Do A-2 flight jackets make for a good riding jacket?
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 42
From: AZ
Do A-2 flight jackets make for a good riding jacket?
I have always like the A-2 style flight jackets but wonder if they work well as a riding jacket? Because they are a loose fitting jacket do the sleeves want to flap in the wind? Does the knit cuffs let wind up the sleeves? If caught in rain do the cuffs and waist band get water logged?
Does anyone here actually use an A-2 as their riding jacket?
Does anyone here actually use an A-2 as their riding jacket?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 249
No the knitted cuffs don't let air in and I haven't been caught in the rain with mine but I should think they may soak up water, and no the arms don't flap about in the wind, I generally wear mine in the winter with a sweat shirt underneath, if I'm not wearing my leather jacket, the original idea was to wear it in the summer but due to the cuffs it got to hot.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
When I was in my late 20s and always short of cash I rode a Honda CB650 and a military bomber jacket. I was too poor and too cheap to blow $200-$300 on a real M/C jacket. I was constantly cold (Northern California) and this greatly decreased my enjoyment of riding. I wish I had known how danged comfortable it is to ride in a genuine made-for-cycling motorcycling jacket. I bought a HD jacket along with my bike and I absolutely appreciate the warmth, fit and comfort of this jacket. I say ride with an actual motorcycle jacket excepting maybe on very hot days such as riding through the desert in summer.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,605
Likes: 3
From: Adirondack Mountains
I picked up a used one around 1971 as my 1st motorcycle jacket. It had already been around for a while, probably WW2 surplus. I loved it & usually wore gauntlet gloves when the weather was wet or cold. When the lining & stitching in the armpits finally became irreparable, I turned it into my riding vest, & it's more valuable now than it ever was.
Notice how snaps have replaced the zipper, & rivets reinforce most stitching.
The pockets are the best part.
The answer to your question is "yes", but they are not as good a riding jacket as Fox Creek.
Notice how snaps have replaced the zipper, & rivets reinforce most stitching.
The pockets are the best part.
The answer to your question is "yes", but they are not as good a riding jacket as Fox Creek.
Last edited by hollowpoint; Jun 28, 2014 at 07:08 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 117
From: NW Georgia
I have 2...one is a Navy style with fur collar and shearling lining I've worn for several years when it's cold in late Fall and Early Spring and an unlined A-2 that I wear in the cooler days of Spring and warmer days of Fall. I like them both and they serve the purpose...no complaints.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: UK
Have owned and used A-2 type jacket from 1992...Great jacket with knitted cuffs
can't go wrong nice warm jacket.
can't go wrong nice warm jacket.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Los Angeles
It'll work, but won't work as well as a jacket designed for riding.
A traditional collar just isn't good in the wind. Even if it snaps down, it's going to have a rise that might bug your neck a bit under the helmet.
A riding jacket will have longer sleeves for the bars, and the zipper cuffs will allow you to not only be warm, but get some air flow if you put them up. Plus, they keep the leather on your wrists in the event of a slide.
The pockets are external on an A2 if I'm not mistaken, and those will flap in the wind too.
If you have an A2 already and really like it, you might be inclined to use it on the bike. And again, it will work. But if you are trying to decide between buying one and a proper riding jacket, I'd go with a riding jacket.
A Schott Perfecto would do nicely if you're not worried about using armor. If you'd like an armored option, (another advantage of a jacket designed for riding) Vanson makes nice jackets.
A traditional collar just isn't good in the wind. Even if it snaps down, it's going to have a rise that might bug your neck a bit under the helmet.
A riding jacket will have longer sleeves for the bars, and the zipper cuffs will allow you to not only be warm, but get some air flow if you put them up. Plus, they keep the leather on your wrists in the event of a slide.
The pockets are external on an A2 if I'm not mistaken, and those will flap in the wind too.
If you have an A2 already and really like it, you might be inclined to use it on the bike. And again, it will work. But if you are trying to decide between buying one and a proper riding jacket, I'd go with a riding jacket.
A Schott Perfecto would do nicely if you're not worried about using armor. If you'd like an armored option, (another advantage of a jacket designed for riding) Vanson makes nice jackets.