Pando Moto Falcon Aviator AA Leather Jacket Review
YoDomCat
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Forget what you think you know about AA-rated motorcycle jackets. The Pando Moto Falcon Aviator leather jacket is here to flip the script. This isn’t your grandpa’s stiff, bulky leather. We’re talking about a jacket that’s so comfortable and stylish, you’ll forget it’s packing serious protection.
Here are three things I love about this jacket:
- AA-rated protection in a featherweight package: Seriously, this jacket is thin and supple, yet it punches way above its weight in safety.
- Style that turns heads: Prepare to be stopped on the street, not for your bike, but for your jacket. This thing is a fashion statement, disguised as moto gear.
- A brand that puts riders first, for real: Lifetime crash protection warranty? That’s not just marketing fluff; it’s a commitment to riders that speaks volumes.
I’ve just spent over 500 miles putting the Pando Moto Falcon Aviator jacket through its paces on my BMW M 1000 R, and let me tell you, this jacket has blown me away. If you’re after a tech-heavy breakdown, you can find those elsewhere, including Pando Moto’s own website. But I’m here to give you the real rider perspective – what it’s like to actually live with this jacket, from weekend blasts to the daily grind.
If you’d rather watch this review, here’s my original video on the topic:
Premium Feel, Premium Protection
From the moment you lay eyes on the Falcon Aviator, one word comes to mind: premium. It’s not just a feeling; it’s evident in every detail, from the luxurious leather to the top-notch safety certifications. This jacket boasts a double-A safety rating, meeting the latest standards as of 2024. Now, usually, when you hear “AA-rated leather jacket,” you picture something thick, stiff, and about as comfortable as cardboard. But the Falcon Aviator completely shatters that stereotype.
It’s surprisingly thin and incredibly comfortable, which is not something you typically associate with high-rated protective gear, especially in this classic Aviator style. You might even mistake it for a fashion bomber jacket at first glance, given their similar aesthetics. Bomber jackets are often A-rated, but achieving this level of softness and lightness usually means sacrificing durability. Not here.
Stylish yet protective, this jacket looks great on or off the bike. Get the back armor that fits here.
- Durable & soft 1.12mm thick goat leather
- Includes D3O Ghost elbow & shoulder armor
- Warm detachable lining
- Back armor sold separately
Pando Moto has achieved this remarkable combination of comfort and protection thanks to the use of supple goatskin leather. This premium material provides exceptional abrasion resistance without the bulk and stiffness of traditional cowhide. And speaking of protection, the Falcon Aviator comes equipped with Level 1 D3O Ghost armor in the elbows and shoulders.
If you know D3O Ghost armor, you know it’s the gold standard for low-profile impact protection. It’s incredibly thin and flexible, molding to your body for all-day comfort. Honestly, you barely notice it’s there. Unless you’re wearing just a t-shirt underneath, then you might get a slight rub sometimes. There’s also an optional pocket for a QuatroFlex Level 2 back protector.
Lightweight, CE Level 2 certified protection for superior impact absorption.
- High-impact memory foam
- Fits most PANDO MOTO jackets
- Multi-layer design for shock dispersion
- Not compatible with older M65 Camo & Capo Cor models
The QuatroFlex is another excellent protector, similar in style to those found in REV’IT! jackets. It offers robust back coverage while remaining comfortable and non-intrusive. It’s a ¾ length protector, intentionally designed to leave the coccyx area uncovered. Pando Moto likely made this choice to prevent the protector from riding up and compromising the jacket’s stylish silhouette.
Style That Doesn’t Compromise
Let’s circle back to that goatskin leather. It’s clear that style was a top priority in the design of the Falcon Aviator. Looking at Pando Moto’s broader range (read the review of Pando Moto Commando Jacket), it seems they’re committed to striking that balance between style and safety, minimizing compromises in either area. And I, for one, am thrilled they made that choice.
You really can’t appreciate through the camera how incredibly soft and comfortable this leather is. Wearing it open, off the bike, it’s undeniably a stylish piece. Yet, it still delivers that crucial AA safety rating, typically reserved for much heavier, bulkier leather jackets. The leather itself is a bovine leather, boasting a beautiful, natural texture that will only get better with age.
