Schott 618hh. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

[Psant25]

Looks great! Got some work ahead breaking it in. I like the leather quite a bit. Looks pretty thick what weight is it 3-3.5 0z ?

 

[roadking04]

^ I would put it around 3oz if I had to guess. I was gonna weigh it today and my scale took a crap. the batteries leaked out. I'll have to get another scale and check it out. I would put it at about 5.5 lbs. Not @Hh121 weight at all. Adequate and substantial for sure though. It would protect in an unforeseen slide.

 

[Hh121]

^ I would put it around 3oz if I had to guess. I was gonna weigh it today and my scale took a crap. the batteries leaked out. I'll have to get another scale and check it out. I would put it at about 5.5 lbs. Not @Hh121 weight at all.

do you still have model E?

 

[roadking04]

Yes. I just tried comparing by hand. I would say the Vanson is a little heavier, not much, hard to tell by just holding the jackets in your right and left hand at the same time. I MUCH prefer the Schott hide over the Vanson. Not even close for me in the look and feel of the hides.

 

[Harris HTM]

I received my new 618hh in a size 46 today. It fits a tad big. My chest is just a little over 44" right now. I might have been able to pull off a 44 but it would be snug. Plus I might gain some of the weight I lost back and the 46 has room for that. If I manage to lose another 20lbs (and I need too), I will reward myself with a 44.

This jacket really needs broken in. I forgot what commitment it takes to break in a new jacket. I was so used to my old easy-to-wear 48. Schott horsehide is rigid in the beginning but hopefully will break in soon. Took it for a ride right out of the box and it feels like it will work pretty well on the bike after it relaxes a bit. I will probably soak it in cold water and wear until dry to speed up the process a bit.

There was one disappointment. As I was watching the Browns game and crumpling the jacket with my hands, I noticed something upsetting. Schott has removed the flag tag from the 618hh! They replaced the flag with a tag that reads "made of USA and imported materials" What the hell!! My 2017 618hh has the flag on it.

According to Schott they source their horsehide from Italy and therefor use the other tag. I do have to say that I like the shiny look to the jacket. I think it gives it a little edge. Also took a few pics. View attachment 262707 View attachment 262708 View attachment 262709 View attachment 262710 View attachment 262711 View attachment 262712

would you say that the leather on your new jacket is different than the old one? I'm saying so because I own a 618hh from 2015, exactly the same as your old jacket. Last year I visited the Schott store in NYC and I got the impression that they changed their HH: it seemed less shiny and thicker compared to my jacket.

 

[roadking04]

@Harris HTM, It is really hard to say. My old jacket is so limp and broken-in that it is hard to compare. I don't quite remember my first 618 being this stiff and rigid, but I am not sure. As far as the weight goes, that is also hard for me to tell. My scale broke and I have to get a new one. I would say they are close, but I am not really sure if I could tell a pound difference or not by hand. The new one miiiiight be a tad heavier?

They are/were both shiny and smooth when new. The old one has grain popping now. The new one doesn't really have any grain to speak of at the moment. I think Schott hh is a little underrated. I really like it.

Thickness: hard for me to tell, but the new one might actually be a little thicker. I took a couple pics for you. They are both the same spots on the jackets. They are along the zipper edge and bottom edge.

The old jacket is on top in both pics:

 

[roadking04]

I don't remember my first 618 being this resilient. I have been doing the @navetsea challenge and there has been little change than when I first got it. I decided to dunk it in cold water and see if that makes a difference. I then put the 35lbs jacket in the drier on "air fluff" for about a half hour. I will wear the jacket all day until it dries.

On a side note: there was no dye in the water and water was beading as I took the jacket out of the tub.

 

[Downunder G Man]

No "washing" new jackets for me (each to their own !). I have washed a fair few used/vintage jackets with success.

I wore my Schott 641HH yesterday for my Saturday Harley ride , as it's my "second equal" warmest jacket.

I have had it 5 years now , and the jacket has become velvety soft. Probably my "softest equal" jacket now.

 

[Monitor]

I don't remember my first 618 being this resilient. I have been doing the @navetsea challenge and there has been little change than when I first got it. I decided to dunk it in cold water and see if that makes a difference. I then put the 35lbs jacket in the drier on "air fluff" for about a half hour. I will wear the jacket all day until it dries.

On a side note: there was no dye in the water and water was beading as I took the jacket out of the tub. View attachment 267398 View attachment 267399

OMG Please keep documenting this all the way through! I've been thinking about doing it too but don't dare, even tho I know the jacket will outlive me by some 160 years even if I leave it buried in the yard for the whole year.

 

[roadking04]

@Downunder G Man, My first 618 was about 3 years old and was my "go-to" riding jacket. That thing was like butter. Very easy to wear. Hopefully this one gets there.

 

[roadking04]

OMG Please keep documenting this all the way through!

For sure Monitor. I have some "before" pics on the 30 day challenge thread. I will wear the jacket all day so it forms to my body. I am sure the Schott can handle a little water.

If a motorcycle jacket can't handle a little water, than it is NOT a true motorcycle jacket!

 

[JMax]

There is a 42 on ebay right now I am drooling over. I think I need a 44. I’m a Schott novice and their sizing is all over the place. 40s that fit like 44. 42s like 46. 42s like 42. Drives me crazy.

