Modern Vespa

This year I plan on getting me some better riding gear, I've been looking into the Aerostich Product line and was needing some real feedback on it. I know the BMW guys love it. so I would like to know is it warm and comfortable and worh the $800.00 usd.

I use a Darien Light jacket with the wind block liner for the cold, cold weather here in MN and I like the jacket - not sure what product you are looking at but their gear is good! Also, my neighbor who also rides motorcycles likes that you can see the reflective areas of the jacket at night really well. He wants to get one as well as I can ride longer into the year with it.

Anyways, I would order from them again in a heart beat and have had the jacket for 2 colds seasons (going into the 3rd) and there have been no problems. Not too stiff of a coat with the layers and fits into my gym locker easy.

What do you think?


http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-suits/roadcrafter

I'm just not sure about a one piece suit or a two piece suit. I tend to get very cold, I don't ride much in the summer since I'm a Power plant operator and just don't have the time so I'm forced to winter ride. I'm lucky I live in socal so its not to bad but I' would like to ride in the mountains too.

I like the 1 piece - seems like it could be an easy 'on and off' and if you have a place to throw it afterwards even better. Not sure of their return policy but assume it's liberal as there aren't any stores to try their stuff on but could be way wrong on that.

Good luck on your choice!

I also have a Darien outfit - but it's a standard Darien, not a Light. I also have the Darien pants. I wore it out riding in sub-freezing weather with its liner last winter. It was cold, but survivable - the cold being a function of the weather, not the suit.

I'd love wired warming gear, but my MP3 currently lacks any hookups for that sort of thing. Short of that, the Darien+liner+sweater+shirt+undershirt routine is about as good as it gets. Oh - and a windscreen.

I bought the Darien very specifically because I could get a liner with it AND because both it and the Roadcrafter can be tailored to fit. I've been pretty pleased so far, and I expect it will serve me as well this winter as it did last year.

I'll be adding a Termoscud for my lower half pretty soon, but that's another story.

I thought all of the Aero gear was custom made. You send in a pair of jeans you like the fit of and they build the suit to match those dimensions. The stuff is not cheap but you can wear it for 10-20 years, assuming you don't change in size. They make adjustments for you too. I have heard really good things about their Kevlar gear.

I use an areostitch 1 peice suit every day. It is some what warm in 90+ temps, but has great ventilation. In the winter.( I ride a side car bike) I wear Gerbings heated jacket and gloves. I actually have 2 suits,1 is 6yrs old I use in winter and the other is 1yr old for spring,summer and fall. They are waterproof and very well constucted. I went down at apx 25mph, and only had 1 minor abrasion. I would not wear anything else.( untill I become an expert then flip flops, shorts and a t-shirt)

There is a lot of stuff out there, and I would first recommend not getting fixated on a particular brand or style. Just look around a bit...

I am not partial to the Aerostitch stuff mostly because I don't like the Swiss-Army-Knife-Road-Commander look of their stuff. And I guess I think that they are overpriced--deliberately targeting a premium niche market. That's fine if you like it, but I have seen some really nice coats/jackets/pants for plenty less that had lots of nice features and quality fabrics.

To each their own. I ride an expensive Italian scooter.

I'm just ask for feedback on a product, I use a Joe rocket jacket and road gear rider pants I also have a leather 400.00 Harley jacket I got for a 100.00bucks, and a power trip mesh jacket, so I know that good gear is available. I am just looking into some good commuter gear that works for both my bike and are a bit warmer then what I have.

Just for the record, I use the HD jacket 5-10% of my riding time. its the Harley#1 jacket in black leather sure to be a collector Item. and I don't like looking like a Pirate.

Okay I found one on ebay I'm going to bid on.

Thanks for all the good feed back

Regarding RiderWearhouse, it's one of my favorite catalogs--I can't wait for it to arrive each spring.

I owned a Roadcrafter 2-piece suit for maybe 9 years and I don't wear one anymore. The suits are well made and do great in get-offs. Unfortunately, the suits don't breathe at all due to the goretex construction. They are hot as heck in the summer and cold in the winter. Also, the design and construction limit layering underneath.

I would not recommend them if you're like me and need to get out of stuffy rooms and sleep with the window open. If you don't mind the limited breathability, then they are great suits. The big advantage is the easy on/off, meaning you will always wear it.

I now ride in BMW gear, Santiago jacket and Airflow II pants. Check out the kevlar gear from Motoport also--great gear at comparable prices to Aerostich.

Cheers,

--Kevin

easy on and off is very important to me. I also am a person that always uses a jacket year round. so I sould be ok if its a bit warm. like I said I'm always cold. next thing I need is some Lee Parks deersport gloves. and I'll be set.

For my jacket, I have an Olympia Moto Sports. They have several lines.

I have the AST and it easily handles 40-105*f with its vented arms and back. It also has a waterproof shell and a liner the adds to low temp range and can be worn separately (like when scooter camping). I don't like jackets that require you to add a waterproof liner. I just close the vent zippers and I am warm and dry, all without stopping or removing gloves.

Usually for me, it starts raining during my ride and I am already wet by the time I bother to pull over and strip off the wet coat to add the waterproof liner and then put the coat back on.

I have always wondered what is the difference between some of the deer/elk skin gloves at the moto-dealer vs those at the feed/cowboy stores.

you'll find more info in these threads:

Aerostich Roadcrafter?
One-piece textile suits
Safety Attire - Aerostich vs. BMW Gear

I am a former BMW rider. I wore a 'stitch (Road Crafter) everyday on my 125 mile commute in every weather condition. San Jose to San Fran.

For commuting and touring, they are the best. Probably one of the best motorcycling products I have ever owned. Easy on and off. Get the two piece if you can afford the extra $$. It just allows you to size a bit better, and they go on and off the same as the one piece.

I sold mine when a changed jobs, commutes, and sold the BMW. They maybe a bit overkill for scooter use, but it depends on your commute.

-Mark

How big are you? I'll trade you my one piece 'stitch for a jacket. It's a forty short in great shape. I wore it on my old sport bike, but I never get that "armored up" on my scoot. I haven't worn it in a couple of years and I've been debating trading it for a jacket. But I'm pretty short, so it's only going to work for someone else who's also short.
Let me know if you are interested.
JR

I've got the Darien something or other two piece. The one with the liner that zips out. I used in in 06 on the Cannonball and I've used it a couple other times on the Ducati in winter 'cause I don't wear gear.

It's a great suit but a bit bulky. Also the rain shit wears out after a while and from then on it's a sponge, and HEAVY when wet.

Great wind blocker and if you keep it up and keep the Scotchguard on (I'd ship it back to Aerostich to have them do it since it can take 3 or 4 cans to do it right and you still won't get great coverage) it's decent in the rain.

I'd give it away but I sometimes wear it on super long trips in 20 degree weather.

I got mine free from Aerostich as a sponsor but if I had to spend $800 I'd go leathers instead.