Some descriptors to ponder: soft, supple, flexible. Sounds sexy doesn't it? How about some more: Rock and Roll, rebel, bad ass, freedom, cool. The Ronin jacket brings words like this to mind. If it were a woman it'd be a cross between Joan Jett – during her sweet spot in the mid to late 80's - and Christina Hendricks; Serious kick-ass looks (you guys KNOW you like that) mixed with a soft, supple sexiness that just begs to be caressed. And no, you can't motorboat the jacket (if you don't understand then Google Christina Hendricks and all will be made clear).

Available in 3 different colors the Ronin jacket looks like sex, drugs, and Rock and Roll; without the diseases, hangovers, or hearing loss.

You don't so much put the jacket on as slip into it. The interior is lined with an embossed gold colored satin that is silky and smooth and lets you slide in with no resistance. With 2 interior pockets and two neat “cargo net” pockets you'll have plenty of room to stash things you may need for later. Things like breath mints and condoms. At least those are the things you'll feel like you need to carry – even if you're a 90 pound geek who's idea of “getting lucky” is a free Cinemax weekend.

Guys like things that are soft on the inside but we also like stuff that is soft on the outside and the leather used on the Ronin doesn't disappoint; 1.2mm of cowhide that feels somehow thicker and at the same time thinner, more flexible and softer than it should. And the smell. Oh the smell. There are many different types of fetishes out there and quite a few of them involve leather of some kind, and there is a reason for that. Leather engages that primal, animalistic side of ourselves that we keep suppressed in our day to day lives. Or maybe it's just me.

RSD's design team have a fetish of their own; pockets. Combine the four interior pockets with four exterior pockets and you've got more places to stick stuff than you'll ever need. There is even a pocket on your right forearm that I couldn't figure out until a friend suggested a pocket for toll money. Yeah seems pretty obvious now but at the time I had just put the Ronin jacket on and was thinking more about how cool and sexy it made me feel rather than toll roads.

I run on the small side of the size large scale and the Ronin in large fits me perfectly – which means that the jackets do run a bit on the small size. I was sent an X-large first which was a bit too loose around the chest and way too loose around the waist. A friend, who wears a solid X-large, tried it on and found it too tight in the chest and arms. You may need to go up one size if you barely squeeze into whatever size you barely squeeze into. Or you could go on a diet. Whichever.

Part of the appeal of the Ronin jacket is the cafe racer style cut. Rotated, pre-curved sleeves allow freedom of movement – which is not only good for reaching for the bars, but also for reaching around the girl you just picked-up at the bar. Hope you brought those condoms.

Clean, unencumbered, the Ronin nails the “anti-S&M” look perfectly. The only snap you'll find is around the collar while buckles and other hardware are missing entirely. Zippers of the YKK brand close the sleeves at the wrist, the jacket in the front, and tighten or loosen the waist as needed when seated or standing.

Speaking of that snap though – RSD put two snaps on the left side of the collar, one female and one cuckolded male who can only sit impotently by and watch as the female who shares his side of the collar mates repeatedly with the single male from the other collar. Personally I find it a bit odd but then fetishes, as I've said, come in many forms.

The Ronin ships to your door with empty armor pockets in the sleeves, shoulders, and back. If you're an optimist you look at this as an opportunity to put in high quality armor. If you are a pessimist then you'll feel a bit cheated that you didn't get some type of armor pre-installed. Personally I waver between the two camps but lean more towards the pessimistic side.

While sweating can be sexy, sweating while riding isn't. I was a bit concerned then when I realized that the Ronin has no “active” vents; no zippers to open revealing an inner mesh to facilitate air movement. Sure it has perforated leather on the inner bicep area of the sleeves and also on the leather trim inside but surely that can't be enough, can it? Turns out it can, and don't call me Shirley (I love that movie). Surprisingly enough I was comfortable while riding in temps in the low 80's. Not sure how this is done or if it is some kind of magic but I never felt hot. On the flip side the jacket is also comfortable in temps as low as 45 degrees if you wear a long sleeve shirt under it.

Sexiness and beauty come at a price, just ask any woman, and the Ronin from RSD is no exception. While priced lower than a Beverly Hills plastic factory the $590 price tag is a bit loftier than the prices you'll find at the local drugstore make-up counter.

Besides who cares about $590 when the jacket you just bought makes you feel like a million bucks?


