is safer and more functional and better designed than other brands. And although I live in Australia not the U.S. I'd buy something made in the U.S., U.K, or Australia any day over something "mass produced". This Cobra jacket is not only more comfortable on the bike than any other jacket I've worn but it sits where it should, it feels good to wear. The details like the velcro closure beneath the zip protects my tank and adds to the fit. Around the waist, back, and the shoulders and arms are perfect- so in the event of a fall the armour stays where it should- It's race suit inspired, so I'd wear it on the track too with complete confidence. The leather is thick and superb. I like that it is slightly stiff- It's almost as if it keeps my body and arms where they should be. This jacket is getting on for 30 years old but it is like new. Has big inside pockets either side which can fit alot in and the chest vents can open for warmer weather riding. End of the day wear what you like and I like Vanson. Also have a Drifter with the firenze leather, more of a cruiser cut and I like the Cobra better but also a great jacket.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Why should I buy a Vanson?

Short answer: JUST DO IT!

Long answer:
1. Better mobility
You will have more confidence taking turns, riding, driving, flying, walking your dogs. All because of the center pleat in the lining, you will get that extra inch or two forward and side to side movement. This also explains why my full action back Aero or LW or FL or Whatever brand doesn’t move as well. There is one other maker that does this too, who shall remain secret until the reveal.

2. Indestructible Leather
I soaked this jacket in the hot sun. Dried it in the hot sun. Left it to die on the lawn with sprinkler going at it twice a week for two weeks. And more drying by the hot sun. It did nothing to this 2021 CW leather. NOTHING. no shrinkage, no cracking. Same soft pliable leather 4 oz beast.

3. CW leather grain
Give it some serious abuse. They will show up, in about a few years. Vanson cutter should get fired for using the best grains for the inside gun pocket no one will see, and almost a pointless but for marketing option.

4. Price
For $600 it is not possible to do better. This punches at least two classes above its weight. Just give it some abuse and wait to see.
5. Don’t buy a Vanson if you want anything but black leather.
6. I hope I have showed just how awesome Vanson is. My MO is to use this as a comparison standard for my end game maker, the big reveal. Someone else also has this excellent pattern for movement, also made in America, cost slightly more than a Vanson, and you can get any color you want.
Thanks for reading and Happy July 4th to all American members!