| Author | Message | ||
     Wile_ecoyote |
Anybody got a suit or clothing from these guys? How do you like it and are they hot? I'm looking into new gear. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I got one. The quality is quite nice. I've been in some heavy downpours and nothing got through. Hot? yes but vented under the armpits and across the back. It doesn't breathe as well as my abraded two piece suit. The way they work it is interesting: They ask you how tall you are and what weight you are. then they send you a suit that is close. you then put on the suit and sit on your bike. Make notes of alterations needed o make suit right for you. You then send back the suit and they make you a new one in your choice of colors with the sizing info. I ended up keeping the sample suit. I only needed a couple of inches in the legs to make mine perfect. They sent it to me less than a week before homecoming. I'll send mine back after the riding season. | ||
| Court |
Aerostich is one of the most amazing products in motorcycling. It's where you will end up eventually and the quality is outstanding. I've got 4 of them, have crashed them and traveled the entire country in them. You can not find a better mix of protection and engineering. Easy to see these things are designed and constructed by real riders. Plus the catalog is an absolute hoot to read! | ||
| Jackbequick |
I've used the Aerostich Darien jacket for three years now. It is simply wonderful, there is no other way to describe it. As far as hot, it is comfortable while you are in motion at temps up in the 90's thanks to the underarm and back panel ventilation zippers. But you'll want it off as soon as you stop. Once the temps get down into the 60's or 70's or so, it is fine with all the zippers closed or almost closed. A lot of it boils down to how many layers you have on under it. for summer wear, I put it on over a tee shirt or maybe a long sleeved tee shirt. When it gets in the 50's here in Maine, I like a layer under the jacket. In the lower 50's and down into the 40's I put the Kanetsu electric liner in the jacket for the winter. The jacket and liner will keep your arms and torso warm for shorter rides with the air temp in the 40's and even down into the 30's. I use the electrics for longer rides but tend to toggle it on and off (it sometimes gets too warm and I don't have a variable controller). Absolutely perfect wrist and front closures. The neck is high enough and closes well too, you need to add the neck and lower face cozys that suit your helmet and personal needs. The jacket is tough, fairly stiff, plenty of pockets, good zippers, and has all the adjusters needed to eliminate any looseness. Nothing on it will ever flap or flutter in the wind. This year I'm going to add a pair of the Darien motorcycle pants to my wardrobe and I'll be all set. I ride until the roads have been sanded or salted as long as they are dry and not icy. Once the plowing, sanding, salting starts I'm done for the winter. I tried on a Aerostich one piece suit and liked it, but I went with the two piece jacket and pant because I found it a little more versatile for year around wear. If you buy Aerostich and don't like it, you'll be the first person I ever met that did. Jack | ||
| Firemanjim |
I have had the pants for ages and love the easy on/off. This year I finally snagged a jacket and it was not as expected. It has no removable liner and no liner/padding around the neck area. I still use it in warmer weather, but my last couple of Jackets have had better liners and neck protection(?). | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I have a one piece. BEST MONEY I HAVE EVER SPENT At first I was hesitant to spend $800 on a suit, now I wouldn't even think twice about doing it again. I recently went down in mine. Flew, then slide a good distance. I got right up, dusted my self off, and noticed the suit was barely damaged. In fact I have to point out to people when I went down. If you order one make sure you option it out with the hip protectors. They are what really saved my bacon. As for the company, they are the tops. When I ordered mine there was a 7 week waiting list. I wasn't sure of what ballistics color would match the buell, so they offered to send me a color book. I didn't want this to lengthen my ship time, so they offered to check for me. They went to the trouble of checking out an XB to match the frame color. Turns out their bright silver ballistic is a close match. I have since spent a boat load more with those fine folks. | ||
| T9r |
I love my 2 piece Roadcrafter suit, summer and winter. As mentioned above, layer up in the winter and find a good wind-proof jacket and some electric gear like the Kanetsu jacket. Then for the summer I've gone on trips where I've worn shorts under the pant and a short sleeve shirt. Opening the right combination of zippers allows great air flow. Aerostich... not just for BMW riders anymore. a great investment, I've had mine for at least 5 years now and also have bought other electric gear from them. They are a great company to deal with and made in USA. I bought most all of my stuff off the clearance section of their webpage and I can't say enough good about their products and business. | ||
| Jaimec |
Here's a trick for keeping cool in the summer: Get a 100% cotton sweatshirt. Before going for your ride, make sure all of the Roadcrafter vents are open. SOAK the sweatshirt, wring out the excess water and put it on under the suit. Leave the cuffs and collar open and go for your ride. It'll feel like air conditioning (at least until the shirt dries out... but then you can stop at a gas station and just resoak the shirt. I've ridden all over the continent from New York to California, from Labrador to Key West. It's the ONLY outfit I pack for multi day trips with uncertain weather, no matter what the season. For winter use, the AirVantage electric vest (with zip-off sleeves) is all I've needed the past couple of winters, too. | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
I knew I could count on my fellow Badwebbers. Thank you all for responding and with such insight. Man, I love this place. Ya'll are great. | ||
| Court |
I've ridden all over the continent from New York to California, from Labrador to Key West. It's the ONLY outfit I pack for multi day trips with uncertain weather, no matter what the season. Roger that . . . I'm not above packing the pockets with crushed ice either. | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
Ice in the pockets....good idea. No one could see the wet spots at speed either. | ||
| Doncasto |
