Riding jacket bought off ebay

I just received and tried out my new jacket. I bought it off ebay, from a seller called
jackets4bikes.

eBay My World - jackets4bikes

The seams are single stitched, but they feel solid, they are even and the thread looks heavy/strong. The leather is 1.2 mm thick and although it was a bit dry when I received it, it was still supple and looked great. I measure 50" around the chest, so I ordered the size 50 (as per their sizing chart) and the fit is good. The entire jacket is leather, with two expansion slits along the waistline. I am big in the chest, so I cinched up the waistline buckles on both sides to the smallest they will go. The jacket is straight cut in the body and guys like me (big chest, smaller waist) will probably wish it was a bit more fitted. It is listed as a "classic" jacket, so the straight bodied, less fitted look is not an issue for me and at $99, this jacket is a fantastic value. I ordered the yellow trimmed version and you can see that it is lighter than the Honda yellow, but it still works with the bike's factory color. The insulating liner could be stitched better at the sleeve ends, but it fits well and it is quite warm. I was totally comfortable in 52 degree weather. Colder weather would just require a sweatshirt, but I am sure I could wear a couple and still fit the jacket/liner comfortably. The one thing I don't like is the collar. It is leather inside and out. I would prefer if it had a lining and I also want it to fit tighter, so I will probably add another snap to the collar.







Overall, I am very happy with the purchase. I would recommend the seller and jacket to anyone looking to buy a jacket. I will try to add to this thread as I live with the jacket and report on how it is aging.

Jose

 

Nice find. Looks good on ya and with your bike. If warmth is your concern for the collar I've run into the same problem with my winter jacket as the collar isn't quite snug around my neck either. I picked up a fleece neck scarf thingie at Wallyworld for like 5 bucks, one of the best purchaces I've made for winter riding yet. Makes the collar damn near air tight and I can even tuck it in between my chin and the helmet strap, damn near seals up the head hole in the bottom of the helmet too!!

 

A scarf .... funny how the simplest ideas just don't occur to us sometimes. Yeah, the cold air circulating in through the neck was annoying. Although I would also like a tighter collar, so that the helmet doesn't bump against the hard edge of the collar when I tilt my head back. Fleece would make for a great liner, though. I will have to go pick up a scarf and see if the collar issue annoys me enough to add the snap. If not, then using the scarf in winter would be the best way to go. Thanks for the feedback.

Jose

 

Cycle Gear has their 'Freeze Out' clothing on sale until Jan 12 2012, they also have stuff for the neck area too.It might be worth it to check it out, if there's a store near you. They keep selling out before I can get in to the one near me. Unfortunately they wont let you buy any merchandise on their website if its on back order either.

Even if the color isn't an exact match, I think it goes well with your bike.

Cheers!

 

So I have been living with the jacket for a month now and I have gone on a few rides. Using the scarf stuffed into the front of the collar stops the draft and it fits fine. On warmer days when I don't have a scarf, it still has a gap at the back of my neck, which catches on the helmet and annoys me. I looked closely and tried mocking up what the collar would be like with another snap and it won't work well. The leather gets puckered and it doesn't sit clean on my shoulders/collar. I need to make some kind of padded liner that is thick in the front and thin in the back so that the collar gets pushed forward about 1/2". The leather collar will cause me to sweat, so I think a removable collar liner is actually a good idea in general. I will post up with pics. of whatever I make. The zip out liner is a bit itchy, but works well and while the sleeves are just a bit long for me, they stuff into my glove cuffs without a problem. Once mounted on the bike with arms stretched out, everything is comfy.

I also bought some leftover Frank Thomas leather pants from CycleGear ($80 - WOOHOO!) that can zip onto a jacket. However, my jacket came with a large tooth, nylon zipper and the pants I bought have the fine toothed, nylon type of zipper. Fortunately, the jacket zipper came with the lower zipper strip that you can sew onto your pants and get things to match. I was able to resolve the problem by purchasing a sleeping bag zipper and sewing that together with the piece that came with the jacket. So the pants and piece of sleeping bag zipper attach. Then the exposed teeth of the jacket zippers allow me to attach/separate them easily while I am wearing the jacket. End result looks factory and works out great to join the jacket and pants together.



I also wanted a more substantial spine protector, but the flexible armor plate type won't easily slip into the odd sized pocket inside the jacket. So what I got instead was an ALPINESTARS Bio Armor Back Protector. It was $30 at CycleGear and I discovered that I can actually put BOTH the protector that came with the jacket AND the A* pad in at the same time. With the extra room I have in the jacket, they both fit fine and the jacket is still nice and comfy. With both those in there I bet the impact absorption is even at CE2 levels.

Jose



I am still happy with the jacket and still think it is TOTALLY worth the money.

Jose

 

For neckwear, I use a 2" wide knit headband and just pull it down around my neck.
Seals, doesn't move around, hardly noticeable to anyone else.

A cheap solution to loose threads is Fray Stop from the fabic store.
I periodically check my riding gear for any loose threads and apply it before they start to unravel. Comes in a small squeeze bottle, not too expensive and a little goes a long way.

While Frank Thomas leather gear isn't considered top level, I have been using a Frank Thomas armored, perforated leather jacket for a couple of seasons and it still looks new.

 

I have been living with the jacket for a year and it is wearing in fantastic. The zipper is a little rough on the leather at the center seam, but I suppose that should be expected if it is rubbing that area constantly. I have not needed to rejuvenate the leather. It has stayed supple and dark in color. All the stitching looks as new and the collar has worn in very nicely. The added back protector made the whole jacket fit better in the shoulders. I have been out on a few rides wearing my leather pants and they have always attached easily and the whole setup has been extremely comfortable. My experience has been so good, I am now contemplating purchasing a mesh jacket from the same seller for summer riding. Keep the rubber side down, folks.

Jose