Vanson Mk 2 Sport Rider Leathers Features & Options Home | Main Menu | Boot FAQ | Contact

Vanson's Competition Weight Leathers:

Vanson uses drum-dyed top grain cowhide which is manufactured in the USA. Vanson leather is chrome tanned, a process developed in the last half of the 1800's to create leather that is strong, durable, can be dyed and will hold that coloring. The leather is finished and waxed by hand.

Tanning is the process of converting the cellular structure of skin into a network of collagen fibers. How short or how long, how tangled or how straight is the determining factor in the stretch and the strength of the leather, and the density and complexity of that network is affected by the blend of materials used in the tanning. The random structure of this network has great tensile strength. This, as ancient toolmakers and armorers as well as modern motorcyclists know, makes for an unparalleled protective material. So good that man has been unable to duplicate or improve it for the purposes of the modern motorcyclist.

Once tanning is complete, the next step is drum dyeing. Vanson leather is tumbled for up to six hours with a mixture of oils, dyes and hot water in 12 by 12 foot oak drums. This method impregnates the leather with color and nourishes the skins making them stronger and more supple. After drum dyeing, the skins are polished and waxed to maximize the character of each hide.

Finally, finishing is the process where the leather receives its top coat and is made ready for cutting. Before finishing, Vanson selects only the best tanned hides, culling out skins that don't meet their standards. Then, once the skins arrive at their cutting tables, Vanson further eliminates any inferior skins as they start the process of building your jacket.

Some manufacturers use nude leather with a smooth buttery finish. In contrast to that, Vanson leather is somewhat stiff. It's polished and its top coat, over several underlying applications of waxes, gives it Vanson's characteristically deep finish, luster and durability over time. In the worst-case scenario, when your jacket is all that's between you and the asphalt, your Vanson jacket with its different feel and hard topcoat has been proven to perform the best!

Solar Leather

The new Solar leather is a true revolution in motorcycle safety. Vanson's Solar leather provides you with the conspicuity of specialized textile materials and the greater proven safety of leather. Solar leather has a phosphorized particle finish that is energized by ambient light and will glow for many hours. For added brightness, you can charge it with bright lights for an even more dramatic effect. The new Vanson Solar leather is further proof of our commitment to your safety.

Vanson Body Armor

Vanson's body armor is designed for use with their world class leather racing suits, the Mk2 Sports Rider Jackets and the Sport Rider Technical leather pants. Jackets and suits can accept optional internal armor at the shoulder, elbow/forearm and spine. Pants accept optional internal armor at the hips and knees and also an optional external knee puck.

The internal armor is designed to fit between the inner lining and the leather to provide an additional layer of protection between you and the road. It's held in place by large areas of Velcro™ on the leather. This allows you to fine tune the position of the armor.

Access to the Velcro™ which holds the armor in place in the jackets is through the zipper in the lining above the waistband in the back of the jacket. Access on the pants is through the unattached lining material in the fly area.

Vanson offers several classes of armor for different applications:

• "soft" Street Armor for general use
• "soft" "CE" armor which meets European safety standards
• hard Grand Prix Armor for racing
• Knee Pucks

Street Armor:    Shoulder    Elbow/Forearm   Hips   Knee/Shin

Vanson's "soft" Street Armor consists of dual density, closed-cell foam, designed to absorb impact, softening the blow should you contact the ground. This armor is infinitely adjustable for shape via Velcro™ "wings" and placement via Velcro™ fields in the impact zones. Street Armor is the most flexible and least noticeable option for added protection between you and the road.

Shoulder SA1	Elbow / Forearm SA2

Street Armor comes in several sizes... each fits a range of jacket and pant sizes. Sizing details are shown in the armor sizing matrix below and on the order form for Vanson armor.

Grand Prix Armor:    Shoulder   Elbow/Forearm   Knee/Shin

Shoulder - PR1

Elbow / Forearm - PR2

Knee / Shin - PR3

Vanson's "hard" Grand Prix Armor uses the race-bred Floating Armor System (F.A.S., Patent Pending). This system features a moveable sandwich of materials including dual density foam and formed thermoplastic shells. It's designed to absorb impact energy and disperse it over a wider area for maximum protection while allowing a wide range of movement and comfort.

Grand Prix Armor is standard equipment in Vanson's professional roadrace suits and optional for the Sports Rider Jackets and Technical leather pants. Each piece of armor is attached via a sturdy elastic harness which Velcros to the garment and allows the outer shell to move independently of your body, increasing both safety for comfort.

The Grand Prix armor for Shoulder, Elbow and Knee is "one size fits all". There is no hip armor in the Grand Prix style... use the Street Armor for hip pads.

Grand Prix Back Pad Armor:    Spine/Back

The Vanson Grand Prix back pad armor (PRO4) is designed to help protect the back and spine. It's available in multiple sizes, each of which consists of several thermoplastic scales riveted to dual density foam. The back pad attaches inside the jacket via Velcro™ tabs... one on the liner in the small of the back and the other attached to a triangular elastic panel at the back of the jacket collar.

The connection of this elastic panel and the backpad via industrial grade Velcro™ allows for solid attachment while maintaining the integrity of fit through a wide range of movement. The weight of the backpad (10 oz.) is distributed across the shoulders and away from the neckline.

