New RMC Buco leather (asking for a friend)

[bigmanbigtruck]

My last observation - will all RMC shinki jackets eventually have this happen? At their price point, it seems odd. Just my 2 pesos.

I think the majority of them being produced now will have this happen. This is known as tea-coring. It's just a black topcoat that'll wear off over time revealing the brown beneath - this is intended. You can find some examples of how these will look in the long run.

If this is not desirable to your or your friend, just return/exchange it and look for a different one altogether that's dyed-through.

But they have some older discontinued models of the J100 which are dyed-through and don't turn brown. Your friend can try their luck to find such a model but it's not easy. Here's a size 40 if that works. If you're deadset on Shinki, you'll probably have to look at a different maker that uses a different finish on their Shinki leather.

 

[Torvic]

As @bigmanbigtruck mentions, the vast majority of RM products use tea core. I suppose due to the higher demand for this dye. I personally prefer a black jacket to remain black, as it will be more versatile, and I like the patina of a completely dyed black better. In my humble opinion, I got my current size 42 J100 and the size 40 in d.black, which I currently have on sale, after a long search, as acquiring these sizes in d.black is quite difficult these days. And I'm very happy with how the leather is developing.

 

[Brandrea33]

I would stay clear of that hide, period. The wear looks fake and will continue to look fake. The topcoat is engineered to have poor adhesion, and will be coming off at stress points in unsightly fashion.

This is where I land as well.

 

[Monitor]

I don't quite understand this leather. . . Or if I do, it is not a very good leather. The fibers seem to be visible directly under the finish, without a trace of epidermis in-between.

Full-grain leather must have epidermis and epidermis has thickness to it so that even if (once) the top coat fades away, the leather should still fully retain the smooth, shiny surface, just in its natural color.
Only actual damage like scuffs or heavy wear will make the fibers visible like that.

I haven't a clue about tanning but this is how a cheap, split leather is treated for it to achieve a glossy finish. They could've engineered the jacket to age this exact way of course but this would've drastically affected its longevity.

 

[Tom71]

I don't quite understand this leather. . . Or if I do, it is not a very good leather. The fibers seem to be visible directly under the finish, without a trace of epidermis in-between.

Full-grain leather must have epidermis and epidermis has thickness to it so that even if (once) the top coat fades away, the leather should still fully retain the smooth, shiny surface, just in its natural color.
Only actual damage like scuffs or heavy wear will make the fibers visible like that.

I haven't a clue about tanning but this is how a cheap, split leather is treated for it to achieve a glossy finish. They could've engineered the jacket to age this exact way of course but this would've drastically affected its longevity.

I can’t add anything by way of explaining, but I had two jackets that showed the exact same abrasion characteristics.

One is a Vanson Comp weight and one the Iron Heart racer with a chrome tanned leather that was among the finest I had handled.
Both very substantial, full grain leathers with a really cheap looking way of the top coat just chipping away as pictured.

 

[Peter Mackin]

I dislike all of the modern "tea core".what you end up with is not patina,,its fake ageing, and just looks fake.Any real motorcycle jacket, after wearing this rubbish for just one season looks done in.my 1st motorcycle jacket was bought in 1973,a Mascot. When I eventually grew out of it,many years later it looked absolutely fantastic. These tea core jackets costing thousands are fashion wear ,ok for nipping out for a glass of wine, but riding through a Scottish winter! Not a chance.This is just my opinion and I'm sure owners of these jackets will disagree, that's fine,I get that.
In over 50years of motorcycle riding I've never met a rider wearing one of these costumes.