| Author | Message | ||
     Chrisrogers3 |
So as you all know, I crashed and ruined all of my gear. My insurance company cut the check today for my new gear and the bike. Now the question is what do I get for new gear. Here is what I was wearing Tourmaster Transition Series 2 jacket Tourmaster Venture Air Pants Scorpian Exo-1000 helmet Icon Merc gauntlet gloves Icon Field Armor Boots My wonderful girlfriend already picked me up a brand new pair of Sidi Vortice Airs (apparently she got a raise without telling me haha). So now I am looking at a helmet, gloves, top and bottom. I had had my eye on the Arai XD-3's and Shoei Hornets I also really loved my tourmaster stuff but wonder if there is something better I should be looking at for fit, crashability, and versatility. What is a great gauntlet leather glove out there? Lets hear your thoughts! Thanks in advance! | ||
| Paul56 |
Thankfully, it seems your gear did a great job of protecting you. If it was me, and I was comfortable with the gear I would get exactly the same thing, expecting the same result if, heaven forbid, I had to put it to the test again. | ||
| Pnw_uly |
Have a couple of Shoei helmets: the Hornet DS for the Uly and the RF1100 for the CR, both excellent quality. I also have a Scorpion X900 (modular, with the "Spaceman Spiff" drop down tinted visor). Based on your comments on the other thread about relatively short 500 mile rides, I would steer clear of the Hornet DS - - just a bit too much head wobble at highway speeds, but as always, YMMV. Although both Shoeis are "Snell" rated I often find myself grabbing the "DOT" only Scorpion. Great fit and function, and surprisingly quiet for a modular... Best of luck. . . | ||
| Scooter808484 |
If you've not checked out Motoport and of course Aerostich, those are very good options. | ||
| Mnviking |
Love my Aerostich gear. Best money you can spend IMHO. Toured the factory once or twice. | ||
| Greenlanternjeep |
i would go with olympia its as close to leather as you can get as far as safety is concerned and cheaper than aerostitch | ||
| Chrisrogers3 |
I've never owned anything from aerostitch or Olympia. I will have to check out both of them. I know alpinestars has a new jacket coming out this month that might work well for me. I just wish I had a huge clothing dealer in my area to try these all on before I commit to a pricey purchase. | ||
| Rwven |
NewEnoughLeathers.com has TourMaster Flex 2 jackets on closeout (the Flex 3's are out) for 114.00 shipping included. It's convertible from textile to mesh and in textile form is fully waterproof, more so than most dedicated rain jackets. It's a heavy, solid, well made piece of gear. I'd forgo the flex pants and just go with some mesh or textile.The Venture Air you had before will zip right up. | ||
| Fung |
Love my aerostich rain or shine | ||
| Dynasport |
I have been happy with my Tourmaster jackets. I am on my third Intake jacket, having successfully crash tested the first two. Being in Florida, cool gear is very important to me and the Intake is all mesh with two liners that make it pretty versatile. I am thinking about something different now though, and will check out the Flex previously mentioned. I also have a pair of Tourmaster Quest pants that I wear when it is cooler outside and have been very pleased with them as well. Comfortable and very waterproof. I have been partial to Shoei helmets and have been pleased with my RF-1000s. Next time, however, I think I will try a modular helmet. I was worried about the safety of them, but I have seen several that were crash tested and the chin bar remained in place on all of them, so I am more confident in them now. I have wanted an Aerostich suit, but the money and heat in Florida have kept me from purchasing one. Let us know what you choose and how it works for you after you have used it a while. I have bought lots of gear over the years. Some has been great, some has not. I am always interested in hearing the opinions of those who have actually bought and used different gear. | ||
| Chrisrogers3 |
So I have spent the better part of the weekend laid up, either sleeping or looking at new riding gear. All of the better brands seem to be pretty comparable (A-stars, First Gear, Cortech, Tourmaster, and Olympia). The Olympia has the CE approved back armor (I think thats an awesome selling point)..... BUT I have also heard of non-CE approved armor functioning better than CE approved armor. There is also the Cordura vs. Carbolex arguement and the tourmaster stuff is 600 denier whereas the Olympia stuff is 500 denier. The A-stars Cape Town drystar jacket looks to be promising, but isnt released yet (you can buy CE approved inserts for the chest AND back)..... Or is it still better to wear a back protector instead of relying on the jacket? So I guess the question is, is the Olympia stuff really safer than the Tourmaster stuff? I dont give a damn about the pockets or the coloring, I want the mental security knowing that the money I spend is for the best gear, not the best looking gear. | ||
| Scooter808484 |
Someone posted a very negative report on Olympia a few months back. Very poor customer service. I had a pair of Olympia pants that served me pretty well. But they started leaking after 3 years and I replaced then with Motoport airmesh Kevlar. There is absolutely no comparison in quality. The Olympia looks like it was made by Hasbro, in comparison. I would expect Aerostich to be roughly similar to Motoport in quality, that is, vastly superior to Olympia. | ||
| Crusty |
