HD Gear the best value, or just to impress?
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 430
Likes: 2
From: ChiTown burbs
I've got some stuff thats hd and some that not. I got a fleece jacket that was half off (in cali) still $90+ here in the chi. I thought it was going to be a good riding jacket for light weather but the dam sleeves keep pulling up in the wind. you think that hd would put some kind of elastic in the cuff after all its advertised as a riders windproof jacket.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,499
Likes: 25
From: Mesquite,Nevada
I have a harley jacket I bought. It was a dicontinued jacket going for 575 dollars on sale at 225 at the harley dealer. The leather is heavy and I got it one size bigger to layer up under it. So for that price ill wear it and not feel like a tool.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
I've found you can usually spot the newbies easily 'cause they wear everything Harley and it's usually brand new and shiny. Don't have a problem with newbies, was a newbie once myself and ya got to start somewhere.
I do remember wishing my new stuff wasn't quite so shiny so I could melt in a little better.
I don't buy any more HD t-shirts or even rally shirts. Had so many that at one time I started using them for shop rags. Got the collection whittled down pretty good now and only keep gear (HD or other) that has some character, works well, or brings back a great memory.
I do remember wishing my new stuff wasn't quite so shiny so I could melt in a little better.
I don't buy any more HD t-shirts or even rally shirts. Had so many that at one time I started using them for shop rags. Got the collection whittled down pretty good now and only keep gear (HD or other) that has some character, works well, or brings back a great memory.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Reality TV
IMO, todays Harley leather is of poor quality and not worth the money. There are allot of leather workers out there that make a far better product for less money. I have all my chaps made by cowboy saddle makers. They use real chap leather and not glove leather. You can have a pair of custom made to fit chaps made at a saddle shop for around 200.00 compared to Willie G costing upwards of 3,4 & 5 hundred dollars.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,106
Likes: 51,387
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
IMO, todays Harley leather is of poor quality and not worth the money. There are allot of leather workers out there that make a far better product for less money. I have all my chaps made by cowboy saddle makers. They use real chap leather and not glove leather. You can have a pair of custom made to fit chaps made at a saddle shop for around 200.00 compared to Willie G costing upwards of 3,4 & 5 hundred dollars.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 979
Likes: 351
From: Wisconsin
I've been wearing HD steel toed boots for about 15 years (not the same pair...), long before I had a motorcycle. They aren't very expensive and last forever.
Also have a rainsuit from HD, was told they're worth the money so I went that route.
Other than a collection of shirts I've accumulated over the years that's all the HD apparel I have.
Also have a rainsuit from HD, was told they're worth the money so I went that route.
Other than a collection of shirts I've accumulated over the years that's all the HD apparel I have.
Aside from a few Dealer T Shirts, I've got one Harley Leather Jacket... The Wille G (reflective Skull & Piping) Logo... since I ride at night a lot. Got 20% off when I bought my bike. Excellent Quality and have gotten several compliments..... probably look like a tool with this big reflective skull on my back at night, but I can certainly be seen 
Last edited by JonV; Feb 16, 2012 at 11:39 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Peterborough, Canada
I bought a non Harley leather jacket at first to save a few bucks, real heavy leather, so I thought it would last, wrong, the thing faded to grey and the zippers wore out in a year. So I did end up with getting a genuine Harely leather jacket with the logo in black like the jacket so I don't stand out like a HARLEY GUY, not that there's anything wrong with that.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 932
Likes: 0
Current generation HD gear is, in my opinion, overpriced to say the least. For the level or protection it gives you, you could spend far less - or for the price, you could have far better gear.
Little to no armor or padding in the jackets - and thin soft leather? Chaps instead of actual pants? Rain gear that is basically a trashbag with arms? (except for the stuff Frog Toggs makes for them) Their helmets are HJC or Fulmer as a rule - not the worst brands out there but hardly Shoei, Arai or Schuberth.
The FXRG stuff is pretty decent if you can get it on clearance or at a heavy discount. $500+ for a textile non-waterproof jacket is more than a lot steep.
Little to no armor or padding in the jackets - and thin soft leather? Chaps instead of actual pants? Rain gear that is basically a trashbag with arms? (except for the stuff Frog Toggs makes for them) Their helmets are HJC or Fulmer as a rule - not the worst brands out there but hardly Shoei, Arai or Schuberth.
The FXRG stuff is pretty decent if you can get it on clearance or at a heavy discount. $500+ for a textile non-waterproof jacket is more than a lot steep.