I am about to drop a few hundred on a leather jacket and was wondering if any of you wear the classic biker type jacket.....with the waist belt........I plan on doing a lot of cold weather riding and was wondering if the belt is functional.....if its just for looks i dont really care for the look......but hey if it means staying warmer I would consider getting the classic biker jacket with belt

 

I bought the classic jacket from River Road, very heavy and warm in the winter with the belt. Looked around and found me a silver and black HD shield for the back, and you can't tell it isn't one they sell for $500. I paid $150 for the jacket.

 

The waist belt won't keep you any warmer. I've found that layering is better for cold weather as leather by itself doesn't do the job. I'll drop a plug here for foxcreekleather.com. Their gear is pricey but you get what you pay for IMO.

*EDIT* I do need to add that the waist belt is not totally without function, though. It can be used quite effectively as a neck tourniquet.

 

I wear a Vanson Drifter w/stripes. Luv it. Paid 150 on sale at a local shop.

 

New to Harley, but not new to motorcylces ;-) If you can find a leather jacket that looks good, keeps you warm and also takes light armor inserts it would be ideal.

 

I stay away from any jacket that has uncovered metal in the front. If you should lean over or leave your buckle undone, it will scrape the paint right off your bike. My jacket has buckles on the side. And the zipper pulls sit under the zipper overlap.

 

If your looking for a good quality jacket that will last for years, and years. One that is both warm., and has doubled up leather in all the important places, then I would check out FoxCreekLeather.com and their vented racing jacket. I've had mine for five years now, and it's great, best motorcycle jacket I've ever owned. 1.8 mil leather is worth the price tag.

http://www.foxcreekleather.com/1.html

good jackets aren't cheap, but they last.

 

I had a similar question when I was looking for a jacket several months back. I ended up with this jacket http://justleathers.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=534 because I sometimes like to wear a hooded sweatshirt under my jackaet. My buddy got a heavy duty jacket from an online site that included armor but the zippers arent as heavy duty.

 

I went with the Fox Creek Leather "Commander" jacket. It is warm, I think it looks good and also has pockets for armor in the elbows, shoulders and back. I have had it for a couple of years and do not have any complaints.

 

Try LeatherUp.com you won't spend the 100's of dollars you referred to.