Scorpion’s 1909 Vintage is the quintessential classic leather motorcycle jacket: refreshingly understated, surprisingly functional, and impervious to fads. Its name is a homage to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, aka “The Brickyard,” which ran its first race in 1909 and has produced countless racing legends in years since. The exterior shell is made of 1.2-1.4mm hand-distressed top-grain leather. As a boon to those of us who prefer not to look like walking billboards, the 1909 has only one barely perceptible logo on the right sleeve of the exterior, resulting in an enduring presentation that will be just as elegant decades from now as it is today. The sides and underarms feature perforated leather ventilation panels, with air exhausting via two zippered rear vents. There are four external pockets for storage, and fitment can be adjusted via rear waist tabs. Two subtle dark-brown vertical accent stripes and antique brass YKK zippers complete the retro look. Though it appears to casual observers as civilian gear, the 1909 Vintage doesn’t skimp on protection. All critical seams are safety stitched, and the jacket includes CE-certified visco-elastic SAS-TEC Level 2 body armor at the elbows and shoulders. The elbows feature an additional layer of leather for reinforcement, and there is also a pouch to hold the optional SAS-TEC Level 2 back protector ($44.95) if so desired. (For what it’s worth, online reviews of the 1909 Vintage include quite a few stories of it holding up very well under crashes!) In keeping with the theme of versatility off of the bike, the armor is compact and pliable, so the 1909 has very little of the bulkiness of traditional motorcycle jackets. The Scorpion’s interior consists of a mesh liner with two internal pockets. The padded mandarin collar is a nice touch for added comfort. An 8-inch zipper is included to attach riding pants to the jacket, as is a jeans loop which effectively does the same thing with a pair of jeans. When the temperatures drop, the included removable EverHeat sleeveless thermal liner quickly zips into place. For me, this liner allowed comfortable riding into the high 50s or even lower with extra layering underneath. On the road, the 1909 Vintage proved itself over months of late winter and spring touring. I found the fitment to run slightly large, with a size Medium comfortably fitting my 5-foot-8, 175-lb frame – normally, I wear a Large size. Sleeve length is generous for cruiser riders with high handlebars. The ageless styling of this jacket makes it appropriate for anything from bare cafe racers to full-dress tourers and everything in between. This jacket is attractive enough to get off the bike and attend upmarket functions in restaurants, at work, and elsewhere without having to change. Very convenient! Bottom line: Every rider needs a classic leather motorcycle jacket that’s this comfortable, versatile, and functional. Read all of Rider’s apparel reviews here Scorpion’s Indonesian-made 1909 Vintage leather motorcycle jacket retails for $499.95 for sizes S-XL or $514.95 for sizes 2XL and 3XL. Shop for Scorpion 1909 Vintage Leather Motorcycle Jacket The post Scorpion 1909 Vintage Leather Motorcycle Jacket Review appeared first on Rider Magazine.