General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Jacket vs. Vest

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 01:21 PM
  #1  
Vikingur's Avatar
Vikingur
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: PNW
Default Jacket vs. Vest

Hey, everybody. I am in the market for a new leather jacket & a new vest. Somewhat budget constrained, I am looking for everybody's opinion whether or not to buy a nicer jacket and skimp on the vest, or buy a nice vest and not necessarily a top-of-the-line jacket.

I will wear the vest every time I ride, and admittedly, I do not wear a jacket nearly as much as I should, usually only on super cold days. I currently live in lower AL (LA), so I ride all year, and I'm from Minnesota, so I don't think you need a jacket on lots of days when everyone else does.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance...
 
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 01:30 PM
  #2  
Gazzalodi's Avatar
Gazzalodi
Road Master
Veteran: Air Force
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 953
Likes: 98
From: was Vegas now CT
Default

Get the good jacket, cause when you need it, you NEED it. The vest sounds more like a 'nice to have' for you. Course if the vest is going to hold club patches then it's a different story.
 
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 01:31 PM
  #3  
CWDoc115's Avatar
CWDoc115
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
Default

With budget in mind, since it's winter, buy the jacket now.
Buy the vest in the spring.
 
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 01:34 PM
  #4  
rooti's Avatar
rooti
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
Default

buy the jacket. I got mine at jamminleather.com for 95 bucks and would put it up against any harley jacket for 500 bucks
 
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 01:39 PM
  #5  
Ganooch's Avatar
Ganooch
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 21
From: McKinney, TX
Default

There are ways to get quality in both. What is your budget? Also, check out my thread that was on this section earlier this week. A lot of good information regarding vests. Well, a lot of side conversation too that is pretty funny to read. Are you a member of the CVMA?
 
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 01:41 PM
  #6  
DannyZ71's Avatar
DannyZ71
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Default

My $99.00 Allstate jacket is heavy, sturdy, and warm. I see no reason to spend more, unless it's just not your style (old style biker). And a leather vest can be had equally cheap. If it's just for decoration (for patches), just make sure it's nothing fancy and has plenty of flat panels.

Decent chaps, jacket, and vest can be had for around $200.00.
 
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 01:51 PM
  #7  
Zig Zag 2010's Avatar
Zig Zag 2010
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 3
From: Corporate States of America
Default

-----------
 

Last edited by Zig Zag 2010; Nov 21, 2011 at 02:42 PM.
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 01:54 PM
  #8  
Vikingur's Avatar
Vikingur
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: PNW
Default

Originally Posted by L0W R1D3R
There are ways to get quality in both. What is your budget? Also, check out my thread that was on this section earlier this week. A lot of good information regarding vests. Well, a lot of side conversation too that is pretty funny to read. Are you a member of the CVMA?

I saw the vest thread - good stuff. I'd like to keep both comfortably under the $400-500 range total. Still trying to get stuff that will last a while...

CVMA 28-3. What chapter you in?
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 01:55 PM
  #9  
TI06's Avatar
TI06
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 778
Likes: 10
From: Windsor Ontario
Default

For me jacket is a must have, doesn't have to be HD's finest most expensive or even HD. Living in the south you probably don't need it for 8 or 9 months of the year but eventually you'll need one if you ride all year long. Sounds like you'll get more use out of a vest though. Now that winter is almost here you might think about getting that jacket now. Check out e-bay, forum classifieds, craigslist etc., maybe get one used in good condition.
 
Old Nov 18, 2011 | 02:00 PM
  #10  
Ganooch's Avatar
Ganooch
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 21
From: McKinney, TX
Default

Originally Posted by Vikingur
I saw the vest thread - good stuff. I'd like to keep both comfortably under the $400-500 range total. Still trying to get stuff that will last a while...

CVMA 28-3. What chapter you in?
23-1 North Texas. I suggest checking out a Wilson leather outlet store. The one where I found my vest was doing 70% off everything last weekend. Their leather is thick and heavy too. Got a vest for me and a leather jacket for the old lady for just over $230. Both seem to be high quality, but you can't tell until you ride in them for a while. Either way, if I have to replace them in 2 years, I will feel that I got my money out of them.
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:29 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE