What leather jacket?

[billybob]

Hi everyone! First post on the site:wings:!!

Im currently looking to buy a leather riding jacket and I dont have too much $$ to spend. Im tossing up between Cnell's jackets :https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/helmets-clothing-footwear/jackets/listing-1777608405.htm?rsqid=a2e66860e1fd4b359d06f1b8c80e9 cba and https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/helmets-clothing-footwear/jackets/listing-1777596678.htm?rsqid=a2e66860e1fd4b359d06f1b8c80e9 cba
As well as 1Tonnes https://www.1tonne.co.nz/product/brown-classic-leather-jacket/29/101/ . Also, has anyone heard of Brixton riding jackets? https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/helmets-clothing-footwear/jackets/listing-1771539287.htm?rsqid=1f2bbb34966b4e0a8786e3e841abe 3d4 ??

What do you think the best option would be?

Cheers
Ride safe

[billybob]

Also, I just saw this https://www.rhinoleather.com.au/leather-motorcycle-jacket-with-vents-and-armour-australia/#product-additional-info ($333 Inc. Shipping) Thoughts?

[AllanB]

I have a $750 Alpinestars leather jacket and $200 1 Tonne leather pants. One has a lot of fancy labels. Both are decent gear.

I'd avoid any unknown brands off Trademe. For example buying direct off 1 Tonne I was able to swap out the trou as the first sizing was not the fit I wanted - good old fashioned customer service.

Check for features you desire - vents, protection, pockets etc.

Revit are a brand common in most Motorcycle shops - well priced and review well, so worth a look.

[WALRUS]

+1 to avoiding the unknown brands.

I've got a Joe Rocket leather jacket and an RST 2-Piece for track days. Known brands, good quality stuff.

I've also got a couple of eBay specials which looked good and I do wear on occasion but you only have to put them on for a second and you realise very quickly that they might save your skin maybe once in a slow fall.. Kinda pointless and only $1-200 cheaper than a "brand-name" jacket from a local dealership.

As Allan said, go and check out your local dealers, see what they have in stock, what they can order, try some stuff on, and get what you feel is best for you.

It's lovely to save some money, especially when money is tight, but it's even nicer to save your skin, body, and life ;)

[billybob]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!
I definitely agree with spending a little bit more for a safer-potentially life saving bit of gear 100%. I'll head into motomail this week to check out the Rjays aviator jacket ($400) has anyone tried one on or know anything about it e.g. quality? I'll also compare it to this https://finnmoto.com.au/mens-cafe-motorcycle-leather-jacket/ leather jacket from finnmoto. The reveiws are good and the specs also look appealing (full grain leather- not sure what the Rjays one is made from) ($327 incl shipping to NZ).

Ride safe everyone!!

[SaferRides]

Whatever you buy, make sure it has CE-certified armour, and budget for a back protector.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Also, I just saw this https://www.rhinoleather.com.au/leather-motorcycle-jacket-with-vents-and-armour-australia/#product-additional-info ($333 Inc. Shipping) Thoughts?

If you want name brand keep an eye on tardme for second hand. Often very good value. I bought an armoured Dainese jacket a few years ago for like $200. Sold it as it was a tad too big.

I really rate the Triumph branded gear for value and features - haven't road tested it yet thankfully.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Whatever you buy, make sure it has CE-certified armour, and budget for a back protector.

I have a back protector OP can have if he wants it and it fits - its spare, bought for my SO who doesn't "do" motorbikes any more - never used.

only gotcha is size is quite small. Happy to measure it.

[WALRUS]

I really rate the Triumph branded gear for value and features - haven't road tested it yet thankfully.

A lot of Triumph's leather gear is Alpinestars.. Or at least, it used to be..

[slofox]

Lookee here....

https://www.motocap.com.au/products/jackets

ps nod of the head to rastuscat on this one.

[billybob]

Thanks for the link!

[SaferRides]

Lookee here....

https://www.motocap.com.au/products/jackets

ps nod of the head to rastuscat on this one.Hmm, that's interesting. The only 5 star jacket so far is a Rjays.

