Armor in Leather Jackets?

[Dr. Strangelove]

Do you have armor in your leather jacket?

It would seem to be common sense to have it, yet many manufacturers do not incorporate it, nor make provisions for it.
Why? and if you didn't have it would you add it?


John

[toner87]

Hey Doc,
A while ago I took my Johnson Leathers (made in San Francisco) heavy duty jacket back to the store to inquire exactly about what you're talking about... I asked if they could retrofit the jacket with armor and they said it would ruin the look of the jacket... Now that I think about it, I'm not entirely satisfied with their answer...
t.

[new2BMW]

Although my Icon Strongarm jacket only has kleather sleeves, it has elbow and shoulder armor. It is harly noticeable to the onlooker.



This is a great three season jacket that looks great off the bike too.

It is too hot for summer use, but very effective otherwise.

14oz denim chassis
1.2mm to 1.4mm leather sleeves
CE approved elbow/shoulder armor
Aramid reinforced shoulders for abrasion resistance
Removable insulated vest for additional warmth
Zippered intake and exhaust vents control climate

[socalrob]

I've got a Dainese perforated leather jacket (orange white & black) with a zip out pleated liner that has good back, shoulder & elbow armor. Dainese is one brand of rider wear that is IMHO better than BMW stuff. There is a big corporate store in Newport Beach that is worth the visit if you are in town. The stuff is expensive but very nice. Boots, gloves, jackets, lots of different armor, full leathers off the rack & made to order. This is the stuff that V. Rossi wears.

Without the liner the jacket is comfortable up to about 80 or so, with the liner its good down to about 50. Perfect for SoCal most of the year.

[Dr. Strangelove]

reason I ask is because I have a very nice Walter Dyer Morrison jacket that I inherited. It has no armor-other than being thick leather, nor does it have pockets for armor. I think I could velcro shoulder, back and elbow armor in place with adhesive backed velcro.
But, is this a doable or prudent thing to do and would it stay in place?

Is leather without armor one of the vestiges of the testosterone storm that seems to permeate some aspects of motorcycling? Or, is it really not needed? It would seem that leather will protect against abrasion, but offer little protection against impact.

Thanks

John

[TonyT607]

My BMW Freerider jacket (black leather / textile? has armor in the back, elbows, shoulders. It's a great looking jacket and I often wear it in cooler weather when not riding. I remove the back and shoulder armor for this purpose.

[wncbmw]

Neither my orginal bike jacket, a Bates, nor my custom Thurlow deerskin jacket had armour. After I got used to the Aerostich armour, I got a perfed Vanson and put the armour in the elbows, shoulder and the back armour insert. Probably doesn't look as cool but it sures offers protection!

[OneShot]

Perhaps you could buy the Joe Rocket Riot Jacket http://www.newenough.com/joe_rocket_rio ... t_page.htm to wear under the jacket. I'm considering this jacket myself.

Cheers!

[chris]

I have a Belstaff leather jacket with shoulder, elbow and back protection built in. It's a little stiff but after a while you get used to it and feel a little naked riding without. Dainese make a full mesh armour jacket to go ur your leather jacket. One going on ebay (UK) today.

[Airman]

Perhaps you could buy the Joe Rocket Riot Jacket http://www.newenough.com/joe_rocket_rio ... t_page.htm to wear under the jacket. I'm considering this jacket myself.

Cheers!

Aerostich sells something called Air Armor, basically nylon mesh holding the armor in place. I think it looks better then the Joe Rocket though. I was thinking I could wear it under a field jacket or some other simple garmet and have a good summer rig. It also incorporates a breastplate and spine protection.

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Roc ... 18229.html

Mean looking thing isn't it ?

[Dr. Strangelove]

OK, I've looked in lots of places and seen lotsa armor. I don't know if I want to challenge myself finding a tailor to make pockets or take a chance on loose armor and velcroing it to leather or sewing it to a lining. Maybe it can be done, or maybe it can only be done poorly.
But, I think I have a solution, not the original plan, but a solution that has some advantages, and that is the Bohn Airtex shirt--a zippered mesh job with shoulder, elbow/forearm and back armor that can be worn under any jacket, or shirt, or over a T shirt, in short, very versatile. So it will work for my winter garb and will get much use in the hot humid summers around here.
I'll report on how it works out when I get it.


John

[beemerphile]

But, I think I have a solution, not the original plan, but a solution that has some advantages, and that is the Bohn Airtex shirt--

That is a good solution John. The biggest failure of armor is probably a failure to stay put. I'd think a retrofitted armor system would be very prone to that. The Bohn stuff stays put on its own and does not depend on the jacket to hold it in position. I had a friend go asphalt surfing with leather jacket and pants on and he lost most of the skin off his back because he didn't zip the jacket to the pants and the jacket rode up to his armpits as he slid stylishly down the tarmac.

Lee