REVIEW OF THE ROLAND SANDS MAVEN LEATHER JACKET
- $560, Black/Tobacco/Oxblood, S-3XL
- Fitted Café Style
- Top grain cowhide (1.1mm – 1.3mm thickness)
- Leather is pre-oiled, washed then hand finished with wax and oiled again
- Perforated leather trim
- Performance riding fit
- Pre-curved sleeves and dropped back
- Comfort flex panels under arms at chest
- Adjustable zip waist, zip close cuffs, interior stuff pocket, zip close interior pocket, front and sleeve zip pocket
- Equipped to fit optional RSD Armor in the elbows, shoulder and back
- Review Date: Dec 2012, Sample provided by RSD
The Maven is the women's version of the men's Ronin.
As a stylish, casual motorcycle jacket it does the job of giving you a really cool aesthetic while providing options for body armor. Something that your typical mall jackets will never do. Although it looks like any high fashion jacket, it's still a bit heavier than what you'll find at say, H&M.
The slightly heavier weight gives the jacket more time in case you go down, and will hold up better in a crash than your ultra lightweight mall leather jacket will. But what's vital is the option to add body armor. As you can see in the photo above, there isn't any armor included, but for $90 you can add this kit which I highly recommend doing. They're fitted perfectly for the pockets in the Maven.
As far functionality on the bike, for me it was a tough reach to wear with an aggressive riding position. As someone who has sportbikes, this jacket is tough to wear when you learn really far forward. The fit is definitely optimized for a standard, upright position. I have a fairly broad shoulder for my height and I find it difficult to ride on anything but fully upright. The fitment is also narrower through the waist / bust and fairly generous through the arms and top of the shoulders. I would size up if you need extra room in the bust as well. I have been able to wear a size small from 127lbs / 35" bust -140lbs / 38" bust (unable to zip at 140lbs).
I would recommend the Maven is a fairweather or coolweather jacket, certainly not for summer riding. There is very little ventilation except underneath your armpits.
But my favorite feature by far are the inner pockets, which allow you to carry a phone, keys, wallet and whatever else you can shove into each side of the jacket.
