Passes & Canyons Blog

What do you call it when you get something that you feel would be a good value at twice the price you actually pay for it? I’d call that a heck of a deal.

That’s what I would call this VikingCycle Warrior leather motorcycle jacket I’ve been wearing lately. Checking out the website, this thing is for sale–that’s for sale, not on sale–for just $74.99. I don’t know how they do it.

Knowing that this was a low-priced jacket I was prepared for it to be something less than wonderful. When I pulled it out of the packing box I was immediately surprised with how soft and supple the leather is. “Made of Premium Top Grade Leather” the website says. “Very nice,” I say.

As for features, let’s start at the top and work down. There is no outer collar, as you can see from the photo. It zips all the up and then snaps at the neck. That’s a plus for me in that when I wear my favorite helmet these days it has a tendency to snag the strap on the collar of my old leather jacket as I’m turning my head to see what’s behind me. That doesn’t happen with this jacket.

Up in the chest area in front there are two zip-up vents that can be opened to permit air flow when it’s hot. Corresponding vents are positioned down low in back.

The shoulders have reinforcing, as do the elbows, though neither has armor in them. As you would expect, there are zip-up pockets on both sides in front. All the zippers have good-sized leather tabs that help you get an easy hold of them.

There’s no belt but there are leather thongs to snug down and tighten up the waist in back. And like any good motorcycle jacket, there is a bit of a tail in back that comes down lower than in front, and this one has padding built into it.

On the inside, you’ve got a quilted, zip-out liner. The liner is sleeveless–a vest–and besides the zipper has only one button on either side to hold it in place. Having sleeves would obviously make it warmer but not having sleeves makes it a lot less hassle to get it in or out. Under the liner there is mesh, which is also what you find on the inside of the four vents.

There are inside pockets with snaps on both sides. So four pockets altogether. You can never have too many pockets.

So those are the particulars; what can I tell you about it based on my experience?

First off, I would have to agree with a comment on the website where the guy said, “Don’t size up! It’ll fit true to size.” I’m kind of on the cusp between the small and medium and I figured that if I went with the small there might not be room inside to layer up for winter riding. The trade-off that came with going with the medium is that the sleeves are little longer than I would like, with the elbow pads almost not covering my elbows. I’m thinking it might make sense to think of this as a three-season jacket and just not wear it in the winter. That way I could easily go with a small and it would probably be a bit of a better fit. Not that the medium is a terrible fit, but that’s one weakness of ordering stuff online–you can’t try it on before buying. And then returning and exchanging is enough of a hassle that if it fits well enough you’re disinclined to try for the perfect fit, never knowing whether the next size smaller might be too small. Bottom line is, as the guy said, don’t size up.

Riding with the jacket I found it comfortable and warm. I went out on days when I figured I would need my electric vest but with the liner in the jacket I ended up never needing the electrics. Not that I wouldn’t need the electrics on even colder days, but the jacket did a better job on its own than I expected. It was snug around my neck and waist (which is to say, it did not permit any breeze) and my gloves kept any breeze from coming up the sleeves. And because I did get the medium, there was ample room inside for numerous winter layers.

Don’t know what else there is to say. I really like this jacket; I can’t believe the price. Obviously I can’t say anything at this point about durability. If I ever go down while I’m wearing I’ll definitely tell you how it holds up and how it does protecting me. But that’s a story I hope never to tell. Right now I give it a big thumbs-up.

Here’s a video that will give you a look at the jacket.

Biker Quote for Today

Lead me not into temptation ………… just follow me, I know a short-cut.

Some guy on a forum I belong to asked the question, “What’s the most useful motorcycle gadget you have (or would like)?” I thought you might be interested in some of the replies.

Doug: TOP BOX I can’t figure out why all bikers don’t have them. OK I am talking about North Americans I learner how great they are in Europe.

