dudewuttheheck
I'll Lock Up
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Interesting thread.
Dude, your mistake was stating that Himel jackets are inherently superior to other jackets, including Aero jackets in particular. As the subsequent discussion has illustrated, the endless subjective factors that comprise the “quality” of a jacket render any proclamation of superiority indefensible.
Ironically, those who politely chastised Dude’s ill-advised statement are largely guilty of the same infraction, albeit much less direct in presentation. CXL is best . . . Japanese jackets are fashion garments . . . etc.
I have made no secret of my love of Shinki HH. That said, I do not believe Shinki is superior to other HHs. Rather, Shinki HH best satisfies my subjective preferences, and best meets my subjective needs/uses. I have handled most of the other leathers discussed here, and none better match my preferences.
I have also made no secret of my utter hatred of Horween FQHH/CXL (aka the suit of armor) (sorry Ken). FQHH/CXL may provide superior protection during a motorcycle crash, but in all other respects, it is infinitely less functional than medium weight HHs. It is rigid, inflexible, and outright uncomfortable. IMHO, rigid and uncomfortable is the antithesis of “functional.” Of course, my definition of functional is predicated entirely on non-motorcycles uses. If one requires maximum protection to withstand a motorcycle crash, the analysis is entirely different.
Another irony worth noting: I suspect that very few people have personal experience with all of the leathers discussed here, and some are making broad judgments without the requisite first hand knowledge.
There are also undeniable brand loyalties influencing this discussion, and understandably so. Not surprisingly, those who favor Aero were displeased with the subtle disparagement of Aero, and came to Aero’s defense. I have done the same in relationship to the brands that I favor.
There is also a subtle bias against more expensive jackets that inevitably influences these discussions. Like everything else, a jacket’s “worth” is inherently subjective. ZO6 owners mock Ferrari owners for paying too much money for an equal performing car. Ferrari owners respond with a long list of factors that warrant the extra cost. Neither is right, and neither is wrong. The only wrong position is denigrating those who espouse the opposing viewpoint.
In the end, Dude’s statement was ill-advised, but the response was also a wee bit overdone.
Net net: We all are looking for something different, and we therefore prioritize and exalt different factors. Dude’s emphasis on certain elements of a jacket’s construction is no more correct or incorrect than Ton’s emphasis on thickness and protection. The key is mutual respect for opposing opinions. Fortunately, mutual respect is a cornerstone of this great community.
Signing off from the Okavango Delta in Botswana.
I have also made no secret of my utter hatred of Horween FQHH/CXL (aka the suit of armor) (sorry Ken). FQHH/CXL may provide superior protection during a motorcycle crash, but in all other respects, it is infinitely less functional than medium weight HHs. It is rigid, inflexible, and outright uncomfortable.
I ........
if you have a scooter that goes over 100mph you need a priest. Not a leather jacket.
Anything over 30mph and you are hamburger in my estimation.
Have to say IXL. I'd have bet my bottom dollar you rode a sporty. With that handle, you HAVE to ride a sporty. But I admit...I might be bringing some baggage to the table.
Yep...to me Grizzly jackets always looked bulky and puffy more like a wooly vest being worn over a leather jacket whereas the Himel appears more tailored with that style 'incorporated' into the jacket. Not so radical.
I knew it! My chopper is powered by a '58 ironhead Frankenstien. I can feel the presence of a sporty owner like yoda can sense the dark side.Lol. You would be correct: I have a super-rare XR1200X Sportster (serious fun, that one), along with several other Harleys, to include a Road King for longer distance riding. I never really made the connection between my handle and sporties before your post, but my wife does have a XL1200C Sportster. I call it her "Easy Rider" bike.
Just be glad it wasn't The Dukes of Hazard.Back when I was a punk teenager I rear-ended a vehicle while I was doing just north or 50mph (this, after getting out of an afternoon showing of the 1st run movie, Smokey and the Bandit. Clearly, it had affected me. Hey, we were punk teenagers....) As the Ford sedan was completely stopped for a red light, the officers estimated I was still traveling at that speed when I went sliding down the road. It hurt. My 30 lb. Bell helmet broke when my head smacked into a curb, and my really thin, cheaply made jacket shredded pretty good but somehow managed to mostly protect my personal hide.
Mother was not amused.
Haha, thanks a lot!The Dude is excited because he got a boss a** jacket. It's natural to gloat. Perhaps a bit obnoxious to point out different makers by name, but a bit of tussling around here will straighten that out
I have heard wildly different claims about Aero's leather. Some say it is rigid as chobham armor and others say it is quite supple and easy to break in. I don't know who to believe hahaI've noticed some variability in the rigidity of Aero's leather, pre-the New Regime. I tried on a Route 66 that had come back to the factory - it was a size 36 but with colossally broad shoulders, so I'm guessing the customer got something very wrong with his measurements - and while the jacket was not that heavy, it had an almost rigid construction. Personally, I just wouldn't know where to start with breaking it in. In contrast, my LHB took very little breaking in but was relatively speaking quite a bit heavier.
Of the two Aero CXL jackets I purchased this year both were quite rigid out of the box. The Steer was slightly heavier than the horse but neither one weighed much over 7lbs. I've probably owned about a dozen since 2005 and I'd say they all hit at about the 7lb mark. Maybe closer to 8lb with the j-106. They also lost a good degree of that rigid character quite quickly in the sleeves, slowly in the body.I have heard wildly different claims about Aero's leather. Some say it is rigid as chobham armor and others say it is quite supple and easy to break in. I don't know who to believe haha