| Author | Message | ||
     4cammer |
Anyone know why Buell stopped using Vanson as a jacket supplier? Was it cost? Lead time? I have 2 Vanson (not Buell badged) jackets and love them. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
I believe it was due to cost and Vanson's inability to deliver product in a timely fashion. | ||
| Court |
I believe it was due to You placed an order with Vanson . . . you may get it in a month . . . you may get it in 7 months . . . you may get it in a year. Dealers ordered things at dealer shows . . . with and expectation of getting product in weeks and didn't get it for months. This was not an exception, this was the way Vanson did business. The last I heard the company was for sale. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Thanks for the correction Court, cost usually factors into these things. Guess not this time though. I had a friend order a jacket from them, he gave up after 9 months. | ||
| Radioelasais |
DOH! I was considering vanson for a warmer leather jacket ... I'll need to review the idea. They have great stuff btw. | ||
| Eboos |
Vanson is pretty much right in my back yard. The owner of my dealership is friends with the owner of Vanson. When I mentioned to him that I just got a sponsorship deal with Pilot leathers, he asked me why have him put a deal together for me with Vanson. I respectfully declined. | ||
| Eboos |
Quality was never their issue. | ||
| Rfischer |
Outstanding quality. However, buy off the rack or be prepared to be much older before your purchase arrives. FYI, on the touring leathers side, take a look at Stone Lake Leatherworks in MN. Great design and quality, reasonable [for the quality] price, and it WILL arrive while you're still the same size.. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I have a Vanson jacket and it's the bomb. Mine came off the rack so I didn't wait for it. The pants I have are Vanson as well and just as nice, again - i went through an online retailer to get them, so the wait was minimal. I'm not sure why delivery for those guys takes so long - I would have to guess that maybe they just have WAY to wide of a product line for the size of their operation. | ||
| Babired |
The company up for sale? that sucks they were local on the East coast Last year I sent mine in for repairs, new zippers, velcro and some stitching on worn area. I had them add the 2 zippers up front to match the modern day track requirements. Well worth the money and the best leather I've ever had. K | ||
| Court |
Kath: I do not know for certain that they are for sale. Someone had mentioned that, I have no confirmation. Vanson was/is the epitome of a poorly run company that had a quality product. I was hoping a businessperson might buy it and straighten it out . . . but I fear too much time and angry customers have lapsed. | ||
| Chippy |
vanson, despite being very well respected in the industry is a small operation. and they are feeling the crunch like everyone else. i was just in there a few weeks ago, and they have cut their floor space in half. looks like they are making every effort to consolidate and keep things profitable. (this includes using some overseas manufacturing for some things...some of their cheaper gloves, in particular) | ||
| Roadcouch98 |
I have two Vanson Jackets which are Obviously of the Heaviest & Finest Quality which were Skillfully manufactured in the Good old U.S of A, Boston Mass. I will next add a Highwayman to the collection, as I love the HEAVY Biker Jackets. After that I will purchase Riding Pants of the same Heavy Leather. Vanson should not become another of the American Companies to go down. (Message edited by roadcouch98 on October 02, 2009) | ||
| Rfischer |
If they don't find some management acumen and skills, they will be gone, make no mistake about it. That they are still in business is a testament to the quality of their products. However, the American business landscape is littered with the corpses of companies that made superior quality products, but failed at business. | ||
| Bill0351 |
Fox Creek is another small American company that I hope weathers the economic storm. I have two of their jackets. This may be my next one. http://www.foxcreekleather.com/777.html | ||
| Cyclonedon |
the older Vanson clothing sold with the Buell label is far superior to Buell's new stuff! As far as I'm concerned, there is no need for the dealers to order any of that new crap because I'm not going to buy it and from what i'm seeing on the dealer's racks, nobody else is either. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Can't speak about the Vanson stuff, but I can tell you Cyclonedon that I crash tested the Buell mesh jacket over Labor day weekend and I walked a way with out a scratch. I guess looks are a matter of opinion, but I personally can't question the quality or functionality. | ||
| Macbuell |
I got a great Vanson Ventmax 3 jacket through Newenough.com. It's the same Jacket Buell used to carry. It just doesn't say Buell anymore. Love the jacket but I never had to deal with them directly. | ||
| Easy_rider |
I'm a little disappointed with their Buell shirts. It may be my lack of laundry skills, but the Buell logo always curls up. Still, I'd hate to see them go. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
I have a Vanson Jacket. I got it at a yard sale. Glad I didn't pay too much for it. I had a problem with the zipper, and Vanson was not very interested in helping me: took me about a month to get a replacement zipper slider. In addition, although the leather is thick, the detailing is pretty crude: the sleeve ends are just glued instead of being stitched. The Fox Creek gear mentioned by Bill above looks better designed, better made, and much better priced. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Bates Custom Leathers in California http://www.batesleathers.com/ | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
bates leathers (not to be confused with bates boots for military) has some really cool looking boots | ||
| Briz31 |
I purchased one of the Buell Vanson jackets (all the foil logos, patches etc), thru SteveS, he had Vanson make 3 in comp. grade leather.. This was before they made the girly soft leather jackets.. I've had mine for 5 years now, still a great jacket, perfect in every shape/form. Hmm it's a pity that I've since lost 10kg's as it's a Medium size and I'm now Small.. If I could get another in small size I would, however with everything thats happening out there, I doubt if that will ever happen... |
