BECK builds multiple models in their horsehide lineup, each with a different cut and purpose. This roundup covers every BECK model available through Legendary USA, with a direct assessment of what each one is built for and which rider profile it suits. If you've been trying to decide between BECK models, this is the comparison you need.
The BECK TM-732 Northeaster: The Core Motorcycle Jacket
The BECK TM-732 Northeaster Flying Togs Horsehide Jacket is BECK's purpose-built motorcycle jacket — the model around which the rest of the lineup is organized. The cut is functional for riding: structured through the shoulders, close at the torso to prevent wind billowing at highway speed, and with sleeve length calibrated for a rider's forward-leaning position rather than an upright walking stance.
The Northeaster is for riders who want an American horsehide motorcycle jacket that performs at touring speed, handles real weather, and develops a genuine patina over years rather than looking the same at year five as it did on day one. This is not a fashion piece dressed up as a motorcycle jacket. It is a motorcycle jacket that happens to look good off the bike as well.
Available in classic black. Break-in is significant — expect 4–8 weeks of regular wearing before the jacket fully conforms to your riding position.
The BECK TM-732 Northeaster in Chestnut Brown
The BECK TM-732 Northeaster in Chestnut Brown is the same jacket with a lighter-colored horsehide that shows break-in character more visibly. Chestnut horsehide develops a richer, more complex patina over time than black horsehide — the darkening at contact points, the lightening at fold lines, and the deepening of the natural grain are all more apparent in a lighter-colored hide.
For riders who want to watch the horsehide change over time and wear a jacket that looks noticeably more seasoned at year three than it did at year one, the chestnut brown is the right choice. The construction and fit are identical to the black version. The only variable is the surface color and how aging shows in it.
The BECK 666 Distressed Horsehide Café Racer: The Street and Sport Option
The BECK 666 Distressed Horsehide Café Racer uses the same American horsehide as the Northeaster but with two major differences: the cut is a café racer (shorter torso, more tapered silhouette) and the surface has been pre-distressed to produce a worn appearance from day one.
The distressed finish is a legitimate surface treatment, not a cheaper alternative to clean horsehide. It requires additional processing steps to produce a consistent worn appearance across the jacket surface. The underlying construction quality — hide density, stitching, hardware — is the same as the Northeaster lineup.
The 666 suits riders on sport bikes, street bikes, and scrambler-style motorcycles who prefer a shorter, trimmer jacket profile. The café racer cut works better for forward-lean riding positions where a full-length torso can be restrictive. For upright cruiser and touring positions, the Northeaster is usually the better fit.
The BECK 566 Horsehide Vest: Extend the Tradition to Vest Form
The BECK 566 Horsehide Leather Motorcycle Vest brings the same material and construction standards to a riding vest. Horsehide in vest form produces a garment that is heavier than standard cowhide vests but more resistant to surface wear and more distinctive in how it ages. The break-in on the vest is shorter than the jacket because there are fewer structural elements and the vest conforms to the torso more quickly.
This vest is for riders who want the horsehide tradition in a lighter riding layer — for summer riding, for layering under a jacket, or for riders who prefer vests as their primary riding garment. The construction quality is consistent with the BECK jacket lineup: domestic horsehide, domestic construction, hardware selected for a long service life.
Which BECK Model Is Right for You
The decision matrix is straightforward. Cruiser or touring rider who wants a full motorcycle jacket: TM-732 Northeaster in black or chestnut brown depending on aesthetic preference. Sport or street rider who prefers a shorter, trimmer cut with a pre-worn appearance: BECK 666 Distressed Café Racer. Rider who wants horsehide quality in a lighter riding layer: BECK 566 Vest.
All BECK products are available through the Legendary USA complete gear collection. The horsehide in every BECK model is American-sourced and processed to BECK's construction specifications. The difference between models is in the cut and styling, not in the material quality.