A leather question

Chain · 07-10-2004, 9:58 AM

I think I'm ready to spring for my first leather riding garment. I'd like to get a solid black Vanson jacket (and a solid white lid with dark shield, very UK, goes with anything I'd ride, etc), but Vason doesn't come cheap. If I can't see my way to buying one, I was thinking about a Teknic Chicane (perforated)...

http://www.teknicgear.com/pages/coll...ne/jacket.html

...or Tekinc Lightning (non-perforated) for a general duty street jacket.

http://www.teknicgear.com/pages/coll...ng/jacket.html

Now for my question(s). Is a guy crazy to get a perforated leather jacket or should he buy the non-vented variety if he's going to go leather at all - in order to get more early and late season use out of it?

The all black Chicane really appeals to me. I tried one on at PSP in Omaha and a 50 fit perfectly. Plus, the dealership is the same price as Kneedraggers, so maybe I'll finally be able to support my local shop on a gear purchase.

Wouldn't a perforated leather jacket be useless in cool/cold weather (or would it?) and in the rain? Then again, isn't leather a poor choice for rain anyway?

I guess what this boils down to is the core question of textiles v. leather. As I see it, for my planned Black Hills trip in early September, I will probably stick with my textiles because as we all know, weather can be a little unpredictable on a long road trip. But for around town posing and general sport riding when I know ahead of time I'll only be out for the day, a leather jacket would be my preference for both looks and fall protection.

Make any sense?

Input on any of the above is warmly welcomed.

Chain

bwhip · 07-10-2004, 10:04 AM

I'm not sure how hot it gets in the summer where you are compared to here, but I wouldn't dream of having a non-perforated leather jacket here. We've got a full four seasons - well below freezing in winter and over 100 sometimes in the summer.

The way I look at it, perfs cool me in the summer (somewhat), and I can always throw a sweatshirt or windshirt underneath it in the cooler months. If you have to settle for just one jacket or suit, I'd go perfed, at least in our climate here. My

, anyway

ND4SPD · 07-10-2004, 10:49 AM

I live in Cleveland, buy perforated. The inner liner does a good job of keeping a good amount of the cold out. Plus you can always put a windbreaker or a sweatshirt or something on underneath.

Chain · 07-10-2004, 12:22 PM

Thanks for the input fellas. Perf sounds like the jacket to buy.

MA929 · 07-10-2004, 2:54 PM

I will offer a dissenting opinion. I have the Teknic lightning and find that I get plenty of ventilation through the stretch panels in the arms. So much so that I’m wondering how comfortable the jacket is going to be when the weather turns cold. The jacket also has zipper vents on the arms and zipper exhaust vents in the back. Just my opinion.

Chain · 07-10-2004, 3:01 PM

Thanks for the additional input MA, I'm open to any comments here.

You like the build quality of that Teknic?

the goat · 07-10-2004, 3:18 PM

Go with the perf vanson. I've had one for 4 years now and it's good as new. It held up well in a crash too. It is pretty useless in the cold, but I just put a jacket on over it when it's really cold. You can also get a liner that vanson makes to put inside them, I don't have this. My perforated gets warm in the summer, but it's Ok when I'm moving. I can't imagine how hot a non perf would be.

HondaGalToo · 07-10-2004, 5:03 PM

If you already have textile stuff that's suitable for cooler weather, then get the perf jacket for the summer. Vanson stuff is good. Just don't get that mesh stuff. It may keep you cool, but I'm not convinced that it protects very well. Don't want to start a flame war over it, as I know it's been discussed to death, just stating my opinion.

nedro · 07-10-2004, 5:13 PM

What's everyone posting for. Just wait for chain to go though all of them and we can get his opinion on what's best.

