Is there a leather jacket brand that has been around and proven? I have a lot of respect for older stuff as it just seems to work better than the new stuff...and it lasts.

So what were the oldschoolies wearing back in the day for jackets? And do they still make them?

A simple leather without logos all over it, one perfect for adding your own patches to down the road.

something you can even wear off the bike without feeling like a meathead.

 

Fox Creek Leather has a very solid reputation- I don't own one but if I was in the market I'd give them serious consideration. I'm sure there are many others as well.

 

Langlitz, Schott, Vanson, all brands that have been around for decades and still making quality leathers today.

Expensive too but you get what you pay for.

 

Members Only

LOL if you were there then

Seriously an Avirex leather Flight Jacket. Bought in 1978. Still got it and will never part with it. No patches just plain heavy leather with Charlie on the shoulder.

 

I bought a horsehide black MC jacket from Sears and Roebuck back around 1969. Had it until it was stolen off the seat of my bike in 1980.
Best jacket I ever owned.

 

Wilson (as in Wilson athletics) my dad bought it in the 50-60's, I commandeered it in HS, Had it relined, and replaced 2 zippers. By far the best jacket I ever owned. 10 years after HS, apparently someone else loved that jacket as much as me and decided to make it theirs.

 

Hein Gericke

I rode Kraut in those days. Wish I still had the jacket, my R75/5 and my K75S. Everything since has been crap.

 

My first leather jacket I bought at C&S Harley in Nashville back in the late 80's, it was a Brooks Brothers. I scored a 70's vintage AMF HD Cafe leather jacket off of Ebay a number of years ago, beautiful leather, broken in nicely, it's a keeper. I wear Vanson's almost 100% of the time.

 

I still have/wear a "traditional" leather jacket that I got back in 78. No patches or anything like that. Just a nice, worn looking "patina" on it. I don't know that brand because the tag came off years ago, but other than that, it's in great shape/condition. In all these years, I've never treated or cleaned it with anything. The thing that impresses me most though, is the fact that IT STILL FITS ME!

My new GF got me a new HD leather jacket recently, and I don't have the heart to tell her that I prefer my old one...

 

In the closet hanging beside the Averix is a German-made Hein Gericke First Gear leather jacket bought in 1992. In 54 years of riding the only riding jackets I've owned and most likely the only ones I'll ever own.