My 2007 GZ and new textile jacket

[alantf]

I think I've mentioned it elsewhere, but try googling "interstate leather". I've got one of their jackets, & the quality's great.

[mrlmd1]

Look at Leatherup.com. I've bought a bunch of stuff there , they have brand names, quality and price are real good.

[Mercutio57]

The Schotts are expensive because they are union-made in the USA, not child-labor made in Pakistan. The difference in price hurts a bit, but it hurts a whole lot more to see American factories close. And yes, I know that consistency requires that I ride a Harley, but their one "starter" bike simply isn't.

Besides, Schott was the original!

[bonehead]

I'm all for buying american. But why should I pay Double for the same amount of bike?

[Mercutio57]

When possible, I buy American. Sometimes it's just not an option, hence my GZ250. But American-made motorcycle jackets are available, and I'm willing to pay the difference.

There is, I think, a difference with regard to buying the motorcycles themselves.

The American motorcycle industry was not in fact killed off by Japanese imports. Indian was already on the ropes before the arrival of the Asian bikes, and Harley-Davidson, at this point more a religion than motorcycle company, is still going strong. The other American companies (Henderson, anyone?) were long dead when ol' Sochiro sent the first little Hondas our way. Japanese motorcycles certainly destroyed the British motorcycle industry, but really didn't affect ours in the end.

Motorcyle jackets, however, are a different story. A quick check of the labels in your clothing, from your jacket and boots right down to your underwear, will reveal to you the dire state of the U.S. garment industry.

In other words, my purchase of a Japanese motorcycle did not in any way affect the fortunes of the American motorcycle industry. My purchase of a Schott jacket, on the other hand, was in direct support of a local company that, like all such manufacturers, is under very serious threat from cheap foreign imports.

[SuziQ07]

Originally Posted by Mercutio57

The Schotts are expensive because they are union-made in the USA, not child-labor made in Pakistan. The difference in price hurts a bit, but it hurts a whole lot more to see American factories close. And yes, I know that consistency requires that I ride a Harley, but their one "starter" bike simply isn't.

Besides, Schott was the original!

The Schott jacket I tried on was double the price of a leather "First Classics" jacket, but it was also double the thickness too! It was a beautifully made jacket , and one that would last for many many years and then some! I was unable to purchase due to the fact that the sleeves were way too long...could have found a person to do some alterations however. I may buy a Schott down the road if I decide that motorcycling is indeed for me and something I'm going to stick with. I live in NY and love to buy products made in my own state! I would also enjoy a H-D 883 that is made in the US as well....but it's way too big of a bike for a young female beginner. If Harley made something smaller I would be all for it! They could only direct me to a used Buell Blast and I tend to gravitate toward the cruiser style rather than sport bike...plus the Blast was too high for me. H-D has missed out on a huge market by not making a smaller motorcycle say a 500cc or 650cc etc.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by SuziQ07

the sleeves were way too long...could have found a person to do some alterations

This was also the problem with my Interstate Leather jacket. I solved the problem by taking it to my local shoe repairer. He shortened the sleeves, & restitched the hems on his special "made for leather" sewing machine. Didn't take him long, & he charged me the equivalent of $3 or $4. :2tup:

[Mercutio57]

H-D is by no means the only company that's ignoring this segment of the market. Increasingly the Japanese companies are as well. With the exception of sportbikes there are currently very few offerings in the 500-650cc range, at least here in U.S. Some very nice midsize standards are available in Asia, but everything for the U.S. market is "supersized."

You're right about the Schott quality, and alantf is right about the solution to the problem of alterations. Most tailors can't handle an mc jacket, but shoemakers can.

My guess is that you'll probably stick with motorcycling. My GZ was something of a "let's see if I like this" experiment, and I confess that am now quite hooked!

[GZBrian]

Nice Bike and Bright Jacket. My wife and I wear the High-Vis Tourmaster jackets when we ride. Nice to see someone else wearing bright colors when they ride. GZ Brian

[SuziQ07]

Originally Posted by GZBrian

Nice Bike and Bright Jacket. My wife and I wear the High-Vis Tourmaster jackets when we ride. Nice to see someone else wearing bright colors when they ride. GZ Brian

Thanks for the compliment! I like bright pink and it makes me more visible. I guess the jacket serves two purposes! I thought a white helmet would be more visible as well. :2tup: