Real of Fake? - Alpinestars Dual Density Jacket

[ZiggyStardust]

Hi there,
This is my very first post here. I would be grateful if people familiar with Alpinestars products can have a look at these snaps and drop an opinion as to whether this is a real authentic jacket by Alpinestars or possibly a counterfeit copy.

I am not really sure at the moment. And the seller hasn't provided any pictures of inside of the jacket. Seems like the GP Pro leather jacket.

Thanks a bunch in advance.

Cheers!

[chickenstrip]

That doesn't look quite right to me. I work at a UK distributor for A*, and I haven't seen that jacket, but new stuff has been coming in recently, so....
But something doesn't look right about the black leather. Looks too thin and shiny - A* leather is normally duller/thicker looking, though admittedly hard to tell from photos. Can you post pics of any labels inside the jacket?

[ZiggyStardust]

Thanks for your prompt reply. Unfortunately, as I have already mentioned in my post above, I don't have access to any pictures of the inside. Otherwise it would have been a whole lot easier to figure out whether this was a real or counterfeit.

The one thing which just keeps nagging me about this jacket is the elbow guard/protector design. I have searched for pictures all over the world wide web, and none of the GP Pro series jackets have them made this way.

Could this be a jacket from a year or two ago?

[chickenstrip]

Unfortunately, we don't import everything in the A* range, and there do seem to be other companies importing some of their stuff too. But that jacket just doesn't look right to me. No, I've never seen elbow protectors like that on A*, strange that there doesn't seem to be any shoulder protection either, which all A* leather jackets I've seen in the last two years (yeah, I know, that's not definitive either) have. I would avoid - either a cheap copy, or something from their leisure range, maybe, perhaps not meant to be proper protective bike gear. I regularly see the GP Plus range, looks much better than that. GP Pro? Hmmmm, seems a bit dubious.....I could try to look into it when I'm back at work on Monday, but can't promise any definite results, I just work in a feckin warehouse

[Ariel Badger]

As you work in a warehouse full of bike gear ....Do we get a BCF discount?
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[waffles]

That black leather on the front looks way too rumpled and shiny. I bought new A* leathers a few months ago and mine (despite occasionally sitting in a heap after a ride) have not creased like that. Also the badges on mine are not like that, they are stitched logos. I don't know if that is just for ladies leathers or across the board.

How much is the seller asking for them? Are they new or second hand?
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[Ste]

Link to the auction or advert?

[ZiggyStardust]

No worries. I think, I am with you on this. Thanks for pointing out the missing shoulder protection. I would't have noticed had you not pointed that out. The Dual Density bit is not part of their leisure range as far as I know. That bit I have already confirmed. I believe, it's safe to assume that this is a counterfeit as none of the protection features match that of the authentic ones advertised by Alpinestars.

I was wondering, if you have ever come across gear by the name of Chrome Racing. I have searched all over the internet but nothing shows up that remotely matches the said product.

I have attached a picture of the one piece race suit, along with boots and gloves. All of them are supposedly made by this unknown brand, Chrome Racing. You reckon this could be something out of India, China or Vietnam.

[maph3rs]

Found this on good ol google
https://www.600rr.net/vb/showthread.php?t=207610
Looks like its a discontinued one but called the GP Pro?

[chickenstrip]

Never heard of em.

A* boots are made in Croatia nowadays. Don't be too put off by country of manufacture, it's all about finding the right factory in those countries. You get that, the quality is good, but it takes time to find the right people.

Like anything else, buy unknowns at your own risk, especially when not seen first hand.

[Ste]

Chrome Racing: https://karachi.olx.com.pk/chrome-racing-full-suit-size-medium-iid-626460573

And here's the jacket you're looking at:

https://karachi.olx.com.pk/branded-bike-jackets-leather-jacket-helmet-racing-suit-iid-616693303

[ZiggyStardust]

Thanks for the link, maph3rs. If you look closely, the details still don't match the authentic A* jacket. Look at the protectors (Elbow/Shoulder), and there are quite a few small differences in the over all design of the jacket.

I think, it's safe to assume that the one I posted is a counterfeit.

[chickenstrip]

[ZiggyStardust]

Bingo, Ste. That's the one. Not sure if it's worth the hassle for that big of a bargain?

[MattEMulsion]

The first jacket that the OP originally posted about looks so cheap and tacky it has got to be a fake Alpinestars one.

Where do you spot it for sale OP?
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[Alex A]

Definitely fake The quality of the leather and the stitching around the collar just don't come near the standard you'd expect.

[Jayy]

I wouldn't buy leathers from ebay, not a chance. Looks faker than Kati e Price.

[c_dug]

Also curious where you found it for sale.

Probably worth dropping an email to A* and the selling site, could save somebody else buying a lemon and potentially getting injured.
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

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[Jonathan A]

The first jacket looks like the 'Yamaha' one that was on the BBC's Fake Britain
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[TUG]

Just by looking at the pic I can tell that jacket is utter shit and a cheap knock off.
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[UrbanRacer]

FAKE
I buy a lot of Alpinestar gear and the quality of the leather is far superior. Alpinestars leather isn't shiny and the way the material looks creased and rippled makes me think its very thin or made from some shit fake leather. It'd probably melt on a hot day.

[Easter Bunny]

On the first picture the "line" around the left elbow protector is quite messy (the right doesnt look so bad) I used to work in clothing and I would surprised that would pass QC for a company like AS
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[andys675]

looks like it was made in china...........

but so is the genuine stuff!
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