BECK Northeaster Flying Togs: Every Model Explained
BECK® produces seven distinct horsehide jacket and vest models under the Northeaster Flying Togs name — enough variety that the right answer to "which BECK should I buy" depends entirely on which model you're looking at. The 666, 732, 777, and 501 all use BECK's genuine horsehide construction, but they differ in silhouette, collar design, weight, and intended use. This guide covers each model, what it's built for, and what distinguishes it from the others.
BECK® 732 Northeaster — The Original Configuration
The BECK 732 Northeaster Black and 732 Northeaster Brown represent BECK's closest interpretation of the original Northeaster Flying Togs profile: a motorcycle-length jacket with a single-breasted front closure, action-back shoulder gussets for riding range of motion, and the distinctive notched collar that defined the style from its prewar origins. Both are constructed from BECK's genuine horsehide — a leather with higher natural tensile strength and a longer break-in period than deerskin, but a surface hardness that makes it particularly well suited to wind and cold weather riding.
The 732 is the model for riders who want a jacket that reads classic and performs classically. It doesn't have a contemporary silhouette, adventure bike styling, or modern armor pockets. It is a riding jacket in the direct lineage of American motorcycle outerwear from the 1940s, built with materials and construction that reflect that lineage rather than approximate it.
BECK® 777 Northeaster — The Current Flagship
The BECK 777 Northeaster Brown is the flagship of the current lineup. It carries the same horsehide construction as the 732 but updates the pattern for a slightly more modern fit through the shoulders and chest, with a revised collar that sits higher when open. The 777 Brown is currently in stock. The 777 Black is available to order on extended lead time.
The 777 is the choice for riders who want the full BECK horsehide experience with a silhouette that works as well off the bike as on it. The fit runs slightly trimmer than the 732 through the torso, which changes how it wears in a seated position and when standing. Riders who size between models tend to go up one on the 777; the 732 runs more generously through the body.
BECK® 666 Distressed Horsehide — The Café Racer Profile
The BECK 666 breaks from the Northeaster silhouette with a café racer-influenced cut: shorter hem, narrower body, and a front closure that zips rather than snaps. The 666 uses BECK's distressed horsehide treatment, which delivers the finish from new that other horsehide jackets develop after years of riding — a matte, worked surface with natural variation in tone. It is a different jacket than the 732 and 777 in use as well as appearance: the shorter hem and forward-lean cut is built for the riding position of a sport or standard bike, not an upright cruiser position.
Riders who want a horsehide jacket for a sport bike or a stripped-down standard will find the 666 fits the use case better than the Northeaster profile. Riders on cruisers or baggers typically prefer the 732 or 777, where the longer hem and upright-riding cut provides full coverage in the saddle.
BECK® 501 Trucker — Horsehide in a Street Profile
The BECK 501 Trucker applies BECK's genuine horsehide to a western-influenced trucker silhouette: yoke seaming on the back and chest, a shorter body length, and a profile designed to transition from riding gear to everyday outerwear without the motorcycle jacket read. The 501 is available as both a jacket and a vest in black and chestnut brown, which gives it the widest utility range in the BECK lineup for riders who want horsehide quality in a format that doesn't read as motorcycling gear when they're off the bike.
Which BECK Model to Choose
The 732 and 777 are riding jackets first — the correct choice for riders who want a heritage motorcycle jacket with genuine horsehide construction and a silhouette that matches that intent. The 732 runs more traditionally; the 777 runs more contemporary. The 666 suits sport and standard riding positions and gives riders who want café racer styling a legitimate horsehide option. The 501 suits riders who want horsehide construction in a format that works off the bike as naturally as on it.
All four use the same genuine horsehide material and BECK's domestic construction standards. The decision comes down to riding position, intended use, and which silhouette reflects how you actually use the jacket.