wondering if anybody has any recommendations about leather jackets.  I like the Vansons, but they're too damn expensive.  What other brands I should look at?  I've heard that Joe Rockets are bad quality, for example.  Tourmaster/Cortech seems to have some reasonably priced jackets with nice features.

I live in Chicago, so it's all about being versatile... something I can wear both when it's 45 degrees and when it's 85 degrees, so I can extend an otherwise short riding season while keeping protected when it's HOT out.  Armor is important.  Zip-out liner would be nice.  And since I'll be wearing this thing around town, I'd like it to look cool too.

Any ideas?

http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/leather_suits_jackets_and_pants/power_trip_us_army_branded_gear/blackhawk_leather_motorcycle_jacket.html

very good deal.

http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/hot+deals/hot+deals+-+sport/motogp_apex+leather+jacket

got one of these in yellow for 129.  very happy with it.  Just ordered some pants that zip to it for a full two piece 

Teknic and Joe Rocket are the best bang for your buck and I have never heard of a Joe Rocket jacket coming apart.

thanks nazgul!  those both look good.  I like the army jacket especially.  Read up on it, and it's apparently a Joe Rocket in disguise, but the price is right.

Wonder how easy to remove the Army patches?  I used to have this Army 1st Cav patch laying around, and put it on my jacket... I'd sometimes get stopped by old dudes asking me "you in the service?" At first I'd be like "No, thank god I never made that mistake!" (this was shortly after W invaded Iraq), and they'd get shocked and offended, then tell me that was their outfit in the Nam.  You could see them thinking "My buddies died with that patch on their arm" or something like.  After a while I would just sheepishly admit I'd never been in the army, and finally took off the patch.  Never make that mistake again.

import:  http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=10570.0

seems JR may have problems with their low end stuff, but I may just be thinking of Icon!  dunno.  JR higher end stuff seems to have an adequate reputation.

Quote from: niteshade on February 29, 2008, 11:07:36 PM
...but I may just be thinking of Icon!  dunno.

What sort of shape are you? (if you dont mind the question!)

I have an Icon Daytona jacket - which has straight-cut sides.  I'm a slim build and even in a Small there's a bit of room in places.  Icon call it a 'relaxed' fit, but if you're going for contour hugging and you're not solid this might be worth knowing. 

In all other respects it's a great jacket...

Leather Icon Daytona Retro. Absolutely the most comfortable jacket that I've ever tried on. Well made, and leather is great. It has a removable liner, and has vents as well. Haven't used it in 90 degree weather yet, don't see it being too much of a problem though. I stole one on ebay slightly used. You must try one of these on before you buy. They come "pre-broken-in" and feels like "your favorite pair of jeans" brand new!

hmmmm...I just really like the discount rack at Wilson's Leather in the mall.  I got my jacket there for $40.  Heavy 2.2mm hide with lots of pockets and it looks pretty decent.  Not too warm, but you can always wear a sweater underneath.

I love my custom Vanson, but it isn't casual dress for "around town" without the bike.  The leather is too thick, the armor is heavy, and you can't reach above shoulder height.  Regardless, it's the most comfortable jacket I own.  The quality of the leather is outstanding.  So is the smell when you get it fresh out of the box.   

philward:  I'm pretty much a medium... size 45-46, I can wear whatever off the rack.  I like the lines of those Icons, but the patches are over the top... don't like being a walking billboard.

Right now I have an old (very comfortable) Brando-style leather I bought off a bum on the street for $4.00.  (!)  I love the jacket, but there's no armor, it's starting to rip in several places, looks like hell, the lining is shredded, and none of the zippers work anymore.  Time to upgrade, I guess.

Geep:  I agree, the Vansons are sweet. But I can't afford $700 for a custom Vanson!  I think I may get that JR army jacket and take off the patches.

Smell it. No seriously. Smell it. If it has a piercing acrid stench like leather coming in from India, China, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka....just don't buy it. You see a lot of this garbage at flea markets. It DOES makes it way into the shopping malls though. Their "curing process" has that telltale mark. A nice "bomber jacket" is probably run you at least $350 to $400 bucks. A "real" leather sport jacket (the kind you'd wear "out on the town") is gonna run six to eight hundred bucks. That's normal. And remember........if you "walk in somewhere"............and the chicks turn and run from you..........you really need to smell that leather jacket.........you should've smelled it before you bought it.

It needs to smell like Leather............only............

A* makes some nice leather jackets should check them out.  Dainaese ( spelling is wrong I'm sure) makes some very nice stuff expensive tho, but if you have a cycle gear in your area I would check them out they are always haveing sales on jackets.  Saw a nice Dainases regular price was $800 it was knocked down to $400.  Because they were last years styles and colors.

I have a couple of different styles. I have a Cortec Gsx Air ( think that is the name) it is however textile. I live in Florida so it gets very hot. For those days I have a piece of armour that is held together with the dry weave athletic fiber. It fits nice and cool. I can just throw a jacket over it and still be protected. It is a Nexus and I picked it up off Ebay for $65. Hope this helps.
Mary

Don't be shy about going to Ebay...I got a Schott Cafe racer leather jacket made in the mid 70's.It has a zip out liner,..the leather is  broke in just right.color is brown.And as cool and retro as hell.I even get the college girls looking at me when I wear it! I payed 150.00.If I bought that same jacket now it would be about 450.00!
Just know your exact size and don't buy from anyone with less than a 98% positive feed back.

pics ronin?  I love that old shaZam!.

When I get my bike finished...about 3weeks.