leather jackets

[jimgl353_imp]

is there such thing as an affordable leather motorcycle jacket that is worth owning? sure, there are lots of what I have come to understand are known as "promotional grade" leather jackets made of the stuff that lies beneath the graded leather that you actually want your jacket made of, but the difference in price is substantial. $150 vs. around $400+ It's just crazy.

[kennyw]

My jacket was $250 on sale, normally $325ish. The difference is that it doesn't offer armor pockets.

[LongRanger_imp]

Two thoughts -- First, you get what you pay for. I've owned my "expensive" Hein Gericke V-Pilot since 1994 and it's still in excellent, as-new condition. A cheaper jacket probably wouldn't have survived. And after about a month, I didn't miss the money. That being said, if you're amenable, there are tons of used Vanson, Bates, Z-Leathers, Dianese, etc. jackets available from folks who have stopped riding. You can find one on Craigslist or eBay, buy it for a song (like $50), have it professionally cleaned, and you'll be good to go.

[hb9400_imp]

I'll throw my 2 cents worth in. For my $ the Joe Rocket Classic 92 jacket has been the best leather jacket I've owned so far. In the summer it's just too hot in the south but for the rest of the year it's fabulous.

http://www.joerocket.com/leather-jackets-2/classic-92

[rotor]

is there such thing as an affordable leather motorcycle jacket that is worth owning? sure, there are lots of what I have come to understand are known as "promotional grade" leather jackets made of the stuff that lies beneath the graded leather that you actually want your jacket made of, but the difference in price is substantial. $150 vs. around $400+ It's just crazy.

No. There are good reasons for owning a leather motorcycle jacket, but those have nothing to do with economics.

This is posted only so that it be known that there are those who believe today's polyamide and similar synthetic fabrics are much better then leather for average mix of motorcycle riding conditions.

[Frulk_imp]

If you think a good, armored leather jacket is expensive check what skin grafts go for these days.

[Nortoon_imp]

I bought my first leather jacket from Bristol in Montreal for $35 in 1966. That was the same cost of a Bell helmet at the time. I wore it for 23 years, and gave it to my younger brother when I stopped riding in 1989. He still has it.

When I returned to motorcycling in 2014 I bought my second Bristol leather jacket for $240 plus sales taxes. That's twice what a Bell 500 helmet would cost here now. But if I ever fall off, I know it will save my skin. It's heavy leather took a summer of wind and sun to become soft and pliable. It probably will be around when I am gone.

[will866_imp]

I'm a Vanson fan and am glad I spent the money but I believe Hudson makes a good lower priced protective leather jacket. eBay and Craigslist can work also if you know what you are looking for Vanson and Schott-wise.

[Ferrealls_imp]

I have a Roland Sands that I like a lot. Not cheap though. I also like the Icon leathers. There are affordable leather jackets that are worth owning...for a night on the town. Or a GQ photo shoot. For protection quality leather and a jacket that is armor ready, it gets expensive, but I would say any amount of money into safety equipment is worth it.

[jimgl353_imp]

thanks for all the input, well I do take exception to the skin graft thing... my joe rocket textile jacket protects me just fine for $99 thanks to the ce armor. apples and oranges. I don't ride like a squid. On the racetrack I wear $1000 full leathers, $200 leather gloves, $300 leather boots. thank you though for your comment.