Practical Question - Tan Horsehide for Bike

[dannyk]

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.

Hey you do you. Just voicing my thought. It Wasn’t a judgment position or call on you, just how I feel about me. On a related note though Vanson makes perf leather which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea to be sure; but I believe @JMax owns one and loves it actually. That would keep you cool for sure.

 

[floater]

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

The sun fades the dye on leathers, natural horsehide gets darker with sun exposure as it develops a tan on its exposed natural skin.

Mine started off somewhere between pink and peach then went orange then lightened a bit to yellow and now turning into a light tan color, but later it will turn caramel and eventually brown.

On dyed leathers though I completely agree, and I believe they fade faster if vegetable tanned.

 

[dannyk]

The sun fades the dye on leathers, natural horsehide gets darker with sun exposure as it develops a tan on its exposed natural skin.

Mine started off somewhere between pink and peach then went orange then lightened a bit to yellow and now turning into a light tan color, but later it will turn caramel and eventually brown.

On dyed leathers though I completely agree, and I believe they fade faster if vegetable tanned.

I have a super thick natural belt that was super pink upon arrival. So pink I was like eh can I wear this? So I left it outside for like 2-3 days in the summer. Brought it in gave it a thin coat of conditioner. Back outside for a couple days, another thin coat of conditioner. And it tanned up super nice. Now it’s just a patina monster. Gotta love a nice natural leather once it starts changing.

 

[ScottyS]

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.

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.

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

Totally get the proper protection, I have Rukka and other Triumph armoured jackets for normal riding, just local, and slow stuff on my Norton would be good with a cafe type....

 

[Jon Crow]

The sun fades the dye on leathers, natural horsehide gets darker with sun exposure as it develops a tan on its exposed natural skin.

Mine started off somewhere between pink and peach then went orange then lightened a bit to yellow and now turning into a light tan color, but later it will turn caramel and eventually brown.

On dyed leathers though I completely agree, and I believe they fade faster if vegetable tanned.

Here in Madrid it would be practically bleached with our sun, cue the red cars faded to pink sometimes haha

 

[ctdair]

I’d wear it and let the eventual patina become whatever that may be . It would be your own unique jacket at that point.

 

[barnabus]

I’d wear it and let the eventual patina become whatever that may be . It would be your own unique jacket at that point.

Absolutely this.

Everything for every day.

 

[floater]

It’ll eventually look similar to @navetsea custom natural cross-toggles, idk if he rides with it but he just let it stain and patina naturally.

 

[Eagledog]

Totally get the proper protection, I have Rukka and other Triumph armoured jackets for normal riding, just local, and slow stuff on my Norton would be good with a cafe type....

RUKKA Raptor for cold, wet or serious rides. KLIM Marrakesh when it's hot.
Leather like your looking at for a shorter ride to church. Or an emergency trip to get some ice cream...

 

[navetsea]

It’ll eventually look similar to @navetsea custom natural cross-toggles, idk if he rides with it but he just let it stain and patina naturally.

only sometime, but mostly I got my patina on morning walks, and grocery shopping, sometime it got drizzled and I hanged it outside few days


5 years patina

 

[ScottyS]

only sometime, but mostly I got my patina on morning walks, and grocery shopping, sometime it got drizzled and I hanged it outside few days

View attachment 682084 View attachment 682085
5 years patina

looks great!

 

[Zoltan]

only sometime, but mostly I got my patina on morning walks, and grocery shopping, sometime it got drizzled and I hanged it outside few days

View attachment 682084 View attachment 682085
5 years patina

What make is that jacket?

 

[navetsea]

What make is that jacket?

just local maker in my country indonesia

 

[Edward]

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.

For a bike, I'd go the same. Goldtop would definitely be where I'd start from that perspective on this side of the Atlantic - armour protection to CE certified standards, without compromising the oldschool aesthetic.