Riding jacket?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 899
Likes: 542
From: Central NY
I just bought this a few weeks ago after my buddies dog chewed up my collar on my old jacket and I like it:. I also have a Milwaukee leather mesh plain black jacket that I wear when it's really hot.
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10,298
Likes: 7,779
From: West Central FL
I cant seem to find a jacket that I like. I have a jacket from back of my sport bike days. That is fantastic, but it doesnt fit well while Im on my road glide. It is a ventilated leather jacket from Vanson. I have a Harley leather jacket that a friend of mine gave me, but the sleeves are just a bit narrow and a bunch up on the inner part of my elbow and just creates a pressure point that I dont like plus its not cut great for me because the torso is snug, but the shoulders are quite loose. Back in the day I had a miss jacket that fit fantastic but it said Honda on it so I gave it away with the sale of my sport bike. So Im looking for options for either mesh or textile that work for me. What do you guys tend to ride with? Let me know. and I dont know why I would prefer not to have Harley plastered all over the back of the jacket otherwise I would just go find one at the dealership.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,901
Likes: 1,032
From: Southern Virginia
OP I will say for summer riding Harley has some good deals. I was up in Lynchburg in the spring and they had just put up some mesh jackets that fit me. After adding the ghost armor pads I think the cost out the door was about $200. It is light and folds up well. I have other heavier jackets for cold weather riding. I think for me two or three jackets for varying weather work better than trying to use one year round. It just gets too hot around here to wear anything in the summer that could be used in the winter with added layers.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4,503
Likes: 3,899
From: Florida
Riding apparel is tricky because all of us are built slightly different. And what works perfectly for one guy is a disaster for the next. There’s also a very large variety of aesthetics. Not everybody likes the same thing.
i’m just shy of 6 foot five, and I weigh about 250 now. (Yeah I know I gained a good 20 pounds back.) when I shot archery, I had to have custom arrows made that were longer cause my arms are long. I have a 37 inch inseam.
for me, my good fortune is the Harley Davidson coats. The XL tall is an absolute winner for me. It fits perfectly like somebody tailored it. And because I’m cheap lol I buy in good condition off of eBay and have a plethora of coats now that I really like. I have three mesh coats, and about four or five leather coats.
The 2XL does have long enough sleeves for me but it’s kind of big around the waist and at the top of the shoulders and in the arms. But the XL tall is perfect. Maybe give Harley Davidson a try since they make tall versions, and very few Jacket manufactures do that. Now you’re probably thinking to yourself, but I’m not tall, but when Jacket manufactures make sizes, they try and make one size fits all, so if the company you buy a jacket from does not offer tall they have to take that into account. And that means that their normal non-tall jackets have to be or run a little tall to capture more people. So it’s likly Harleys multiple sizes means there is a size perfect for you.
i’m just shy of 6 foot five, and I weigh about 250 now. (Yeah I know I gained a good 20 pounds back.) when I shot archery, I had to have custom arrows made that were longer cause my arms are long. I have a 37 inch inseam.
for me, my good fortune is the Harley Davidson coats. The XL tall is an absolute winner for me. It fits perfectly like somebody tailored it. And because I’m cheap lol I buy in good condition off of eBay and have a plethora of coats now that I really like. I have three mesh coats, and about four or five leather coats.
The 2XL does have long enough sleeves for me but it’s kind of big around the waist and at the top of the shoulders and in the arms. But the XL tall is perfect. Maybe give Harley Davidson a try since they make tall versions, and very few Jacket manufactures do that. Now you’re probably thinking to yourself, but I’m not tall, but when Jacket manufactures make sizes, they try and make one size fits all, so if the company you buy a jacket from does not offer tall they have to take that into account. And that means that their normal non-tall jackets have to be or run a little tall to capture more people. So it’s likly Harleys multiple sizes means there is a size perfect for you.
Last edited by Rains2much; Jul 8, 2025 at 03:08 PM.
I can recommend Harley Zephyr 1 (now there's v2, but it somehow looks shifter).
https://www.harley-davidson.com/gb/e...r/p/98130-22EM
It's a good overal riding jacket, it has some internal rain sock but I combine it with overlay also HD rain jacket for heavy rain.
When cold, I use heated vest (real cold) or just layers (like a hoodie or so).
