Hi Guys,

As a lot of you know I sell a great line of Saddlebags, jackets etc.

I have had a dream project on the back burner for a couple of years. That is to design a great high end motorcycle jacket with the attributes that riders want. I have finally found a manufacturer that offers the quality I want in a price that the average rider can afford.

This is a great opportunity to have some input on one of our most important pieces of gear.

I am going to set up a series of polls that allow you to choose which features you want in a jacket so that I can incorporate them into the design.

Please take a minute or two to vote in the polls I will be posting here. Input from real riders is very important.

When I place my order all XL Forum member will have an opportunity to take part in a group buy and get a excellent discount on the bulk purchase.

I have already decided on two important attributes:

Leather: Thick medium soft cowhide.
Lining: Sheepskin fur lining

This pole is to choose the style. There are three choices: Bomber, Touring and traditional.

You can choose more than one if you can't make up your mind.

thanks Ozark

Traditional all the way :smoke

I have had a dream project on the back burner for a couple of years. That is to design a great high end motorcycle jacket with the attributes that riders want. I have finally found a manufacturer that offers the quality I want in a price that the average rider can afford.

This is a great opportunity to have some input on one of our most important pieces of gear.

I am going to set up a series of polls that allow you to choose which features you want in a jacket so that I can incorporate them into the design.

Please take a minute or two to vote in the polls I will be posting here. Input from real riders is very important.

When I place my order all XL Forum member will have an opportunity to take part in a group buy and get a excellent discount on the bulk purchase.

Do you prefer a removable liner? Keep in mind that this adds about $8.00 to the cost.

I'd like to see the zippers and belt from the traditional on the touring, but either way that's a heck of a deal there Ozark!!!

If you're using a sheepskin liner as you mentioned in your other post.....How about a removable/reversible liner??

If you're using a sheepskin liner as you mentioned in your other post.....How about a removable/reversible liner??

Good idea! Here is a link to that poll:http://www.xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=52358

The all the liners I have owned wore out. The zipper would crap out so I ended up just wearing a fleece jacket under it when it was really cold.

Traditional gives it that classic look. The bomber jacket seems cheap looking to me.

How about snaps, forget velcro it wears out too.

I like the touring/racing style. I agree that the bomber looks a little"dated". (I still have my brown bomber from the 80's though):shhhh

I have used all zipper, snaps, velcro and buttons, so far snaps seem the best for ease of taking out and putting back, velcro works for awhile but fills up with everthing it touches. Zipper work well as long as they are good quality and heavy duty but they take up to much room if they are heavy duty. A good liner should work as a light jacket when necessary so the snaps should match so that you can close it.

Touring with good vents to extend riding temp range is a must. The less cluter cuts down wind resistance. Venting on sleeves as well as the back and body.

I like the race style jackets... For example H-D's race jacket but with shoulder and elbow armor. Preferably with some kind of back protection too.

For year round wear you can't beat traditional. The overlap is there for a very good reason. The pockets and zippers are functional and it looks best by far. Underarm vents and a snap on fur collar option would be huge pluses. Buy a bit large for layering IMHO.
Matt

I'm not a fan of the big collar on the bomber or the traditional. I do like the touring, but would like to see more pockets. I'm also not too crazy about the silver buttons and zippers. I would rather see them blacked-out so I can wear the jacket when I'm not riding, and have people think I'm stylish rather than "biker trash."

Mike

I don't know if its tourer or bomber, but I love the collar but slimmer fit. I love the style of mine, but can't find a pic of it. The HD Open Road is the closest thing I can find.

It's gotta be warm, but I want to be able to wear it when it's close to 80° out also. I can wear mine anywhere from 25° to 80° and love it.

I'd like to see the zippers and belt from the traditional on the touring, but either way that's a heck of a deal there Ozark!!!
Agreed, I would like to see a more fitted style but with a harder edge. I like the no collar sportbike look but in black. Would be neat to see a mix of a few good things together.

I don't know the names of each style but I have and am partial to the 50's look jacket.
I is good for most ridin'

I have the traditional style jacket, along with the touring and a syn jacket. I need a traditional style jacket for my son who recently purchased a 02XL883. Hopefully with the group buy I can get one at a reasonable price.
Ride Safe

Traditional with zip out liner and Extra support in the back, belt would be nice.

It's funny, but I've been thinking for a while now about having a jacket custom made with ALL the features I want.

I like the style of the traditional. The only problem with traditional is that, if it's really cold, I have to wear a vest AND a neck gaitor to stay warm. If you're putting a sheepskin liner in, is it a zip out liner? If so, you could make that liner with a collar (the liner would zip up independently of the jacket, of course) that zips up like a turtleneck....that would be AWESOME!:clap :clap

I could draw if for you if you want. PM me.

Otherwise, the tourer with a sheepskin lining up to the collar would be cool.

I'm not crazy about the bomber style, at all.

I like traditional. I just like it. I don't want there to be any mistake, I am not on safari or flying a B-17, I'm riding a Harley.

Hi Guys,

As a lot of you know I sell a great line of Saddlebags, jackets etc.