[HenryDorsetCase]

The Harley Davidson jacket gets ONE star for comfort and two for protection. A snip at $939 - twice the price of pretty much everything else in the survey!

[Ayleir]

As a motorcyclist, it worries be to see the line between actual riding gear and fashion accessories blur so much that it gets confusing like this. If i look on ebay for a motorcycling jacket, i find hundreds of fashion jackets that are not riding jackets at all. This is always something i've been bothered by about the moto-jacket trend, because frankly all the moto style fashion jackets aren't even real padded motorcycle jackets. They're just ones that look like they are. Most of the jackets harleydads wear around to go from bar to bar on a saturday night aren't even real riding jackets. Any authentic contemporary motorcycle jacket will have very very heavy padding in the shoulders; usually armor in the shoulders, arms and back. They're made of very thick leather and very warm. They will often have incredibly heavy zippers. Usually they also have little zippers on the torso and arms for airflow control designed for 60 mph or so of wind gusts. If you want to avoid getting a real riding jacket by accident, you don't need to do too much homework to identify what is what. If you have the opportunity to look at the features of a jacket closely, you would find that they're very different.

Many resale outlets don't even know, but with a little research you will know a real motorcycle jacket when you see it.

The more serious and correct vintage or vintage inspired (schott copies?) riding jackets probably don't even have the padding or thick leather you'd want to avoid, since they would be based on a time when there wasn't shoulder padding however.

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[HenryDorsetCase]

The more serious and correct vintage or vintage inspired (schott copies?) riding jackets probably don't even have the padding or thick leather you'd want to avoid, since they would be based on a time when there wasn't shoulder padding however.

OK here's a thing.

I am always amused by this sort of post. "Oh, that's shit because it isn't a full power ranger suit with full armour and so forth" "Oh, there's no padding in that."

The tradeoff we all make is between comfort and practicality and protection. And my firmly held view is that if you are going to take any sort of fall off of a motorcycle, you will be hurt and maybe killed irrespective of what gear you're wearing. The key here is your riding and the key to that is you. Which in my view is why you are better spending money on "how do I ride better-er without being a menace to myself and every other road user" courses than a grand on an Alpinestars jacket or $500 on some Dainese race gloves.

For road riding I always wear boots + gloves + jacket + fullface helmet, but very often (like this morning) will wear ordinary jeans. Because I need to get off the bike and do shit other than give feedback to my crewchief, get a rubdown and then go back out for FP2. I also need to carry shit about with me: unlike, say Marc Marquez or Rossi who have minions for that.

OP has the right idea: buy a decent bit of kit, and also ask random voices in his/her head/people on the internet for advice. My point is that protective gear does not possess magical properties.

[WALRUS]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to HenryDorsetCase again.

Spot on!

One of the guys in my building is looking to get into riding. Picking up the finest KTM 390 Duke that India can muster and then sending me links to full carbon helmets and the afforementioned 1pc kangaroo leather suits with all the right letters and logos on them.

I mean, if it's what you want to buy, go for it, but it definitely isn't necessary to spend super huge mega dollars on gear. I still think that it's important to pay a reasonable amount though, skimping on gear can be a stupid thing to do because some of it is pretty pointless Chinesium rubbish, but there's no denying that good riding, situational and spatial awareness and other things that Cassina didn't believe exist all count towards being a safer rider.

If I'm on my scooter and just hanging about the suburbs or my small city, it is helmet, gloves, jacket, but often just regular jeans and shoes. Anything else, or anywhere else, I'm an ATGATT person. Not necessary full leathers and knee sliders, but still proper bike boots, at least Kevlar jeans, leather jacket, proper gloves, SOMETIMES a back protector, depending on how much of a twat I intend on being.

[Addo007]

Slightly off the main topic but related to the last few comments, is there any opinions on the kevlar lined jeans such as dragon jeans? I wear proper armoured pants for big rides but for around town or gravel roads in summer I have worn them. No armour but I always thought gravel rash may be avoided.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Slightly off the main topic but related to the last few comments, is there any opinions on the kevlar lined jeans such as dragon jeans? I wear proper armoured pants for big rides but for around town or gravel roads in summer I have worn them. No armour but I always thought gravel rash may be avoided.

