I can’t find anything suitable for my HD Forty-Eight. Everything looks like it’s going to be a good fit for sportbikes but there is very little for old farts who ride cruisers and won’t break the wallet. Also, I’m all about safety … (yes, mesh …:-)) What are you guys wearing ? :-) I know that this request sounds a bit ridiculous but I really need some suggestions :-). Looking for something which I can wear without motorcycle too and which would not look like a motorcycle jacket.
I’m in the adv/touring crowd but I’ll try to come up with brands that might work on a classically styled v-twin…
There’s Motoport which cuts to any size and customizes though they’re probably missing the “break the wallet” part. I know folks with them and they like the jackets, even having crashed them. Those look like very much like motorcycle jackets though if you call they’ll add or delete things, the Air Mesh jacket is more subtle but less cruiser. Belstaff waxed cotton looks great and is lighter than leather (and their mc jackets have CE armor) though heavier than mesh maybe out of budget. That’s probably true for Merlin’s line up, too, but a little more affordable.
Vanson’s Baja is a variation on that Belstaff look in mesh, probably also close to breaking the bank, I’ve seen it in person and it looks good but it wouldn’t be mistaken for a casual jacket.
I can recommend Rev’It personally and they have some traditionally styled textile gear (the “trucker” jacket is nicely styled and has armor though I haven’t seen it in person) but the cut of their gear is definitely European/slim. I can also personally recommend Klim’s gear and it doesn’t all look Adv, for example the Marrakesh looks casual but has armor. I used to have some Alpinestars gear (I have a pair of their boots now, excellent) and it was uniformly good, I don’t know if any of their stuff has a suitable look for a cruiser now.
Thank you very much ! I have Revit jacket for now but shoulders, thanks to the armor, look pointy and I think I bought a wrong size (should’ve bought M instead of L). Anyway, it’s breathable, but I don’t think it goes with my cruiser at all. Jackets mentioned in your post fill the bucket: “break the wallet” for sure. Jackets $400+ are a bit above my limits. Maybe I should re-consider my limits though. Never spent more than $150 on clothing before so there is this fact. We’re talking motorcycle + safety so I guess I should expand my limits a bit.
… regardless, thank you again for the pointers !
Great, glad it helped.
So in that budget, maybe look at closeouts:
- Revzilla “RSD Johnny Jacket” Sure looks good, waxed cotton and leather so a bit warmer than mesh but has armor.
- Revzilla “Dainese Air Tourer”
- Search link on Motorcycle Closeouts
Another angle is to get an inexpensive jacket with no, unrated, or minimal armor. Consider it just better than disposable and priced that way (Joe Rocket is in this category but their stuff is sport and urban styled). Then get an armored sleeve or shirt. Basically pick parts. I used to do this, wearing a motocross pressure shirt (like this one, this or this ) under a cordura jacket.
I’ve worn a Tourmaster Intake Series 2 for many years. I wore it when I had my Sportster.
Comes with insulated and rain liners (either or both may be installed at any time) and elbow pads.
Looks like that model has gone through some more revisions though. The outer shell on mine is all mesh and you can see through it. There is no need for any vents like the web page talks about.
It definitely looks like a motorcycle jacket though 🙃