I have had a dream project on the back burner for a couple of years. That is to design a great high end motorcycle jacket with the attributes that riders want. I have finally found a manufacturer that offers the quality I want in a price that the average rider can afford.

This is a great opportunity to have some input on one of our most important pieces of gear.

I am going to set up a series of polls that allow you to choose which features you want in a jacket so that I can incorporate them into the design.

Please take a minute or two to vote in the polls I will be posting here. Input from real riders is very important.

When I place my order all XL Forum member will have an opportunity to take part in a group buy and get a excellent discount on the bulk purchase.

I have already decided on two important attributes:

Leather: Thick medium soft cowhide.
Lining: Sheepskin fur lining

This poll is to choose the style. There are three choices: Bomber, Touring and traditional.

You can choose more than one if you can't make up your mind.

thanks Ozark

TOURING 25 60.98%
Traditional 14 34.15%

We are about a day into the poll. It looks like the Touring style is the favorite so far but over a third prefer the traditional style. Maybe I can do both. The minimum order is a 100 of each style. If enough people want them I'll be glad to design one of each.
Ozark

Touring style.
Adjustable collar size.
Excellent quality zippers (check Joe Rocket).
Good overlaps and tight sleeve closures (windproof).
Good action type back and longer sleeves.
Built in armour.
Dark relective stripes - noticable at night - not during the day.
Don't care for liners or fur. I'll layer if I feel the need.
That ought to keep you busy.
Thanks for asking.

touring jacket all the way, it's made for motorcycling




:banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

Touring style.
Adjustable collar size.
Excellent quality zippers (check Joe Rocket).
Good overlaps and tight sleeve closures (windproof).
Good action type back and longer sleeves.
Built in armour.
Dark relective stripes - noticable at night - not during the day.
Don't care for liners or fur. I'll layer if I feel the need.
That ought to keep you busy.
Thanks for asking.

I appreciate the well thought out response. thanks for your input!
Ozark

touring with a couple more pockets and take out liner. no velcro.

I think a hybrid of different styles would work. Make your own original that is different from what is offered by others. I like leather mesh in front and arm and back vents. Not to copy but my favorite jacket is the Belstaff Interceptor. Maybe it will give you some ideas of what I mean. It can be found at cyclextras.com. Also you could sew chick magnets into the liner. I don't know where to get them but have heard of them.

I think mine is the perfect style jacket. But they dont make it anymore.
High Collar two button FieldSheer, that zips down and can be worn like a Traditional. I layer up underneath with a high collar fleece vest and wool sweater for cold weather.

Overly long, stiff sleeves and form-fitting at the wrists to keep it from ballooning up, so I won't look like a giant black olive flying down the highway.

It would be nice to have a concealed carry pocket on the inside.

It would be nice to have a concealed carry pocket on the inside.

Hi Guys,

I placed an order for the second prototype jacket last week. We are running into some major problems with the sheepskin liner. The jackets are made in Pakistan. Sheepskin is not readily available in the quantity and quality that I require. I won't bore you with the details, suffice to say it is a challenge at present. Synthetic fur liner is no sweat, however I prefer to use sheepskin if the price and quality is within reach of all of us.

The outer jacket is no problem. We have an excellent supplier for quality drum dyed naked cow hide.

I have finalized the design as follows:

ATRIBUTES:
Touring style
Removable full sleeve liner.
Closable vents front and rear.
Blacked out zippers
Wind flaps
Inside leather lined CCW pockets for left and right hand draw. Sufficient size to hold a 9mm. auto.
Adjustable waist
Zipper closures at wrist

MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION:
Top quality drum dyed naked cowhide.
Quality YKK zippers.
Sheepskin liner in the vest portion, liner sleeves made of faux fur.
Good quality metal snaps.

There are at least a dozen more small features that I have incorporated into the design.

I'm out of here for now. My buddy Paul just pulled up on his bike and wants to ride.

Later!
Ozark

I will be one of your first buyers. Keep us posted.

glad to see this is coming around. I am very interested to see the final result..

I do love my schotts bro's jacket, but it's starting to not fit me so well.. (or I'm getting larger around the middle :doh)

glad to see this is coming around. I am very interested to see the final result..

I do love my schotts bro's jacket, but it's starting to not fit me so well.. (or I'm getting larger around the middle :doh)

I like to call it broadening my horizons :)

that sounds great keep us up to date

You mentioned "Zipper closures at wrist" -- I'd prefer a Velcro wrap-around the wrist to make a snug fit - hate when the wind rushes up there on a cold day.

Sounds like a great jacket, but I'd like to see some reflective piping added for extra nighttime safety.

-charles

Don,

I have the Harley Regulator. I got it because it does have additional elbow support, it is a good grade of leather, hate the patches and embroidery, is zippered, but the best of all for me was being able to use the zippers to remove half the jacket unveiling the underlying mesh. My shoulders, upper chest, back, and outer arms are still covered.

The ultimate for me would be to have that mess in Kevlar so I get added protection yet still get enough cooling in the humid southern hot August temps.

