Aerostich, anybody..

[digga]

..using a Roadcrafter Suit?

Opinions?
Worth the Wedge?

Availability 2nd hand / Used Stateside?
Cheers
Digga

[riceburner]

If they were guaranteed waterproof I'd be tempted - but they're not.

[NoRRmad]

They're not?

There is a "crotch problem" with the zipper that runs all the way down the one-piece suit, particularly if you sit tight enough up against the tank to form a puddle down there, but otherwise I've riden mine in downpours for hours and kept dry. The suit did get somewhat heavier, but the inside was fine. I'd probably have wet clothes underneath from condensed sweat if I were wearing a fully-rubberized waterproof suit.

Most people say "expensive, but worth it."

[digga]

Ummm... the old 'crotch problem' raises its head again

One of the major failings with zips... puddle of water and it lets it through...

how do the divers manage with dry suits?? they must have zips in them!!

I thought they may have been a near perfect answer..

suit on over every day clothes ..out to ride.
Quicker and easier than donningf the stuff i do now..

( Which is Halvarssons BTW....bloody good, but again expensive)

[NoRRmad]

I'm not sure that diving dry suits have zippers; I think you have to crawl into them through the neck opening, which is then cinched to the mask/helmet.

[sweatmark]

Not wearing the Roadcrafter suit, but satisfied with the performance of my Darien jacket and pants over the past 7 years. While not completely waterproof, the Darien ensemble handles most weather admirably well, including warm weather - you can wear just the coat without any liner, zips open for ventilation, and pants are optional.

[NoRRmad]

pants are optional.

[sweatmark]

Living on the liberal West Coast of USA... makes seat selection all the more important.

[wncbmw]

I have owned 2 one-piece Roadcrafters and a two-piece, plus a Darien setup that I quickly sold. My take is that they are excellent for what they claim to be, good protection and quick in and out. But their downfall is hot weather. They can be very uncomfortable above about 85-degrees. Crash protection is very good.

I now use the Olympia AST and Ranger pants (a review is probably buried in the archives here) and Vanson perforated leathers for summer, with some mesh usage, though not much. Sold all my Aerostich stuff.

Over on advrider.com there is some long threads in the Equipment forum on the pros and cons of the Aerostich stuff. Many folks think they are due for an update in design and materials.

I used to be a die-hard 'Stich fan and still feel it is good stuff but other items more suit me now. Personally, if I were interested in a commuter suit, the one-piece is still a good choice, especially if you can find one used. For traveling, I would opt for the RC jacket and Darien pants over either the one-piece or Darien jacket. I have decided a two-piece is just more convenient and flexible while traveling.

Edited to add link:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=320968

[digga]

My halvarssons jacket (and pants) have a multitude of zippers for aiding ventilation, it is a very good set up considering.

I don't know whether they are sold in the US, but perhaps the European contingent may consider the next time they buy..

[MikeCam]

Aerostich makes quality gear. There are many equally good brands - as noted. Some are equally good and significantly less expensive.

Used Roadcrafter are readily available via IBMWR.com, ADVRider.com/Flea market, BMW SportTouring.com/Classifieds, and others.

Sizing is critical in the one piece.

Two piece is more flexible and more forgiving.

[Boris Badenov]

I like mine! (2 - piece)
Got wet crotch ones while riding totally naked, felt cold (it was mid November) and somewhat unsexy , but never had this problem when riding with the tankbag (Marsee teardrop positioned all the way back).
But still, when it is cold and a good chance of rain I wear light waterproof shell pants underneath...
You may want to check out Spidi Admiral. I tried it ones - it’s well made, has a good armor (better then roadcradter IMHO) and has a waterproof zipper in front (same as those wetsuits). It was just a bit too long for me

BTW, roadcrafters are popping up on ebay every now and then, you can find a good one for about $500

[Zamp]

I live in Southern Cali and the one pc Stich is a little too warm for the summer.. I used tent seam sealer on the inside flaps to cure the leaky croch problem.. no more leaks..
My next suit I think will be a Motoport 2-pc mesh..cooler in the summer..

Zamp

[Jimbobvfr]

Or Olympia?
I've had plenty of friends with the Aero suits. I felt they were a bit too heavy and there was the wetness thing. I am currently testing the Olympia Phantom suit. It has 2 zippers from ankle to hip and 1 long zipper from neck to rt hip. All of the zippers are taped, sealed and velcroed to prevent the leaky thing. Arms can be vented from shoulder to wrist as well as 2 funky chest pockets that velcro open, and 2 long vents on the back. Storage seems to be a bit less than the Aero, where I normally put my 2620 in my left Darien pocket, this suit has no large pocket options. There is also no wrist/forearm pocket, handy for holding ID and such. The thing that sold me was the color. It is the most HI-VIZ I have ever seen!!I considered the Aero as they make a hi-viz, but it turns to a weak urine color after only a few years. At $450, if I have to replace this every 3 years, its still cheaper than the Aero, it has 500 and 2000 Denier(better than Aero with 500/1500) full CE Armor and I'm in and out of it, in maybe 2 seconds longer than the Aero(handy if I REALLY need to get naked, but generally not a big requirement) I know it will be a bit hotter than my mesh jacket, but I just can't get over the color!!
See it at http://www.olympiamotosports.com/phantom/Phantom.htm

[NoRRmad]

Gaaaak! My eyes!

[Airman]

I've had the darien pants for five years. Never had a leak. The don't say it's completely waterproof, but these pants have been for me.

[hirsty]

Aerostich Roadcrafter is great for over your normal clothes (as per going to work thread) but I don't wear mine so often when I'm going out 'for just a ride', when I prefer leather jacket etc. Also good for touring, just makes life easier. It's also great to have no-fuss armour in knees, shoulders, hips & elbows without having to think about it at all. The step-in / step-out thing is genuinely true, genius.

Mine has only failed once on the 'waterproofness' during a four-hour ride on a naked bike in very very heavy rain. I've since washed it through the machine with Nikwax & now make sure the velcro is properly done up over the top of the zips - no problems at all when I rode to Edinburgh in pretty heavy rain to collect my new bike the other week. The suit does soak up water in the outer, but none came through inside at all.

Temperature is a problem, not all that warm in winter (so needs stuff under it, esp. arms I find) and warm in summer, esp. in stop/start traffic - once on the move it's fine with good ventilation through the zips. I guess that goes for any proper kit though ...

I'd buy another (full-price & new if necessary) if anything happened to this one, so I guess that's a positive recommendation.

[artmester]

I have had the same Aerostich for over 10 years and I still ride in it. It is easy to get into and out of. The suit is stiff at first, but quickly settles in to you. I have ridden in rain for short bursts and not gotten wet. Every six months or so I wash it and apply some scotch guard to keep it water repellant. If you ride in a hard rain without a fairing for more than 20 or 30 minutes, you will get wet. The zipper is the biggest place water will come through. I can remember standing up after riding through a pretty hard down pour for 10 minutes. I got off the bike and the water drained from the outside of the suit. I did not get wet. I thought it was pretty amazing.

The stich is not my every day suit, but I do use it. Long rides (over 300 miles a day) and track days are its main uses. It is not the warmest of all riding gear, but you can definately ride in some cold weather provided you have an electric liner.

Overall a 8.5 or 9.0 on a scale from 1 to 10