Leather Jacket. What is a really good make.?

mdonzay

I am looking to buy a leather motorcycle jacket and would like to know if anyone can recommend a make that is good for price and quality. I ride a Triumph Bonneville T100 in the Summer months and would like something that blends in with that type of bike. I know that Triumph Motorcycle Jackets clothing but all the jackets have ' Triumph ' emblazoned all over them and I'm not keen on this.

flybynight

mine were made by https://www.btkleathers.com/ dont know if they are still going. they are based in nottingham and mine are still going strong 9 years later. way better than off the peg, and not that much more expensive.

pinkshoes

My OH wears Dainese, which aren't cheap, but do last at least 10 years.

axomoxia

Try hideout - another made to measure company.

Hein Gericke are aslo pretty good.

If you can bear with the triumph branding, the the Triumph official clothing as actaully rather good.

Other brands, Dianese, Furygan, Alpine Stars, Joe Rocket. Weisse.

CvPiper

Surely having a manufacturer like Triumph over the jacket (some can be discreet, some can be contrasting colour) is better than a defunct company like Hein Gericke or BKS?

The Triumph brand also shows a quality product is being worn?

Seanymph

Frank Thomas - there jackets and trousers are fairly interchangeable and zip into each other.

axomoxia

Seanymph wrote: »

Frank Thomas - there jackets and trousers are fairly interchangeable and zip into each other.

Frank Thomas are terrible. And they've gone out of business (the brand was bought by J&S. If they've upped the quality, all well and good - if they are getting them from the same suppliers as before don't touch with the largest of bargepoles)

Most jacket and trousers from the same manufacturer will zip together. Hein Gericke are back - http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/ , I would be tempted by some of there stuff (I've got a old tribal once piece which is reassuring well made - as in breaks hangers and you need muscles like Arnie to lift it). Their newer stuff appears to be designed for people with incredibly short bodies - I tried some of their two piece suits in the "closing down sales" and it would barely keep my navel warm - unless the matching trousers are Simon Cowel Keep your nipples warm specials, I can't see me standing up in them if I zip them together. Not without singing soprano....

Mine are from Just Bikers, unfortunately, no longer around.

At the budget end, I know a lot people who have Spada and Buffalo. Anything you buy at a market stall, is probably going to be crap. If you look to spend £250 at a bike shop, you won't go far wrong. Look for big leather panels, good stitching, and think cow leather. All the way round zips are better than short zips.

Have you considered a textile jacket instead?

axomoxia

CvPiper wrote: »

Surely having a manufacturer like Triumph over the jacket (some can be discreet, some can be contrasting colour) is better than a defunct company like Hein Gericke or BKS?

The Triumph brand also shows a quality product is being worn?

BKS made to measure (the Frank Thomas branded stuff was BKS in name only) is still going, and HG are being taken over by the parent german company.

caeler

Head down to J&S and try a few on, look for the CE marked on the protection and you'll be fine. I've had a few pieces from there, own brand and others like Daniese and I've also got a goretex frank thomas one for when I don't fancy leather.

arbroath_lass

My OH swears by his Furygan. Best to try lots on, though, and see what fits best.

Nottoobadyet

If you're a summer time rider, have you considered an armored mesh jacket, maybe with a warmer insert?

I have this one:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/2/49/34773/ITEM/Shift-Racing-Womens-Catalina-Mesh-Jacket.aspx

which is glorious for riding on hot days while remaining nice and cool. Its quite warm with the insert, though I live in a climate where I nearly never use it. Its also nice and light compared to leather, but the armour keeps you protected in case you take a tumble.