I’m telling you, this leather is a game-changer. It’s soft, malleable, and perfectly complements the jacket’s stylish aesthetic. Off the bike, you can easily wear this jacket as a fashion piece, and most people would never guess it’s motorcycle gear. I’ve genuinely never received so many compliments on a motorcycle jacket. Riders are always feeling the leather, surprised to find armor underneath.
It truly blurs the lines between fashion and function, and that’s the genius of what Pando Moto has achieved here. It functions flawlessly as a motorcycle jacket while being a genuine style statement off the bike. In my experience reviewing jackets, style often takes a backseat to outright motorcycle functionality. To have a jacket that prioritizes style yet performs exceptionally as protective riding gear is a rare and impressive feat. Kudos to Pando Moto for nailing this balance.
When it comes to styling, while the Aviator aesthetic naturally lends itself to classic and retro bikes, I believe this jacket transcends categories. It looks fantastic with all types of bikes. Picture this with jeans and trainers – it would look just as sharp on my M 1000 R as it would on a classic roadster. It’s an obvious choice for retro, classic, or bobber riders, but even if you ride a sportbike or supersport, I urge you to consider the Falcon Aviator.
Zipped up, it presents a clean, slim profile that works surprisingly well with a sporty aesthetic. Pair it with jeans, trainers, or even sportbike boots over jeans and gauntlet gloves – this jacket pulls off that look effortlessly. And because of the malleable 1.12mm goatskin, it’s easy to layer a hoodie underneath for a more casual vibe.
Weathering the Ride: Ventilation and Warmth
Ventilation on the Falcon Aviator is straightforward: a single, prominent vent runs down the center zip.
Everything else is sealed tight with ribbed cuffs and a full-length zipper, making it effectively windproof. This windproof construction contributes to a surprisingly warm feel for such a lightweight jacket. However, it’s important to note that while windproof, the Falcon Aviator is not waterproof.
Pando Moto has thoughtfully included an internal waterproof pocket, perfect for safeguarding electronics if you get caught in a downpour.
I experienced a light rain shower while wearing the jacket, and it held up fine; water beaded off, and nothing soaked through.
During my 500-mile test, I rode in temperatures as low as 4°C (39°F) on chilly morning commutes and as high as 20°C (68°F) on sunny days. Pando Moto provides a zip-in thermal gilet (vest) liner with the jacket.
This quilted, detachable liner adds a noticeable layer of warmth to the core, but leaves the arms uninsulated. With the thermal liner in place, I’d estimate the comfortable lower limit for this jacket to be around 8°C (46°F). Below 12°C (54°F) with the liner, you’ll likely want to layer up for extended rides. Below 10°C (50°F), full-length thermal layers become necessary to keep your arms warm, whether it’s a simple jumper or a more dedicated thermal mid-layer.
Experienced year-round riders typically have their own layering systems dialed in, and Pando Moto seems to recognize this. Hence, the inclusion of a versatile gilet liner rather than a full-sleeve thermal lining. For colder conditions, riders can easily remove the gilet and incorporate their preferred mid-layers.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, I experienced a surprisingly warm, sunny day of 20°C (68°F) shortly after getting the jacket. This pushed the upper limit of the jacket’s comfort. While moving, airflow was adequate, but in stop-and-go traffic, I had to unzip the jacket slightly to get some relief. Off the bike, with the jacket fully open, it was perfectly comfortable. I’d say 20°C is realistically the warmest you’d want to push this jacket. At that temperature, I was wearing the jacket without the thermal liner, just over a t-shirt.
Crash Replacement Guarantee
I’m genuinely impressed with Pando Moto’s philosophy. Their motto, “Engineered by Riders,” is even printed inside the back of the jacket.
Initially, I dismissed it as typical marketing speak – every brand claims to design “for riders, by riders.” However, after thoroughly testing the Falcon Aviator, it’s clear that someone who actually rides has had significant input in its design. They haven’t compromised on rider-centric details, and that’s what makes this jacket truly exceptional.
