What do you want to see from Iron Heart Racing?
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@neph93 Exactly, our market outside of Japan is growing, has done year on year since we started selling outside of Japan. That may not continue of course, but I fundamentally believe that there are enough consumers out there who want the stuff we make to keep us running a successful international business. It is the Japanese market that is suffering. I said in my initial comment that we are better protected than most (brands in our space) because of the size of our international market.
There is at least one brand in our space that effectively no longer has a Japanese market for their clothing.
So, whilst Iron Heart International is growing, IH Japan is not. Haraki and I have to work out ways of remedying that shortfall, if we don't and we can't keep the workshops busy then we too are in deep shit.
Iron Heart Ignition, Iron Heart Racing and Monme are all initiatives to fill the gaps….
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I’m not sure the marketing does say that it’s for younger Harley riders, unless I missed something. Maybe it was mentioned here but I don’t think it’s part of the marketing.
I was thinking the same. There is a considerable vintage (and vintage style) motorcycle scene and most all the guys I know are knowledgeable and can appreciate most brands and types of motorcycle. Most riders that I know don't discriminate and won't dismiss someone just because they ride "X" motorcycle. If someone is passionate about what they ride, there's a mutual respect there. I imagine that the same thinking is involved with the riders own personal style. If someone is passionate about their own personal style, there's a similar level of respect.
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As someone who probably fits into the young Iron Heart wearing motorcyclist demographic, the biggest thing for me would be the option for added protection. I'm thinking either pockets for D30 armour, or with armour already built in. That's part of the reason why I ride with a Belstaff, rather than sticking one of my Iron Heart jackets. I do ride in my IH jeans, but it would be reassuring to be able to include protection on the knees and hips. Most of my riding is urban, so I'm travelling at low speed and take the view that 21oz is at least going to offer some more protection than riding along in a pair of store bought jeans.
In terms of styling, Iron Heart already nail it, that's why I wear your stuff. But for a brand so built around motorcycling in its marketing, I've always thought the lack of protection is a bit of an oversight. To my mind, it sounds as though the IH Racing line could be a good way of addressing that gap.
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Not sure if you approach retailers or they come to you, but if you expand beyond Ken's in the US, you should look into the store Butterscotch in Long Beach. Fairly new store, but has an emphasis on riding/motorcycles. They carry brands like Eat Dust, Vanson, Nudie, etc.
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I think Iron Heart is exclusive to Self Edge. Other than this new label being exclusive to Ken' s. -
For the U.S. as a whole, it is not, and has not been for a few years.
It may be true for markets in which Self Edge exists, however. The other stores that I can think of off the top of my head are in Chicago (Mildblend Supply Co.) and
PhiladelphiaColumbus (Artisan Deluxe)Edit: Dammit, Jett beat me by 45 seconds! I added store names, though…
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Oops. My bad.
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Well, firstly I hope this venture goes well.
Secondly Filthy’s ideas for the trucker hat and jeans are great.
Only comment on the preview of the garments is that I think I would prefer the current large brass snaps but in black (anodised?).
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I’m not sure the marketing does say that it’s for younger Harley riders, unless I missed something. Maybe it was mentioned here but I don’t think it’s part of the marketing.
I was thinking the same. There is a considerable vintage (and vintage style) motorcycle scene and most all the guys I know are knowledgeable and can appreciate most brands and types of motorcycle. Most riders that I know don't discriminate and won't dismiss someone just because they ride "X" motorcycle. If someone is passionate about what they ride, there's a mutual respect there. I imagine that the same thinking is involved with the riders own personal style. If someone is passionate about their own personal style, there's a similar level of respect.
From my experience, I would actually say that the only brand of motorcycle riders regularly discriminate against is Harley Davidson.
If I'm completely honest I groaned when I read that this line would be aimed at 'young HD riders'. Hopefully that won't go any further than being just a term H uses as I think it might put off a greater number of people than it would attract.FWIW the vast majority of (to be clear - UK/European) riders I have spoken to in all my time riding consider Harleys to be heavy, slow, dated lumps that don't go round corners and are often bought by people who don't know much about, and can't really ride, bikes. Rightly or wrongly it's a brand and image a lot of people like to distance themselves from.
I'm probably guilty of sharing that view to some extent, but I've ridden a few and always had a laugh. My afternoon on a V-Rod Muscle was a right laugh.I'm saying this in an effort to be helpful, not to offend anyone.
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Holy shit. I think I pissed my pants just watching that.