Thats the only point of them, and in fairness thats all the manufacturers claim as well. I ahve a pair of draggin jeans which I quite like in terms of comfort which I wear quite often. The issue is of course impact. I just dont see paying the huge money for the hipster versions.

I am currently dieting and working out so I can fit in my very expensive leather armoured pants. I dont dare try on my leathers....

[FJRider]

Slightly off the main topic but related to the last few comments, is there any opinions on the kevlar lined jeans such as dragon jeans? I wear proper armoured pants for big rides but for around town or gravel roads in summer I have worn them. No armour but I always thought gravel rash may be avoided.

Draggin Jeans own Disclaimer ...


DISCLAIMER
No body Armour or Draggin Jeans can protect the rider from all foreseeable impacts or abrasions. Draggin Jeans Pty Ltd shall not be liable for injury, loss or damage resulting directly or indirectly, from their use. DFFUSE Armour and Back Protectors are designed only to be worn under suitable Motorcycle-ware.

The Draggin Jeans "Drag test" was performed by professional stuntmen under controlled conditions and it should not be attempted at home. Draggin Jeans will not be liable for any damages or injury should any person suffer any loss or damage or sustain any injury by performing the Draggin Jeans "Drag Test".

Drayko is Draggins USA brand. Any goods that are shipped to the USA, Central and South America will be branded Drayko. Draggin Jeans does not sell any goods/products with the Word Mark (Draggin Jeans) into the USA, Central and South America.

[OddDuck]

Slightly off the main topic but related to the last few comments, is there any opinions on the kevlar lined jeans such as dragon jeans? I wear proper armoured pants for big rides but for around town or gravel roads in summer I have worn them. No armour but I always thought gravel rash may be avoided.

I've got a pair of the Resurgence jeans, with knee inserts and hip padding (not sure if this counts as armour?). Pekev lined. They're my go-to for stuff around town / local riding. I generally prefer a two-piece set of Triumph leathers for my back country riding but when it's hot enough I will go to the jeans since they breathe.

HDC probably said it best - they'll stop gravel rash, anything on top of that is a bonus, but they're a lot better than standard jeans for safety and stuff walking around town in full leathers.

[billybob]

I have a pair of Revit RF chinos, I find they are versatile in terms of protection and they feel just like a heavy pair of jeans- perfectly comfortable for walking around in etc... I completely agree that it doesnt matter what gear you have on- you can still be severly injured and killed in 90% of accidents and a lot of what can happen is in your hands and how you mitigate those risks e.g. awareness etc... I ended up buying my jacket from Rhino Leather in Sydney, I read the testimonials of people who have had the jackets and been in crashes with then, contacted them with questions and I think I made a good choice. Costed $332 NZD (thats including the bloody $80 shipping!!! as no one i knew was coming down from sydney for the next few months). It should arrive friday or monday, ill keep you all updated on how it is when it arrives!!

[FJRider]

One of the guys in my building is looking to get into riding. Picking up the finest KTM 390 Duke that India can muster and then sending me links to full carbon helmets and the afforementioned 1pc kangaroo leather suits with all the right letters and logos on them.

I mean, if it's what you want to buy, go for it, but it definitely isn't necessary to spend super huge mega dollars on gear. I still think that it's important to pay a reasonable amount though, skimping on gear can be a stupid thing to do because some of it is pretty pointless Chinesium rubbish, but there's no denying that good riding, situational and spatial awareness and other things that Cassina didn't believe exist all count towards being a safer rider.

If I'm on my scooter and just hanging about the suburbs or my small city, it is helmet, gloves, jacket, but often just regular jeans and shoes. Anything else, or anywhere else, I'm an ATGATT person. Not necessary full leathers and knee sliders, but still proper bike boots, at least Kevlar jeans, leather jacket, proper gloves, SOMETIMES a back protector, depending on how much of a twat I intend on being.

