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General Category => General Banter => Topic started by: Pipes on September 04, 2012, 07:30:08 PM
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Just blew a side zipper on my 10 year old Joe Rocket Ballistic 2.0 overpants and was wondering if the extra money for some Aerostitch Darian overpants is worth spending? Not interested in leather! I can get the same basic pants at Dennis Kirk for 150 bucks or switch to the Darien for 300 bucks. I am also looking at a new jacket in the very near future. I have had an interest in Aerostitch for a while but is it worth the cash??
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I have had my roadcrafter for about 5 years with no complaints. I recommend you ride up to Duluth and check out their gear and service for yourself. You get a 10% discount for taking a nice ride and buying in person! I think it is worth the money.
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I have been to the store in the past but the price was way out of my budget. Now I can afford to get it but wondering if it is worth the extra money.
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'Stich gear lasts longer than any other textile brand I have owned
I usually sell my used stuff on ebay for more than 50% of retail and then buy new
Ebay has deals occasionally so you could buy cheap, try and then decide. http://motors.shop.ebay.com/sch/eBay-Motors-/6000/i.html?_nkw=Aerostich (http://motors.shop.ebay.com/sch/eBay-Motors-/6000/i.html?_nkw=Aerostich)
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I personally am not a fan of Aerostich... mostly because of the high prices.
Lots of other solid textile choices out there:
Olympia
Teiz Motorsports (the Navigator line is getting great reviews)
Rev It
... realize I'll probably get blasted for not supporting the "stich" as I have many friends that love theirs. I'm just agreeing with your hesitations to take the plunge.
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I have always liked Aerostitch gear but it took me a while to pull the trigger on getting a suit due to the pricing of their stuff.
I bought mine in the summer of 2010 & haven't regretted it since. I should wear it more often but need to get the sizing checked.
They have had to adjust the suit one other time & did so without charge to me so I'm a fan of the customer service they have provided.
But like Vander said, there are other quality manufacturers out there so it's worth checking them all out.
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Rode with 10 German's on an Edelweiss ("Canadian Rockies") tour many years ago. They were so impressed with my Aerostich over pants and jacket, six of them ordered similar before returning to the Motherland.
You get what you pay for.
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In my opinion, yes, Stich makes great stuff and they stand behind it. I bought my Darien pants in 2001 while in town for my 10-year class reunion and had a 20-25 mph lowside while wearing them in April 2002. They scuffed a bit, but I used them as-is for 10 years. It took until 2010 for them to start leaking throught the right knee area where they were damaged.
I was in Duluth over Thanksgiving last year and brought them to the store. I showed one of the technicians where it was leaking. After looking at them, he told me that the service life was about done - showed me the discoloration of the pants around the knees and told me that abrasion resistance is in tact, but the Gore-Tex lining is no longer very effective with vapor control/waterproofing. He told me I must have had them a while ... I told him when I bought them, 10 years prior.
He put a Gore-Tex patch on the area (lower leg) and also glued on some new velcro for a knee pad that has been missing for 3-4 years. All was done while I waited and drank a few cups of coffee, and the charge was $0 10 years after the sale. I was thanked for being a customer.
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Here's my example of above and beyond customer service from Teiz Motorsports:
I had an issue with a Teiz jacket... a common failure that they had been experiencing with a pocket zipper jamming. They ended up refunding me entirely for the purchase price and I was able to keep the jacket with the busted pocket zipper.
Teiz Motorsports and some great stuff, too.
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I picked up the two piece Roadcrafter. I have ridden in weather with icicles hanging from my helmet to 112 degree temps across the desert.
I should get up to Aerostich and pick another up sometime. It's been twelve seasons and over 100,000 miles.
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Thanks for all the input!! I did some research on Aerostich and Teiz gear. I will most likely go with Aerostich because of the longevity of the gear and it is water proof. The Teiz gear is not waterproof and I would spend most of what I saved on rain gear. I could always buy the same Joe Rocket gear I had but I am looking to up grade. Thank you all for advice!!
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The Teiz gear is not waterproof and I would spend most of what I saved on rain gear.
Dang man... I didn't know that.
They used to come with a pretty high tech breathable rain liner.
I wouldn't mind a review from you after you get your new Aerostich gear... possible?
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Dead cow.....The ultimate in crash protection, but stich or whatever has its place too...
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Dead cow.....The ultimate in crash protection, but stich or whatever has its place too...
Dead kangaroo, I thought.
But that's for abrasion protection. More stuff happens in a crash (impact, penetration...etc.) and in my opinion, leather is NOT always the best way to go.
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IMpact protection comes from the armor.
Slide protection comes from the material and leather of some sort will always be king.
