riding suits

I'm looking at riding suits for fall/winter. amazingly for me well before I actually need the gear to stay warm/dry. I know there are lots of reviews on other sites, but thought a review by someone else on a VFR might shed more light on my choice(s) as bikes have different riding positions.

Can the guys that ride with one and two piece waterproof riding suits add a review for me/us over in a new thread over in the REVIEWS part of the forum?

Your chance to brag or bitch on the Aerostitch and Fieldsheer (the two I'm most familiar with) stuff you or your loved one's got you.

If I don't tell my wife how to help me, I'll end up with chain-mail and metal "gauntlet" gloves.

 

Aerostitch 1pc. Roadcrafter. Allows layering when it gets colder, yet fits well enough to keep from flapping when in the heat. Custom tailoring if you need/want it. Water resistant enough that I don't pack a rain suit anymore. Excellent customer service/support.


Rex

 

Nozzle:

My Joe Rocket suit (synthetic not leather) is not waterproof. I bought a Frogg Togg's rain suit to go over it and it works well when its really raining hard. A little mist does not appear to penetrate the suit.

BZ

 

I have a 2 piece and agree. A steady rain for 30 to 45 minutes and your crotch will soak through at the zipper. I avoid the rain, but if I get caught this is usually good enough.
Season to season comfort is good with layering in the cold through full open vents in the summer.
I bought mine soon after my VFR in early 1995 and it has held up in outstanding condition. Only problem is layering now, as I've eaten up the space for more clothes with more fat.

 

so have you compared your roadcrafter suits to other stuff and still think it's worth the extra coin if you have it?

 

I've never worn another suit similar to the Roadcrafter, but I have seen some up close. The people wearing them were happy with them.

If I had to buy another suit tomorrow, for whatever reason, I'd be calling Aerostitch. It's the right tool for the job I want it to do, and as such, it's worth the money I paid for it.

Hey, Vlad, don't feel like the Lone Ranger....I'm packing an "extra layer" these days, as well!!!:biggrin:


Rex

 

Rex,

Aerostitch is on a 6-week lead time as of Monday. So if you need one, you'll be waiting a few weeks.

How do I know? I have my 1-piece Roadcrafter on order and expect it in mid August - WOOOOOOO:biggrin:

alow

 

I got a 1st Gear (I think) 1 piece suit from aerostich last year. I guess it was on clearance cause they don't show them, but it is similar to the roadcrafter (but I didn't pay hundreds of $$ for it). I have worn it a few time earlier this year when it was in the upper 50's low 60's at night cause I would ride thru some valleys and the air would be real cold. It never felt the cold tho. It is supposed to be watterproof, but I have yet to be able to test that out yet. Its a good suit, thought since I got it in a size meduim so I could wear a jacket under it, it seems to catch a lot of air.

 

If you want waterproof the best stuff to get is made of Cordura Gortex, mine is made by " Tiger Angel " and can attest to its ability of keeping water out after many times being caught in torrential downpours, the recent worst of which was like a continual 6 hours of riding through swimming pool that soaked through my Winter Dipora Gloves in a couple of hours and now have the brilliant Alpinestars Tech Road Gortex Gloves, the Element Cordura Gortex jacket and pants were good with zero soak through.

Gortex has the added benifit of breathing well Summer and the Cordura with Key point Armour did its job of protecting me in a 2004 slide. The Jacket was scuffed up and needed replacing there was no question in my mind to buy the same again.

http://www.tigerangel.com.au/gore/element_1.html

 

I can't help you with comparisons. :frown:
I'm not sure if that's a bad thing though. You can look at it as a 12 year endorsement for the Roadcrafter.

 

O.K. since there's not been anyone saying how great brand-X suits are, What's the optional stuff that you wish you had on your Roadcrafter?

 

The Olympia Phantom just got a great write up in Motorcyclist in July and its a ton less expensive at 449$ retail with a full liner. If you want I can rip it out and scan it and send it to you via email. It might take me a few days as we are travelling this weekend, just let me know if you want it. PM me if you want it.

 

Wish it fit like it did a decade ago, then I'd have room for the optional back protector or an aftermarket one. That would be a great asset for a skip down the tarmac, and would top my list of add-ons.
You won't long for pockets.
You may enjoy a leg or arm clear pouch for maps/directions. I have one on my tank bag, and therefore didn't bother on my suit.
There is a large band of reflective material across the back and on the leg cuff adjusters, but more wouldn't hurt, like piping or more strips at seams just to add some more night visability. On the arms would be great so any motion could be seen at night. Come to think of it, I should get some sewn onto the fingers of my gloves so I can "signal" at night when I am compelled to by an errant cage driver.:biggrin:

That's about all I can think of now...

 

Roadcrafter

Roadcrafter is the best. I've had mine for 15 years. When I got bigger, they sewed in extra panels for cheap money. AND its made in USA. Get a two piece. You'll never regret it. Buy the extra "crescent" shaped thing that can be zipped in between the jacket and pants. When you want to layer, you'll like the extra room. In the summer take it out.

 

Hmmmmmmm, I can't think of anything at the moment.

When I bought my suit, I wanted to get a custom sized version. At the time there was a 6-8 week backlog on customs so I took an "off the rack" size 44 regular, in gray with black ballistics, which arrived at the house in 3 days, and fit like the proverbial shoe.

This winter I'm sending the suit back to have "Mid Gussets" installed ($65.00), which will deal with my "additional layer", as well as an American Flag patch for the left shoulder.

The 'Stitch has been a great investment in riding gear.


Rex

 

I own a Roadcrafter. It's worn out but it's done yeoman's duty and doesn't owe me anything. It's a top quality piece of gear. If I were a male somewhere in their range of sizes, I'd never buy anything else.

Note that they do NOT make custom fitted suits. They start from a stock size and offer a half dozen very specific alterations. If you're within range of these sizes and alterations, great, but if you're not, you're s.o.l.

 

Thanks for the input and bragging on your clothes.

 

I was going to call B.S. on that statement, but luckily I went out to the garage and dug through the box of crap I saved from '95&'96 before shooting of my mouth.

At the time I was deciding between a Roadcrafter and a Vanson suit. The Vanson custom measurement sheet is all filled out. The visual of the current me in those measurements is a bit


Rex

 

I didn't mean to cause a thread gut check here.... hmmmm. (Homer wiggles fingers) yummy - donuts!