| Author | Message | ||
     Sifo |
OK, I know they are great suits. We are looking at the one piece suits. Debating standard or the light. So who has em? How warm are they in the cold? How cool are they in the heat? Any on ever take a slide in one? Which version do you have? We are heading up that way and plan on stopping in their showroom to check them out in person, but nothing beats the experience of those who have worn them. If we buy, it may likely be one for each of us, so any mistakes will be x2. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Yes. Mine is red now pink where exposed to the sun for years. My only complaint is in 95 and up it is hot really hot. Pouring a glass of water inside works pretty well for that though. Chilly weather and drizzle don't get in but heavy downpours pool up in my crotch. Standing up periodically to dump out my birdbath helps a bit but I usually forget until it's too late  | ||
| Spatten1 |
I got mine in 1997. I love it and would highly recommend it. Crashed in it once at about 35 mph, it did great. My Buell got banged up worse than me or the Aerostitch. It can get hot when you are not moving, but when you get where you are going it's sure nice to take it off and have shorts on underneath. With a fleece underneath it will keep you warm, your hands will be a bigger issue for sure. Be prepared to be made fun of for wearing a cosmonaut suit, and everyone will ask why you are wearing it when it's not cold outside. All in all, a great long-term investment. | ||
| Froggy |
I bought a standard one piece Roadcrafter back in 2007. At the time, there was no light model, and they used different zippers than the new models. It is warm in the cold, when the temperatures drop below 10{chdeg}C I just throw my heated jacket on underneath to help keep me warm with insulation, then below about 5{chdeg}C I turn the heat on. In the summer, it is good with the vents open till around 30{chdeg}C, after that you will start sweating if you do not have airflow (traffic, gas stops), but take a small bag of ice with holes poked in it, stick it in the rear pocket, it will work wonders. I crashed in it, the suit held up well, I ruined a couple of the zippers and reflectors, that is about it. I've been meaning to send it in for repair and a upgrade to the new zipper, but I have been too lazy. My only real issue with it was the way in the rain that water pools around the crotch then leaks in the zipper, allegedly the new zipper design fixes that. Being able to go in person is the best thing you can do, they can measure you and do all the tailoring right on the spot, so you don't play a game of guessing the sizes and shipping back and forth to get one. | ||
| Court |
Have many Love all | ||
| Strokizator |
it's sure nice to take it off and have shorts on underneath. I wear a hospital gown under mine. I find that it saves precious seconds in the ER. | ||
| Jaimec |
I still have my Roadcrafter 2 that I bought back in 1989. It's been "refreshed" a couple of times by the factory, but it seems to have "shrunk" in the closet. I bought a new one on their 20th Anniversary in one size larger (I think they must've changed the sizing or something... I'm SURE I should've fit just fine in the 42). I keep meaning to put my original suit up on eBay, but haven't done so yet. Last year I also bought a Darien suit with Kanetsu AirVantage electric liner. It isn't as easy to put on or take off, but it is a LOT more water proof. I use the Roadcrafter for commuting and day rides, and the Darien for multi-day trips. I can't think of anything I bought for my motorcycling addiction that has worked out better, or I can recommend more highly, than my Aerostich suits (Darien and Roadcrafter). | ||
| Sifo |
Thanks for all the replies. I have heard that they have improved things like the wet crotch issue and better zippers. Nice to see that they listen to customers. That leads to quality products. Your opinions should help when I get to their showroom where it's easy to get overwhelmed with options. It's appreciated! | ||
| Davegess |
They will also measure you on a bike at the showroom so you can have a custom fit. A big fella I know , who at 7 foot is all arms and legs but has the torso of someone 6'5" had one done and I understand he finds it exceptionally comfortable. | ||
| Jaimec |
FWIW, the Roadcrafter Light suit (new this year) is NOT made in the USA. I believe it is manufactured in Vietnam for Aerostich, using their design. | ||
| Sifo |
FWIW, the Roadcrafter Light suit (new this year) is NOT made in the USA. I believe it is manufactured in Vietnam for Aerostich, using their design. Thank you for pointing that out. That matters to me. That's a detail that's easy to overlook. | ||
| Froggy |
Well thats a shame to hear  | ||
| Jayvee |
