WooHoo first one to post in the new area!

If you're like me and money is tight cuz you sank all your spare cash into your bike and helmet but still want some leather I found THIS (www.leatherup.com) is a good place to deal with.

Like Y2K says, it is cheap Pakistani yak-hide but it gets the job done. I plan to upgrade my chaps next year but this year they aren't in the budget. These leathers are not going to last you a lifetime, but will get you through a season or two. And I tell ya, if you ride in anything even moderately cold, chaps make a HUGE difference. Even thin ones.

Mine went through a serious ride in the rain this past weekend. To the point of "total saturation" and they dried up and seem to have held up just fine.

We've made three purchases through them. Chaps and two vests (one a gift) and their service has always been awesome. If you order online they have a place to check the status of your order. Ignore it. For whatever reason they fail to update this. Every purchase we've made has said "Pending" and two or three days later the box is at the door.

One other note, my experience has shown their sizes run big. Both in the chaps and vests. I would not recommend following their advice of ordering chaps a size larger than needed. I did that and they were way huge, and the strap will stretch a little. I changed up and went for the 32's (I wear a 32) and they fit much better. Strap is on the last hole but the fit in the thighs is just right.

Anyway, like I said, this isn't hand me down stuff, but it sure is getting me by until I can afford it. I already owned a brown leather bomber jacket that I wear so can't answer to that. They also sell genuine HD boots at about half the cost, don't know anything about them either.

So here ya go again: www.leatherup.com

Another A-1 site I vouch is www.bikerleather.com
I have made multiple purchases from them and am completely happy.

Hey GOTWA...I purchased a set of thoes "inexpensive" yak-hyde chaps from a local indy 3 winters ago out of necessity (ya know $$), telling myself, I need then right now it's cold, and I can only afford the $75 I paid and I'll get the good ones next season...well 3 full winters later...and I ride alot, cold and/or wet. I do miss the good 'ol HD's that were much better made and nicely lined...but hey, that $75 is oing a long way, much to my surprise....I do hold very closely my almost 20 yr old HD winter jacket...Pak @ Stan can't make yak-hyde last that long and look as good, and hold up as well, did have the pocket liners fixed once thoughh....Mike

yep you have to watch the size chart thing my wife ordered her jacket vest and chaps from leather up and the jacket and vest fit perfect , but the chaps she ordered were a size small and they fit me lol im 6ft and weigh 225lbs . they did make it right took care of the return postage and shipping and was quick about it.

It's all about keep'n warm and dry :clap
GOTWA pick ya up some Viking boot grease and grease up you leathers some night and let it soak in over night.
Then wipe off the excess with a rag in the morning.
Next time ya get caught in some a dat Wa. liquid sunshine it'll roll of ya like water off a ducks back and it'll make your leather last a lot longer.
When leather gets dry it cracks.Viking is made over here in Battle Ground Wa.
from mink oil and bees wax,all natural.I've used it for more'n 20 years and my leathers are still nice although my jacket needs relined again but it's been around the block a few times :smoke
Y2K

Here's where i got my leather coat and helmet from:

Jafrum (http://www.jafrum.com/)

Good prices and quick shipping.

It's all about keep'n warm and dry :clap
GOTWA pick ya up some Viking boot grease and grease up you leathers some night and let it soak in over night.
Then wipe off the excess with a rag in the morning.
Next time ya get caught in some a dat Wa. liquid sunshine it'll roll of ya like water off a ducks back and it'll make your leather last a lot longer.
When leather gets dry it cracks.Viking is made over here in Battle Ground Wa.
from mink oil and bees wax,all natural.I've used it for more'n 20 years and my leathers are still nice although my jacket needs relined again but it's been around the block a few times :smoke
Y2K

Well, always glad to support a local company. Is it widely available and if not, where do I look???

ordered my vest from http://www.onsitedeals.com/ The owner of this site is a xlforum member. $35 for a vest that I am very happy with.

Well, always glad to support a local company. Is it widely available and if not, where do I look???

Anyplace that has work boots and clothes or western stores maybe.
if not go here....
http://www.bee-natural.com/shoe.html

http://www.hotleathers.com/ There's another one that people gave some decent reviews recently.

ordered my vest from http://www.onsitedeals.com/ The owner of this site is a xlforum member. $35 for a vest that I am very happy with.

:o Thanks for the nice words!

Be careful of Hot Leathers and Jafrum, they sell a lot of leather that is made out of goat,pig or Lambskin.
That is why the prices are cheap.
If it is not made from a cow or buffalo you do NOT want it for riding protection!
That leather is thin and will offer no protection in case if you should have to bail from the bike.

Where ever you buy your leather from make sure it is not made out of any of those materials if you want it for protection!
boomer

There are certain articles of clothing that I personally cannot by online. One is shoes/boots becasue every one fits differently, even from the same company. Second is jackets. I had to try on a riding jacket before buying, no doubt about it. The one I got fits real well even though it is a size or 2 larger than what I normally wear. It was also inexpensive at $130 with thinsulate removable lining, vented and with padding in all the necessary places (elbows, shoulders...). Got it at the NYC bike show at the Javitz.

My wife and I just got (2) jackets from www.leatherup.com very good deals, Mine is the normal motorcycle jacket with the belt, hers has the laces in the sides. All in all, both out the door for under $130.00, yes for both together. Of course, I also bought her a leather needle for the sewing machine to put on my patches! I am really impressed with the quality. For that price I expected something I would replace one day, no way man, these are USA, and great for the long run!

I have heard that you can get some good deals on leather jackets at Sturgis. I am headed up for the first time this year and was going to look there. Anyone got one up there, or have any advice where to look.

I have heard that you can get some good deals on leather jackets at Sturgis. I am headed up for the first time this year and was going to look there. Anyone got one up there, or have any advice where to look.

I always seem to find good deals at rallys....ESPECIALLY on the last day...

I got a great set of chaps for 40 bucks at the last hour of a rally a few years ago.......wish I'd been wearin'em when the deer hit me....I'd like to have seen how they hold up to THAT...but I'm very happy with them...

For ME, leather is utilitarian....It HAS to get the job done...period...I EXPECT to replace chaps (though I haven't replaced the ones I bought two years ago, and I ride in ALL weather...)....but my jackets always seem to get old with me....I still have my HD heavy leather jacket from my teenage years....beat up? sure! But I still wear it once in a while...hell, I still wear the jacket that I was wearin when Sophie went down....cleaned right up....a few slashes in the shoulder, but not really worse for wear...and the wife bought that one for me on ebay...

Buy thick leather, keep it treated, and it should last longer than you...

What about these guys, anyone ever done business with them?

Branson Wholesale

www.bransonwholesale.com/