You sure don't see any racers wearing stich..... :nutkick:
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No, but you did used to see racers wearing woolen jerseys, pudding bowls and goggles. Things might change.....
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Things might change.....
Ed Zachary.
Those airbag jackets are pretty cool. That's some serious impact protection.
And I do agree with you Lloyd... leather is king.
But IMO it is not so necessary in (what should be) a lower speed crash on the street.
Less speed/ Less slide... ya dig?
But what CAN happen is sliding into a guardrail, or getting caught in those cable barriers, or embedding a semi-truck grill (yikes).
Would leather matter there?
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I wear my gear damn near all the time. I commute to work, run errands and go for rides. I need gear to over my clothes, that is why I do not want leather. If I get hit I don't think it will matter what kind of gear I have on for impact protection. I have had full leather in the past and I prefer the textile gear.
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I can do a review during my ownership of the suit. I have heard they are very stiff when new and the collar rubs.
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I can do a review during my ownership of the suit. I have heard they are very stiff when new and the collar rubs.
Mine is barely broken in since I don't wear it often enough. But that is likely due to needing some adjustments to it which I should do over the off season. However I have never had any issue with it being stiff or the collar rubbing the wrong way. I will say they do fit better as time goes on though.
I did go for the upgraded armor in the knees, shoulders, elbows, & added hip pads as well for additional impact protection. I like the flexibility of the one piece stitch but do agree that leather handles sliding a bit better in a crash.
It doesn't transfer heat as much so should cause less injury under it compared to textiles in a slide. I don't have a comparison study or anything but from past experience of customers showing me both after a crash & comparing injuries that is what I've noticed.
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No, but you did used to see racers wearing woolen jerseys, pudding bowls and goggles. Things might change.....
not to fan the flames or anything, just thought pudding bowls was funny as hell early in the morning.
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Textile has it's place. I rode 12 hours one day last week in South Dakota. Four of those hours were 108 degrees. Would not want to be wearing leather that day.
I've owned Riderwarehouse, Tourmaster, Joe Rocket and First Gear textiles. I crashed into a car and slid over 100 feet at 55 mph down the road in the Joe Rocket Ballistic textile and it did not rip or abraid, just a minor scuff. I would not have any fear about textiles holding up in a crash on the street. It's downside is that it's probably going to be trashed after one crash. I guess if you feel like you are going to crash many times, then go with leather.
I would seriously consider all manufacturers. Do not "fall in love" with the notion of owning a Aerostch. Personally I think they are a tad overrated compared to the rest. One of my biggest beefs is they are the same design for almost 20 years now and they do look dated next to the most modern textile designs that have more pockets and style. On the positive side, they are local and they will back up any defects that show up. The thread holding the zippers on the wrist started failing on my Roadcrafter after two years and they replaced both arms while I went to lunch at Grandmas.
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It's downside is that it's probably going to be trashed after one crash. I guess if you feel like you are going to crash many times, then go with leather.
None of us "plan" to crash...but if/when we do any gear is better than no gear!!
Do not "fall in love" with the notion of owning a Aerostch. Personally I think they are a tad overrated compared to the rest. One of my biggest beefs is they are the same design for almost 20 years now and they do look dated next to the most modern textile designs that have more pockets and style.
I would humbly say that if they have been around that long & the design hasn't change but they are still selling say's something.
I'm not say its the best but it's worth a shot I think. I'm not a die hard by any means but do like their stuff.
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]I would humbly say that if they have been around that long & the design hasn't change but they are still selling say's something.
I'm not say its the best but it's worth a shot I think. I'm not a die hard by any means but do like their stuff.
Please note that I did not say their stuff is bad. But I do think they have achieved a status where riders stop demanding new features or technical improvements and just go with the status quo. In my opinion, the First Gear TPG is more technically superior (zippers have a sealed rubber exterior for example), an inner liner that functions as a sharp looking evening jacket, many more pockets and is competitively priced.
My point is, for the price, you owe it so yourself to shop around. You might be amazed at the neat features and styles that are coming from half a dozen other riding gear makers while Riderwarehouse seems content with the current line.
FYI, I bought a FG TPG Ranier coat two years ago. Best coat I have ever owned (including the Stich I wore for 8 years.) http://www.firstgear-usa.com/TPG/CSSRainier.html (http://www.firstgear-usa.com/TPG/CSSRainier.html)
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FYI, I bought a FG TPG Ranier coat two years ago. Best coat I have ever owned (including the Stich I wore for 8 years.) [url]http://www.firstgear-usa.com/TPG/CSSRainier.html[/url] ([url]http://www.firstgear-usa.com/TPG/CSSRainier.html[/url])
I bought a FG TPG Teton (the waist length version of the Ranier) two years ago. I also have a 10 year old Roadcrafter. I still wear them both and like them both for different reasons. The Teton has better fit and finish than the stich. It also has lots of pockets (I like lots of pockets), adequate but not great ventilation for hot days, and the rain proof zippers are pretty nice.
