Belstaff XL500 Jacket

[Adam]

For the last few years I have had an "obsession" with Jackets. I have bought and sold Dainese, a 3 week old Aerostitch Roadcrafter, Alpinestars, Spidi and never been totally comfortable - although these are premium brands which I'd hoped would have hit the spot.

I bit the bullet last week and bought an old favourite that I wore back in the late seventies (which cost me a weeks wage at £40 in 1979)

I bought a Black Belstaff XL500 - cost...um...£300!!

Although I feel like a Meeja type fashion victim when not on the bike I have found salvation in the most comfortable and lightweight jacket I have ever worn. Is my obsession over? I bloody well hope so!

Check it out, I recommend it.

I bought it here. http://www.urbanrider.co.uk/shop/belstaff-xl-500-black-motorcycle-jacket-69-2.html

 

[coyotedave]

Had 1 myself with matchin trousers in the late 70s. Great gear, you always left your mark wherever you had been. Just too pricey now,£200 would be better.

 

[Ickaboo]

Yeah !
I love it, my birthday tomorrow so just asked the wife ?

 

[darkhorse]

Would be interested to hear how you get on with this jacket.

How warm and waterproof?

 

[Kevin1626]

For the last few years I have had an "obsession" with Jackets. I have bought and sold Dainese, a 3 week old Aerostitch Roadcrafter, Alpinestars, Spidi and never been totally comfortable - although these are premium brands which I'd hoped would have hit the spot.

I bit the bullet last week and bought an old favourite that I wore back in the late seventies (which cost me a weeks wage at £40 in 1979)

I bought a Black Belstaff XL500 - cost...um...£300!!

Although I feel like a Meeja type fashion victim when not on the bike I have found salvation in the most comfortable and lightweight jacket I have ever worn. Is my obsession over? I bloody well hope so!

Check it out, I recommend it.

I bought it here. http://www.urbanrider.co.uk/shop/belstaff-xl-500-black-motorcycle-jacket-69-2.html

As Darkhose said, it would be good if you let us know how you get on with the jacket in terms of comfort, weatherproof, warmth. Are you still happy with it ?I've looked at this one and the wax cotton version. Though the wax version seems good, its always the 'waxiness' to the feel of it that puts me off.......oh, er. Thanks.

 

[Adam]

Would be interested to hear how you get on with this jacket.

How warm and waterproof?

Its waterproof alright, got caught in the rain yesterday afternoon in London for approx 1 hour and I was wearing a posh shirt and jumper underneath, even the shirt collar remained dry as the jacket neck is high enough.

As for warmth? its defintely not great below 10C - especially the arms as it has no thermal in this area. Definitely a Spring/Summer/Autumn Jacket.

With the colder evening snaps, I have worn my Alpinestars El Nino Overjacket which is windproof - which helps.

The best about the jacket is that it doesnt truss you up like a heavier weight jacket that I always find restricts you.

I was wearing the jacket this morning in London and came up behind some calvary division near buck house and I was carefully idling behind them and the last horse did a projectile shit just in front of me. Some of it went on my left arm, so its horseshit proof as well!

 

[Adam]

As Darkhose said, it would be good if you let us know how you get on with the jacket in terms of comfort, weatherproof, warmth. Are you still happy with it ?I've looked at this one and the wax cotton version. Though the wax version seems good, its always the 'waxiness' to the feel of it that puts me off.......oh, er. Thanks.

I did try the wax one which is quite heavy and a bit Ewan McGregory. The XL500 comfort is the best I have owned, it doesnt feel like you have it on! I reckon the best buy I've made in 32 years of riding and I reckon it will last a while as the quality is excellent

The positives are style and waterproofness (including the pockets). The only negative is warmth, the body is OK but the arms dont have a thermal, the underjacket is sleeveless. As said in a previous quote, its probably better when the air is 10C and above, its definitely not a winter jacket so dont buy it too large and then pad yourself out with base and mid layers because when the weather warms up you'll have a ballooning oversized jacket as it is so light. Buy one to fit you with a shirt and thin jumper underneath and you wont be disappointed when the air is warmer.

 

[Bury_Dave]

Is the cut similar to the Barbour Intrernational then ? You know, tiny slim arms that most blokes can only wear a long sleeved T-shirt under but mahoosive in the body ?

I'd have the International if the sleeves were baggier. And why do the Internatioanl's trousers seem to be 2-3 sizes too small ?

Your Belstaff looks sweet though. Despite the High St fashion style of photos they are using to promote it. Be nice to see one being worn in action by a normal human being though.

Dave

 

[Kevin1626]

I did try the wax one which is quite heavy and a bit Ewan McGregory. The XL500 comfort is the best I have owned, it doesnt feel like you have it on! I reckon the best buy I've made in 32 years of riding and I reckon it will last a while as the quality is excellent

The positives are style and waterproofness (including the pockets). The only negative is warmth, the body is OK but the arms dont have a thermal, the underjacket is sleeveless. As said in a previous quote, its probably better when the air is 10C and above, its definitely not a winter jacket so dont buy it too large and then pad yourself out with base and mid layers because when the weather warms up you'll have a ballooning oversized jacket as it is so light. Buy one to fit you with a shirt and thin jumper underneath and you wont be disappointed when the air is warmer.

Cheers Adam. Appreciate the note. Urban Rider, you say ? They might just be getting my trade.

 

[Adam]

Cheers Adam. Appreciate the note. Urban Rider, you say ? They might just be getting my trade.

Or Google Grand Prix Legends or just Belstaff and search from there. Suggest you try before you buy though.

 

[Adam]

Is the cut similar to the Barbour Intrernational then ? You know, tiny slim arms that most blokes can only wear a long sleeved T-shirt under but mahoosive in the body ?

I'd have the International if the sleeves were baggier. And why do the Internatioanl's trousers seem to be 2-3 sizes too small ?

Your Belstaff looks sweet though. Despite the High St fashion style of photos they are using to promote it. Be nice to see one being worn in action by a normal human being though.

Dave

The sizing is proportionate as long as your not a munter size. Unfortunately there models are the svelt type, but aren't Dainese and the others anyway?

One surprise is that I thought the jacket would flap a bit at high speeds, but it is surprisingly good, even on the arms.

I can't comment on Barbour, do there jackets have armour?

 

[Weekday Rider]

Belstaff and Weise have always been good for me. Strange ( to me) that nobody ever mentions them,and,they are British.

 

[Adam]

Belstaff and Weise have always been good for me. Strange ( to me) that nobody ever mentions them,and,they are British.

Belstaff were British but a few years ago an Italian bought the name and the jackets are made in Italy, so the brand is now Italian. Maybe they should be called Belstaffio?

 

[Weekday Rider]

Adam,I went in to Harrods with the wife a while back to look at £5000 dresses.(LOOK AT).I saw a cute little ladies Belstaff jacket for almost £1000.When I asked the lady "Why".I was told "Fashion darling" Bloody Italians.