I know the recommended leather jackets from reading posts here. I have a River Road jacket...low end quality and fit has never been that great. Too loose at the cuffs even zippered (wind up the sleeve) and find myself rolling up the waist band when seated on the bike otherwise it just puffs up around my neck. Lived with it but I've lost 35 pounds so no longer can can wear it.

I'm looking for one that has nice tight zippered cuffs and is short at the waist.

 

Your post title is:

"some leather jacket questions"

an there wasn't one question in your whole post...

 

I concur.

 

?????Does this help?????? Any suggestions?

 

Schott makes some Perfectos in 23.5 and 24" lengths; otherwise, virtually all moto leathers are made for people six foot tall or taller. Somehow, everyone has lost sight of the fact that jackets meant for motorcycle riding have to be waist length.
Of course, you can always have one custom made for $700 or more.

 

I wear Unik.

 

Best bet is to just try a few on at a local shop or dealer. I like the cut of the HD jackets...most of the jackets I like do not seem to be designed to accommodate a gut if a guy has one. I'm lucky and don't have one yet.

 

Major difference in a street jacket vs riding jacket. The front should be a measured when sitting down and the Sleeve's are longer.

Think about the length like a bull fighters jacket.

Don't want to get into a pissing match with gallery about manufacturers but my riding jack was built by Langlitz for the simple reasons you have mentioned. They make a true functioning riding jacket(Sleeves, length, Bifolds and offset overlap front to name a few). All of your issues you mentioned is why I brought from them. Life time purchase that is made for you. And you will know the first time you slip it on.

I would also check out the HD leathers. The the "Stock Jacket" is a good model to start. And reasonable.

On your jacket you might try a tailor to shorten the front and front zippper. Also you might try gaunlets for the sleeve wind.

 

I'll probably get jumped on, but I love my leather FXRG. Fits like a riding jacket should, nice and tight around the wrists, and has a thing where you can unzip the main zipper from the bottom when you're on the bike so it won't bunch up around the collar/shoulders. Also can't beat the Langlitz, as the above poster mentioned. Fox Creek jackets are great, but never quite fit me right -- sleeves a little too loose, etc. Either way we're talking big bucks, but the jackets will last a riding lifetime.

 

I like Vanson jackets, but they're expensive. After mine was stolen from a bar several years ago, I moved to less expensive jackets.