There is one thing most newbies do not seem to understand is ... the value of motorcycle safety gear is seldom reflected in it's price. It's value is in how well it fits and when it is worn. How (and where) you ride just influences your risk. I've ridden many thousands of km's in my early riding days ... with just boots/jacket/helmet and gloves. None of my gear was ever top of the line stuff (usually 2nd hand) ... but it was the best I could afford at the time (and not always new).

The best value riding "Gear" is attending the best quality rider training courses (plural) you can afford ... as most of the "situations" a rider gets into is entirely the fault of the rider.

[Hawk]

There is one thing most newbies do not seem to understand is ... the value of motorcycle safety gear is seldom reflected in it's price. It's value is in how well it fits and when it is worn. How (and where) you ride just influences your risk. I've ridden many thousands of km's in my early riding days ... with just boots/jacket/helmet and gloves. None of my gear was ever top of the line stuff (usually 2nd hand) ... but it was the best I could afford at the time (and not always new).

The best value riding "Gear" is attending the best quality rider training courses (plural) you can afford ... as most of the "situations" a rider gets into is entirely the fault of the rider.

Yep Fj I remember a certain ride in S.E.A to K.L. the protective gear we wore then was top of line :o

[neil.]

There is one thing most newbies do not seem to understand is ... the value of motorcycle safety gear is seldom reflected in it's price. It's value is in how well it fits and when it is worn. How (and where) you ride just influences your risk. I've ridden many thousands of km's in my early riding days ... with just boots/jacket/helmet and gloves. None of my gear was ever top of the line stuff (usually 2nd hand) ... but it was the best I could afford at the time (and not always new).

The best value riding "Gear" is attending the best quality rider training courses (plural) you can afford ... as most of the "situations" a rider gets into is entirely the fault of the rider.


really agree with the fit thing, I have a textile jacket that is fine in winter with all the liners in, but in summer with them out, I feel like it is basically useless as it becomes too loose, So I'm going to get something else this year, probably leather unless I can find a closer fitting textile jacket.

[FJRider]

Yep Fj I remember a certain ride in S.E.A to K.L. the protective gear we wore then was top of line :o



Wash your mouth out ... The highest quality (Army issued) boots ... the jacket was (sort of) water proof ... and the helmet was a high quality (NEW) open face Shoei helmet.

I wont mention no gloves or visor (ok mirrored shades)... and the only amour worn was our own thick skin ... :killingme

However ... we were all aware of the risks of riding on S.E.A. (Malaysia) roads ... and rode accordingly. I can't recall any Kiwi's (motorcyclists) getting killed in Malaysia. One did get killed in '81 in Singapore (not far from Dieppe) but that was an overtaking gone wrong (at speed) and one no safety gear would have helped end better.

[FJRider]

really agree with the fit thing, I have a textile jacket that is fine in winter with all the liners in, but in summer with them out, I feel like it is basically useless as it becomes too loose, So I'm going to get something else this year, probably leather unless I can find a closer fitting textile jacket.

Your jacket should have adjusters ... mine does. But usually I leave the liner in and wear less underneath. But I have a Givi Top-box I carry my "Day" clothes that I might need to wear I'm when stopped.

Good Motorcycle luggage is important when riding. The safety/security of your stuff is very much peace of mind stuff. Your gear securely locked up and DRY in all weather is worth the price. To be able to climb off the bike ... stow all your gear and walk away is wonderful.

[skippa1]

Slightly off the main topic but related to the last few comments, is there any opinions on the kevlar lined jeans such as dragon jeans? I wear proper armoured pants for big rides but for around town or gravel roads in summer I have worn them. No armour but I always thought gravel rash may be avoided.
I had a little opsie a couple of years ago, had a Revit leather jacket, it did its job. Also had some kevlar pants on, the ambos really struggled to cut em off along with my Sidi boots. Sissors just couldnt chew through them.

[billybob]

Out of curiosity how often do you wash your riding pants?? e.g. I have the Revit RF chino and I chuck it in the wash on a gentle cycle after ~15 rides (short rides 2-4km). Is this too frequent?

[neil.]

Your jacket should have adjusters ... mine does. But usually I leave the liner in and wear less underneath. But I have a Givi Top-box I carry my "Day" clothes that I might need to wear I'm when stopped.