But they do have an 'ultra-Lite' that's made in USA. Sounds good for commuting only. Like carrying a concealed weapon (sort of in reverse) you wear it and wear it, and hope you never use it. | ||
| Fung |
I have had the 2 piece , very versital . Hot days open the vents and wet t shirt is like riding in the shade. I have the roadcrafter lite and really like it in the warmer weather. I also have a Darren jacket and ad1 pants. I do regret getting the black, it just heats up too fast. If I had to do only one suit, it would be roadcrafter 2 piece in anything but black. | ||
| Jaimec |
I rode cross country in the full Darien suit last summer. Saw temperatures up to 106 going across the Badlands, and across Nevada. My secret is a 100% cotton sweatshirt worn UNDER the jacket. When I stop for gas, I take the shirt off, soaked it in the Men's Room, shook it out, put it back on, and put the jacket back on over it. The cotton holds the water for a long time (as good as those expensive cooling vests... but a lot cheaper and easier to find) and the Darien Jacket keeps it from evaporating too quickly. It's like having your own air conditioner. | ||
| Chauly |
Love mine, had it since '98. Had one before that from '90. Love/loved them! | ||
| Jaimec |
I've been a customer since 1986... the original Roadcrafter didn't have sealed seams, and the padding was simple closed-cell foam instead of the impact absorbing temperfoam they use now. Also, the ballistic abrasion patches on the elbows didn't extend all the way down to the wrists. I had an accident while wearing that suit, and sent it back to Aerostich for repairs. Imagine my surprise when I got a call from Andy Goldfine asking me how I was, checking up on my condition and the condition of the bike before asking me my opinion of the suit and how I thought it could be improved. That personal touch made me a fan for life. I also got the suit back literally "as good as new." I sold that suit to a friend of mine when the Roadcrafter 2 became available. That was similar to the current design with the temperfoam armor, sealed seams, double (as opposed to single) GoreTex laminate and the abrasion patches on the elbows extending down to the wrists (I had torn off an elbow patch in my crash). That is the suit I still have in my closet... the one that "shrunk." A recent Aerostich catalog featured a "double exposure" of me wearing both suits, standing by my old 2000 M2 Cyclone. Some BadWebbers saw that photo and remarked on it here.  Here is a link to my most recent "Crash Test Review" posted here on Badweb: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/605781.html About a week after I'd posted that, I got an E-mail from Andy Goldfine telling me that he REALLY didn't need me to crash test his suits, as they do all of the testing they feel they need already. I don't know if he's a lurker here, or if someone (Court?) gave him the "Head's Up" about that post. He also thanked me for being a loyal, long-term customer. I've only known one other company founder/owner who seems to care that much about his customer base. The other one is Erik Buell. | ||
| Davegess |
I've only known one other company founder/owner who seems to care that much about his customer base. The other one is Erik Buell. Two peas in a pod  | ||
| Hughlysses |
So who has em? How warm are they in the cold? How cool are they in the heat? Any on ever take a slide in one? Which version do you have? I bought a standard Roadcrafter one-piece used from a guy on ADVrider a few years ago. It was in great condition, it fit me well, and I saved a substantial sum by buying used. IIRC it was originally purchased around 2006 and has held up well. I don't find it to be particularly warm in the winter (no warmer than any other gear); you have to layer up under it just like with "conventional" motorcycle attire to stay warm. You can do a lot with it in hot weather to improve the comfort- zip vents open, leave front and legs partially unzipped, etc. but where I live (coastal SC), mesh gear is a necessity about 6 months of the year. All the info I have about crash protection is 2nd hand, but I've never seen any disparaging comments about them. I did purchase the Aerostich back protector for mine. All that said, I honestly haven't worn my Aerostich that much. I wore it a lot after I first got it, but I find the one-piece construction to be a PITA to get on and off (my torso is probably about 1 inch too "long" for the dimensions of mine). For anything other than long road trips, I'd rather have a separate jacket that I can easily take off during stops. If I had it to do over again, I'd get a two-piece Aerostich suit. Depending on where you live and how you ride, you may find it's the ideal piece of gear for you. | ||
| Court |