The only real down side to the TPG is that the material probably does not have the abrasion protection that the heavier stich material provides. The TPG armour doesn't seem as good as the stich but it is CE certified so it may be fine. I have not crash tested either of these so these are just my guesses.
I think that I read that Aerostich is making changes to the roadcrafter including rain proof zippers.
Dale B
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The only real down side to the TPG is that the material probably does not have the abrasion protection that the heavier stich material provides. The TPG armour doesn't seem as good as the stich but it is CE certified so it may be fine. I have not crash tested either of these so these are just my guesses.
Regarding the TPG armour, FG is using the new d3o shock absorption technology which reduces the bulkiness of older CE armour without sacrificing the capability. I would expect if Riderwarehouse ever updates the stich, they would go with the same thing. http://www.d3o.com/ (http://www.d3o.com/)
Regarding abrasion, the FG Ranier is 600 Denier Nylon and the Darian is 500 Denier Cordura. Cordura sounds about 5% more abrasion resistant than nylon but maybe the 20% higher thread count makes the nylon more resistant? I confess to not knowing and the info on the web can be spun either way (pun).
I think that I read that Aerostich is making changes to the roadcrafter including rain proof zippers. Dale B
That would be good and a sign Riderwarehouse is awakening to the competition. But I also recall the rumored "introduction" of the RoadCrafter III in 1998, so I won't be waiting for this. ;)
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Do not "fall in love" with the notion of owning a Aerostch.
Thank you for saying that! I am infatuated with Aerostich. My Joe Rocket pant lasted me 10 years of motorcycle riding in the spring, summer and fall and 4 wheeling in the winter. Plus the wife said they cost what!!! I will most likly go to Dennis Kirk to get the latest version of the same pants I had. I work across the street from there. I thank all of you for your input!
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Yesterday I picked up a Roadcrafter that showed up on Craigslist in my size. It's in great shape, and much better priced than a new one! Took a ride in today's blustery, 48 degree weather. With only a tee, jeans, and a light fleece jacket underneath I was warm and comfortable. I didn't know how drafty my until-now gear combination was until riding in this setup.
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I didn't know how drafty my until-now gear combination was until riding in this setup.
So good....bad....otherwise?
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I didn't know how drafty my until-now gear combination was until riding in this setup.
So good....bad....otherwise?
Most recently I was matching one of 3 leather jackets and Darien pants. I would call it satisfactory or I wouldn't have been using that combination for the last 11 years. I won't abandon that combination. Not to state the obvious, but in cooler weather, when riding in the one-piece I no longer have to ensure I am "sealed" around my waist. There are many times I've adjusted gear after a few miles (e.g. tuck shirts and/or fleece into the pants) and even then it was a place where body temp could exit, even if I eliminated a direct cool-air blast.
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That certainly makes sense. I have noticed that as well.
With my Roadcrafter on I have greater control over where & when air moves in/out of it.
I also like the fact that on hot days I can wear shorts/t-shirts but on cooler days I can bundle up easily under it.
I should start wearing it more often since I spent the money on it.
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I did more research and decided to go with a Tour Master Transition 3 jacket and Tour Master Overpants. Got them at Dennis Kirk and saved 30 buck because of their price match. Chaparral racing had them cheaper. The reviews were pretty good.
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I also picked up an Aria Signet Q at the bike show for 100 buck off!!
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Having watched friends cheap out and buy the 7-cupholder versions of Aerostich products, I can only say "funny" to the basic question. Anything that is lined with that perforated nylon crap is going to be short-lived. My 2005 Darien has worn out three bikes and is half way through two more. A buddy who bought the "much tricker" First Gear Ranier a couple of years ago is, now, trying to pony up the cash for a Darien. The FG's zippers failed, seams fell apart, the cupholders (poorly designed pockets in idiotic places) caught on stuff and shredded, now he looks like a nylon-covered hobo.
I've hit the ground hard (off-pavement) many times in my Darien and the only damage has been to my pride (easily as worn out as Scott's FG gear) and the reflective tape on the back. It's still water-tight, all the bits are in working order, and I've only replaced two zipper pulls in 8 years. Comes from using long nylon pull extenders so I can move the zippers with heavy gloves.
Thomas Day
Minnesota Motorcycle Monthly Magazine
http://http://mnmotorcycle.com/ (http://http://mnmotorcycle.com/)
http://geezerwithagrudge.blogspot.com/ (http://geezerwithagrudge.blogspot.com/)
thomas@motorbyte.com