I have had gear from Motoport, Buell (the original Adventure suit-bought in 1999), Fieldsheer, Tourmaster and Olympia. The best of the bunch was the original Buell Adventure suit. The only one I crashed in was the Adventure, and it was at low speed on a snow covered road. I've been using an Olympia AST Jacket for a few years, and if you're debating whether to get one; or if a Tourmaster is as good, I'll state flatly that the Tourmaster isn't in the same league. However, none of them are in the same league as an Aerostich. You may find people who like their Transition or AST, but the most loyal advocates swear by Aerostich. There's a reason for that loyalty. People who I respect, and who are much better riders than I ever will be swear by them, and my next riding gear will come from Duluth. Over the years, I've spent thousands of dollars buying second rate gear. Being somewhat miserly, I've determined that if I had bought an Aerostich suit, I would have saved a bunch of money in the long run. Years ago, Bell helmets (who were the best at the time) had a slogan, "If you have a 10 dollar head, buy a 10 dollar helmet. If you want the best, buy a Bell". I think the same philosophy applies to riding gear. | ||
| Chrisrogers3 |
A lot of people have chimed in with the Aerostitch option. What might I ask is it that makes aerostitch better than the others when dealing with a crash? Crusty- That quote doesnt work very well because price isnt necessarily in direct correlation with quality these days. Which is why I am being critical asking these questions. Ive never dealt with aerostitch therefore someone has to prove to me that their pricetag reflects the quality of the product itself...... | ||
| 7873jake |
"What might I ask is it that makes aerostitch better than the others when dealing with a crash?" Its the aura one has when wearing the 'Stich that protects them...an intangible sphere of influence. (Could also happen when you eat Skittles  ) The most recent Rider magazine (has an orange Spyder on the cover) has a run down of 16 options for riding gear. It is by no means comprehensive but reviews some gear that is new(er) to the N.A. market. In case you were bored in the grocery store next time. I must add, in order for the post to redeem itself, that my RW/AS Dariens (only ever owned Darien jackets/pants) have all had a much higher degree of fit, finish and the ability to custom tailor aspects for a very comfortable riding position. They were not the coolest hot weather option on the road but the sewing stitch/seam work, the quality of the components, even the thread, seemed of higher quality than some of the other stuff I've owned or considered. (Message edited by 7873jake on August 08, 2011) | ||
| Wired2 |
HELMET - BELL STAR (LIGHT AND COMFORTABLE) SUMMER JACKET - OLYMPIA AIRGLIDE SUMMER PANTS - OLYMPIA AIRGLIDE GLOVES - AEROSTICH ELKSKIN ROPERS BOOTS - DAINESE TORQUE } | ||
| Mnviking |
... had a much higher degree of fit, finish and the ability to custom tailor aspects for a very comfortable riding position. I second that assessment. I'm 6'6" so finding anything at all that fits me is rare. Aerostich custom fitted everything to all of the quirks of my frame (for only $30 xtra). Worth every penny. Their Darien gear is the bees knees. I also have the 'stich elkskin ropers. Been on my hands for over a 100k miles. Best gloves on the planet. | ||
| Discochris |
Another vote for Aerostich. I have a Darien and I'd never buy anything else. Very waterproof, and I know enough guys who have crashed in them to know how well they protect. There's a reason that more of the Iron Butt guys wear 'stich's than anything else. I had a Joe Rocket jacket (I still have it, and use it for snowmobiling). It was fancier, better looking, and warmer with the built-in liner, but it was more complicated to remove the pads, and it wasn't waterproof. The stich isn't as pretty, but it is an all around better jacket. Plus they have great customer service. I've sent my pants back for a couple of broken zippers over the almost eight years I've had mine, and they get them back to me in less than a week. (in fairness it helps that I live 100 miles from the factory). | ||
| Discochris |
Plus, your profile says you live in Oshkosh. It's only a day trip up to Duluth to get fitted if you want or need custom work done. I think they even take appointments. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I would go with the Aerostitch even though I've never owned one but I seen others who do and love them! I have the old Buell Adventure suit and I like it but since they are no longer sold, I think Aerostitch is the way to go now days! I've heard that if you go to Duluth and have a suit fitted for you and it will last years and they give a discount if you purchase it there? Can anyone confirm the discount given at the factory? | ||
| Eulysses |
Check out Teiz Motorsports. I use Oly in the summer but bought this "stich" like suit for $250 for winter riding. Love it! On in 60 seconds and off in 30. Euly | ||
| Discochris |
There is a discount if you go to Duluth. I think it was 10%. I went up there to get my jacket, but ordered the pants online. If you're ordering a custom made Roadcrafter, and you're not too far away, it's worth it. | ||
| Mnviking |
You are correct, it is a 10% discount if you go directly to the factory in West Duluth. That's how I purchased mine. | ||
| Judotrip |
A'Stitch Transit Suit!!! Nuff said... | ||
| Prior |
I'm a huge fan of Aerostich stuff as well. I wear their suits (two piece Roadcrafter, had a one piece and also Darien/AD1 pants), boots and gloves. Great quality, great people, most of it is made in the US, textile gear is customizable for fit and you and you can get alterations and repairs- don't find that on much other gear other than custom leathers. It's not cheap, but lasts. Many times you can find their stuff 'lightly used' in forum classifieds or watch Aerostich's website for seconds. I looked at the Transit suit and would love to have one, but they are off the rack (no alterations), and cannot be repaired in the event of a crash. Definitely quality though and I'd certainly try one on when I get up that way. | ||
| Nipsey |
Motoport Kevlar Mesh - cool in the summer, warm in the cooler times, and great rain protection (although the rain stuff goes inside so you have to either prepare or take off and put on your gear). Great service. Fit and finish is awesome and it works for hornet killing too....  |