>>>So who has em? How warm are they in the cold? How cool are they in the heat? Any on ever take a slide in one? Which version do you have? 1) Most serious riders have them. 2) They do pretty good in the cold and have a wide range of heated options. 3) They are legendary in the heat. I spent 10 days doing demo riding for the foreign media in 120oF temps. Nothing is "cool" but innovative riders have come up with some great ways to make things work. I prefer the "wear a t-shirt, pour in a bottle of water and use evaporative cooling" unless I am headed to a meeting or something, then I go with the various venting tricks. 4) Yes. There are few things better. Some argue the Aerostich is better than leather (it goes into the same arena as oil, counter steering and tire discussions - decide for yourself). They are also very rebuildable. I think Aerostich has (of perhaps HAD) a chart of "how fast you were going vs. how much to fix". They cite the suits Erik and I send them as some of the best entertainment to come through the door. 5) I have a couple 1-piece, a 2-peice (mostly in use these days) and a Hi-Viz Darien jacket for runs to the city. I VERY seldom ride without the full suit. I can put it on in less than 30 seconds . . . why not use it? | ||
| Sifo |
Great to hear all the opinions. We are leaving in Wednesday AM. Going to hit the back roads of SW Wisconsin on the way, including our first time hitting Wildcat Mt. Should get to Duluth the second day. After that it's along the Lake Superior shoreline, over the bridge to the lower peninsula, and spend some time with my brother and his son who just got back from Afghanistan. Weather looks great! Can't wait to hit it! | ||
| Jaimec |
Sifo, they sell a T-Shirt you can ONLY buy at the store (it's not sold in the catalog). It says simply "I Rode There" on the front. On the back is the Aerostich Factory logo. Yes, I have one (from last summer). | ||
| Svh |
Sifo- If you get a chance, and it works for your direction of travel, check out the Leggs Inn. It is right at the start of a very nice road (M-119) that is nicknamed the "Tunnel of Trees" Food is good and atmosphere is great especially if you can get outside. If you can't do the road the Inn is worth the side trip. http://www.legsinn.com/ | ||
| Sifo |
Leggs Inn is on the agenda. I've been there a couple of times. My wife keeps asking when she gets to go. I'm hoping the timing can work out well for lunch. That would put us at my Brother's place in Maple City just about dinner time! TOT is right on the way too. Just spoke with my nephew. He's trying to get his Kaw running after sitting for the past 3 years while he's been in the service. He was just heading out to fetch a battery for it. He's got a rebuild kit for the carbs too. Hopefully he'll have it sorted out when we get there. | ||
| 86129squids |
Sounds like a great trip, buddy! Keep us posted with pics! | ||
| Sifo |
Should be great. This trip is the warm up though! First ride longer than a day trip on my Sprint ST too! | ||
| Bluzm2 |
I got one many moons ago. Don't wear it anymore.... it shrunk..... | ||
| Sifo |
Now I've got one. So does my wife. Both were on the sale rack, so we saved a bit over $300. We started the morning with my Triumph not wanting to turn over. Tried to bump start it, but with a wet parking lot from morning rains it wouldn't even turn the engine. An 80 some year old Harley rider that we had talked to at breakfast offered me a jump start from his car. Fired right up. I thought if it was charging, the 2+ hour ride to Aerostich would get some charge back into it. I had no idea what had happened though, and the old battery failed (failed a load test, not just wouldn't start the bike) so it's a brand new battery. Trying to leave Aerostitch it still wouldn't start. They pulled it in the warehouse and put a charger on it. After a couple of seconds it showed a full charge??? I tried the starter and it fired right up. I'm not sure what's up with that. It started fine after a quick lunch. I guess I'll see what happens in the morning. Could a flaky ground somewhere cause something like this? First time this bike has been on anything beyond a day trip and it flakes out on the second morning. Now I'm in the middle of nowhere of UP Michigan wondering if it will start if I shut it off. Adventure! | ||
| Sifo |
Pulled the battery out after failing to start this morning... In the rain. A Polaris ATV dealer just down the street load tested and confirmed it's a bad battery. Good news... They have the exact replacement. Bad news... It needs to be charged. Stuck here on a rainy day. | ||
| Jaimec |
As long as you're stuck there for the day... this could be a fun place to kill some time: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=21090860800 54&set=a.2109061039428.2116175.1032635627&type=3&t heater It's where I stayed last summer when my girlfriend fell and broke her wrist, and required surgery. |
