Last Update: 17 February 2025
Does the name Treen ring a bell? If not, you’re not alone—most people draw a blank when I mention it. But if you do recognise it, consider yourself amongst the few in North America who know this legendary name. I still own a piece of Treen Motorcycle Gear, and remarkably, it still fits! This cherished collectable was made in Canada by the former Treen Custom Leathers—the company that crafted my very first made-to-measure leather motorcycle race suit.
Treen Leathers High Quality Custom Made
Treen was known for producing high-quality leather riding suits, easily recognisable by their gold embroidered label accented with a bright red maple leaf. The name was synonymous with an exciting era in Canada’s motorsport history.
Curious about what happened to Treen, I went online and came across Treen Custom Leathers in Edmonton. A phone call led me to an employee who wasn’t familiar with the brand’s history but directed me to Lawrence Busenius — “like business and genius,” he told me. Lawrence, who has been with the company for over two decades through its change in ownership, confirmed what I had hoped — I had found the original Treen!
The company was founded in 1949 by Gerald Treen, father of Brian Treen. During the ’70s and ’80s, Brian became the driving force behind its motorsport manufacturing, designing racing suits for flat track, drag racing, and road racing — along with everyday riders like me. Countless Treen suits were crafted for both Canadian and American amateur and professional motorsport competitors.
Treen designed race suits until the mid-’90s, but as materials and technology advanced, keeping up became a challenge. Eventually, the company was sold to its current owner, Bob Dale Gloves, which shifted the focus back to high-quality motorcycle gloves—the very product Treen was founded on.
The Edmonton-born brand had a network of Treen agents across Canada, working through motorcycle leather shops. I can’t remember the Toronto address, but I’ll never forget the day I walked into the shop to get my first made-to-measure motorcycle suit. The sales guy took my measurements and casually asked if I needed extra knee and elbow reinforcements for racing. I said no—after all, I had no plans to race (though, inevitably, I would!).
Looking back, that was the 1980s — kudos to him for even considering that I, a woman, might need a suit for racing! Treen, of course, provided the full service, including lettering. Naturally, I had to have my name added to the jacket. Just . . “Vicki.”
Since returning to Canada, my Treen motorcycle suit has taken on even greater significance — perhaps out of nostalgia for the years gone by. Over the years, I’ve had nine made-to-measure race suits, but my Treen suit will always stand on the top step of the podium!
6 comments
Like #4, I too bought a brown leather Treen flying jacket in Victoria in the late 80s. It’s still in excellent condition and I’m still wearing it around Calgary on my recently-acquired BMW R1200GS. I’ll have to keep an eye out for my doppelganger. Thanks, Treen, for the quality workmanship!
Thanks for the info on Treen and the slueth work to find out what they’re up to now. I know I’m late to the party, but I just bought my first Treen jacket used from a gentlemen who lives in Manitoba, Canada. I live in St. Augustine, Florida, so it’s made quite a long journey. It’s a red and white Kawasaki jacket with blue piping, and a big red Kawasaki “K” gracing the front. The number “12” and Kawasaki are written down both sleeves. It’s a nice change of pace from the ubiquitous Kawasaki lime green, and matches my red KZ1000 MkII nicely, as I imagine the factory green would not stand a chance.
The jacket originally had a name (which I can’t decipher) and then what appears to be 900cc lettering on the left breast, but they were at some time removed, and replaced with NHRA “Member” and KRW Racing Helmets patches. It would be my guess that he or she probably had either a Z1 or a KZ900 before moving on. Shame, cause it’d be nice to know the name, and maybe even some history behind the jacket, as it appears to have quite a bit to tell. The Treen Custom Leathers patch is inside the jacket, with the lettering and Maple leaf stamped in gold on top of a black leather background.
Though it was made for someone else long ago, I got extremely lucky in that it fits me like a glove, as the measurements of the jacket were my exact measurements to a T. I’m 6’5″ and 150lbs soaking wet, so that’s no small feat without either having the sleeves way too short, or the chest size as loose as a garbage bag. Most companies who just make mass produced big and tall sizes, forget about the “and” and just assume all tall guys are big or fat. So, somewhere in Canada was another fellow Wookie of similar height and weight with a love for the old Kawasaki bikes and the same frustrations with finding a good fitting jacket; perhaps my Canadian doppelganger!
Well, this also may very well be the LAST jacket I own for awhile, as my first child is on the way, due in April. Anyway, this jacket is just, well, better in just about everyway as compared to my Schott. I’m really thrilled. After seeing and feeling the quality, I really wish Treen were still in the business of crafting suits, jackets and pants, as I’d love to have matching pants. Oh well, I can always dream that a pair that matches and fits may one day turn up or fall out of the sky and land on my front lawn; one can only hope.
Matt Wilder
Awesome post, Thanks for sharing valuable information.
Xtreemgear
Just read your piece on Treen Leathers. I was going through all my old business cards and came across one for them at 405 Roncesvalles Ave in Toronto Ontario. This was in the mid eighties but may be the address you went to. Still have mine. My grandson tried them on just lately and asked if he could have them when he got his bike. They last forever.
I’ve been curious about Treen, so thanks for the update. I bought a Treen flying jacket in Victoria in the late-80s and still wear it whenever I take my similarly-
aged BMW out for a spin, Calgary weather permitting.
I bought Treen leather jackets and riding pants from their store in Edmonton. The riding gear was bulletproof and waterproof. I gave the jackets away many years ago: either they shrank or I gained weight. ;-) I still have the pants, although those seem to have shrunk too.