Jackets.
 

I have a Neo GoreTex armoured jacket. It's okay: it's reasonably waterproof (GoreTex never seems to be 100%), warm and comfortable. It also has a removable lining and vents for hot days and good sized pockets. All in all it's pretty robust and well made, and for only $150NZD, I reckon it's a bargain. But it has one major drawback: like many armoured textile bike jackets, it looks crap if you're not on a bike.

As I'm travelling light I can't afford to take more clothing, so I need a jacket that's practical and looks cool in a casual situation so I've decided that leather is the way to go. Has anybody else gone down this route? Any recommendations for classic/retro style, non-armoured well made brands? Somewhere to start looking.

Triumph
 

Giday, (sorry about Scots accent), Triumph leather clothing is very well made and superb from a style off bike point of view. The jackets cost about £300 but I bought one from ebay.co.uk for £75 new, with labels still on it. Interestingly for you the label was that of a French shop. It seems it had been on sale in France at a silly low price. I'd recommend such a jacket at that price. Put simply, superb materials, construction and with retro cool style. Keep the armour in or remove. Linzi.

I gave up on Gore-tex last winter. Overpriced, over styled, ceases to be waterproof as soon as it's dirty or the outer is soaked and simply drops to bits once the glue on popers and the like goes off.

I replaced a £400 Hein Gericke jacket and trousers with a second hand Drizabone coat (waxed cotton), an ex-German army tank drivers overall and some bright red waterproof trousers, total spend on e-bay, £150. In summer I wear jeans under the coat and can blend into a crowd about 30 seconds after I take my lid off. So far I've been drier and warmer in the bad stuff.

I wouldn't reccomend the above for use on a solo (no protection above about 20 mph) but I'd certainly go back to a basic leather jacket and rain suite.

Andy

Jacket recommendation
 

Hi, I just bought a new leather jacket from Hardwick Racing (Hardwick Racing Leathers) for AU$79 +p&p (AU$24 within Oz). Some of the batch had waterproofing problems but otherwise they are made really well. And the waterproofing issue is nothing that dubbin won't fix. And it has armour in elbows, shoulders and back. Highly recommended. Smiles,
Mike

I definately like the Triumph skins, and the Hardwicks look okay too. What's the deal with riding comfort over long distances? And what about very hot weather?

I think being able to blend in is very important. The last thing you want is a flash jacket that shouts look at me.

I have a nice triumph Canvas Jacket that is shower proof, its so much more comfortable on the bike than my textile jacket that is meant to be waterproof/breathable etc.:scooter:

Rev'It
 

Try a Rev'it jacket, they are made in the Nederlands and are distibuted in NZ. None in Oz yet. Great looks feel and not to exy!

I was going to suggest a Belstaff wax cotton jacket until I saw the price!

Belstaff at Henri Beene - Belstaff Mens Designer Clothing, Official Belstaff Clothing Stockists. Belstaff - Jumpers T-stirts Polos Shirts Sweatshirts Jeans Trainers Shoes Socks Golf Vintage Poloshirts

Nice though...

The Barbour International jacket is cheaper and better.

The Barbour is a nice jacket and, as you say, half the price of the Belstaff. I might try one on. Being wax cotton, it won't be as road rash resistant as leather, or would it?

It has no armour at all and will not be any thing like as road rash resistant as leather .
But it was designed in 1936 !
It's funny ,back in the seventies the Belstaff was much cheaper than the Barbour ,but these days once a movie star wears Belstaff ,everybody wants one and the price skyrockets !

Belstaff made some good leather jackets [like the outlaw ] you can still pick them up on eBay for reasonable prices they don't look too dorky off the bike.The fashion houses are beginning to copy them too so get one now and be ahead of the game .One of these and a rain suit might be all you need .

Or you could buy a Harley Davidson leather jacket .
[Just kidding ].

I've got a police spec jacket by Scott Leather's, made in County Durham, England :thumbup1:.

It comes with removable Knox armour which you barely notice once broken in and a removable thermal liner. It's a plain black, kinda retro-style leather jacket (not into dressing up like a power ranger) and I think the jacket's model name is the Dominator (gimp mask and dog lead not included).

I think I paid about £200 and my second choice was the Hein Gericke Tricky jacket.

Furygan
 

Hi, try Furygan for smart looking off bike jackets. They are really protective, definitely for a motorcyclist but have cafe or pub style. The Furygan would be thicker and heavier than the Triumph jackets. Just at the moment I prefer my Furygan to my Triumph for personal reasons. Linzi.

Silvermans have some bike gear. Just thought I'd throw it into the pot.

Military Surplus | Miltary Clothing | Police Kit | Police surplus

Which means the collar and cuffs were designed to give a decent fit round normal clothes, unlike jackets from 2006 which were designed to look good draped over some catalogue models shoulder!

I did 500 miles of lanes, backroads and the odd motorway blatt over the weekend wearing my german army tank suit and Drizabone coat. Very windy and at one point it actually snowed. The best place for my £400 Hein Gericke gear was where it was, in the wardrobe at home!

Belstaff have gone too much into fashion, but I'd rate all the suggestions above. You can get add in/on armour from most of the clothing makers and slot it in, just make sure you get the armour before you size the jacket. The advantage there is you don't need to wear the whole lot to a restaurant.

Andy