I am just starting out with riding and don't have much experience with it. The culture, needs, and requirements to do it safely and successfully can be a little daunting. And expensive. Leather riding gear especially, you can need a lot to stay warm and protected and that adds up. Leather is particularly a pain, since generally it is altered to fit and isn't easily returnable...so getting the wrong thing will make your life miserable and expensive. I shopped around a little in Salem to get an idea of what I was going to be spending. My mind was swimming with the extravagance of cost. And though I got some pretty detailed help at the Harley-Davidson shop, the prices were pretty big. Other stores just kind of let me cruise around. I tried various things on and it was alright, but I felt a little out of my depth. Then I strolled into Hawg Haven, upon suggestion of a friend. The shop is dark and very biker-esque. Almost felt like I had walked into the clubhouse of the Sons of Anarchy. Helmets, chaps, gloves, and all sorts of add-ons lined the walls. In the back of the place is a full leather alteration shop, right next to a large array of leather jackets and vests. The staff was immediately helpful, but since I was just looking, I kind of waved them off. I checked the prices before trying them on. Where other stores had set their prices around $300 and up, most of the jackets I found at Hawg Haven were of similar quality, and went for $150-$300. Having to buy everything else at once, I didn't want to go all out on my first gear, and I actually found a pretty damn good jacket on clearance for $100. I tried it on, it fit pretty damn good, and I took it up to the counter and left it there to go and look at some other stuff. When I got back to the counter, with a new bandana in hand, the amazing lady there (I'm pretty sure she's one of the owners) asked me if the jacket fit good. I said it did, but she looked skeptical and asked again, stressing how too big a fit can get air up under the surface and cause problems. I offered to try it on and she took one look at me and told me it was too big. She then went and got the same style jacket, but a size smaller, and told me to try it on. I did and the fit was very much different, and exactly what she said I was supposed to look for. It was also the same price...no upsale here! She then eyeballed me and told me exactly the size of chaps I would need, when I was ready for them. She told me their shop will alter them to fit perfectly as well. This person clearly, CLEARLY, knew her business if she could pick out at a distance that I was getting too big of an item. And she got me the exact thing I needed, saving me future misery. And she threw in a head cap complimentary, to go on under my helmet. And all with me buying a bottom-of-the-line, entry-level clearance jacket from Pakistan. Wonderful. Simply wonderful. When I upgrade my jacket, and get the rest of my gear, I will not bother going to any other joint in Salem. Nay, in Oregon. The people here obviously love riding, they love bikers, and they absolutely know their stuff. And it's a local business, not a chain. Don't bother checking any other place out...this is the place to be. Absolutely. read more

Seriously wonderful customer service. I came in with a broken purse strap and Patty did everything she could to fix it on the spot.

These two are great took the time to help me find a perfect fitting jacket and gloves great quality and great customer service!

So sad to see the store empty today. You will be missed, Patty and Ken! I always enjoyed our conversations and to see what new items you had in stock. Thank you for your many years of service to the motorcycle community! Best wishes in your next adventures! read more

Awesome shop for motorcycle leathers! Excellent selection of jackets and chaps. The owners are so friendly and their customer service is the BEST!! read more

Met these folks at Rally in the Valley 2018 @ Spirit Mtn. Casino. Had patches sewn on riding jackets and showed Ken my leather First Gear riding jacket I've had for 20-years which had torn vest and hand pockets. Ken indicated he could repair/replace pockets but we needed to bring jackets to his store in Salem. Dropped off jackets mid August and they indicated it might be 2-3 weeks. We indicated we were riding to Thunder in the Rockies end of August and while Ken was swamped he got my jacket pockets replaced and a patch on the wife's coat in less than a week. In plenty of time to ride to CO. Great service. Hand pockets made out of heavier leather versus original fabric. Vest pockets done in a little lighter leather in lieu of fabric. No more ripped out pockets! Very reasonable fee for service provided. Way less then a new jacket! read more

These guys rock! Me new to me chaps needed taken in and she spent 30 minutes getting them to fit perfectly. Great service, and cheap too!