Edward
Bartender
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- 25,084
- Location
- London, UK
Inspired by threads over the last couple of months, such as this one: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/biker-gloves-what-to-get.89110/page-3 , I thought it would be interesting to create a thread where those on TFL who ride motorcycles can share information about somerthing which is a holy grail for all of us who are new to motorcycling: gear which is both protective and has something of that vintage cool.
What this thread is for:
Post information and links about cool things you've found (if you have direct experience of it, all the better) which have something of a vintage look, that works well with a vintage-style or vintage bike.
What this thread is NOT for:
Arguments about whether safety gear should be worn, accusations of nannying, any of that. We all have opinions on what is overkill and what is cavalier madness. In the end, we're all adults and, subject only to the occasional helmet law, entitled to make our own choices what to wear and what not to wear on a motorcycle. If you want to make your point about the necessity of ATG,ATT, this is not the thread for you: move on. If you ride wearing only a pair of shorts, or a cheap leather jacket and some regular jeans and want to sneer at those who choose otherwise, this is not the thread for you: move on.
I would hope this thread can become a useful resource for those who ride, or want to ride, and who appreciate vintage style. Of course, it can always just bomb as well!
That all said, let me start with a couple of examples I've seen, as someone who is, over the next few months, going to take some beginner lessons and look into getting a bike for the first time.
A wile ago I think we mentioned the Lewis Leathers "Armour Ready" jackets that have been made available via Urban Rider in the UK: http://www.urbanrider.co.uk/brands/lewis-leathers.html There's the Super Monza, in black or navy:
...and the 'Racing' in black or dark brown:
Both much more seventies style than many of us on here will go for, but cool looking. I would have thought that iof this is a successful venture, Lewis might be open to donig this with other designs in future - I'd certainly be very keen on the idea of a Lightning with armouring...
One Forumite on the thread, I think, Iabout the Aero Elvis recently told me that Aero will make armour pockets in their bike jackets. I would be fantastic if Denny or Holly could confirm this!
One of our own, Simon James Cathcart (he of the eponymous SJC brand) did a run of denim jackets and matching, 50s cut jeans with full kevlar lining:
http://www.simonjamescathcart.com/jackets/sjc-yard-boss-kevlar-lined-biker-jacket
I'm personally hoping that Simon does another run of these, with some armour pocketing the next time...
The Bowter kevlar long johns are designed to be worn under any trousers, and include pockets for hip and knee armour. I can see these being a nice option for those who just can't find riding trews they like.... and ideal for those who want to don tweeds on the bike for the Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride! GBP129 from Urban Rider - http://www.urbanrider.co.uk/bowtex-...-yellow.html?gclid=CO3plMOP99ICFWsq0wodmH8ECw . If the yellow colour bothers you, you can (for forty quid more) get them in black.
Lastly, my latest discovery, which I plan to look into further are Helstons of France. www.helstons.net Most of their jackets are a touch more modern and 'branded' than I'd prefer - though if you like the 'Stve Macqueen gone Racing' vibe, the Ace model might well appeal. They have one or two nice looking, plain cafe racers. For me, though, the real excitement is their gloves, which comed in 48 designs for me (and 18 for ladies). Great range of Summer and Winter looks, models with and without the big carbon knuckle-protectors. Majority of them CE1 rated, which is a plus. I've seen a few cool looking vintaged style bike gloves that have some sort of modern safety features, but these are the only ones I've seen I liked the look of which are also CE1 protected. The men's range: http://www.helstons.net/gants/genre/homme.html
Anything else anyone has seen that seems worth investigating, or you have used and found good?
What this thread is for:
Post information and links about cool things you've found (if you have direct experience of it, all the better) which have something of a vintage look, that works well with a vintage-style or vintage bike.
What this thread is NOT for:
Arguments about whether safety gear should be worn, accusations of nannying, any of that. We all have opinions on what is overkill and what is cavalier madness. In the end, we're all adults and, subject only to the occasional helmet law, entitled to make our own choices what to wear and what not to wear on a motorcycle. If you want to make your point about the necessity of ATG,ATT, this is not the thread for you: move on. If you ride wearing only a pair of shorts, or a cheap leather jacket and some regular jeans and want to sneer at those who choose otherwise, this is not the thread for you: move on.
I would hope this thread can become a useful resource for those who ride, or want to ride, and who appreciate vintage style. Of course, it can always just bomb as well!
That all said, let me start with a couple of examples I've seen, as someone who is, over the next few months, going to take some beginner lessons and look into getting a bike for the first time.
A wile ago I think we mentioned the Lewis Leathers "Armour Ready" jackets that have been made available via Urban Rider in the UK: http://www.urbanrider.co.uk/brands/lewis-leathers.html There's the Super Monza, in black or navy:
...and the 'Racing' in black or dark brown:
Both much more seventies style than many of us on here will go for, but cool looking. I would have thought that iof this is a successful venture, Lewis might be open to donig this with other designs in future - I'd certainly be very keen on the idea of a Lightning with armouring...
One Forumite on the thread, I think, Iabout the Aero Elvis recently told me that Aero will make armour pockets in their bike jackets. I would be fantastic if Denny or Holly could confirm this!
One of our own, Simon James Cathcart (he of the eponymous SJC brand) did a run of denim jackets and matching, 50s cut jeans with full kevlar lining:
http://www.simonjamescathcart.com/jackets/sjc-yard-boss-kevlar-lined-biker-jacket
I'm personally hoping that Simon does another run of these, with some armour pocketing the next time...
The Bowter kevlar long johns are designed to be worn under any trousers, and include pockets for hip and knee armour. I can see these being a nice option for those who just can't find riding trews they like.... and ideal for those who want to don tweeds on the bike for the Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride! GBP129 from Urban Rider - http://www.urbanrider.co.uk/bowtex-...-yellow.html?gclid=CO3plMOP99ICFWsq0wodmH8ECw . If the yellow colour bothers you, you can (for forty quid more) get them in black.
Lastly, my latest discovery, which I plan to look into further are Helstons of France. www.helstons.net Most of their jackets are a touch more modern and 'branded' than I'd prefer - though if you like the 'Stve Macqueen gone Racing' vibe, the Ace model might well appeal. They have one or two nice looking, plain cafe racers. For me, though, the real excitement is their gloves, which comed in 48 designs for me (and 18 for ladies). Great range of Summer and Winter looks, models with and without the big carbon knuckle-protectors. Majority of them CE1 rated, which is a plus. I've seen a few cool looking vintaged style bike gloves that have some sort of modern safety features, but these are the only ones I've seen I liked the look of which are also CE1 protected. The men's range: http://www.helstons.net/gants/genre/homme.html
Anything else anyone has seen that seems worth investigating, or you have used and found good?