Alternative to Aerostitch Roadcrafter?

Hey all-

I'm looking for some new touring gear. I plan on doing 2 to 3 weeks of riding in July. I have a 1-piece roadcrafter, and love it. However, it's yellow and a 1-piece, and I'm looking for something that is... well... a little better looking. I got it years ago back when I was married and didn't care how I looked on the bike. Call it vain, but yeah, I'm looking for something a little more "normal". The "where's the fire?" questions get old too.

I am seriously thinking about getting another 'stich, but 2-piece and grey. However, since the stich has been out for many years and has quite a following, I figured some other manufactures have followed along. The following are what I'm looking for:

1) 2-Piece. I just like the versatility a lot more. Being able to be zippered together, preferably in a full circumference is highly valued.
2) Waterproof. A must. I like the zipper-up-while-riding aspect of the aerostitch. No need to pull over. I don't like the "add in layers and the outer layer getting soaked" thing. I love anything with Gore-tex.
3) Good in many climates. I don't mind sweating. Heck, I;m one of those guys that sweat getting out of bed.
4) Good crash protection. I wear my leathers 95% of the time, and have gotten used to having that protection. I low-sided last year at 50mph and feels great to pick up the bike and ride home. Granted most non-leather gear isn't as good as leather, but basically I'm not looking at mesh.
5) Easy on/off. A feature that is great with the Aerostitch. I like riding with hiking style pants underneath, so when I get to a area, I can unzip and walk around in normal clothing.

So basically, to sum it up, I want a Roadcrafter made my someone other than Aerostitch. Since I'm willing to buy a new one, obviously money isn't too much of a issue. Now I'm not rich, but I like good gear. Something that costs me in that price range, as long as it's worth the money, is okay.

If the only choice is a new stich, does anyone have any pics of grey suits with grey ballistics? According to their website, it seems a bit different color, which I want. Right now I'm thinking grey with black ballistics. I'm not really interested in their Transit suit because the pants are not easy zip off. Thanks for any advice.

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Love my Darien Light for the summer months.

Aerostich will send you fabric swatches, just give them a call. What they call grey, I call green.

Rev'it Everest GTX. Don't let the name fool you, Rev'it is top of the line gear. large selection.
Check revzilla.com

Contact Kanadian Ken. He broke in a brand new, tailor made roadcrafter at TMac

I'm just a little embarassed to admit this but I went down while at T-mac twice. (blush, blush). And the first time was at death-defying speed. And both times I jumped up and danced away. (Actually I was cussin' and swearin' and stompin' and throwing my gloves on the ground).
Go ahead. Ask me what I was wearin'.

I'm happy to say that my Aerostich alian-leather Transit Suit was the key to my survival. I overheard Timmy say, "After seeing MaxSwell's and HS's suits I'm reconsidering my choices."

This baby is fabulous!
-waterproof (Goretex),
- hydro-phobic (treated so it does not absorb water),
- sun-proof,
- and it has the "magic" armor (flexible but instantly hard when impacted). I've severly tested this last property and it saved much borked bones and much borked skin.

And THAT'S why I'm still smilin'.

:tour:

And, hey everybody out there, Ride Safe

Yeah, that Transit suit is a nice piece of gear. I like leathers, but I'm looking for more of a day-after-day touring setup. Comfortable and convenient.

Thanks Tamworth for the suggestion of the Rev'it gear. That's some chunk of change for the Everest, but looking at the Legacy GTX seems pretty good. Something to research, for sure.

The Transit is good for day after day riding. It is very comfy and like putting on pants (over my jeans) and slipping on a (heavy) jacket. It is no Roadcrafter. I was going to suggest you try one on but you're a long way from Duluth MN. I've heard of 'Stich sending a suit for trial fitting. I'd suggest you call them.

My 2 piece 'Stich, black on grey, has been great for almost 9 years now. Aerostich changed their 'grey' 3-4 years ago to something that is actually grey in color. My 9 year old suit's grey has the "olive green' grey, now discontinued.

But to hit all your points, Motoport, http://www.motoport.com/, makes some incredible suits that probably "look" better on you than the 'stich, if that's a concern. Their kevlar mesh suit is going to be more versatile than the 'stich but for waterproofness you'll need the liner. And I believe there is a thermal liner for colder temps. More adaptable but you need to zip in and out the various layers. Pricing is about the same and Motoport will custom make the suit to your specs. It's the only alternative I've considered to my 'stich and will probably pick one up eventually for the summer since the 'stich gets a little sticky for my tastes in 90+ temps.