The backpad comes in 3 sizes... each fits a range of jacket sizes. Sizing details are shown in the armor sizing matrix below and on the order form for Vanson armor.

CE Armor

This is a general purpose "soft" armor which meets European CE specifications. "CE" armor is made of a double layer closed cell foam which compresses on impact. This is a sacrificial armor which does not spring back after an impact and must be replaced after it has absorbed an impact.

The "CE" armor is available for the shoulder (VA2V), elbow (VA1V), knee (VA3V) and back (VA4V). The Shoulder, Elbow and Knee pads are "one size fits all".

The back pad is different from the Grand Prix back pad and does not have the hard plastic scales. The VA4V back pad is available in two sizes:
Large = 11.5" wide at top, 5.25" wide at bottom & 15.75" top to bottom.
Small = 9" wide at top, 4.25" wide at bottom & 14.5" top to bottom.

There is no hip armor in the "CE" style... use the Street Armor for hip pads.

Racing Knee Puck Armor:    Knees

The racing knee pucks are made of a white thermoplastic slider attached to a leather "spider" with Velcro™ backing. This external armor attaches to the Velcro™ which is on the knees of Sport Rider technical leather pants.

These pucks are available in Red, Blue, Black & White leather with white thermoplastic sliders. One size fits all.

Armor Installation and Adjustment:

The armor is attached with VELCRO hook and loop fasteners and is positioned between the jackets's outer leather shell and the lining. Access to this area is through a zippered opening at the lower rear waist area in the jackets, and custom suits.

The positioning of your armor can drastically change the fit of your garment, so follow the steps below and then readjust until you are comfortable in your new jacket.

To help in the break-in procedure, bend the armor parts at their hinging
points multiple times before insertion.

Shoulders

Insert and push armor up to the shoulder area between leather and the lining. Position shoulder armor with center of armor aligning with shoulder/sleeve seam. Press armor against the inside of the leathers, making sure the hook and loop fastenings are securely attached.

Elbow / Forearm

Insert and push elbow/forearm armor up into sleeve between the leather and the lining. Push it down the sleeve, aligning it so elbow part is opposite the spandex/kevlar cutout. Press armor against the leathers, "molding" leathers to the armor shape. Make sure hook and loop fastenings securely attach to each other.

Back Pad

Carefully thread the back pad through the opening in the lining, with the pointed portion of the back pad pointing down and the plastic panels facing against the back of the garment. To fit back pads into some jackets you may have to cut some of the exposed foam away at the pointed end to fit as many hard plastic pads as possible into your jacket. Position the top about 2” to 3” below neck and attach with hook and loop leather tab. Center pad in the garment, smooth the lining and attach lower part of the hook and loop panel in the lining. (Note: you may have to remove the VELCRO fastened pad which is attached to tabs during stitching).

A.I.R. Ventilation System for the CSRX Jackets:

These solid leather jackets feature Vanson's exclusive Air Induction Ram system (A.I.R., Patent pending). The system has an air scoop built into the elbows and an exit vent in the back on either side of the jacket.

Both the scoop and exit vent can be opened and closed with a zipper to control ventilation. The scoop and exit vent are both backed with Vanson's PROperf™ ventilated leather which lets air flow through, but maintains the shape and structural integrity of the jacket when the scoop is open. This prevents the sleeve from puffing out and the armor shifting out of position when the vent is open.

Air enters the sleeve through the perforated leather behind the open zipper in the elbow scoop and flows up a channel which leads directly to the armpit, cooling you by carrying heat away and out the nearby exit vents.

Air Curtain Ventilation System for the Lightning Jackets:

Open	Closed

The front of the Lightning jacket is built with PROperf™ ventilated leather. Inside the front of the jacket there is a wind resistant panel which can be opened or zippered close to adjust the amount of air entering the jacket.

The snaps adjacent to the adjustable panel are used to fasten the optional Streamliner™ vests.

Snap Back Mandarin Collar

The classic mandarin collar is tailored to fit comfortably and is placed so it won't fight with your helmet. The black anodized brass snap holds it neatly in place in both the closed and open position. This keeps the flap from slapping in the wind when you wear your collar open.

Adjustable Waistband

First introduced on the COBRA jacket, Vanson's adjustable waistband allows for up to four inches of adjustment on the Sport Rider jackets. This feature allows accurate fit throughout the changing seasons as layers beneath the jacket change. It also helps in fitting non-standard individuals and allows them to fit accurately in an off-the-rack jacket.

The adjustment is cleverly concealed on the inside of the waistband so the jacket keeps its clean lines.

Serial Numbers

Every Vanson garment is discretely embossed with its own serial number. That serial number is proof that each garment is handmade, and that a VANSON garment is yours. Each garment comes with a key chain which is embossed with the same serial number as the garment. Also included is a a warranty registration tag which, when filled out and returned to Vanson, is entered into their computer and becomes part of their database forever. Here at BIG BLACK BOOTS we also keep a record of your serial number. Your jacket is discretely embossed with this number on the inside of one inside pocket; your trousers behind the zipper, on the ankle or on the fly wind flap should they not have an ankle zipper.

If your Vanson is lost or stolen we or Vanson can help identify it as yours. In the event of the loss of your garment is due to fire, theft or accident, we can verify replacement value for insurance purposes. The purchase of a Vanson garment is truly an investment. The individual numbering system helps you protect that investment.

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