Jim: Luggage net, or two. Despite the undeniable utility of a top box, I would never fit one to my bike simply because I think they look horrible. Sad but but true for me. I also appreciate that’s maybe rich coming from a Beemer R series (roadster) owner ;-) But beauty is in the eye of the beholder…

Dane: I carry around two jumper leads, (1 long and 1 short) with alligator clips on them. Roll of electrical tape, two spark plugs and a leather man. I can fix most anything on the side of the road.

Campeau: skullyhelmets.com/heads-up-display-helmet. I saw this on you tube, has GPS and rear view display built into the helmet.

Dejvis: Steering damper.

Philip: I would have liked to have seen a motorcycle aftermarket products company produce an all-in-one handlebar mounted “info-tainment” system that included GPS, Satellite Radio capability, AM-FM Weather Band, music file storage, and cell phone using inside the helmet headphones that could be directly connected or via Bluetooth. This idea, however, is now being replaced by iPhones and similar all-in-one cell phones.

Christiaan: The best thing I ever got was a heated vest.

Ian: I like the odometer. It tells you when you need fuel and it gives you something to do as you tour down the highway.

Carl: Sometimes simple is spectacular. I have this hand crank / wind-up flashlight included in my tool pouch that has relentlessly brought light into very dark situations . . . no batteries needed . . .

AMC: Have to admit after 43 years of riding, the most important item after a long day on the road is a good backseater to massage the kinks outs.

Randall: Contigo coffee cup full of hot, black java in the holder on the handlebars. Keeps coffee hot for an hour or more in cool weather. Wife purchased for me at Costco. Smiling and riding.

Charlie: Sena intercom system. Being able to talk to my passenger makes the ride so much more enjoyable.

Gary: I haven’t tried it….but I understand that those leather fringe tassel doo-dads flapping off the clutch & brake levers are very useful.

Patricia: Without a doubt my trans pass, now I can fly through the tolls, :)

Maja: ROTOBOX carbon fiber wheels for sure!! ;)

Preston: Heated grips!! Especially this season.

Mark: Magnetic tank bag, handy thing to have.
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So there’s what a few people like. It wasn’t my plan but as I was putting this together it occurred to me that this could help with your Christmas list, or whatever other gift-giving you do. Or you could point someone looking for a gift for you to this post.

Recent from National Motorcycle Examiner
Only a biker knows . . .: Motorcycle wit and wisdom, #29

Biker Quote for Today

Riding the Tail of the Gator — 11 Curves in 318 miles (Florida)

I certainly hope these are not the only December rides I get in, but I did ride all three bikes Sunday. I make it a point to ride each bike at least once every calendar month and December 2013 is taken care of.

Of course, sticking strictly to that mandate, I could now go 60 full days without riding and as long as I get out on January 31 I’m good. Please, please don’t let that happen. But they’re predicting snow for later this week, with the Saturday high climbing (from Thursday and Friday) to 20 degrees. And perhaps more pertinently, it’s supposed to snow. So no, I won’t be getting out on any bike next weekend.

And then you never know what’s going to happen after that.

For years there has been at least one ride that I would try my best to make late in December, and that’s the ABATE Last Brass Monkey Run. This year, though, I guess that’s out of the question. Initially this event was held every year on December 31. Then, at some point, they decided to switch it to the last weekend in December, presumably because a lot of people can’t get away to do a ride on a weekday.

But now they’ve gone back to the old way, i.e., it’s once again on December 31, regardless of the day of the week. Well, I’m sorry, but I have a job and I’m going to work that day. It’s a Tuesday. I’m curious about the discussion that led up to this decision. Yeah, the purist in me likes the idea of doing a ride the last day of the year, but the realist in me says there are a ton of people who would like to go but won’t be able to.

Then next year the 31st is on Wednesday, and in 2015 it is on Thursday. Finally in 2016 the 31st comes on a Saturday.

So no, I won’t be planning on another December ride on December 31. But there are three other weekends after this one upcoming. All I ask is clear streets; I can take the cold. Come on Mother Nature.

Recent from National Motorcycle Examiner
Only a biker knows . . .: Motorcycle wit and wisdom, #29

Biker Quote for Today

It’s important to own a great adventure bike, and leave it in the garage because there’s no time to adventure.