Practical Question - Tan Horsehide for Bike

[scotiasteve]

So I have been looking for a new jacket for the bike, and this one I spotted online in Europe, but want to have one made similar, maybe custom fit.

It's called a "Liberator" and is in natural "Mustang" horsehide by SB I believe.

Is this going to age well on a motorbike (summer use) or get really dirty really quick?

I'm going to get one made to my size as I don't want to buy a stock size right now just in case it doesn't fit, but anyone had any experience of this particular leather and tanning?

Only thing I would like zip pockets and the zip at bottom to be shielded from tank a little to it doesn't damage the paint.

 

[rogueclimber]

That is a beautiful jacket, that said as I recall from my days of riding, if what I was wearing wasn't black, it shortly became so...

 

[scotiasteve]

That is a beautiful jacket, that said as I recall from my days of riding, if what I was wearing wasn't black, it shortly became so...

That's exactly my worry. I could get one in a darker tan, I just really like the colour. Maybe it would work in a Roadster/Highwayman style for off bike.

 

[Monitor]

Vegetable tanned leather for a motorcycle jacket is crazy. This jacket is going to become a grime-fest.

Heavy acrylic waterproof paint absolutely must be used on leather jackets that aren't black and even then they will darken and become visibly dirty.

 

[Behemott]

Hi,

No worries, the finish of the leather is what's important. From a mechanical perspective, todays motorcycles don't spill and leak fluid like vtg ones. I ride with a Rainbow Country A-2 RW cut and as long as I wipe it clean once in a while its all good. Off road is a totally different context though.

You should be fine.

Cheers!

D

 

[AeroFan_07]

I like that too...

I think it's worth the possible risk...

 

[barnabus]

I think it's a beautiful jacket and I wouldn't be worried about riding in it.

But that's just me, and I think everything should be for every day.

If you like the style but want something that will definitely stand up to riding, Goldtop do something good;

The 1958 Jacket

CE "AAA" Approved Protective Garment to EN 17092:2020 1.4mm thickness black aniline cowhide leather CE Level 1 Knox Micro-lock elbow and shoulder armour included as standard, with a pocket for an optional CE Level 2 Knox Micro-lock back protector Traditional 1950's American style collar...

goldtop.co.uk

I've tried one of these on and it's ever so nice.

 

[Canuck Panda]

That tan leather looks really nice.

Lighter color leather is always gonna show wear and tear more than black leather.

You can always over dye it to black with Angelus acrylic. Three coats of it will be strong enough to take on just about anything. It is much harder to turn a black color leather jacket into tan color.

 

[Eagledog]

Insect splatter will stain the leather if you're riding in the summer. It will soon become black/green polka dot tan on the front. The back isn't going to change much.
The light color will keep you a lot cooler if you spend any time stuck in traffic. The hand warmer pockets will be flapping too much for my taste.

 

[Behemott]

Hey forgot to say my Rainbow Country A-2 is almost the same tan color as the one you fancy....

Make more sense now.

Cheers

 

[scotiasteve]

Hey forgot to say my Rainbow Country A-2 is almost the same tan color as the one you fancy....

Make more sense now.

Cheers

Love it, but i only buy Scottish

 

[Behemott]

Love it, but i only buy Scottish

Aero?

 

[scotiasteve]

Aero?

Either would be fine, I just like the Borders and tartan from the local mills

 

[scotiasteve]

That tan leather looks really nice.

Lighter color leather is always gonna show wear and tear more than black leather.

You can always over dye it to black with Angelus acrylic. Three coats of it will be strong enough to take on just about anything. It is much harder to turn a black color leather jacket into tan color.

I just want to avoid black, bored of black

 

[MrProper]

I think it's a beautiful jacket and I wouldn't be worried about riding in it.

But that's just me, and I think everything should be for every day.

If you like the style but want something that will definitely stand up to riding, Goldtop do something good;

The 1958 Jacket

CE "AAA" Approved Protective Garment to EN 17092:2020 1.4mm thickness black aniline cowhide leather CE Level 1 Knox Micro-lock elbow and shoulder armour included as standard, with a pocket for an optional CE Level 2 Knox Micro-lock back protector Traditional 1950's American style collar...

goldtop.co.uk

I've tried one of these on and it's ever so nice.

I think these is very cool. I could get hooked. And the price is great. Fortunately, the standard sizes don't fit me. LOL

 

[floater]

I say go for it, once it gets stained beyond your liking you can always overdye it dark green, dark brown or black.

I have one and I ride with it, but my type of riding isn’t really comparable to “normal” riding.

 

[scotiasteve]

I say go for it, once it gets stained beyond your liking you can always overdye it dark green, dark brown or black.

I have one and I ride with it, but my type of riding isn’t really comparable to “normal” riding.

View attachment 681867

love it

 

[dannyk]

I wouldn’t. Only because if I was serious about riding for me personally I would get modern day armor jackets. You can still get some really cool heritage style armor jackets Jane Motocycles makes some of Vanson. Bare minimum I would want a heavy weight leather like LW or Vanson. Anything else just wouldn’t feel solid enough for me. I wouldn’t worry about dirt or grime as long as you wipe it down when it does get dirty and condition it now and then. So the color isn’t my issue personally it’s the safety/comfort level of wanting something with modern day tech and cut to wear on a bike. But that’s me and we are all different. So if you’re cool with it, knock yourself out. As long as you’re prepared to clean and conditon…..or don’t and let it take on a life of its own and really show some character ha.

 

[Eagledog]

Wearing a comfortable jacket with an airbag would provide the greatest protection.
If you are a 4 season rider like me, the gear requirements are quite different when it is 20 degrees than it is at 100.

 

[rickc007]

I have many Motorcycle leather jackets,
One thing is, they fade if you ride in the sun a lot
Have a brown, that practically turned tan
That color you like could become much lighter

Can't really say any of them got dirty in any way
that you'd be concerned about