Considering an Aerostich Roadcrafter

[Jason]

Hey folks,
I'm on the verge of ordering a roadcrafter suit, and thought I'd canvas you first...

For those who you who own them, do they live up to their reputation? (Build quality, easy/quick don/doff, raintight, any other comments)

Does anyone know of any similar, competing products? (Raintight one piece, quick/easy on/off, armor/padding)

It's starting to get chilly out, and weather turning not so nice, and I want something to make gearing up for my commute less tedious, than my current two piece set up.

Thanks,

[philsil]

i do not know if cheaper is better have a look at

http://www.giali.com/index.php/mod/product/id_prd/96/id_prdpag/4

[HighAltitudeRS]

I've got 20k+ miles on mine and it's great. I have the two-piece version but, quite frankly, have used the jacket separately only a few times. I pull out the armor pads and wash the suit about every 6 months (with the recommended soap and waterproofing agents).

It's very easy to don and doff. If you do plan to ride year 'round, make sure to tell them that when you determine the size. I had great results calling them on the phone, describing my height/weight/build, and requesting their recommendations for fit. I was surprised that it fit me so well since I have spent a lifetime trying to find shirts and jackets with sufficiently long sleeves that didn't hang on me like a sack (I'm 6'4", 190lbm).

Add insulated gauntlets, a good vest, and you'll be fairly comfortable. I added GS grip guards last winter and they helped too (although I take them off for the warmer part of the year). I live in the high desert of northern New Mexico and am sufficiently comfortable to ride all winter long - barring snow, ice, and grit on the road.

g

[horizontallyopposed]

Jason, it's a two-piece but BMW's light n easy is good. had mine for two years, is definately waterproof, can be worn all seasons with the right stuff underneath and is light n easy. geoff

[RSMark]

Jason, just grit your teeth, whip out your credit card, and order that Stich! I bought a new 2 piece roadcrafter approx. 15 years ago, and it's the best piece of motorcycle gear I've ever purchased.

Unfortunately, the jacket and I have not expanded at the same rate over the last 15 years so this summer I bought a new Brand X jacket because I didn't want to spend the bucks for a new Roadcrafter jacket. Big Mistake. When you look at the two jackets side by side it's obvious why Aerostich is able to charge so much more for there stuff. The Aerostich Roadcrafter suit is truly the gold standard of riding suits.

Is the Roadcrafter perfect? No. It's stiff as hell for about a year. In a driving rain, it will leak a little in the crotch area. It doesn;t vent as well as some other jackets I've seen. But, it's still better than anything else I've looked at. The more you wear your Stich, the more you'll appreciate the "engineering" that Aerostich puts into the suit.

I don't mean to sound like too much of a cheerleader for Aerostich here, but I'm still mad at myself for being such a tightwad and trying to save a few bucks. Now I'm stuck with a crappy jacket that fits like a garbage bag, flaps in the wind, you can't operate the vents or zippers without coming to a complete stop and using two hands, and doesn't offer near the crash protection of the Stich.

Buy the Stich. You won't be sorry.

[flars]

I bought a used two piece off www.ibmwr.com two years ago and have been very happy with it.
The only problem I have had is with my knees. After about 7 straight hours on the RS on the slab, the knee pads start hurting my knees because they push down on the top of my kneecaps. I just bought the thinner knee pads to see if they will help. But I don't ride for seven hours straight much, so it's not too big a deal for me.
No leaks, and no other problems.
And it only cost me $400.

[Jason]

Thanks for the feedback, folks. Looks like I'll be ordering one shortly.

[RINTY]

Jason:

I had wanted an Aerostitch for about 10 years. I finally bit the bullet and ordered a Roadcrafter II, after spending hours analyzing the catalogue. When it arrived I put it on and I felt like the Pillsbury Doughboy. My idea in ordering the 2 piece had been that I could take the jacket off while having lunch or whatever, but it's not that simple. The cut of the pants, correctly sized, is such that you have 2 to 3 inches of slack to make room for thermal layering. No problem I thought, I'll just use suspenders; I had always used them with my old sport leathers. But with suspenders hooked on, you can't zip the upper and lower halves together, they're in the way. Fine, just order the bib accessory that zips on to the pants. Well I don't like the bib look. I ended up sending the suit back and there were absolutely no hassles.
I ended up going to my local BMW dealer, which stocks a huge inventory of clothing, spent hours trying on all kinds of stuff, and bought a 2 piece Dainese suit which feels great, and is very functional (I don't even need suspenders).
What I learned from all of this is that the selection of rider wear is very subjective, and that I will never buy any clothing that I can't try on first. I am 6 ft 1 inch tall, 180 pounds, and my priority was to get a snug fitting suit. Roadcrafters are very roomy.
Aerostitch suits are of top class quality, but if you are particular, or tend to be particular, about the feel of your riding gear, you may want to select something that you can try on before you purchase. But if your priority is to have a commuting suit that you can wear over your work clothes, and you are not fussy about having it feel bulky, the one piece Roadcrafter might be a good choice. And if it isn't, they will take it back, no questions asked.