Good Motorcycle luggage is important when riding. The safety/security of your stuff is very much peace of mind stuff. Your gear securely locked up and DRY in all weather is worth the price. To be able to climb off the bike ... stow all your gear and walk away is wonderful.


yes the adjusters do help, but I just don't eat enough pies for it to be enough, I'm OK with buying another jacket to use in summer.

[FJRider]

Out of curiosity how often do you wash your riding pants?? e.g. I have the Revit RF chino and I chuck it in the wash on a gentle cycle after ~15 rides (short rides 2-4km). Is this too frequent?

Are they your only riding pants ... ??

[billybob]

yep, they are my only riding pants at the moment, I plan to pick up a pair of resurgance jeans in the future however

[billybob]

The jacket just came!!!!
took 6 days to get here from sydney.
First impressions are good, the leather is nice and thick, although its really stiff but I expect it will break in after a few rides.
Overall: great value leather jacket!!

[billybob]

Just put a bit of conditioner on the jacket as it looked a bit dry- its looking and feeling much better as well. My only gripe is that the armour is kinda pathetic. definitely gonna change out for better armour

[rastuscat]

Just put a bit of conditioner on the jacket as it looked a bit dry- its looking and feeling much better as well. My only gripe is that the armour is kinda pathetic. definitely gonna change out for better armour

Look for CE rated armour.

Or a Leopard tank. Or USS Iowa. Hard to beat that for armour.

[Ginge09]

I went shopping today and tried on the Rhino jackets. They are nicely built for the money.

I wear an XL but have long arms. The body of the jacket was snug and the arms were a little short but close enough. I’ll go a size up.

The zips are YKK as advertised but come in two sizes. The Brando Classic has the big chunky zips you can work with gloves on. The more tailored cafe jackets have skinny zips with fussy little tabs. No good with gloves.

The Brando I tried on didn’t zip and dome up right to the neck. It looked like it should but the domes and studs weren’t in the right place and the chest/ neck area was wrinkled and pulled out of shape. Okay jacket if you live somewhere warm and ride without neck protection. Looked good.

The jackets have removable quilted liners but they are only vest liners. No liner in the sleeve. Wouldn’t cut it in the cooler parts of NZ or in winter. With a T shirt on you can feel the plastic armour against your elbows so the armour pockets aren’t lined either ( or the armour was put in wrong)

Good looking leather jacket for the price. Summer only.

[billybob]

I agree with you on the zips being a bit small, i have the Torque jacket and have to zip it up w/o gloves. Did you get one of their jackets/planning to get one?
Also a place I would reccomend checking out is http://www.leatherimage.co.nz/ . I quite like their www.leatherimage.co.nz/product/leather-motorbike-jacket-lmm1/ or this http://www.leatherimage.co.nz/product/male-leather-motorcycle-jacket-gx-34/.

[FJRider]

I agree with you on the zips being a bit small, i have the Torque jacket and have to zip it up w/o gloves.

Find a metal key-ring loop and attach it to the zip ... easier then wit gloves on .. :yes:

[Ginge09]

The leather image jackets attract. Basic but no extraneous flappy bits or buckles.

Is the liner full sleeve or just a vest?

Yeah Bob, key ring on the zip tab. Simple, cheap and effective.

[FJRider]

Yeah Bob, key ring on the zip tab. Simple, cheap and effective.

Two is better ... as long as the one closest to the zip is a small one. The big one then sits flush/flat with/on the jacket.

[FJRider]

Look for CE rated armour.

Or a Leopard tank. Or USS Iowa. Hard to beat that for armour.

People have still died inside tanks when they crash. AND ... big ships.

Sometimes ... no amount of Armour will save you ... and it wont (always) make you bullet proof (but that's the way you bet).


At best ... you can only hope it may reduce some of the damage done.

[billybob]

Ginge- not sure if its a full liner or just a vest liner, however I did message them on facebook to ask them another question regarding sizing (as i am a smaller build so usually need XS) and they replied within a few minutes so it might be worth flicking them a message on FB

FJ I honestly did not think about the key ring for the zipper, gonna do that now :brick::brick:

I think the Rhino leather jacket I got was a good buy. They have a few reports of people saying that they saved their skin in crashes so you cant really go wrong with their jackets unless they don't fit etc...