My 9 year old suit's grey has the "olive green' grey, now discontinued.

My 2005 off-the-shelf grey suit and my March 2011 custom measured grey suit are both the same OD green to my eye. YMMV.

I got a Tourmaster Centurion last fall, just before a road trip that turns rainy every year. It was cheap (last years model with all discounts came up to just over $300) and they had it in stock so being short on time and not wanting another soaking I bought it.

Road trip turned out to be dry but we left in 27F weather an came back in 80F, I did not use the thermal liner and just opened the vents on the way back, it was comfy while I was moving.

Crashed in it some time this past winter, simple lowside on salty road, some rash on the suit and tore up the knee but still no major damage and no leaks so I have not repaired it yet.

Rode to Fontana NC and back couple weeks ago, just before t-mac, it was pouring on the way down and somehow just my crotch got wet, looked like a peed myself, still not sure how it happened, suspect my fault, must have fumbled folding all the closures/velcro/zippers when getting gas just as it started to rain and at the next stop I was wet, but just in one spot, no big deal.

I got it with a little room to spare in case I need extra layers, which I have not needed, in fact I never used the thermal liner that came with it and I often ride below 30F with fust a thin polar fleece under it. Also I lost 20 pounds in past 6 month so it looks pretty baggy on me, nowhere near as good as in the picture...

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I got a transit suit, looks good.

Transit suit benifits for day after day riding,you dont wear pants under them so I rode a week at a time with just a small top case and mini tank bag.

Leather is comfy the more you wear it. Micro pores keep cool up to a 100f outside, warm in cold 35f windy condifions stuff I rode in on my tmac trips, downpours I was dry. Yea the transit suit is the best touring gear a serious motorcyclist can get.

Can glove gauntlets be worn on top or tucked in (for wet conditions) on the Transit? How does it fit with layers for those chilly mornings in the mountains?

I'm looking for an "armored rainsuit", basically. The humidity in Hong Kong is often 95%, so I've purchased a Veskimo Personal Cooling System to handle the cooling. But I don't want to wear my 2-piece regular Roadcrafter because it will be too bulky to ride with and to carry off the bike. Unless I find something better, I'll probably order a Roadcrafter Light one-piece. Now that Aurostich has changed to fully waterproof zippers, I'm not worried about 'Stich crotch...

Ciao,

I rode all day last may with my gerbings vest and gloves plugged in and was comfy. The transit does not lend itself as well to commuting as good as the road crafter. You can wear pants under the leathers but it is not comfortable.


However extended multiple day road trips it is unmatched. No need to pack raingear or a bunch of pants, just underwear and a change of clothes for lounging around on after the ride.

If the only choice is a new stich, does anyone have any pics of grey suits with grey ballistics? According to their website, it seems a bit different color, which I want. Right now I'm thinking grey with black ballistics. I'm not really interested in their Transit suit because the pants are not easy zip off. Thanks for any advice.

Courtesy of Chuckster at TMac:

http://www.vfrdiscus...120#entry839775

I don't see 'green' in that at all. Suit is well over six years old (I bought it slightly used at that point).

HTH,

Glrnn

Can glove gauntlets be worn on top or tucked in (for wet conditions) on the Transit? How does it fit with layers for those chilly mornings in the mountains?

I think it is a matter of sizing the Tranasit for your purposes. I can get three or four layers of wool under my jacket and wear it down to the high 30's. The pants I bought a size larger to allow for jeans and long underwear. A size smaller an I'd have to go gorilla (no jeans underneath)(not so suitable for Minnesota climate).
The jacket has zippered cuffs; can handle small gauntlets underneath. In the cold and rain I wear my gauntlets over the jacket and hands do stay dry.
And I never carry rain gear. I've always got it on.
Above 80 degrees it is warm but no warmer that the Roadcrafter except for one thing. The Transit does not have all the venting of the 'Crafter. So unless you're moving it can be hotter that the 'Crafter.

But the number one advantage of the Transit is the unmatched protection of thick, heavy leather. And that's why we wear these things in the first place. Right? I can rightly claim to be walking-around still-smilin' proof!

Does the Transit have a 360-degree pants-to-jacket zipper so it would be acceptable for track days?

Does the Transit have a 360-degree pants-to-jacket zipper so it would be acceptable for track days?

The jacket and pants do zip together but it is a short zipper, just across the back, 17". And I seems awfully nice to use on the track. More suited (pun intended) to road riding.