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Orchard A-2 Opinions

442RCT

New Member
With all the positive reviews about Orchard's G-1s lately, which they've reinstated on ebay.

Orchard is now selling goat A-2s on ebay for $ 110+shipping.

1. Opinion in regards to quality of these jackets. Is the G-1 a better buy than the A-2 ?
they both seem like pretty good deals for the money.
2. Does anyone have any experience with the sizing of the Orchard A-2s ?
If Orchard is "custom sizing" these on orders, I'd like to take advantage.
In a Cooper, I wear a 42, but the sleeves are about 1 1/2" too long.
Would a 42 Short be my best bet ?
3. Since I already have a doz. A-2s, should I forget about buying an Orchard A-2 and wait for a used ELC/Aero/LW , etc. to pop up on ebay ?

http://shop.ebay.com/orchardmotorcycled ... ksid=p4340
 

R7000

Member
If you don't have a G-1 in your stable you should have at least one IMHO.

The G-1 has more features than the A-2 and is more complex. I like it better than the A-2 but that's just me.

Tom
 

442RCT

New Member
Roughwear said:
I'm with David on this one.

:lol: A Sefton, an Aero and a ELC in my size just popped up on the bay.
I know how ELCs are sized, I wear a sz 40, but what about Seftons ? Would a Sefton in a 40 run small or true to size ?
Based on experience, an Aero runs small and tight.
 

442RCT

New Member
R7000 said:
If you don't have a G-1 in your stable you should have at least one IMHO.

The G-1 has more features than the A-2 and is more complex. I like it better than the A-2 but that's just me.

Tom

Thanks Tom, I own a half doz or so original G-1s , and another half doz repro A-2s, I'm just one of those guys who can't seem to pass up a good deal and need to take the advice given and buy more for quality vs quantity.

And I agree with you about the G-1, they're a more comfortable and better fitting jacket for me with the bi-swing back, but I like the look of an A-2 more, that's why I buy both.

ps- to confuse things more, I also 'collect' Avirex/Cockpit noseart lambskin A-2 mall jackets, I have a half doz of those too. :oops:
 

Atticus

Well-Known Member
I've owned an Orchard A-2 for years. I bought it back when I was buying current-issue A-2s. Not repros or "mil-specs"...but A-2s that had actually seen service.

I still have several Saddlerys, a couple of Avirex, and the one Orchard. I've never owned an issued Cockpit A-2. Of the three manufacturers (Saddlery, Avirex/Cockpit and Orchard), my Orchard is most like a WWII A-2 in cut and style. It has higher arm holes and a slimmer cut. It isn't skimpy...I normally wear a size 48, and the size 46 Orchard fits fine. It is just a slimmer-cut, more WWII-like jacket. Also, the Orchard's goatskin has the most pronounced grain and is the thickest of my six A-2s.

VLJ old-farts, look away, cause I'm gonna post the photo again. I've always been a champion of Orchard A-2s, so I've posted this photo many times in context of many threads...but here it comes, again. I think the picture is circa 2003 or 2004...anyhow, it was sometime during GeeDubya's first term.

Dscn3648.jpg


AF
 

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
Atticus;

I like the fit of your Orchard A2. I'm thinking about getting one, for the price you can't beat the deal. I'm 6 ' 2'' and 225 lbs and I wear somewhere between a loose 44R and a tight 46 in A2's. Would you mind posting the measurements of your 46 for me. It would help me decide on a size.

Regards
Burt
 

Atticus

Well-Known Member
B-Man2 said:
Atticus;

I like the fit of your Orchard A2. I'm thinking about getting one, for the price you can't beat the deal. I'm 6 ' 2'' and 225 lbs and I wear somewhere between a loose 44R and a tight 46 in A2's. Would you mind posting the measurements of your 46 for me. It would help me decide on a size.

Regards
Burt


Here 'ya go, Bert....but let me issue this disclaimer. My Orchard A-2 is eighteen years old and my more recent experience with Orchard tells me that their sizing is now very different from other jacket makers. I had to order a size 54 G-1 to get the loose fit I like. I normally wear a size 48 in military G-1s.

Tagged Size - 46R
21" - Shoulders (straight across back at sleeve juncture)
24 1/2" - Back between arm pits (jacket zipped)
24" - Front between arm pits (jacket zipped)
25" - Back length (base of collar to bottom of waistband)
22 1/2" - Front length (top of zipper to bottom of zipper box)
25" - Sleeve (shoulder seam to end of cuff)

AF
 

zoomer

Well-Known Member
If anyone pulls the trigger on one of these, please kindly review here!

Based on Atticus' pic, I'm tempted myself. I've outgrown half my A-2s and have no beater or patcher.

If they're using the same spec of goat as in the G-1s, it's very soft to the touch and has a nice luster.
 

Jaydee

New Member
zoomer said:
If anyone pulls the trigger on one of these, please kindly review here!

Based on Atticus' pic, I'm tempted myself. I've outgrown half my A-2s and have no beater or patcher.

If they're using the same spec of goat as in the G-1s, it's very soft to the touch and has a nice luster.

It looks to be a lighter brown in the ebay pics than the G-1 Goat. Sort of a chocolate color....that would be cool.
 

Atticus

Well-Known Member
Here's another photo from my "oldie but goodie" collection which may be of use to this thread. It shows the color difference among three current issue A-2s. Clockwise from upper left: 1988 Saddlery, 1992 Orchard, 1998 Avirex.

The Orchard and the Avirex are very close in color...and they are both about the same color as my '67 Star G-1, that is, more seal and less brown.

Dscn3642.jpg


AF
 
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