Simmons Bilt D-1 sheepskin jacket

[handymike]

 

[Worf]

I love the look of a nice bike - and the gear. My girlfriend rode her motorcycle for many years until recently, and I always used to go with her to the bike store where she would stow her bike for the winter and retrieve it in the spring, and seeing all the gear was an eye-opener. Great jackets and boots - and yes, all armoured, and that totally makes sense to me.
And I must say, it really made me think about learning to ride - I think I'd love the classes and confronting my fears over the bikes and speed, and getting some gear for myself. And having passed the test, I feel it would obligate me to then get a nice bike - nothing big. A Honda Rebel would more than suffice.
But having ridden mountain and road bikes as well as driven here in the city for as long as I have, and witnessed the poor standard of driving that can be seen in certain quarters, I know I wouldn't have the stones for it.
So I really admire those who do.

I feel EXACTLY the same way so I compromised.... bought a convertible instead. Still get the wind in my hair but don't have to worry bout hittin' the asphalt at 60 plus MPH either... And being that it's "vintage" (1956 Ford T-bird) I get nothing but love and respect from bikers everywhere...

Worf

 

[Edward]

I love the look of a nice bike - and the gear. My girlfriend rode her motorcycle for many years until recently, and I always used to go with her to the bike store where she would stow her bike for the winter and retrieve it in the spring, and seeing all the gear was an eye-opener. Great jackets and boots - and yes, all armoured, and that totally makes sense to me.
And I must say, it really made me think about learning to ride - I think I'd love the classes and confronting my fears over the bikes and speed, and getting some gear for myself. And having passed the test, I feel it would obligate me to then get a nice bike - nothing big. A Honda Rebel would more than suffice.
But having ridden mountain and road bikes as well as driven here in the city for as long as I have, and witnessed the poor standard of driving that can be seen in certain quarters, I know I wouldn't have the stones for it.
So I really admire those who do.

The Rebel is a cute little bike - if I'm not misremembering, it's like a little, baby Harley? Not a bad place to start. I would have notions of starting off with a BSA Bantam, myself - one of the earlier ones that come in under the 125cc limit in the UK for being out riding unaccompanied with L plates... Either that, or I'd just suck it up and buy one of those mod hairdryers for a couple of years.... sigh. But yes, it was different I think back in the day when motorcycles were common as affordable trasnport for the working man; the rise of the car as a primary means of working-class transport put paid to that. It could change in future, though, depending on transport policies. We're seeing more two-wheel traffic in london these days as they're exempt from the congestion charge, but I still wouldn't risk it in Zone one as long as there are cars there at all!

Back to the jackets, a rusty memory stirred in this morning of a Flounger seven or eight years ago who went to Aero for a B3 covered in FQHH - not just the usual panels on the sleeves, but the whole jacket. Must have weighed a ton, but I can see that being a serious jacket for riding in colder weather! There's a thread buried somewhere in Outerwear.... I wish I could remember who it was, I'd love to know how that one broke in. Or even if it has....

 

[Bunyip]

I remember that jacket Edward. He had 2 similar beasts made. I think he worked in a fly in fly out capacity for an oil drilling mob or something? It was an awesome beast. Would have looked like a Thunderbird trying to move around, you wouldn't want to drop your keys or try to pick up the newspaper! I really love the look of the entire shearling range, I just don't think that I would get enough use. The ANJ-4 is a real favourite of mine, and every few weeks I get a real hankering for one. I just noticed yesterday that they have gone up to £850 which kind of shuts the whole fantasy down. The B-6 would be great with the action back and zips, I just know what what would happen in the event of a face plant. I also move around quite a lot, and have spent equal time in the past 5 years in a semi tropical climate through winter and back down south for summer. This means 20-25c all winter, and 30-35c all summer....apart from my MC leather, I haven't had much call for a decent casual leather jacket at all. Hasn't stopped me from blowing lots of cash on them! I'm stoked for anyone that can buy a shearling knowing they will get good use of it, I'm somewhat envious. Having said that, I quite like my tan and hanging out on the golf course. There we go Edward, my post is nearly as long, but not quite as informative as yours. I'm improving!

 

[Stand By]

I feel EXACTLY the same way so I compromised.... bought a convertible instead. Still get the wind in my hair but don't have to worry bout hittin' the asphalt at 60 plus MPH either... And being that it's "vintage" (1956 Ford T-bird) I get nothing but love and respect from bikers everywhere...

Worf

COOL! Compromised?! I think you settled UP, not down on that decision!

 

[Stand By]

The Rebel is a cute little bike - if I'm not misremembering, it's like a little, baby Harley? Not a bad place to start. I would have notions of starting off with a BSA Bantam, myself - one of the earlier ones that come in under the 125cc limit in the UK for being out riding unaccompanied with L plates... Either that, or I'd just suck it up and buy one of those mod hairdryers for a couple of years.... sigh.

Yes, the Honda Rebel is, as you say, a baby Harley. And very reasonably priced. And being a Honda, it's reliable! But still, as nice as it is, it's not the bikes that puts me off. It's the drivers. Frightening.
And it's funny, I very briefly mused "going mod" and getting a Lambretta - they're very cool and nippy too - but I'd much rather have a Rebel ... but dare not.

 

[IXL]

.........
And it's funny, I very briefly mused "going mod" and getting a Lambretta - they're very cool and nippy too -..........

Nah, do what we did; get a Piaggio BV250. Great scooter, interstate capable, and faster than my first motorcycle.

 

[bn1966]

My two, wear my D-1 on them on the colder days (really need a wet-suit here at present). I do wear kevlar & armor under the shearling.

 

[rocketeer]

Are shearling jackets good for biking? I can imagine they keep out the cold but I wouldn't want to rely on one if I went for a slide on a bike.

To be honest, Craig, sheepskins are rubbish on a bike they would simply tear too easily, even something like a B3 or ANJ4.

What you mostly need is armour! I would ride in a B3 if i had a Knox or Forcefield armoured shirt underneath.
I would still wear a leather suit for spirited riding, but to go on a short ride, sure.

Nice jacket anyway, i have the same one, rarely wear it as winters seem to be so warm around here for the moment.

Knox armoured vest would go nice under a B3, I have one and it fits easily with the B3s roomy arms. They were having a sale. My last years purchase of £130 was down to £50 for the same vest, just now it is last years model. The difference? Coloured panels!

 

[Stand By]

Speaking of armoured gear, I read that the spinal armour that is ubiquitous these days was, in fact, invented by former British motorcycle racing champion Barry Sheene. He had some spectacular crashes back in the day and, whilst banged up, mused about protection and it came to him that if he placed motorcycle helmet visors in a line and overlapped them, there'd be a way to create a long flexible shield that could be placed in a vest.
He GAVE the idea of Dainesse - who developed it into what it is today. He wanted no money or royalties or credit for it - just to help riders like him. How good is that?!

Anyway, back to the jackets ...

 

[repo]

I wore my ANJ-4 on a bike ride yesterday (couple of degrees above freezing) but my FQHH / shearling Longshoreman does a better job keeping the wind out.