Questions for Aerostitch owners

Anyone on here wear the full one-piece roadcrafter suit from aerostitch? if so, did you get (or wish you had/hadn't got) the mods for more "sport" riding positions (elipse in the back panel and the forward rotated shoulders)?

I'm getting one soon, and plugged my numbers into the sizing tool, and they e-mailed back with that I might want to get it customized for a more aggressive posture.

But.. How aggressive are the VFRs? I've an 86 vfr, and am eyeing bikes like the 6th and 7th gens for longer rides (multi-day rides), as well as stuff like the Duc 848 and Aprilia RSV4 for true super-sports in the future (of course, if I'm spending that much on a bike, I can buy a new suit, too, so that doesn't really factor that strongly into my choice). But if the 2nd gen VFR has a really forward canted riding position, it might be worth it. It's WAY forward of my wife's HawkGT, but those are the only datapoints I have.

I'll be commuting to work about half-time on the VFR, an hour each way. Half of that hour is spent on Hwy 9 in the Santa Cruz Mountains (sucks, I know).

 

Buy the two piece suit and the vest thing that the pants zip to. Aerostitch gear is sized for Americans and a tight fit is not a great idea if you ever plan to wear clothing of any kind under the suit. This includes things like heated vests, bulky wool sweaters. thermal long johns and maybe even a suit. These are not racing leathers by any stretch of the imagination. Great gear. mine is about fifteen years old and still truckin. They also back up all thier stuff. Aerostich is still run by it's founder Andy Goldfine. I don't know him but a friend of mine does and I hear he is a stand up guy.

 

Ditto on the two piece. I also have the elipse for the two piece but use the bib attachment which is my favorite tour setup.

 

I'm almost certainly going with the one-piece, as I don't want the temptation of not wearing the lowers. After my low-speed high-side 18 months ago, I'm even more certain that I want ATGATT. I have one ex coworker that had a mid-turn front tire blow out at Laguna Seca. 120mph slide into the gravel. He still commuted to work in that suit the next week (on the spare bike). Another friend took a 100' slide down a hillside after his ST1100 lowsided on bad pavement. Still wears the same suit. They're built great. The friend with the ST wears the next size down from me (I'm taller and wider in the shoulders), so I'll try his on for size, too. I actually bought my current riding gear (leather) from him. Jacket fits near-perfect, lowers are too big.

My "usual" setup will be street clothes under the suit. lightweight jeans/shirts and business casual. Jeans tend to be Gap and not Wranglers or Levis (much thinner denim, doesn't bunch at the knees when riding nearly so badly).

And the "sized for americans" may be an issue. I'm not shaped like a barrel. Most "american" cut jackets are 4" or more too big at the waist. Italian cuts work best (wide through shoulders, narrow through waist/hips). I'm 40" through the chest and 34" at the waist, and that ratio's in the process of getting bigger (I'm carrying close to 2" extra at the waist that I'm working on losing).

 

The folks at Aerostitch will have you lookin good in no time flat with that data.

 

I have a 1 piece and I have worn a shirt and tie to work no problem. Def not something I would want to ride the twisties in but a great suit for commuting to work and touring in. I bought mine on e-bay and it came with the sport options already done. I love it but I can not say what it is like with out them. I have ridden 600 miles in one day (from myrtle beach to Pittsburgh) and never felt like I was too hot to ride.

 

I have the onesie without the extra panel and if I had it to do again, would get the panel. You'll likely own the suit the rest of your life. It will be less irritating having an extra inch of fabric than having tight armpits and neck fit when you're resting on the tank on a cold wet morning.

I've had no real issue with the suit, on/off at work. Worst part of the commute thing is still helmet head.

Hope that helps.

 

I've had the one piece for 8 years..... Love it. I have the sport patch for the lower back as well as the rotated sleeves, good idea as well. The only thing I regret is not buying it large enough to layer heavier clothes under.

 

thanks for all the input, guys!

 

Mindless addition....

I have the two piece because my dimensions just couldn't work on the one piece. However I gat the zip in equivalent of the elipse, and it makes everything more comfortable , especially when it is colde rout and I have more layers under the suit.

You will really enjoy the Aerostich suit, and the after sales support from Aerostich.

John

 

Another question: anyone using the integrated back protectors?

 

I use the integrated Aerostich back protector.................don't know how it works.

I do not notice it much...maybe if it is really hot out as the suit is a bit tighter. I also find it gives me a bit more support for long tours.

 

all three sets that I have have armour built into them they.. hardly notice that it is there...until last week.. now I am glad that the armour is there

 

LOL..Krispy has more Aerostitch stuff than Andy Goldfine or Jay Leno.

 

I'm up in the East Bay and have a two piece with the back protector insert and upgraded pads to include hip protectors. I've had it for 10 years and it still looks perfect, their customer service is great! Zipper broke, sent it in and it was back within a few days. Keep in mind with a one piece you can not just wear the jacket on those warm days or when it needs to go in for service.

I have owned several bikes and never felt as though I did not have proper extension or did not feel comfortable..This would include a GSXR which was a reach but not terrible, I'm 6' about 180lbs. I always wear my suit with jeans and a sweatshirt. It's nice to enjoy lunch without your suit on... The suit is ideal...

 

that sounds like an ouch... what happened? Do you have the back protector as well as the standard armor?

 

I have the one piece Roadcrafter. I like my protective gear to fit snug, not tight, but snug. Aerostich recommended a size 44 to leave plenty of room for street clothes under the suit. But after owning it for 3 years, I found I mostly did not use it that way so this year I ordered a size 42. I regret not getting the sleeves rotated forward for sport riding. Besides the VFR, I have an FJR - the suit fits perfect for my FJR but the armpits are too tight for the VFR with its leaning forward position. If you are commuting to work with work clothes under, then heed the advice for leaving room. But if are like me and wear thin clothing under, beware of Aerostich steering you to a suit that is too big.

BTW, my "snug" fit still has room for an electric vest in the winter time. Making that warm vest be so snug is a good thing anyway.

Ron

 

let me clarify this ...I have three sets of gear, none are Aerostitch but all have armour in them.....

 

Woody Wrote: "that sounds like an ouch... what happened? Do you have the back protector as well as the standard armor?"


yeah I changed the "foam one for one that is a little more substancial....I don't really notice it anymore....

 

The new Catalog has "Gear XPANDER Wash' listed for only $847. I may look into that .....my two piece fits just right.:faint2: