The modern belstaff - who??

[Disastrous]

Can’t help but feel Belstaff don’t really make bike gear any more and that it’s more fashion stuff, since they got sold to Italy.

I’ve got a Trialmaster but honestly, my Barbour jacket is thicker and I wouldn’t want to come off wearing it.

I recently picked up a Richa Scrambler which looks the part and is also proper waterproof etc but it’s pretty cheap and I doubt built to last.

So my question is, what is the modern Belstaff?

What does one buy to ride one’s Bonnie about the place? Vintage looks, premium made, waterproof and protective on a crash. Does such a thing exist?

There must be somewhere between grimly ugly Dainese leathers and hipster stuff that disintegrates on contact with the road?

Basically, who makes the modern Belstaff?

[Salted_Peanut]

How about Scott Leathers’ Retro Jacket or Easy Rider Jacket? And if you can afford it, Hideout’s Cafe Cruiser and Hawk jackets are stunning when you see them in the leather.

Hideout and Scott Leathers are considerably higher quality – built to last decades, and I’d trust them impeccably in a crash – compared to Dainese, etc.

[cannedheat]

Disastrous said:

Can’t help but feel Belstaff don’t really make bike gear any more and that it’s more fashion stuff, since they got sold to Italy.

Belstaff are owned by Ineos, no? Or has that changed again? Not sure on their CE ratings but their leather jackets feel very substantial if a little pricey!

[Disastrous]

cannedheat said:

Disastrous said:

Can’t help but feel Belstaff don’t really make bike gear any more and that it’s more fashion stuff, since they got sold to Italy.

Belstaff are owned by Ineos, no? Or has that changed again? Not sure on their CE ratings but their leather jackets feel very substantial if a little pricey!

You’re quite right! Sold back to the UK in 2017 apparently!

So I’m clearly going back a bit but mine dates from shortly before the sale to Italy and like I say, wouldn’t want to come off even at low speed in it. Very much a fashion item.

[Disastrous]

Salted_Peanut said:

How about Scott Leathers’ Retro Jacket or Easy Rider Jacket? And if you can afford it, Hideout’s Cafe Cruiser and Hawk jackets are stunning when you see them in the leather.

Hideout and Scott Leathers are considerably higher quality – built to last decades, and I’d trust them impeccably in a crash – compared to Dainese, etc.

Great kit no doubt, but I think they look quite ‘bokeh’ still, somehow?

Hard to describe but my ideal is probably something between a Trialmaster and a Brooklands…sort of wax cottony but sort of decent in a tumble, looks smart off the bike etc.

Tbf, the Richa Scrambler does the job but it’s just one line item in a huge range. I suppose I’m looking for that elusive British company that just makes THE jacket and not much else.

[Rhun91]

This is an easy one. Merlin make fantastic gear in that style which ticks all your boxes and offer great value. Worth a look.

[stang65]

Disastrous said:

I recently picked up a Richa Scrambler which looks the part and is also proper waterproof etc but it’s pretty cheap and I doubt built to last.

What makes you say that? I've had Richa kit for years and their stuff has never been expensive. My current touring textile jacket is getting on for 20 years old. Are you saying it has cheap quality, or basing it's expected life purely on price? Genuinely interest as I haven't bought any bike gear for while so haven't seen if their standards have dropped.

[Google [bot]]

I’ve had an RST TT for a few years and can’t fault it.

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...

[Disastrous]

stang65 said:

Disastrous said:

I recently picked up a Richa Scrambler which looks the part and is also proper waterproof etc but it’s pretty cheap and I doubt built to last.

What makes you say that? I've had Richa kit for years and their stuff has never been expensive. My current touring textile jacket is getting on for 20 years old. Are you saying it has cheap quality, or basing it's expected life purely on price? Genuinely interest as I haven't bought any bike gear for while so haven't seen if their standards have dropped.

I’ve only got it recently so can’t really comment but it was very cheap, and I managed to tear the pile liber. first time out (which I get isn’t quite the same as the main kacket).

Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to be pleasantly surprised by it, bit I feel that given the price difference it just can’t be near as good as my Dainese leather.

[Disastrous]

Rhun91 said:

This is an easy one. Merlin make fantastic gear in that style which ticks all your boxes and offer great value. Worth a look.

These look good!

[ph9]

Aerostich (in America) make some waxed cotton jackets and trousers - the "Falstaff" and "Cousin Jeremy" ranges.

[PT1984]

Google [bot] said:

I’ve had an RST TT for a few years and can’t fault it.

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...

I have been looking at these. How warm are they for this time of year?

[Google [bot]]

PT1984 said:

Google [bot] said:

I’ve had an RST TT for a few years and can’t fault it.

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...

I have been looking at these. How warm are they for this time of year?

With the lining in very warm. However, note I’m in Australia, but it’s coped very well with the coldest of winter mornings, when it might get down to 3 or 4C midwinter, for a 30km commute.

[PT1984]

That’s great cheers.

[bogie]

Merlin clearance sale at Sportsbike shop

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...

[lukeyman]

I've got an unworn XXL Merlin Anson in Navy sat in my kit cupboard! I realised I don't like the feel of wax jackets and now it's too big anyway!

[SamG40]

I tried a few Merlin jackets on and found the same as a few others that the jacket fit was really tight across the chest. It was really annoying as I loved the jacket but for it to fit everywhere else it felt like it was squeezing me across the chest and was uncomfortable even just wearing it for five minutes in the house. If you don't have that issue they looked to be really well made for the money.

[Salted_Peanut]

I reckon you have to accept a trade-off: a cottony wax jacket is never going to be brilliant in a tumble. A cottony wax textile won’t resist a slide on Shellgrip for long!

While Richa makes decent gear, the Scrambler jacket is only A-rated (i.e. crap abrasion resistance). But it might be a trade-off you’re happy with.

Disastrous said:

I feel that given the price difference it just can’t be near as good as my Dainese leather.

The devil is in the detail with Dainese: leathers made from DSkin 2.0 have good abrasion resistance. However, clothing made from Tutu leather offers poor protection (despite an often high price).

It’s worth a nosy at the Motocap test results

[PT1984]

Just ordered the RST 3/4 wax jacket from SBS for £115. Bargain.

[MikeA3]

OP - someone’s already mentioned Merlin earlier in the thread, sportsbikeshop are currently doing a clearance on their gear so might be worth looking into as they seem to be very good value for money and fit your requirements.