I received this jacket as a Christmahankwazaka gift in 2003. I know it was purchased over the internet & the delivered price was $335. I was planning on getting a Hondaline Jacket but tried one of these on at a dealer while my wife was with me. We both agreed the JR was a better jacket at a better price. At the time, this was JR's flag ship jacket. I ride year round and recommend this jacket for temps from 40f/5c to 85f/29c anything above that & you will sweat to death. Pros: I think it looks great Zippered vents for airflow on demand Vents work surprisingly well considering how small they are "Aero Hump" will help keep your head from snapping back in the event of departure from controlled flight waist adjustment gives about 3" of wiggle room collar is comfy, doesn't scratch (one of my biggest gripes with motorcycle jackets) front & cell phone pockets actually large enough to be useful adjustment on end of sleeves gives the option to put gloves over or under sleeve has zipper for attaching JR pants armor is very un-noticable you never really feel it but its there Cons: EXTREMELY stiff, this thing still hasn't broken in yet after 3 years front zipper likes to catch when pulling up vent zippers next to impossible to reach while riding same with front pocket zippers zip out liner doesn't add much warmth, in fact I never use it All in all, I would definitely not hesitate to recommend this jacket to anyone. It's just as good as most of its competition for a very attractive price. JR just updated it for 2007 & I think the new one is ugly. KC-10 FE out... lane:
Have you tried a little wax on the zipper, and the jacket where it seems to pinch the jacket in the zipper? I did that to one of my jackets and although it didn't solve the problem 100%, it did seem to help. Just a thought, jacket looks sharp BTW!!!
I just dropped almost a G on a Vanson custom jacket. Im too tall and skinny so none of these normal jackets fit (either too short in the arms but good in the chest, or good in the chest and the sleeves reach my elbows). At least I got to make my own design and the jacket will fit like a glove, but wowza thats a lot of money. Makes me wish some of these less expensive jackets fit me! And I agree, the jacket you have looks better than the new one...
The zipper itself is not the problem, it catches where the seams of two pieces of leather come together. Where ever there is a seam, they folded over the edge so that creates a lump in the material, that's where the zipper gets caught. Please post a pic of the finished product. Considering you got a custom made to you jacket, how was Vanson to work with? KC-10 FE out... lane:
