Indian Motorcycle Horsehide.. Quality or No?

[Leatheradmirer]

So recently I've been eyeing on a particular jacket from Indian Motorcycle, a Toyo Indian Motorcycle.

I have seen many Toyo's Indian Motorcycle are from Sugar Cane. But this one I have no idea, it doesn't say anything on the tag.



I found this jacket / sports coat / car coat very interesting. And really have been in touch with the seller, which I am leaning towards buying this jacket. Here are some pictures

It needs a replacement on one of the sleeve buckle as it is currently broken (i think it snapped in half based on the picture)

Anyone has experience with the brand? Is the leather good quality? Is this one the japan made? Or the lesser quality china / korean made Indian?

And also does anyone happen to know which original jacket model is it based on? As I can't find much information online.
Thanks!

 

[Bennarion]

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/toyo-indian-motorcycle-gold.109355/

 

[Bennarion]

They can also be made in Korea
https://www.ebay.com/itm/236433473045

 

[Leatheradmirer]

They can also be made in Korea
https://www.ebay.com/itm/236433473045 View attachment 805853

Yes I'm aware that they also can be made in Korea. But out of many things I noticed that the Korean-made always have the "Made In Korea" written on the label itself.

This one doesn't say that anywhere on the tag where it was made, which was mentioned in the other post. I myself also have had handled the Korean-made Indians several times, although they were all different models— the quality weren't that good, looked and felt they had no soul, just a regular jacket. Which I want to avoid (of course)

What do you think of the leather itself, quality-wise? I mean if you were to say your safest bet just based on the pictures, would you say it's one of those lesser quality Indian or is it a safe pick? I'm looking at around $225-250 for that particular jacket.

 

[Bennarion]

It's hard to tell from the photo what quality the leather is.
I don’t think a Japanese‑quality jacket will cost $250.

 

[Edward]

It's hard to tell from the photo what quality the leather is.
I don’t think a Japanese‑quality jacket will cost $250.

I'd be surprised indeed if a jacket made in Japan, with a known brand name like this, went for that little new, yes, unless it was an end of line, last one in stock, unusual size affair.

Can't quite make out from photos at my end - is the body hair-on hide? Cut overall looks nice. I usually shy away from the leather blazer look, but this has a really nice workwear vibe that would go great over a collar and tie as a jacket in the Autumn and Spring months when a wool blazer isn't enough and an overcoat plus wool blazer is too much...

 

[Leatheradmirer]

It's hard to tell from the photo what quality the leather is.
I don’t think a Japanese‑quality jacket will cost $250.

Yeah I agree with you, I've been having hard time deciding and seeing through pictures as well.
A secondhand Japanese quality jacket sometimes go for less here, if you are lucky enough, and also of depending on the model, in this case like this one, no one really buys a leather sports coat / car coat leather so it tends to be cheaper.

I'd be surprised indeed if a jacket made in Japan, with a known brand name like this, went for that little new, yes, unless it was an end of line, last one in stock, unusual size affair.

Can't quite make out from photos at my end - is the body hair-on hide? Cut overall looks nice. I usually shy away from the leather blazer look, but this has a really nice workwear vibe that would go great over a collar and tie as a jacket in the Autumn and Spring months when a wool blazer isn't enough and an overcoat plus wool blazer is too much...

This one is size 38— a very nice size for an average person in where live.
It is indeed a hair-on-hide! A full horsehide with hair-on through the front & back body panel.
That's what makes me interested, plus the sizing is on the good side although might not be the best fit for me length-wise as I'm only 160cm / 5'3 but everything else should be good.
I couldn't agree more with you this would pull off a nice workwear look, except just that we doesn't have Spring or Autumn here hahaha.