CBR929RE · 07-10-2004, 5:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nedro

What's everyone posting for. Just wait for chain to go though all of them and we can get his opinion on what's best.

why's everyone gotta pick on chain (its funny though

)

SomeStrangeGuy · 07-10-2004, 5:56 PM

I have a Vanson track combo (pants/jacket that zip together) but can't remember what "model" I based it on (custom). I originally had the same thoughts you did re: all solid leather, since its leather - go leather right? I ended up getting my jacket with perf chest panels and zip-out vents behind them, and the arms have an inner elbow with kevlar lined flex vent system (also via zipper sort of). Pants, I went vented up the inner thighs and flex panels behind the calves. I have never been down in it but can tell you after a year of riding with it I was finally able to move around in it

Vanson rocks IMO, of course they are ~40 min from me too so it wasn't a big deal - I had them measure me and I talked with the dude that would be doing some of the work on it, it was really a positive experience and they stand behind their stuff. I asked about crashing and was brought to an area that had last weekends victims in it, some leathers with numbers some street suits, some jackets only - not one of them was actually ripped or torn except for a street jacket that met a jersey style barrier with a piece of re-bar coming out the top at about 60. Ugh you say? well the jacket was only there because the rider wanted it fixed, so I'm guessing he didn't have too much fallout from the incident. It was perfed, and the material was actually cut more then it was torn, seams were stressed but ok - looks like they were just going to swap that panel out.

Another friend of mine went down last year (oil slick derived lowside ~45mph) in an all perfed (light gray) Vanson jacket + perfed pants. After he was done cleaning up bike parts in the road and getting his bike vertical again he went through his gear damage and the Vanson was fine. I think he replaced a shoulder pad in it to be on the safe side, and a hip pad in the pants. The only real damage was caused by him sliding off the road at speed in the trail of dirt and woods crap his bike left, some it it ground into the leathers and scored em, but no sign of failure whatsoever. His fall was in a loong L side sweeper and he torched the front end on entry so we figure he slid about a good 50-60' on road before the ~20' off.

I don't know much about Teknic, but if you want more Vanson stories let me know

Dainese isn't too bad either

Skully · 07-10-2004, 6:05 PM

I have a Vanson Cobra jacket and like it but you don't get much for the money if you buy new. Shoulder, elbow and back armor along with a liner add quite a bit to the already steep price.

I got everything used from e-bay and saved a bundle.

Edit: Actually I got my jacket from Motorcycle Leather Exchange and my armor and PTSR pants from e-bay.

Bacchus · 07-10-2004, 7:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chain

I'd like to get a solid black Vanson jacket (and a solid white lid with dark shield, very UK, goes with anything I'd ride, etc),

And we all know how many times this fact will come into play down the road

fumbducker · 07-10-2004, 8:26 PM

Here you go... 52 fits like my JR 50...plus you get the bottom half too(which'd fit perfect with your height). Just for you Chain $265 shipped.

J

MA929 · 07-11-2004, 9:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chain

Thanks for the additional input MA, I'm open to any comments here.

You like the build quality of that Teknic?

I like the jacket very much. The leather seems of good quality and the stiching looks solid. The jacket has not been crash tested so I will hope for the best. The only thing I don't like is the back pad, it's too short. The only thing it will protect you from is becoming a quadriplegic, paraplegic is still an option. I'm thinking of just taking it out and just wearing some back armor.

Pete · 07-12-2004, 9:15 AM

Chain, check here is you haven't already...

NewEnough.com Clearance

Trouble · 07-12-2004, 10:11 AM

If you decide to go budget, think very carefully about the Chicane. If you read the fine print you'll probably find it's made of goat skin, not cow hide. Not nearly as durable or thick. That's part of the reason it's less expensive...

My one piece track-suit is Vanson. I haven't seen anything else that compares. And if treated reasonably they last for a long time. A used Vanson jacket/suit in good condition it a good deal.

ER · 07-12-2004, 10:50 AM

For whatever it's worth, a rider low-sided at about 80mph at Gateway last year in a Teknic Chicane 1-piece and the seams bursted. The leather still protected him, but the suit was toast. I'd go with at least the Violator if you buy Teknic, as I believe that's the cheapest suit with reinforced stitching at the seams.