Which leather jacket

[Stevemr]

So when I came back to bikes last year, I bought an RST leather jacket, AAA rated, issue is leather is perforated, so fine in summer on a hot day, but I get cold now! Also it’s a bit tight, especially with a fleece on under it.
So I am in the market for another jacket!
The style I like really is the classic bike jacket like I had back in the day.
So looking at three options.
1 - Lewis leathers lightening 391.
plus points, this is the style! Made in England.
Minus points, can’t see its ce rated, and the price £900! Really don’t want to pay more than £500, don’t want to buy mail order, so would have to go to London.
2- Goldtop 619 or 617
Plus points , style is right, price around £400
Minus points, can’t see its CE rated, although others they make are. Can’t establish where made, suspect India. Probably have to go to Cambridge.
3 Scott leathers venom jacket
Plus points, make leathers for many top racers! Price is £260, made in England. Made to measure option.
Minus points, not the style I really wanted, although hard to tell the style at all as their website has very poor pictures. Not sure if CE rated at all, but bearing in mind they supply leathers to many top TT riders, pretty sure they will be v safe.

So any one got experience of any of the above , or indeed other suggestions?

[jhoneyball]

talk to the lovely ladies at HideOut

[Salted_Peanut]

jhoneyball said:

talk to the lovely ladies at HideOut

This answer is the best. Hideout is in a league of its own (OK, BKS might argue it’s a league of two). Hideout offers a Heritage range that you could like, and it can add a zip-in liner on request, a choice of over twenty colours, added ventilation, and variation on styling. Everyone from professional riders (racers, police and security services) to Tom Cruise has Hideout leathers. The only downside is price, which starts from £500 for a jacket.

Stevemr said:

So any one got experience of any of the above , or indeed other suggestions?

Yes, and Scott Leathers beats Goldtop and Lewis by a country mile. It isn’t even close. While Scott Leathers’ website is one of the worst I’ve seen, their leathers are among the best. You will get a leather jacket that’s significantly higher quality than any of the better-marketed brands.

Any one of Hideout, BKS or Scott Leathers (all three made in England) will be considerably better than the usual in-store brands.

[sociopath]

Best jacket I ever had was made from kangaroo leather.

If I had a choice, regardless of make, that's what I'd have again, so much more comfortable.

[bogie]

Any of the above 3 British manufacturers will make you top spec jacket to last a lifetime.

The US equivalent of Hideout or BKS is Vanson Leathers https://vansonleathers.com/

They are even more expensive for us to buy from official importers due to import taxes and exchange rate. I have a couple of their jackets I bought in the US years ago when the exchange rate was better (nearly 1/2 price)

If you are happy to buy lightly used you can sometimes find Vanson on ebay that someone else has imported or brought home with them from a trip e.g. $1000 jacket for £300

[outnumbered]

I've got a custom Scott jacket that's been going strong for about 20 years now. No problems other than a couple of broken zips.

Also just bought a custom made Hideout textile suit. Very expensive, but I'm a non standard shape, so cannot get off the peg stuff to fit. Couldn't be happier with the service from Kate and her team.

[KTMsm]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Roo my

[graham22]

sociopath said:

Best jacket I ever had was made from kangaroo leather.

If I had a choice, regardless of make, that's what I'd have again, so much more comfortable.

They don't slide well in a crash.

Bounces .....

[Charlie Croker mk2]

Have a trip down the M6 to Wolverhampton , these guys are helpful IE its a real shop selling top quality gear .

https://www.dainese.me.uk/

[KTMsm]

Locally Bikers Paradise in Coventry is well regarded

I think they make all their own products on the premises

[Salted_Peanut]

Scott Leathers is in County Durham, which is nearer the OP. And their Easy Rider and Retro jackets, for example, look fantastic in the leather.

Charlie Croker mk2 said:

https://www.dainese.me.uk/

Much as I like Dainese, I'm afraid it isn't in the same league as Hideout, BKS or Scott Leathers. The three British boutique brands may have crap websites, but their leathers are a significant cut above Dainese in quality and protection.

[Stevemr]

Thanks for all the replies. I am in West Yorkshire. So I think a trip to Barnard castle is in order, it will be a nice run up there.
I suspect that, although not really the style I wanted, they will be better made than goldtop, and I do like the fact they are made in England. Will let you know how I get on!

[Salted_Peanut]

You've made a wise choice, but let us know how you get on. And we'll need photos of you looking dapper

I cannot recommend made-to-measure highly enough: it makes a remarkable difference to comfort and protection (armour stays in the right place in a crash).

Stevemr said:

I think a trip to Barnard castle is in order

Is your eyesight up to it?

[Lee540]

Have a look at Motolegends, even better if you're close to Guildford, visit in person.

[Biker 1]

I have a Rev'it jacket, couple of years old. Excellent quality & they seem to do everything from bling to subtle - price range in line with OP:

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...

[gareth h]

A piece of advice I was given when I had a chat with one of the companies who do repairs / alterations, look for suits (but I guess applies to jackets as well) with one panel front / back as seams are weak spots, checked my Alpinestars jacket when I got home, it’s patchwork! Whereas the 2nd hand Crowtree leathers I’d just bought looked like they had been made from one cow!

[Tango13]

Salted_Peanut said:

Much as I like Dainese, I'm afraid it isn't in the same league as Hideout, BKS or Scott Leathers. The three British boutique brands may have crap websites, but their leathers are a significant cut above Dainese in quality and protection.

I was once told by a Dainese dealer in Old Stevenage that Dainese kit was the equal of BKS

This is an interesting read...

http://www.bysonleather.co.uk/BYSON%20LEATHER%20Ab...