NJD - New Jacket Day - Buy once, cry once

[SteveM]

I'm not sure if I ever posted about this, but last summer I had been out on a ride in Maine and when I got back to Bridgton, I threw my Vanson Avenger jacket over the passenger side rail of my Ridgeline.

2 hours later, I hopped in the truck to go to dinner and it flew off along the way.

Stupid, certainly, but what's worse is the sentimental value. It was 25 years old, so old that when I bought it, they were still located in Stoughton, MA. It had accompanied me faithfully on most of my miles since 1998.

I threw up a few posts to local pages and a woman recalls seeing it, but did not stop. someone did, and it's been there's theirs ever since...

I replaced it with a Rev'It textile jacket, but it wasn't the same.

Eagerly anticipating the arrival of my 2025 Triumph Thruxton FE sometime this spring, and being in the Fall River area last Wednesday, I popped into the shop. The Avenger is gone, a custom item if I want to wait. But I did walk out with a brand new Manx jacket. It's not armored, but it fits perfectly and just instantly feels "right."



The quality is very much the same. If my ever more addled brain doesn't lose it, it will outlast me.

[TIMMYDUCK]

Sorry for your loss of the old one .

But , new things are great also .

I dream of a Vanson someday.

[SRTie4k]

I don't think I'd ever ride a motorcycle without armor, especially on pavement. Keeping your skin together is great and all, but at the expense of a broken shoulder or forearm?

[SteveM]

I don't think I'd ever ride a motorcycle without armor, especially on pavement. Keeping your skin together is great and all, but at the expense of a broken shoulder or forearm?

I get it. I do have another, armored fully-perf Vanson for warmer weather.

[Point37]

i believe i have the same jacket as your new one...been through 1 lowside and still fine

[typeone]

"I threw up a few posts to local pages and a woman recalls seeing it, but did not stop. someone did, and it's been there's ever since..."

wait, what does this mean? the jacket was still on the side of road?

can't beat a Vanson. i sold my beloved EXO last season due to no use but it hurt.

[SteveM]

"I threw up a few posts to local pages and a woman recalls seeing it, but did not stop. someone did, and it's been there's ever since..."

wait, what does this mean? the jacket was still on the side of road?

can't beat a Vanson. i sold my beloved EXO last season due to no use but it hurt.

Yes, it apparently fell off when I turned right from Mountain road onto 302 east.

When I noticed it was missing the next morning, I walked a mile in bothe directions, but it was not there. Someone definitely picked it up.

Finders Keepers. But I’ll bet it wasn’t a rider.


It would be interesting to wander into somewhere up there and see someone wearing it.

[loudbeard]

Finders Keepers. But I’ll bet it wasn’t a rider.

Funny side note. There’s an odd duck who rents the in-law apartment at my wife’s aunt and uncle’s house, he doesn’t ride. I’m there all the time because I rent their shop for wrenching and home office space. A few months ago he comes outside with a leather Harley Davidson jacket and a terribly concerned look on his face. He tells me a story of how someone gave it to him, and he wanted to keep it “because he knew it was expensive,” but he was clearly feeling conflicted about the cut.

I had to explain to him and reassure him numerous times that this was not a women’s coat, motorcycle jackets are just cut at or slightly above the waist because you’re supposed to sit when you wear them. This went round and round for a bit, we ended the conversation with him still not quite sure and me not wanting to spend any further energy explaining it.

Still haven’t seen him wear it, but due to the Portuguese gene I’m sure he won’t get rid of it.

[OreoGaborio]

there's theirs ever since...

Hope you don't mind my edit. I try to use my mod powers for good and not evil

[Stoneman]

I have one of their newer versions of the Avenger. I bought it off a member here when I bought my Street Glide. New bike, new jacket right? Turns out it's not very comfortable on a cruiser/bagger - it's just not made for that riding position. Very much like the Avenger with the fold down panels that expose perfed leather. Standard Vanson armor, reflective piping. I believe it's a size 46. I'd like to get $300 for it if you're interested. I can send pics...

[obsolete]

but due to the Portuguese gene I’m sure he won’t get rid of it.

I'm sure he'll yell about it though and then add some white columns and other gaudy fixtures.