Ummmm . . .ice . . .beer . . .temperature controlled and with the ultimate in personal beverage coolers as well. Can expand-able type pockets (ya know, sorta six-pack size?) be special ordered? I have once again checked out their website . . .and have decided to finally put in an order, even if they don't have six-pack pockets. Fair warning . . .in the process of building my suit, there may be a temporary fabric shortage for the rest of you to have to deal with. YMMV . . .and always consider the girth . . .err, source. | ||
| Doncasto |
Update: I just got off the phone with Aerostich . . .and have come away somewhat less than impressed with both the person I spoke with and their ordering system. The guy on the phone was not what I would call considerate or polite . . .but then I am admittedly spoiled by contact with Al and Joanne at American Sportbike. Their "order a stock size and we will make alterations" plan is much as described here . . .except their stock size waist configuration cannot be reduced for some reason. So . . .the phone sales guy was in big rush . . .the stock size may not actually be sufficiently alter-able, other than sleeve and leg length . . .the guy had some trouble getting credit authorization (perhaps that whole rush thing again?) . . .and if the suit is cut for the Bolivian Balloon Man, I can return it for a full refund in 30 days . . .and it is not quite what I have been lead to expect from discussions here. YMMV . . .depending on the caffeination level of the person you talk to, perhaps. (Message edited by doncasto on August 22, 2007) | ||
| Court |
>>>Ice in the pockets....good idea. No one could see the wet spots at speed either. Wet spots? . . . where were you in 1995 when I penned the article "calulating the required velocity of evaporation"? Here's the trick . . . you maintain the speed necessary to support uniform evaporation and the exothermic process will handle keeping you cool and happy. In the same article I shared the calcs for how far you have to ride "at suit drying speeds" to recover from what a couple hours in a level 5 thunderstorm does to you. Frankly, I'd have been fine if the highway patrol hadn't stopped me twice to suggest" it was not smart to ride during tornados and storms (my favorite times) and allow me to get soaked. I also, in the same time frame, detailed how to drain the fuel hoses (while pissed off folks in cars watch in envy) to fill a motorcycle when the pumps are suffering from power loss (tornados took out powerlines). . . It's a big world out there kids! | ||
| Diablobrian |
Aerostitch rocks, whether it's their gear, or their accessories. I have one of their messenger bags, and I LOVE it. It is heavy duty canvas/cordura (same material as the suits) water proof, and darn near indestructible. I've had it for 3 years now and it still looks as good as new. I use it year round to carry books to and from college as well as on the bike so I haven't babied it. If I were to sell my leathers I would seriously consider a 'stitch. Great all season riding gear. | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
Don' makes two of us worried about the fabric issue. Not a small guy am I. Court, 1995.....Wondering where my next tour of duty was gonna be. It turned out I was in Germany getting ready to deploy to Italy. Ohhh the food! Can you say 4500 calories a day? Wine didnt help matters but sure kept cholesterol in check. Sure miss those deliscious ladies too. I imagine I can keep up a good velocity to aid in drying though. Just got back from riding with some other Badwebbers. They know how to keep a pace! Got schooled on velocity all weekend. LOL | ||
| Court |
Dude: You gotta hang around Don and I more . . . it's not "girth", it's "surface area". We are living embodiments of everything good about physics. No one has a better relationship with gravity than we do!  | ||
| Jaimec |
Gravity: It's not just a good idea, it's THE LAW! | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
 "surface area" never did too well in physics, guess I'm not too old to learn. | ||
| Etennuly |
Court, You have a good relationship with gravity??? Man, I don't. Ten years and thirty pounds ago gravity didn't bother me. Now it is my nemesis. Sure it is great in circumstances such as traction, and in general holding things on to the Earth. However, overcoming its forces in the mornings is becoming increasingly difficult. Perhaps it is my girth and the actions of aging that allow its power to occasionally overwhelm me. Maybe my horsepower and torque figures are lower than they used to be. Given that, gravity is my friend even though I cannot see it. I would like to put in a request to back off its force about ten percent in the mornings....at least until 8:00 am. | ||
| Cyclonecharlie |
Anybody interested in a slightly used " Aerostich Roadcrafter" size 42 Two piece suit. Gray with blk trim? | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
Cyclone, sorry I call for a 50 regular. | ||
| Az_m2 |
Charlie, pm sent. | ||
| Cyclonecharlie |
Chris, No PM received. What's up? | ||
| T9r |
The bottom pants on my 2 piece suit has an elastic cord in it that I have to cinch to get to fit me when I don't wear my jacket. I recently spoke with Teresa Beack, when buying my second electric jacket from them. Good luck, and don't get too discouraged, you'll love the product. ALSO you'll have to recoat the suit yearly, depending on how much it is out in the sun, with 3M Heavy Duty water repellant. I love that the suits are machine washable too. | ||
| Az_m2 |
got me  I might be interested, what size are the pants? | ||
| Cyclonecharlie |
Chris, Your PM came in at 1:45 am. Must be the a long haul from AZ.  The pants and the top both have a 42 tag. I bought them several yrs. ago for my son. He wore about 3 or 4 times and they have been stored in the closet (a/c and no sunlight) ever since. They look brand new.....Charlie | ||
| Jackbequick |
Charlie, I might be interested in the pants if someone wants you to break up the set. The 42 waist sounds right, can you tell me the inseam? I'd like about 34" there. Keep my in mind if someone only wants the jacket. Jack | ||
| T9r |
Neat review link: http://www.motorcycledaily.com/06october06_aerosti ch.htm | ||
| Lake_bueller |
I have an older Buell adventure jacket and some new Tour Master Caliber overpants. The jacket is great in the summer w/o the liner. With the liner, it's good below freezing. The pants also have a removable liner that is good to below freezing but nice in the summer. I rode for about 3 hours last weekend in a steady rain. I was completely dry when I finally got home. Last year I sold a H-D FXDR one piece suit. I liked having the flexiblity of the 2 pieces. I wear the pants to work in the summer with a leather or textile jacket. |
