Fox Creek Blog

Recently, I was standing in my doorway getting ready to go out for a ride. I looked in the mirror and saw that I had on my Harley-Davidson boots, Harley-Davidson shirt, Harley-Davidson jacket, Harley-Davidson fanny pack (with my Harley-Davidson handkerchief and Harley-Davidson wallet inside), Harley-Davidson bandanna, Harley-Davidson gloves, and Harley-Davidson helmet.

Jeff as “Harley Guy”

I was horrified. I had become “Harley Guy,” the type of guy that has Harley-Davidson stamped on everything he owns or wears. I hate that guy, but I had become him, the corporate sellout. I was rather disgusted with myself.

I immediately went inside the house and threw my Harley-Davidson jacket into the garbage can. Never wanted to see it again.

I started an internet search for leather motorcycle jackets. The name Fox Creek Leather kept coming up. I finally visited their site and thought that they had some beautiful products. Reading through their site, I was impressed by the thickness of their leather and the alleged care with which they are constructed.

Jeff’s Harley April, 2006BC (Before Crash)

I was very interested in purchasing one of their jackets, but was hesitant to buy anything because I would be buying it sight unseen via the internet from some place 8,000 miles away. So, I scoured the internet for personal reviews or comments on Fox Creek Leather Jackets. I visited many sites and many sources, but was unable to locate any negative comments or reviews. Not a single one.

I broke down and gave them a call. They went over specific measurements and eventually convinced me to get one size bigger than I thought I should. I bought the Classic Motorcycle Jacket II. I also bought a pair of braided chaps and some deerskin gauntlets.

They arrived in Pusan, Korea from Virginia, USA in 5 days.

As many reviews had said, the leather was very thick and weighed a ton, but was very soft. Everything fit absolutely perfectly. Although it is still a bit warm here in Korea, the vents on the jacket made it very comfortable to wear.

Jeff’s Bike October, 2006AD (After Drop)

Well. Just a few days after getting the jacket and other leather gear, I was wearing my new jacket and gloves and I slid on something, missed a corner, and slammed into a concrete telephone pole. I broke my leg and was launched off my bike. I tumbled along the ground for about 30 feet.

The leather jacket quite possible saved my life and definitely saved me from serious blood loss and significant upper-body injuries. I had one minor scrape on my right forearm, which I believe was just a bit of road burn caused by the inside zipper lining on the right sleeve.

Jeff and his Harley-Davidson repairman friend

There was absolutely NO damage to the jacket. There was a bit of dust on the right sleeve and right side of the jacket, but I dusted that off in the emergency room. There is not a single scratch on that leather jacket.

Reid at Prince Edward Island last summer. PEI is one
of the three Maritime provinces along with
New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

This part of the world is a motorcyclist’s wonderland - incredible scenery ranging from twists and turns along the coast of Nova Scotia (including the world famous Cabot Trail), to the gently rolling emerald farmland hills on Prince Edward Island, to the picturesque Saint John River valley in New Brunswick.

Wherever you ride, there are always lots of curves and hills, and often the traffic on the back roads is light. Here in the Halifax area we are on the coast so I ride from late March until late December - and sometimes the winters are mild enough I can get out during January and February.

Reid and Bonnie on their 2004 Yamaha Road Star

My wife Bonnie and I ride throughout the Maritime region (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island) - putting on about 18K kms (11K miles) each year. We do a lot of day trips on the bike, some overnighters and vacation on the bike often. Bonnie is a great fan of motorcycling - although packing for two weeks on a bike can be a challenge!

My 2004 Road Star Midnight Silverado has a 1700 cc (102 cubic inch) engine with lots of power for ‘two up’ riding and touring. It is our ‘dream bike’ - we wanted a Roadie for several years. Bonnie bought it for me from her inheritance after her father passed away in 2003. I’ve dressed it up with comfortable seats, backrests, and, of course, lots of chrome!

Motorcycle training class - Reid is on the far right

In addition to being the minister of a local church congregation, I am also a chief instructor with the ‘Gearing Up’ Motorcycle Training Program (the Canadian version of the MSF course). I train new motorcyclists every other weekend, from May to October and also teach some of the Experienced Rider Courses here in the city.

Fox Creek Protective Gear

Teaching the safety course has made me very aware of the necessity of good protective gear. I have to say, my Fox Creek jacket sure fits that description - thick, heavy weight leather - but very comfortable! It’s perfect for the constantly changing temperatures we find when riding along the coast - from really warm inland - mid to high 80s in the summer - to mid 60s along the coast. A quick zip of the jacket vents adjusts for the temperature variations. I’m really looking forward to the leather overpants I have on order - to complete a great looking, fantastic feeling, and very protective set of riding gear.

- Reid, Dartmouth, Canada

“Thank you folks at Fox Creek for a jacket of outstanding quality and for your great customer service. A winning combination!” - Reid