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Redbuelljunkie
| | Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2011 - 11:15 am: | 
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I asked my Vanson account rep if he'd like Dave and me to be Big & Tall Vanson models... he said he'd get back with me.
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Tnxbrider
| | Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2011 - 01:44 pm: |
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Diamond Gusset Defender motorcycle jeans...
Made in Tennessee, and happen to be available at my shop.
T |
Socalbueller
| | Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2011 - 07:11 pm: |
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I've had a Vanson jacket for 5+ years, pants for 4. I was measured for both at their place in Fall River. The quality of the jacket is pretty good. I'm disappointed in the pants for being custom made. Above the knee they were a little tight and below the they were really baggy. I live in Los Angeles but grew up in Mass and go back their 2x a year. the next time I was back there I showed them how the pants fit and 2 people there are like "well what do you want us to do?" They ended up making some adjustments but they still are not that great. I think my jacket is 2" too short but they haven't admitted too that. I needed to have the back extended down and wider spandex piece to zip the jacket and pants together.
If you find something that fits yeah Vanson has some decent stuff but their customer service is piss poor. To have anything done it is a minimum of 3 months. The zipper on my jacket breaks every 18 months. It's $90 just to fix the zipper and I'm without the jacket for 3 months. I've probably spent half of what the jacket costs on repairs and alternations that I shouldn't have had to have done. Up until a month ago I did wear it almost everyday, until the zipper broke again and I bought a Joe Rocket jacket from motorcyclegear.com for commuting. The zipper on the Vanson still technically works but I have a paper clip for a zipper pull and the little metal thing at the start of the zipper came off.
From what I read Vanson is trying to move most of the their manufacturing to South America but you can request to have your jacket or suit made in the US. Quality wise I don't think you would see a difference but it is nice to keep somebody employed here in the US.
I've heard Bates leathers are pretty good and made in the USA
http://www.batesleathers.com/
I've heard good things about Z Leathers and Johnson Leathers in San Francisco, they do custom suits and jackets. I'm not sure if they are made here though. |
Jaimec
| | Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2011 - 10:58 pm: |
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quote:The thing to consider with something like Vanson (I don't have any experience with the others mentioned on here), is you will literally never need to buy another jacket unless you gain weight (or lose it), you crash it a dozen times, or you lose it.
Sadly, I can't say that about the ProPerf leather jacket I own. All those little holes are cracking and splitting by all the joints. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but I'm having much better luck with my Dutch-made textile Rev'It jacket... |
Milt
| | Posted on Friday, December 23, 2011 - 09:53 am: |
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SoCal,
I know a really good tech who works exclusively on motorcycle leathers. She always asks "when's your next event?" and works hard to accommodate your needs.
PM me if you're interested. |
Aschem
| | Posted on Friday, December 23, 2011 - 11:53 am: |
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You can try Helimot in San Jose, CA. Custom made suits and gloves. https://shop.helimot.com
I have used them for my gloves and the gloves are great. I have been to Johnson Leathers and they have some good gear too.
(Message edited by aschem on December 23, 2011) |
Nm5150
| | Posted on Friday, December 23, 2011 - 11:54 am: |
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If you are around NW Arkansas and need repairs I highly recommend SpeedSport Leather Works.I dropped off my leathers after my crash in PA and she replaced a zipper,went through the suit and fixed any seems,fixed where the liner was coming apart and stitched on two small patches and a big Pegesus on the back for $175.00.Turn around time was less than a week. |
46champ
| | Posted on Friday, December 23, 2011 - 12:45 pm: |
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Langlitz might have an oddball web site, but when I needed a new zipper I rode by the shop just to find out how long and when. They did the side that was bad for $25 as I waited and no I didn't pester them I was genuinely surprised at the service. |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 10:46 am: |
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I've long been a fan of Gerbing heated gear. Not sure how I missed this news the first time around, but I just discovered the Gerbing has moved its manufacturing facility from China back to the United States, to Stoneville, North Carolina, to be precise.
This is great news, and good on Gerbing - it'll be great to see "Made in USA" on their products again. 