From www.rolandsands.com:

• RSD Limited Set hand finished washed and waxed cowhide (Main body leather thickness 1.2mm)
• Detailed café style, with shorty snap collar and front zip pockets
• Performance riding fit, with rotated, pre-curved sleeves, dropped back length, and relaxed collar opening
• Satin poly lining with custom RSD repeat "numbers" heat emboss
• Perforated leather interior trim, perforated
  sleeve venting, soft lined electronics security pocket, stretch mesh
  cargo stuff pockets, zip close interior chest pocket, zip close cuffs,
  side zipper waist adjust, Armor ready shoulder, elbow, and back
  protector pockets

Pros:

• Soft leather that, if you get the right size, fits like a glove
• High quality sewing and finishing
• Stays cool even in 80 degree weather - possibly through the use of magic
• The color, in Tobacco, is exquisite.
• Limited edition - means you won't see yourself at every bike night

Cons:

• Sizing runs a bit small in some dimensions
• Limited edition - means you're paying for the privilege of not seeing yourself at every bike night
• No stock armor
  

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Comments (13)

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The Bald Eagle said:

	... Thanks for the review! I’ve been considering this jacket, but, of course, none of the local shops stock it. Can you tell me where it’s made?
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December 02, 2011
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Editor said:

	Made in........ Hi Bald Eagle. I just looked at the tag in the Ronin jacket and it says that it is "Finely Made in India".
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December 03, 2011
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Dick said:

Armor recommendations? Nice. I just ordered mine. Anything we should know about the armor slots? I've just started riding in the last six months, and have yet to get any proper armor. That picture of the back armor isn't all that flattering for the jacket. What pieces have you found fit well? Also, I was curious how your sleeve measurement/fit compares to RSD's measurement. I ask because I'm a pretty stumpy little apple; my arms are just under 23" from shoulder to wrist, and RSD's chart is saying their sleeves run just over 28" for XXL. Since the sleeves don't end with built-in gloves, that could be an issue for me.

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January 19, 2012
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Editor said:

Armor recommendations......... Hi Dick, So armor first. The armor in the jacket is actually taken from another jacket I had. Pretty standard stuff for the arms and shoulders so no fit issues there I wouldn't think. The back armor is actually cut down as the outline you see in the pics is the actual size of the pocket itself. Not very big and no real way to make armor look nice once it's in there - this is really the only failing of the jacket. I would recommend wearing an auxiliary back protector from Knox, Alpinestars, or similar to get the max protection without the silly look. Now my arms from shoulder to wrist measures 24" while the size chart for the jacket says "26.8-27.4" for the size large. I just measured the jacket sleeve and I'm showing 25". Either my measurement is off (possible) or their measurement chart is a bit optimistic (probable). I'd go with the second choice as the L jacket fits me perfectly; sleeves and all. In which case, yes the sleeves may be a bit long for your arms but probably won't be as bad as you think.

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January 19, 2012
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Demian said:

	sizing question I see you have a LARGE jacket, how does it compare to other jacket brands? Specially to european jackets (such as revit or dainese). Thanks! Demian
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February 26, 2012
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Editor said:

	Sizing question - answered! Hi Demian, I run on the small size of Large so the jacket fits me fine....however it does run a bit smaller than normal. It's not much different but if you run into the middle to large range on the large scale then you'll probably want to go XL with this jacket.
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February 28, 2012
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Sonny said:

	Sizing Hi, I am just about to get me one of these. I am 5'8-1/2', 175 lb, 40 chest. I wear medium when buying other biking jackets (AGV, Scorpion...). Based on your hand-on experience, would you recommend M or L? Much appreciated! Sonny
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March 01, 2012
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Editor said:

Sizing Sonny, Well like I said I always wear a Large in most jackets. I do this because while a Medium fits me OK in the chest, the sleeves are always a bit short. Without knowing your exact dimensions I'm not able to tell you exactly which size to get. However: If you wear a Medium jacket and it fits like a glove then I'd probably go with the Large in the Ronin. If a Medium jacket fits you a little loosely then the Medium Ronin should be fine. Hope this helps.

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March 02, 2012
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Sonny said:

	Sizing - thanks! Thank you for the quick reply! I'll give a Medium a try. Cheers, s
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March 02, 2012
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Sonny said:

	Sizing - jacket is here Just an update re size. So, I got my Ronin in black. I went with L after all. It turns out it was a good decision as it's still snug (but good snug, the way it should be). It looks great btw. I'm 5'9, 178lb, 41' chest, athletic built. Cheers!
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March 30, 2012
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Editor said:

	Sizing - Jacket is here Awesome news Sonny and thanks for the update on the sizing and fit! Remember jackets look their best when you take care of them so condition that leather and do your best to keep it from hitting the ground - wouldn't want to scuff-up that beautiful finish. Enjoy!
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March 31, 2012
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Jordan said:

	Another sizing Q. Thanks for review! I've been considering this jacket for a while now and just wanted to ask, for someone who's 6'0 180lbs 42" chest, do you think a Large would be okay or would you go up a size. I can't really compare it against other jackets as the sizing has varied alot. Can I ask your height/weight? Thanks.
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April 04, 2012
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Editor said:

	Another sizing Q - answer Hi Jordan. I'm 6'0" and 190 pounds w/ a 44" chest so I'm guessing a Large would be perfect for you as well; unless you've got Tyrannosaurus Rex arms or something. LOL.
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April 04, 2012
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