[Ginge09]

As above I liked the Rhino jacket too.

Gets a bit cooler down my way though.

You Auks can probably do without the sleeve liner. The winds blow a bit cooler in Central Orago. You can smell the penguin shit sometimes.

Good tip on the double rings FJ. Cheers

[billybob]

The seams of the rhino jacket started falling apart so i sent it back to them and they gave me a full refund no questions asked so i guess thats good.
Now im back to square one. No leather jacket.
However i do have some more money and am willing to spend between $400-600.
So. In your opinion what is the better jacket.
The Scorpion Phoenix- $429
The Alpinestars Oscar monty- $599
Merlin Hixon- $599
DriRider Phoenix/GT- $549 (assuming they have XS)

[billybob]

I also just saw this.
https://www.urbanrider.co.uk/goldtop-brown-bobber-armoured-leather-jacket-brown.html
Its from a proper Motorcycle store and seems like a proper established brand.

[Ginge09]

So the Rhino fell apart between 2 October and 29 October?

That’s a bit average Billybob. Glad I backed out.

Don’t like the Dririder Phoenix. Looks good but reckon it would disappoint. Fiddly zips again. Also I’m not a fan of the vertical zip in the front unless I know there’s a decent flap in behind it to stop water, wind etc flowing in. A reason i lean towards the Brando style with the full flap crossover.

Alpinestar gear is normally ok. The Monty has the same fiddly zips but. No fastening down at the bottom where the front zip starts. I’d want a dome or something to take the stress off the base of the zip when you’re on the bike moving around. Looks pretty. Flannel cotton liner sounds good. Like riding in your ‘jamas.

I like the look of the Merlin Hixon. Same issues as above though.
Those little reflective flashes might save your life one day but don’t look out of place.

Scorpion Phoenix is a similar style but shiny. In a sex shop sort of way. I guess it will weather with use. Might a marketing thing. The wet look.

I like the urban rider job. Full front wind flap and already has the toggles on the zips for use with gloves. Less of a fashion accessory, more of a bike jacket built by bike people.

Mate, just jump on your bike and ride the city for a day trying shit on. Drink coffee, ride and shop. Meet people. I think you’re looking online for a real world solution. You need to see the thing in the flesh before pulling the trigger on something.

Buy something you’d be happy to slide down the road in.

[Paulo]

I also just saw this.
https://www.urbanrider.co.uk/goldtop-brown-bobber-armoured-leather-jacket-brown.html
Its from a proper Motorcycle store and seems like a proper established brand.

Buying from overseas you will get a customs invoice that will add a couple of hundred dollars and if the size is wrong you will have to pay to send it back and start all over (having said that I have bought from Urban rider some years ago with no issue. remember the kiwi peso is crap so that 399GBP when you add shipping and customs will be nearer $850NZD.

Motomail have a good selection in Auckland and will send promptly and exchange sizes.
or dont' forget trademe, Loads of pie eaters selling their shrunken wares, nothing wrong with second hand and leaves more money for other gear.

[pritch]

Loads of pie eaters selling their shrunken wares.

Hmmmm there's an idea.

[billybob]

Sooooooo I went to the motorcycle show last weekend and picked up a nice leather jacket.
I bought the Ixon Crank leather jacket from Motoland for $519. Thought this was a really good deal considering they threw in a free CE L1 back protector, and the jacket comes with CE L2 elbow/forearm and shoulder Armour. The whole jacket is CE Approved which is also really good and the leather is oh so soft, except it literally smells like a cow! (kinda like that smell). The fit was perfect (except the sleeves were a tad longer than I would like but that's only because my arms are shorter than average). In fact I liked it more than some of Revit's Leather jackets which were going on sale from Motomail for $280! (that and only the revit redhook fit me but it came in that ghastly yellow/butterscotch colour- why didnt they just make it brown?!?!) Also picked up a Shoei Qwest for $300.