Nothing like BMW wear when it comes to quality and materials, but can't say a bad word about it. If you happen to find BMW Summer / Airvent (the one with a material that reflects sun rays) - in your size - go for it.
Otherwise that Zephyr 1 is a good all-rounder. I rode in quite hot temps with it (39C) and it's okay with just a t-shirt or + cooling vest. In cold performance I wrote above.
Cheers 👍
https://www.harley-davidson.com/gb/e...r/p/98130-22EM
It's a good overal riding jacket, it has some internal rain sock but I combine it with overlay also HD rain jacket for heavy rain.
When cold, I use heated vest (real cold) or just layers (like a hoodie or so).
Nothing like BMW wear when it comes to quality and materials, but can't say a bad word about it. If you happen to find BMW Summer / Airvent (the one with a material that reflects sun rays) - in your size - go for it.
Otherwise that Zephyr 1 is a good all-rounder. I rode in quite hot temps with it (39C) and it's okay with just a t-shirt or + cooling vest. In cold performance I wrote above.
Cheers 👍
Above - I meant this jacket - BMW Airflow - if you can get it I your size and in that light color - I highly recommend it. Note the newer version has changed, the old one with big mesh panels is the one.
You can remove BMW patches and put some nice HD patches on it
It's made of a material that reflects sun. I know they all say it, but this one really works. All BMW riding community guys will tell you that I never had it in my size, instead rode in Airshell (similar but not with this reclective material).
I knew guys going to Croatia in the summer (40C+) and they could make it in these jackets (and pants). I'm talking people who ride 20+ kkm yearly, so not rookies for sure.
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/...0u_WmmTGjmq4dJ
You can remove BMW patches and put some nice HD patches on it
It's made of a material that reflects sun. I know they all say it, but this one really works. All BMW riding community guys will tell you that
I never had it in my size, instead rode in Airshell (similar but not with this reclective material).I knew guys going to Croatia in the summer (40C+) and they could make it in these jackets (and pants). I'm talking people who ride 20+ kkm yearly, so not rookies for sure.
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/...0u_WmmTGjmq4dJ
Last edited by pnepost; Jul 8, 2025 at 03:38 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,645
Likes: 8,461
From: Inland NW
Jackets are in the category of boots, bars, and seats. There are so many available, and nobody can agree on them 
It is the one area I break my golden rule, and I actually go with the Harley brand. There are a few subtly branded jackets that I have really loved, and it has been an expensive road getting to those few.
I have the waterproof fleece hoody for not-so cold days, and the new Junction Jacket jacket to replace my now worn-out FXRG textile jacket. The FXRG was awesome, but now leaks at the seams when it rains.
Of course, the Junction is now on sale (off season) for a smokin' deal that I never got! https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...s&gad_source=7
It is the one area I break my golden rule, and I actually go with the Harley brand. There are a few subtly branded jackets that I have really loved, and it has been an expensive road getting to those few.
I have the waterproof fleece hoody for not-so cold days, and the new Junction Jacket jacket to replace my now worn-out FXRG textile jacket. The FXRG was awesome, but now leaks at the seams when it rains.
Of course, the Junction is now on sale (off season) for a smokin' deal that I never got! https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...s&gad_source=7
Last edited by NorthWestern; Jul 8, 2025 at 08:34 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,483
Likes: 632
From: NorCal Rocklin
Depends on the weather. I have a scorpion mesh jacket for the summer, a Klim Badlands for 3 season touring. Dainese leather for the fall.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,630
Likes: 3,776
From: backwoods
Jackets are in the category of boots, bars, and seats. There are so many available, and nobody can agree on them
It is the one area I break my golden rule, and I actually go with the Harley brand. There are a few subtly branded jackets that I have really loved, and it has been an expensive road getting to those few.
I=7
It is the one area I break my golden rule, and I actually go with the Harley brand. There are a few subtly branded jackets that I have really loved, and it has been an expensive road getting to those few.
I=7
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,042
Likes: 1,532
From: Bunola pa
Agree with the first, which has me disagreeing with the second point. For leather I want American made. I got with foxcreek, wait for a sale. Get on email list. I would also look at Hillside I can't stomach the price jump after that, and can't imagine that much better than foxcreek. But never wore a vanson or schott. I do think guys go thicker than they need to.