[darrylri]

Might as well put my 2c in.

First of all, the Aerostich suits are intended to be worn over your street clothes. They aren't a replacement for leathers. That's why there's the emphasis on quick donning and doffing.

Next, IMHO, the 'stich products were revolutionary when they appeared. There was simply nothing else like them, and Andy Goldfine (owner and designer) had really stolen a march on the industry.

HOWEVER (and again, IMHO), they haven't changed much in a long, long time. They are bulky and stiff, and are strongly biased towards cold temperatures. The same functionality is available now from a number of manufacturers - I can think of Feldsheer, Motoport and Rukka, at least - and there are lots more choices if your interest turns towards the Darien two piece suit.

For example, I recently replaced my Darien pants with the Ultra Tour pants from Olympia. They weigh about a third less than the Dariens. They have the same full length zipper up the outside of the legs, but are lined with a light mesh. They employ CE approved armor in the knees (Aerostich doesn't use CE armor), use Schoeller Dynatec material (stronger than Cordura, but lighter and feels more like cloth), and have a removable waterproof and windproof liner, along with some measure of venting, so that they are dramatically cooler in the summer. And without the liner, they must weigh about half of what the Dariens do. All this for $190.

I'm not trying to trumpet Olympia's products in particular. It's just that they aren't alone in having produced modern protective clothing. OTOH, Aerostich recently was celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Darien suit, and it has had no real changes over that time. I have owned two of them and think they were groundbreaking then, but outdated now.

[gezerbike]

About everything above I think is true...well made, crash tested over and over but a son of a gun to get it to fit just right....seems like there was always some sort on compromise. The 1 piece suits are notorious for leaking in the crotch and the stiffness thing is for real. But it is still probably the best of it kind currently available. I read on the ADV forum the other night that Rev It is in development of a 1 piece suit......the owner of Rev It was actually on the forum asking the guys what they would want in a 1 piece suit. You might want to wait a while. If you do go to a 1 piece "stich, I would try to get to Duluth and have it fitted there 'cause even though Aerostich will take it back either for return or alterations, you pay the return freight

[RINTY]

The crotch leakage seems to be common with a number of suits, and I think a lot of it has to do with the usage of dished aftermarket saddles, which allow water to puddle. This would be less of a problem in commutes, unless they were long, or unless Jason was riding in one of those nasty Texas hurricanes. Also, the Aerostitch instructions include information on how to give the suits additional waterproofing protection for severe duty. If I'm going to be riding into a day long gully washer, I put a pair of Frog Toggs on over my Dainese suit, and this works quite well. The Froggies are not too hot and they breathe well. The Aerostitch Gortex glovecovers also work quite well, as long as you tuck them into your sleeves so the rain can't run in.

[recycledbiker]

Had my Roadcrafter 1 piece for 2 years, done 38,000 miles of daily commuting in all weathers from +35C to -6C, from dry to torrential rain. Also regular UK-Netherlands return trips of ~350miles, 5 hours riding time, each way.

Yes it started stiff, now isn't. It didn't leak at all when I first got it but it started to leak (after a year or so) at the crotch after about an hour's torrential rain. But my solution is to scrape a wax candle up and down the zips - and that seems to have cured the problem.

I sized it by talking to the Aerostich staff and their advice proved perfect.

I am really happy with this suit. It's cool enough in summer when you open all the zips, and warm enough when it's minus 6 and I commute 40 miles - then I wear my regular work suit under it, but also wear a pair of long johns and a thermal vest, and ski socks for my feet. BMW pro-winter gloves complete the kit and I'm ready for anything!

