[Fillmore]

I just received my new Vanson MH-01 Hailwood replica jacket. (Sorry, I had to go with the earlier version from his Honda era)

It's totally `60's spec with no armor or pants zipper, but it does have double leather at the elbows and shoulders. I think that it's a little softer leather than I remember in other Vansons, but it's still respectably heavy. I just bought it to wear around town and probably on the `72 BMW or the Norton if it ever gets finished, so I wasn't particularly concerned about having full safety features (I have 3 other sets of gear for that). I'll probably just wear it around for cool factor, too.

Even though Vanson is known for their quality, I'm totally impressed with the quality of this jacket. There's not a stich out of place and it's beautiful to look at. Also, because of the leather that they used and the lack of armor, it's pretty comfortable as a street jacket (much more so than my Dainese jacket), but it does lack hand pockets which was a little bit of a drag as it's 19*f outside.

One warning though, if you buy one of these, brush up on your Hailwood trivia. I wore it to lunch today and had three (non-motorcycle) people stop me and ask me about it and I had to give them the whole Hailwood shpeel.

--Fillmore

 

[Mark1305]

Very sharp jacket!

 

[DaffeDuc]

wtg!!!

I saw about 5 different vintage jackets at the DNA offices the other month... they're supposed to start sellling more vintage stuff. I told DNA that the DML/our local monster club was interested in seeing them.

 

[Guest]

There was an awesome new retro duc jacket at the show in longbeach!
Prolly the most beautiful duc jacket I have ever seen......the Hailwood is really cool......so Fillmore there isn't any velcro in the shoulders or elbows for armour? I had heard there was.....or was it something one can ask for....beautiful jacket.

 

[Guest]

I'm sure it would look better with alittle road rash grafix! Maybe Retro could wear it for a ride or two.... ;D

 

[MonsterHooligan]

I'm sure it would look better with alittle road rash grafix!

 

[Guest]

Not at all, that was just for Retro's amusement. Fillmore is King Roadrash! ;D

 

[maxpower]

Outstanding jacket.

Do they put that number frame on the back of all of the jackets or can you ask them to leave it off?

I would love to get one but would have to seriously get some under jacket armor for it.

 

[DaffeDuc]

Dainese makes armor that is attached to mesh webbing that you wear under non-armored jackets.

 

[Fillmore]

No armor webbing in the jacket and all of them come with the number frame. You might be able to ask for them to add the armor, but even the liner is `60s spec, so I don't know if it would support it. I also don't know anout having the number frame left off, but I thought that was one of the cool things about the jacket.

I'd just call Vanson... I talked to them several times during the order and customization process and they were very willing to help with anything.

BTW, mine was #31 of 500, so I'd guess that they still have some left.

 

[DaffeDuc]

No armor webbing in the jacket and all of them come with the number frame. You might be able to ask for them to add the armor, but even the liner is `60s spec, so I don't know if it would support it. I also don't know anout having the number frame left off, but I thought that was one of the cool things about the jacket.

I'd just call Vanson... I talked to them several times during the order and customization process and they were very willing to help with anything.

BTW, mine was #31 of 500, so I'd guess that they still have some left.

--King Roadrash

I was referring to these...

 

[memonstro]

8) very sharp looking jacket !!!!

 

[Fillmore]

I was referring to these...

I'd just say that if one is contemplating getting an unarmored jacket and wearing armor like that under it, then the measurements should be taken over the armor to get the jacket cut right.

I've also learned that about back protectors. They seem pretty low-profile, but they are enough to change a properly close fitting jacket into one that's almost too tight.

I guess that I should start dieting for spring now...
--King Roadrash

 

[DaffeDuc]

I'd just say that if one is contemplating getting an unarmored jacket and wearing armor like that under it, then the measurements should be taken over the armor to get the jacket cut right.

I've also learned that about back protectors. They seem pretty low-profile, but they are enough to change a properly close fitting jacket into one that's almost too tight.

I guess that I should start dieting for spring now...
--King Roadrash

... best way to make your monster a lean mean canyon carving machine is to ditch the potbelly/beerbelly!

 

[Fillmore]

... best way to make your monster a lean mean canyon carving machine is to ditch the potbelly/beerbelly!

I'm subject to drug testing these days, so it's definitly a beerbelly (do they make vodkabellies?)

--Fillmore

 

[DaffeDuc]

... everclearbelly?