 

[Monitor]

There is a 42 on ebay right now I am drooling over. I think I need a 44. I’m a Schott novice and their sizing is all over the place. 40s that fit like 44. 42s like 46. 42s like 42. Drives me crazy.

What size do you usually wear, can you remind me? 44/46? 'cause if you do, a 42 will fit you. I'm a realistic size 40 right now if I want a slim but comfortable fit and I can easily wear a size 38 Schott Perfecto, even with layers. I have a 42 613 in HH and it's wide enough for like a shearling coat underneath. I think a 42 on a t-shirt would work perfectly for you.

 

[JMax]

What size do you usually wear, can you remind me? 44/46? 'cause if you do, a 42 will fit you. I'm a realistic size 40 right now if I want a slim but comfortable fit and I can easily wear a size 38 Schott Perfecto, even with layers. I have a 42 613 in HH and it's wide enough for like a shearling coat underneath. I think a 42 on a t-shirt would work perfectly for you.

I normally am either a 42 or 44 in pretty much anything OTR. The only 46 is a slightly older LW J23 that runs small. 23-24” P2P is my sweet spot.

One of my Schott’s was a 42– perfect. The other is a 42 with AMPLE room to layer.

Good to hear. I’ll keep my eye on that auction.

 

[Monitor]

@JMax Well then you're good. I've never seen a Perfecto that wasn't consistent with Schott's weird sizing but all of 'em were usually right there. I love Perfectos. It's the only jacket I wish I had a collection of. I'd even have kept the ones in a weird size. There's something about them, dunno. I've handled much "better" jackets but ultimately I discovered that I only want to wear their cross zip. All else can go. The 38 I have now, I have it listed on eBay and already chased away three potential buyers. Lol.

 

[JMax]

@JMax Well then you're good. I've never seen a Perfecto that wasn't consistent with Schott's weird sizing but all of 'em were usually right there. I love Perfectos. It's the only jacket I wish I had a collection of. I'd even have kept the ones in a weird size. There's something about them, dunno. I've handled much "better" jackets but ultimately I discovered that I only want to wear their cross zip. All else can go. The 38 I have now, I have it listed on eBay and already chased away three potential buyers. Lol.

Completely understand. The D pocket I have left fits stellar with my mechanics sweater underneath. The hairy one you despise lol. It’s beautiful and my wife loves it. And I love their HH. Lighter but there is just something about it that makes you want to stare at it. Plus, it’s an effin Perfecto. Everyone should have one or two in their collection.

 

[Monitor]

Completely understand. The D pocket I have left fits stellar with my mechanics sweater underneath. The hairy one you despise lol. It’s beautiful and my wife loves it. And I love their HH. Lighter but there is just something about it that makes you want to stare at it. Plus, it’s an effin Perfecto. Everyone should have one or two in their collection.

Loool I don't despise it at all and I don't even dislike it! I love it and you for not giving a damn to wear it 'cause you know some jackass' gonna comment something mean on it but not allowing it to get to you... That's something I'm having issues with so what I mean, I couldn't wear it, would feel too self conscious 'cause it's a statement piece alright but, nah man, I love that jacket for what it is, even tho hairy jackets aren't my thing.

 

[JMax]

Loool I don't despise it at all and I don't even dislike it! I love it and you for not giving a damn to wear it 'cause you know some jackass' gonna comment something mean on it but not allowing it to get to you... That's something I'm having issues with so what I mean, I couldn't wear it, would feel too self conscious 'cause it's a statement piece alright but, nah man, I love that jacket for what it is, even tho hairy jackets aren't my thing.

much appreciated. My secret is walking around with a face that screams I will murder you and your entire family!!

I have had friends make quasi-disparaging comments. It’s okay and all in good fun. I ain’t worried. If you can rock the leather pants, this is child’s play.

 

[roadking04]

Just a quick pic before the Browns kick off. Already almost dry. Just a little damp.

 

[dannyk]

Completely understand. The D pocket I have left fits stellar with my mechanics sweater underneath. The hairy one you despise lol. It’s beautiful and my wife loves it. And I love their HH. Lighter but there is just something about it that makes you want to stare at it. Plus, it’s an effin Perfecto. Everyone should have one or two in their collection.

That’s it @JMax. @Monitor and I were talking about this the other day. I have a tons of “better” jackets. There’s makers with more customization available. There’s better this and better that. And the market has caused Schott to raise their prices into an area where they maybe shouldn’t be. Which isn’t their fault, it’s literally how the economy has gone and what they need to do; but it sucks because for just a bit more you’re into the “better” and way more options arena. But the perfecto just kicks ass. The 618 and 613 are just the coolest. I don’t care who owned what and who did this design or this feature first. Schott Perfectos are just plain cool. They have THE Classic look. And their HH while much thinner than LW or Vanson like some of us love (myself) included. It just creases and patinas exactly how you want a jacket to age. They look badass after a few years of wear. They still get the look we’re all after. I get it, they aren’t really riding jackets, they aren’t custom, they are kind of in their own league. But whatever man every other cross-zip is just ripping of a perfecto or using design elements from it. I know good from bad and all my other jackets are “better” and my 618 is still my go to just cause of how cool it looks and how perfect that HH ages.