It’s safe to say Pando Moto takes their brand and products seriously. The Falcon Aviator comes with a standard 2-year warranty against manufacturing defects. But what truly sets them apart is their lifetime crash protection warranty.
Yes, you read that right – lifetime. If you have an accident, send them photos and details of the damage, and they will replace your jacket with a new one, or an equivalent model if your specific jacket is no longer in production. Why would they offer such a warranty? They state it’s for R&D purposes. Crashes are never ideal, and no two are the same. Pando Moto’s willingness to invest in this program demonstrates a real commitment to understanding crash dynamics and continually improving their gear. It speaks volumes about their dedication to rider safety and product development.
Rider-Focused Features: Details That Matter
Let’s dive into some specific features that highlight the rider-centric design of the Falcon Aviator. First, the zippers. These are beefy YKK zippers with substantial tassels, especially on the main side pockets and even the small arm pocket.
If you don’t want the arm pocket tassel flapping around, they’ve even included a small ribbon to tuck it away – a tiny detail, but indicative of thoughtful design. You can tell a rider designed these zippers because they are glove-friendly. Operating zippers with gloves on is a constant frustration, and Pando Moto has nailed it here.
Next, the wind-stop cuff.
I’ve reviewed many bomber-style jackets that lack this feature, and it’s a major oversight. They often rely on thick padding for warmth, but then cold air blasts straight through the zipper. It’s pointless. Pando Moto has intelligently addressed this with an integrated wind-stop along the zipper sitting behind it.
There’s also an extra layer of leather around the zipper for the bottom third of it which serves two purposes: keeping the zipper from scratching your tank and acting as a tactile stop point for the zipper so you can open it for airflow and close it back up again with one hand while on the bike, without accidentally fully unzipping the jacket. Beautifully done.
Now for the ribbing at the cuffs and the waist: You might wonder why Pando Moto would invest in such high-quality ribbing, but it makes a real difference. This material is designed to resist stretching and losing its shape, even in wet conditions. If you get caught in the rain, the ribbing will maintain its form over time. In my 500 miles of testing, it’s held its shape remarkably well. Velcro still adheres to it, but not as aggressively as on some cheaper ribbing materials.
This robust ribbing does mean that fitting short cuff gloves over the jacket cuff takes a fraction longer, but I gladly accept that minor inconvenience for the superior seal and secure fit it provides.
Finally, a fun, subtle detail: a small Velcro patch on the arm is removable, allowing you to add your own custom patch.
A nod to the Aviator jacket’s heritage, and a bit of fun personalization for riders.
You might have noticed I’m not really nitpicking this jacket. I’m struggling to find genuine negatives. Pando Moto clearly set out to create a specific type of jacket – an AA-rated, comfortable, stylish Aviator – and they’ve absolutely nailed it.
The only limitations are inherent to the jacket’s design. Being a thinner leather jacket, it’s not designed for extreme sub-freezing temperatures. And because it’s sealed for windproofing, ventilation is limited to the central zipper vent. Adding more ventilation would compromise the style and potentially the safety rating. Pando Moto has smartly positioned this jacket for a 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F) temperature range, covering three seasons in many climates. They’ve executed this design brief exceptionally well, creating a truly well-thought-out, comfortable, and stylish piece of riding gear.
Sizing and Fit
For sizing reference, I’m 5’10”, with a 42-inch chest and 34-inch waist. I’m wearing a size large.
I typically wear a large in most jackets, occasionally an extra-large if the sizing runs small. The Falcon Aviator, I’d say, runs about half a size small, maybe a touch less. I can squeeze into a medium, but it feels a bit restrictive for riding. The large fits me perfectly, providing room for the thermal liner or a thin base layer underneath.
Final Verdict
That wraps up my review of the fantastic Pando Moto Falcon Aviator leather jacket.
If you enjoyed this review, check out my other videos. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below, and I’ll be happy to answer them. As always, thanks for reading.
