How old is your Jacket?

evedave · #1 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006

After reading the post on Triumph jackets I began to wonder, how long can a person wear his or her leather riding jacket?

Seems to me that as long as you can zip the zipper over your round parts (wherever they may be) you should be able to keep using it. As long as it continues to provide protection you should be able to use it for years.

One further question, do you remove each successive year's bugs etc. at the end of the year, or do you see them as an added layer of protection if you (God forbid) go down for a slide?

Who here has the oldest living jacket ???? :razz:

Baby Picture

[ This message was edited by: evedave on 2006-05-05 04:21 ]

grumpyoledude · #2 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006

I don't have a Triumph jacket. Mine is a Hein Gericke but I've been wearing it since 1988. It has gotten a bit tighter and then lately a good bit looser but it still fits and looks good. Got it free with a trade in at a Yamaha dealer in Augusta Georgia. It has a snap out liner for winter and four zippered vents for summer wear. It could use a good cleaning but haven't gotten around to it yet.

Silverado57 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006

With proper care a good leather jacket should last a lifetime.

Whether it fits or not will be a question for another day. :hammer:
:-D

BornAgain · #4 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006

I've got two 20 something Vanson jackets. Still in great shape.

evedave · #5 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006

Like blued pipes, an old jacket with some honest signs of road rash shows character.

Stylish new jackets are fine, but, you can't beat a quality old jacket, well used, for 'street cred'. Especially with some bug juice still splattered on the front.

:razz:

Another Baby Picture

FattRat · #6 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006

My leather jacket has been partying with me for six seasons. I abuse it in that I understand we're not supposed to hang it in the cold and/or hot garage..... but I clean it and oil it up with Lexol cleaner and the Conditioner on a regular basis. As I have lost 40 pounds these last four months, the danm thing is now fitting me too loosely. I'll eventually have to be shopping for a new jacket. The relationship between me and my leather motorcycle jackets has been better than any relationship I've had with any single woman.......

On the other hand, I tossed a Joe Rocket summer jacket because I feared year after year of exposure to the ultra violet rays may have been getting the better of it. I realize that all these jackets are designed to do is hold the body armor in place, but I was concerned that the integrity of the jacket had to have been compromised after several seasons of exposure to the elements.

If I won the lottery, I'd be buying all sorts of Vanson leather........

Speedwasher · #7 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006

Well I still have my leather jacket from around 25 years back and it’s still good as new and this has been continual wearing as most of the time I used to ride each day. I have only within the last few month bought a bigger one as the old ones sleeves seem to have shrunk or have my arms just got longer. All I would do when it seemed a bit dry rub a big of dubbing on it and it would be as good as new.

gypsy56 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006

My oldest jacket is a Brooks, given to me in 1975 by an old girlfriend (don't tell my wife). Like Fattrat, a good coat
of Lexol a couple of times a year will keep 'em around forever. I figure someday, one of my grandchildren will be
wearing it. Also have a Vanson, Fox Creek, Roadgear &
Triumph.

natec · #9 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006

I wandered into the langlitz dealer just before I bought my bike. They usually have a short rack of jackets which have either been returned, traded in, or sold back from previous customers.

I talked to the guy for awhile and tried on different ones and actually found one that 'almost' looks like it was tailor fitted to me (vs the unknown guy who it was really fitted to). It was half the cost of a new one, and seemed to be in mint shape so I bought it on the spot. Looked inside and the serial # indicated it was originally made in 1992.

Very happy with the purchase, and the customer service down there. Real good folks.

Nate

meatwagon · #10 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006

I have a leather jacket that I got in '88 as well;a no name Made In Pakistan.It's still going strong although it will be semi retired soon .