The CB1100 Community Forum

Held makes great gloves, but you are right, they are NOT cheap.

Schott and Langlitz are top shelf. Have had a few of each. My favorite now is the Schott Perfecto Horsehide Carney:

http://craftworkwear.blogspot.com/2010_1...chive.html

I like the Schotts horsehide over the goatskin from Langlitz.

Boots are Wesco's http://www.wescoboots.com/wesco/home.asp

Here are a few retro influenced jackets. Some have armor and some don't.

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac...acket.html

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac..._2011.html

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac...acket.html

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac...acket.html

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac...acket.html

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac...acket.html

I haven't found the perfect leather jacket yet to my eyes, but I bought my daughter this one for two-up riding:

[url=http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/dainese-r-twin-leather-jacket]Dainese armored cafe jacket

The picture does not really do it justice: it is fully armored (removable) and the leather is thick but supple, and the styling does not look like a Power Ranger.

(07-31-2013, 12:23 AM)silascopathic_imp Wrote: [ -> ]those are nice boots! I still love riding in a t shirt and shorts with my full face helmet... not the safest but I love it

Have you ever had a motorcycle accident or fall? Or seen someone who has? I would think if you have, you would want a little more coverage. But when I was 20 something I rode in t-shirts all the time, although usually long pants since shorts look weird on a motorcycle.
People always told me if I fell off doing 150 MPH, the only thing left of me would be my head in the helmet :-(

(07-31-2013, 08:50 AM)Billtannica_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Here are a few retro influenced jackets. Some have armor and some don't.

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac...acket.html

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac..._2011.html

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac...acket.html

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac...acket.html

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac...acket.html

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac...acket.html

I had ordered the "River Road Hoodlum Jacket " and sent it back.....I'm a thin guy and it was just a big crude cut piece of jacket, not much for style and fit.

(07-31-2013, 11:04 AM)HikerToo_imp Wrote: [ -> ]

(07-31-2013, 12:23 AM)silascopathic_imp Wrote: [ -> ]those are nice boots! I still love riding in a t shirt and shorts with my full face helmet... not the safest but I love it

Have you ever had a motorcycle accident or fall? Or seen someone who has? I would think if you have, you would want a little more coverage. But when I was 20 something I rode in t-shirts all the time, although usually long pants since shorts look weird on a motorcycle.
People always told me if I fell off doing 150 MPH, the only thing left of me would be my head in the helmet :-(

(07-31-2013, 08:50 AM)Billtannica_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Here are a few retro influenced jackets. Some have armor and some don't.

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac...acket.html

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac..._2011.html

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac...acket.html

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac...acket.html

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac...acket.html

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jac...acket.html

I had ordered the "River Road Hoodlum Jacket " and sent it back.....I'm a thin guy and it was just a big crude cut piece of jacket, not much for style and fit.

That's disappointing. I was already skeptical due to the lack of armor and your experience doesn't inspire any more confidence in the brand. Pity. It is a good looking jacket, just maybe more of a fashion accessory than protective gear.

Bates
Vanson
Fox Creek
Brooks
Schott
Dainese
Langlitz

Expect to pay $800 or more for a really good leather jacket with armor. however, if you don't outgrow it, it will still be a good leather jacket in 20 years.

(07-31-2013, 12:49 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Bates
Vanson
Fox Creek
Brooks
Schott
Dainese
Langlitz

Expect to pay $800 or more for a really good leather jacket with armor. however, if you don't outgrow it, it will still be a good leather jacket in 20 years.

I have one of my dad's leather riding jackets in the closet at home. It's older than I am (it's at least 40, maybe closer to 45 at this point), so I don't really want to wear it out riding. Plus it's a bit thin and it obviously doesn't have any armor in it... but it's still in really good shape and it's basically just sat in a closet for the last 20-something years. Leather will last a LONG time.

As far as the River Road stuff, I have not heard good things. I know over in the Warrior forums, there was a guy that went down due to a deer running into him, and his River Road jacket literally fell apart at the seams.

(07-31-2013, 04:40 PM)Gypped_imp Wrote: [ -> ]

(07-31-2013, 12:49 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Bates
Vanson
Fox Creek
Brooks
Schott
Dainese
Langlitz

Expect to pay $800 or more for a really good leather jacket with armor. however, if you don't outgrow it, it will still be a good leather jacket in 20 years.

I have one of my dad's leather riding jackets in the closet at home. It's older than I am (it's at least 40, maybe closer to 45 at this point), so I don't really want to wear it out riding. Plus it's a bit thin and it obviously doesn't have any armor in it... but it's still in really good shape and it's basically just sat in a closet for the last 20-something years. Leather will last a LONG time.

As far as the River Road stuff, I have not heard good things. I know over in the Warrior forums, there was a guy that went down due to a deer running into him, and his River Road jacket literally fell apart at the seams.

The stitching is the most common point of failure in lower quality leather riding gear.

The problem with wearing leather, and I wear it a lot, and have for 41 years when I got my first Bates leather jacket (before that it was either a denim jacket in the summer and an old green Army coat in fall and winter) is its ability to absorb water if you get caught in a rainstorm, and it's inability to dry out in a reasonable amount of time. Plus the water weight it gains. There are waterproof leathers, with the leather having been treated with something, but I've never known anyone personally that had a set.

When I tour, I resort to Textile gear with armor, from Tourmaster usually, which will shed a light rain or most of a heavy rain for a short time, but still requires that you pack rain gear if you get caught in an all day soaker or Toad Strangler as we call them.

Still, there is a special place in my heart and closet for a good leather jacket or two, despite their shortcomings. Nothing says motorcycle rider to me than a leather jacket covered in bug guts.