When either working at or contributing to a motorcycle publication, riding gear, one soon realizes, are one of the job’s best perks. Riding gear manufacturers are always eager to have their wares deployed on the bodies of staff writers, as this sort of direct exposure allows readers and social media followers to learn first hand how well (or not well) their protective garments work in the real world. And while the staff jacket rack at the CRM garage has amassed dozens of jackets of varying degrees of quality over the past two decades, a few leather garments really stand out for various reasons.
Back in 2012, I convinced Derek Harris, the late, great owner of London’s Lewis Leathers to provide me with one of the firm’s Bronx riding jackets as we were both astonished to find one in my considerably large size on the store’s racks. Derek was a generous lot and quickly agreed to allow me to test out the classically-styled, zip-front jacket- after ensuring that it did, indeed, fit properly.
I’d been lusting after one of Lewis’ fine, handmade jackets since seeing the Ramones perform wearing Lewis Leather jackets back in the 1980s. Later, during visits to the Ace Cafe Reunion and other British biking spots, I realized that many riders blasting along the roads were wearing original Lewis jackets (and boots) that they’d purchased years and often decades before. If that’s not testament to timeless style and serious long-term wearability, nothing is.
Today, after 14 years, the Bronx is still one of my go-to riding jackets, especially during Pittsburgh’s long shoulder seasons in spring and fall when the jacket’s thick, red quilted lining really show its stuff. I’ve seldom worn it without clocking at least a few compliments and one rider, who was unaware that Lewis made jackets to fit 250 pound, 6’4″ frames, actually offered to buy my Bronx there on the spot.
Come Sunday, August 15th, one lucky winner of this year’s Best in Show award at the Ride-In Bike Show will ride away with their own Lewis Leathers jacket in the form of a Lightning 391. This black, horsehide beauty is up for grabs (up to size US 52) for whomever turns up on a machine displaying their brilliant engineering, unique style and serious performance capabilities that make this the most coveted of all the show’s awards.
Lewis is far from alone in serving up some incredible prizes for winners of this year’s six judged categories- there’s two gift certificates for Motocomposites carbon fiber accessories on offer, along with a parts gift card from Cognito Moto, new radial tires from Avon Motorcycle Tyres, some choice high-test liquor from Pittsburgh’s own Lucky Sign Spirits, protective heat wrap from Thermo Tec and more. Even if you’re not entering your own ride in the competition, it’s worth coming out just to see who takes away some really cool top prizes. We hope to see you there.