So, I have one, now my son has one, and I recommend you get one too!

recycled

[lorazepam]

I have been a big fan of leathers for years, the best crash protection you can get, period. But I have grown tired of all the looks you get in leather pants when doping something when ridng the bike.

I picked up a "last years model" Kilimanjaro jacket and HT overpants from First gear. I couldnt be happier with the fit, and the armor that comes with it is very nice. It also has a fleece liner that can be used as a jacket around the campfire.

After ridng in it in torrential rain for an hour, and in widely varying conditions in California, I have to say it does what the 'stich does for way way less money.

[TrevorW]

I have been a big fan of leathers for years, the best crash protection you can get, period. But I have grown tired of all the looks you get in leather pants when doping something when ridng the bike.


When we went riding in the Bay Area last month, my colleague and I were wearing full (black) armoured leathers - a common sight in the UK. It soon became obvious that this was not the clothing choice of most riders in Northern CA - for climatic reasons, at least, I think. I walked into one gas station after filling up, the girl behind the counter looked me up and down and said:

"Hey, you look just like Batman". :o

recycledbiker: I assume you ordered your Aerostitch suit direct from the US ?

[darrylri]

When we went riding in the Bay Area last month, my colleague and I were wearing full (black) armoured leathers - a common sight in the UK. It soon became obvious that this was not the clothing choice of most riders in Northern CA - for climatic reasons, at least, I think. I walked into one gas station after filling up, the girl behind the counter looked me up and down and said:

"Hey, you look just like Batman". :o Indeed. In fact, motorcycling is a far smaller minority sport in the US than in Europe. This is one (just one) reason I enjoy getting over the pond to go riding.

Hotels aimed at motorcyclists? Unimaginable here. And the odd clothing we wear is only just barely tolerated by the general public. The climate can have something to do with leather vs. textile choices, but the general public doesn't know we exist and would prefer not to be reminded.

[boxergrrlie]

... I recently replaced my Darien pants with the Ultra Tour pants from Olympia....
Darryl,

Do you have a link? The Olympia pants sound great. I need to replace a well-worn pair of Joe Rocket Ballistic pants (awesome pants but no longer avail. in tall sizes) and just thought that I'd get Darien but I'd like to take a look at the Olympia brand.

I have a Darien jacket by they way and I love it. I primarily ride in the Northern states and I have never thought that it was too bulky or not enough venting. Still seriously waterproof after over 40K miles.

[darrylri]

Darryl,

Do you have a link? The Olympia pants sound great. I need to replace a well-worn pair of Joe Rocket Ballistic pants (awesome pants but no longer avail. in tall sizes) and just thought that I'd get Darien but I'd like to take a look at the Olympia brand.Here you go:
http://www.olympiamotosports.com

I have a Darien jacket by they way and I love it. I primarily ride in the Northern states and I have never thought that it was too bulky or not enough venting. Still seriously waterproof after over 40K miles.I have crash tested the Darien a couple times now and found it to be an excellent suit to go sliding in. But 3 seasons in California and the southwest -- I'm leaving for New Mexico in a couple hours! -- are too warm for me, in the Darien.

With the purchase of a Gerbings jacket, I've opted for new togs that are biased towards warmer weather, but still are safe and can be made waterproof. The Darien jacket was replaced with a BMW Savannah II, which is significantly lighter in weight, has full length zippers along the arms as well as chest and back vents. The BMW suit comes in suit sizes, so I could purchase a 46 short and not look, and feel, like the jacket was trying to swallow my head.

You should investigate the newer materials that are becoming available. Cordura is sooo last century. ;-)

[boxergrrlie]

Here you go:
http://www.olympiamotosports.com

Thanks for the link! I like their styling and features but unfortunately their pants don't come in tall sizes. :bang:

[darrylri]

Thanks for the link! I like their styling and features but unfortunately their pants don't come in tall sizes. :bang:How tall do you need them? They come with about a 36" inseam, and the kneepads are designed to sit in one of three positions. As my inseam is only 30", I had to get the bottoms trimmed and hemmed, and I have the kneepads in the highest position.

I did make a trip over to A&S Cycles in Sacramento to try them on before buying them. For me, that was just a 3 hour trip each way, but for an IronButt winner... (anyone who completes the IB is a winner in my book ;-).