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STONEVILLE, NC, April 21, 2011 — A company is moving production from China to Rockingham County, creating at least 150 jobs over the next two years.
Gerbing's Heated Clothing announced Thursday it will move into the old Stoneville Furniture Factory that had sat vacant for eight years.
The company makes wire-heated clothing apparel like jackets and gloves Harley-Davidson and other companies. Their products have been favorites of motorcyclists for years.
"I came here, walked through the building with my COO, and there was something here that just grabbed me and said, 'This is the place.' I don't know how to explain that," said Gordon Gerbing, company owner.
"It's the most exciting thing that's happened in Stoneville since I've been mayor," said Rex Tuggle, who has led the town for 18 years.
Tuggle calls it exciting because the town of just more than 1,000 has an unemployment rate of roughly 14 percent.
"It's hard, it's real hard. The economy's not good. I've been in Stoneville all my life, and I'm really excited about seeing some growth," said Pam Craddock, resident.
While Thursday's announcement took place in one warehouse in a larger complex, Gerbing said he wants his company to be in all of them.
"I told the state 158 jobs in four years, but you can throw that out the window. My goal is to create 300 jobs in two years," Gerbing said.
The jobs will pay between $10 and $14 an hour, plus benefits.
The company will begin the interview process in a couple of weeks, and production is slated to begin in June. To apply, go to the Employment Security Commission office in Wentworth.
Owner said he is leaving China because manufacturing costs have climbed and the workforce there can't be counted on to meet distribution deadlines. Gerbing founded the company in 1976 just south of Seattle.
[Source link, including video: http://www.myfox8.com/news/wghp-story-jobs-stonevi lle-110421,0,4062173.story ] |
Dynasport
| | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 11:40 am: |
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I have a Fox Creek Leather jacket I bought eight years ago. The quality is superb. Mine is vented, but still rarely gets worn unless the temps are a bit cooler as it is heavy, thick, and a bit warm. I honestly think this jacket can last me a lifetime. I get a lot of compliments on it and people are always surprised at how heavy and thick the leather is. It does cost more than the cheap Chinese made jackets, but the difference in quality is obvious. |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 12:23 pm: |
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Dynasport -
Fox Creek Leather is not far from me, in Independence, Virginia.
I stopped by their store one time, and when you walk in the smell of leather is nearly overwhelming (in a good way). I lusted over several of their jackets, and the quality appeared to be superb.
My New Year's resolution is to lose 50 pounds by this coming Christmas.
If I do, my reward will be a new Fox Creek Leather leather jacket. 
Best,
Ferris
http://www.foxcreekleather.com/ |
Fahren
| | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 01:55 pm: |
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Yeah, I love the looks on people's faces when I hand them my Fox Creek Grayson Jacket and the weight makes them just about drop it LOL!
Great jacket, nice liner, good venting, superb leather. The little fleece neck warmer is a nice extra feature. I also have a pair of their leather overpants - basically cut like leather jeans, but the front and back parts zip apart completely to be easy to wear.
I wish they would take their sportsbike jacket and expand that line into a matching pair of pants with protection, puck velcro, etc., to make a great 2-piece racing suit. Right now, they are catering to their main market, which is the cruiser crowd (chaps, vests, etc). |
Dynasport
| | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 05:16 pm: |
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Good plan Ferris, I need to lose about 30 pounds myself. Maybe I can come up with some incentive that will work for me. |
Steeleagle
| | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 06:32 pm: |
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Minor threadjack, but...Weight loss: I'm in for at least 20! ...So I can fit into what I have! Competition, anybody? New thread as an incentive for new threads? |
86129squids
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 03, 2012 - 03:34 pm: |
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Steel: It's been a while, but there once was a VERY active thread concerning making oneself "smaller"- you might as well, given the time of year... |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 03, 2012 - 03:53 pm: |
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Z Custom IS made here. I went TO their facility and was measured by the staff who were going to actually make my leathers.
http://www.zcustom.com/ |
Sdecp
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 03, 2012 - 04:23 pm: |
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New York City made motorcycle leathers.
http://www.schottnyc.com |
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