Leather Riding Gear

[the Ferret]

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

[Ack-CB11_imp]

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

[Billtannica_imp]

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

[cb400four_imp]

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.

[HikerToo_imp]

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 :-(

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.

[Billtannica_imp]

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 :-(

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.

[the Ferret]

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.

[Gypped_imp]

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.

[Guth_imp]

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 Ferret]

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.