I crack up when I see all the Yikers come into the tavern all dressed up in their new black leather matching duds, scarfs on their heads like old wash ladies. At least drag the stuff behind the truck for a few miles to make it look like your grandpa handed his down to you. And please, loose the pins and patches.

Touring for myself,but I do like deer skin,warm when it's cold and cool when it's warm out, also more strengh if..God forbid,you get into a spill.

when are these jackets going to become available ozark

when are these jackets going to become available ozark

Still no date. The overseas leather industry has really been weird this winter. Leather shortages due to unrest in Pakistan and prices going through the roof due to the Chinese buying everything up. The value of the dollar also took a hit. Prices have gone up about 20-25%.

The major problem I am running into is the sheepskin liner. I had one prototype made. It was excellent except they used a man-made sheepskin liner. Apparently there isn't a lot of quality sheepskin available in Pakistan. Everyone I have dealt with keeps pushing me to use man made stuff. I am really picky about what I put my name on so at present we are at an impasse.

I suppose I'm being hard headed however I want to build a very high quality product while keeping the cost within the reach of the average rider.

The good news is that I locked in my saddlebag orders before the costs went through the roof so I will be able to maintain last year's prices.

Ozark

I crack up when I see all the Yikers come into the tavern all dressed up in their new black leather matching duds, scarfs on their heads like old wash ladies. At least drag the stuff behind the truck for a few miles to make it look like your grandpa handed his down to you. And please, loose the pins and patches.

I use new gear pretty often because I am always trying out new stuff. It's always a temptation to do exactly what you sugested. Maybe I can offer the "broke in look" as a option. :D

Still no date. The overseas leather industry has really been weird this winter. Leather shortages due to unrest in Pakistan and prices going through the roof due to the Chinese buying everything up. The value of the dollar also took a hit. Prices have gone up about 20-25%.

The major problem I am running into is the sheepskin liner. I had one prototype made. It was excellent except they used a man-made sheepskin liner. Apparently there isn't a lot of quality sheepskin available in Pakistan. Everyone I have dealt with keeps pushing me to use man made stuff. I am really picky about what I put my name on so at present we are at an impasse.

I suppose I'm being hard headed however I want to build a very high quality product while keeping the cost within the reach of the average rider.

The good news is that I locked in my saddlebag orders before the costs went through the roof so I will be able to maintain last year's prices.

Ozark



How 'bout showin' us a pic of the prototype to drool over. Sheepskin lining sounds awesome!

....except that it's almost 90 degrees out today...last week it would've been awesome...:smoke

How about deer skin jackets.I have one and it's great,light warm when cold and cool when hot,it has a removable liner and many pockets.I got it at www.scdeerskin.com he might be able to help with the sheep skin problem..my two cents..all the best with your project.

How about deer skin jackets.I have one and it's great,light warm when cold and cool when hot,it has a removable liner and many pockets.I got it at www.scdeerskin.com he might be able to help with the sheep skin problem..my two cents..all the best with your project.
Does yours bleed dye when it gets wet..?
Thats always been a problem in my experience with Dye'd Deerskin... ie Gloves etc.

How about deer skin jackets.I have one and it's great,light warm when cold and cool when hot,it has a removable liner and many pockets.I got it at www.scdeerskin.com he might be able to help with the sheep skin problem..my two cents..all the best with your project.

Dearskin is nice, but from my experience, it tends to bleed dye too much when it gets wet. Also, its freakin' expensive as hell. Otherwise I like it.

the two newest fads are the concealed carry option (and we are bikers so make it for a 1911) lol and the armour pads both of which i like. as for the sheepskin i can take it or leave it but some kind of removable liner is a must. I like the idea of the touring with a kidney belt and NO velcro as i think that just reeks of cheap.

the two newest fads are the concealed carry option (and we are bikers so make it for a 1911) lol and the armour pads both of which i like. as for the sheepskin i can take it or leave it but some kind of removable liner is a must. I like the idea of the touring with a kidney belt and NO velcro as i think that just reeks of cheap.

I agree on all points. The sheepskin option has more or less made the whole deal mission impossible. I have not been able to get any made with a sheepskin liner.

I don't carry a gun but a large leather lined pocket would be useful for carrying other things as well.

The overwhelming majority seem to dislike Velcro.

I like a kidney belt myself for several reasons. The main one being that I dumped a bike and slid a long way feet first and my jacket ended up bunched under my arm pits. A kidney belt might have helped hold it in place a little better.

Armor in the elbows, shoulders and back would have helped too. I'm leaning toward Kevlar under leather. Something that is effective without looking too bogus.

This week I'm going to order a sample jacket. I'll keep everyone posted. I sincerely appreciate all the input I have received.

Ozark

awsome that you are listening to the buying public. let me know when you get the prototype as im looking for a cold weather leather jacket.

I like the good old "rocker" style.
I have one from like 10 years ago. Very good leather, has survived a couple of falls and rolls on asphalt and dirt too.
Make sure to put pockets inside, and outside, with zippers, and a coin pouch.
Use Argentine leather, way better than mexican, pakistani, or chinese. :)

traditonal all the way..... no velcro snaps only and a zip out liner would be good but if you sold them slightly larger then what they are people could layer under neth no problem.