Vanguard Rift Motorcycle Leather Jacket

The Vanguard Rift Motorcycle Leather Jacket is a technical leather riding jacket built for road and sport riding, with armour fitted at the shoulders, elbows and back.

Full-grain cowhide with CE Level 2 armour at the shoulders and elbows and a back protector pocket, pre-curved sleeves and stretch panels for movement on the bars. Made to order in standard sizes or to your own measurements.

Construction

• Full-grain cowhide leather — the dense outer layer of the hide that abrades slowly rather than tearing. Split, bonded and PU-coated leather is never used
• CE Level 2 armour at the shoulders and elbows, with a back protector pocket fitted with a CE Level 2 protector
• Pre-curved sleeves cut for a riding position rather than a standing one
• Triple safety stitching on main seams with high-strength bonded nylon thread
• Stretch panels at the underarms and across the shoulders for movement on the bars
• Full interior lining with internal pockets
• YKK zippers throughout
• Team designs produced as leather patchwork rather than print, so they cannot crack, peel or fade
• Can be zipped to matching leather trousers where a two piece is specified

Armour Specification

Armour is KeepTech, independently tested and certified by Ricotest, European Notified Body No. 0498, Pastrengo, Italy, under EU Regulation 2016/425 as Category II PPE, CE and UKCA marked. Level 2 transmits about 20 kN in the standard impact test against roughly 35 kN for Level 1. The armour is independently CE certified; the leather shell is not certified as a garment.

Riders and Bikes

Ordered by riders on the Honda CBR, Kawasaki Ninja, Yamaha R1 and R7, Suzuki GSX-R, Ducati Panigale and BMW S1000RR. Any jacket can be produced in a colourway matched to your bike or the rest of your gear.

Size and Fit

Available in standard sizes XS through 3XL, or made to your own measurements at no change to production. An armoured jacket must fit closely so the protectors stay over the shoulder and elbow — a loose jacket lets armour migrate off the joint during a crash. See the size guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What armour does this jacket use?
CE Level 2 at the shoulders and elbows to EN 1621-1:2012, with a back protector pocket fitted with a CE Level 2 protector to EN 1621-2:2014, certified by Ricotest, Notified Body No. 0498, Italy.

How should a leather motorcycle jacket fit?
Snug through the shoulders and chest with no loose material, so the armour stays over the joint it protects. Sleeves should reach the wrist bone with your arms extended in a riding position, not standing straight.

Will the design fade?
No. The design is cut and stitched from dyed hide rather than printed, so the colour is the material itself and cannot crack or wash out.

Can I add my own name and number?
Yes. Rider name, race number and custom text can be applied in leather patchwork.

Do you make this in a women’s cut?
Yes. Jackets are cut to your own measurements, so they are made on female proportions rather than scaled down from a men’s block.

What leather is used?
Full-grain cowhide, the dense outer layer of the hide. Split, bonded and PU-coated leather tear rather than abrade and are never used here.

Care Instructions

• Wipe the exterior with a soft, slightly damp cloth
• Use a leather conditioner when the hide feels dry
• Do not machine wash, tumble dry or bleach
• Dry naturally, away from direct sunlight and artificial heat
• Store on a wide hanger so the shoulders keep their shape