Actually, I'm surprised you're not on the list for Don Cameron's Veterans Day BBQ (http://www.deminggathering.com/) tomorrow in Deming, New Mexico. The weather is excellent, and I'm in Camp Verde, AZ right now, going to be in Deming this afternoon.

[lorazepam]

Thanks for the link! I like their styling and features but unfortunately their pants don't come in tall sizes. :bang:
Look at these. They do come in tall mens, not sure about womens. You saw how tall Barb is, the size six are plenty long for her. http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=50-9584

[RSdoc]

I am on my second two piece Aerostich and have been riding in them for the last 10+ years and the only thing I would differently is get a one piece in the future. The only time I take the jacket/pants apart is when I wash them. No, it is not absolutely waterproof, but on the RS or other bike with good protection, they do a good job in anything but a long ride in heavy rain. I have ridden in temperatures between the 20's-100+ and been comfortable. It all depends on layering, venting etc.
If you want more water resistance than that offered in the Roadcrafter, get the Darien pants and jackets. A couple of points about the other probducts. Can you custom size any of them like you can the Aerostich products? Do they come in a variety of colors? Does the same company that made them, repair them after an accident? I suspect the answer to all of those questions is no.
Is there a perfect riding suit? No, but I think the Aerostich either the Roadcrafter or the Darien, comes as close to one as you are likely to find. IMHO

[Suprgnat]

Can you custom size any of them like you can the Aerostich products? Do they come in a variety of colors? Does the same company that made them, repair them after an accident? I suspect the answer to all of those questions is no.
Is there a perfect riding suit? No, but I think the Aerostich either the Roadcrafter or the Darien, comes as close to one as you are likely to find. IMHO

TESTIFY! :yo:

[darrylfromoz]

Jason, good question!! Has anyone tried the BMW one piece suit [a couple of years ago it was called the Pro Rain Suit]?

[Jason]

Well, to wrap up this thread (sorta), I bit the bullet and bought the HighViz/Black one-piece Aerostich Roadcrafter. It's a great piece of gear, though I do feel a bit silly walking around in the store in it. For my commute, and recreational riding, it's fantastic.

In fact (and here's where the bad news starts), after owning it for about a month, I put it to the ultimate test this last Sunday. Yes, a highway-speed get-off, in mid-turn, with gusty wind conditions. I'm feeling really small about now. Of course, the good news is I'm feeling, period. I have no road rash, no broken bones, no concusions, etc. Not even any broken skin, except one minor poke accompanied by a major bruise in the rear of the groin area... Not sure how that happened, but I guess I got jabbed by something in mid-wipeout. Probably some broken bit of my bike. No pucture in the 'stich, my jeans, or my underwear...weird.

All in all, I'm fine, except for bruises to my body and ego. I'm very sore, and limping on both legs - sore left knee, and sore right heel - but I'm walking around, cracking jokes, and griping about being sore, after a wreck that could easily have been much worse.

For anyone reading this thread considering the merits of an Aerositch, consider this a vote of confidence.

In the meantime, I'm pretty darn sure the bike is totalled - should get word tomorrow one way or the other, but there's little doubt in my mind, or that of my dealer's service manager.

Not sure what I'm gonna do about my next bike just yet. I'm considering many options: an R1100RS (sans servo brakes - never had a problem with mine, but I never really loved them either), an R1150RS dual spark (mine was a single spark), an R1200ST, or something completely different.

Of course some of you with good memories will recall I had another incident not too long ago... So, my insurance rates are likely to change dramatically, which may influence my decision on which bike I get next - I may have to get something that's cheap enough that I won't need comprehensive/collision insurance on it, just liability. :Blush:

Ride safe, fellas!

[MikeH]

Wow! sorry to hear about the crash Jason. Sounds like you bought the Stitch just in time. I've heard other reports of the Roadcrafter suit saving peoples' skin. Money well spent!

I hope that everything works out with the insurance and that you manage to get another steed. BTW it's not the R1100RS that is fitted with the servo assisted brakes, it's the R1150RS. You'll have no problems (hopefully) with the ABS II brake system on an 1100 - very reliable.

All the best. :)

[RSdoc]

Sorry to hear about your accident, glad the Aerostich did its job. I "tested" my first one too. Hard to go wrong with a used R1100RS. There are a bunch out there, the price is right, and insurance should be less than most other bikes on the road. Good luck!
Mike