Is an Aerostich suit the way to go? Or not?

[Dasmoetorhead]

I've always wanted an R3 suit. I like the whole idea about it, but I'm not sure if I'd really use it that much. It's cold in the Winter here in E.TN, and gets hot and muggy in the summer. I wear a mesh armored jacket in the summer with jeans and boots usually. Winter I wear long johns , jeans usually a light Adidas track suit jacket my HD Shovelhead leather jacket. I don't commute (retired) and just ride for fun. I use my spyder more than my pickup.
I like The Idea of the protection from the stich, but I still think in the back of my mind it's overkill for my riding style. Does anyone have or use one of these suits? Convince me they are the way to go or not.

 

[BertRemington]

Dasmoetorhead -- I have and wear two, a Roadcrafter Classic one-piece and a Roadcrafter Classic two-piece. I wear the top-only of the two-piece when riding within the city (San Diego) and the one-piece or both pieces of the two-piece all other times. As you know the suits have a variety of vents. Riding in 95+ temperatures takes some adaptation. At the beginning of summer it's really kinda tough but after a month I'm not especially bothered by the heat. But the suit is soaking wet from my sweat. I mean that literally -- when I remove the suit my clothes are drenched. Looks weird but doesn't bother me much.

I bought the one-piece many decades ago. The main zipper is getting chancy at the top so I called Aerostitch about repairs. I also complained how the suit has shrunk around the waistline. The ladies laughed and said they had a fix for that too.

Maybe your question will get me to stop procrastinating and send the one-piece for refurb. Thanks.

 

[Dasmoetorhead]

Thank you for the info.

 

[Heisty]

No experience with Aero, but here I do the ATGATT, All The Gear All The Time. In my case that means leather pants, jacket and gloves. Every trip. Up to 95 deg. Then I allow myself to wear armored mesh.

Fo my money, if you’ve always wanted one, go for it, but wear it. All the time, for protection of you, not for color or fashion.

 

[CloverHillCrawler]

I just went one size up and wear my mesh armour beneath a Teal snowsuit I picked up off of amazon for $159 at the time. Yep, I'm that cheap! LOL

I rode into work last year when it was 14 degrees, a couple of the older women there called me papa smurf!

 

[vito1943]

I've thought about this for years. But when I am honest with myself I think that I would not wear it enough to justify the cost. For colder weather I am okay with my old Tourmaster jacket with zippered liner, and long johns and jeans (or leather chaps and jeans). If its cold enough to need more than that, I don't ride. And in the summer I have a Klim mesh jacket that is by far the best thing I have ever found that offers both protection and good airflow. And while I know its a bit foolish, when it gets really hot, i.e., 90 or more, I end up riding in jeans and a t-shirt, and fingerless gloves from the local HD dealership. My one concession to safety is to always, always, wear a decent helmet (usually my Shoei Neotec that I am thinking of replacing with the newest version soon). I suspect that if I spent the big bucks for the Aerostich suit I would only wear it during those in-between weather extremes and not too often at that.

I will add that when I was riding on two wheels, right or wrong I felt that my chances of ending up on the pavement were much higher than when riding my Spyder. So I have the inclination to be a little less safety concerned on the Spyder, including wearing sneakers sometimes rather than boots, and sometimes not wearing any gloves at all.

If you get the suit, let us all know how it works out for you.

 

[Lee0123]

On my Honda I wear my Darien jacket and pants year round with motorcycle touring boots.
When I ride the Can Am with my wife in warmer months I switch to a mesh jacket that matches her jacket. This is at her request, she does not like my Aerostich Hi Viz Jacket. And I switch to jeans with work boots. The knee pads in Darien pants are wide and make contacted with the bike before any other part of my leg. It is painful for me to grip the Can Am RTL wearing my Darien pants. My touring boots are too stiff for me to ride comfortably in cruiser position.

 

[pegasus1300]

You are right, it is overkill. So what. At your age what other people think doesn't matter. You have always wanted one, and you will for sure use it. If you have the money go for it. Call it the ultimate farkle,call it safety chrome, call it peace of mind. Call it whatever you want. Who cares if you wear it for fashon, or color or protection or for no reason just because you have it. When you wear it, you will get the protection regardless of why you put it on. And you have completed one more dream. Good luck.

 

[PJveetwin]

I prefer a Darian jacket. It's the best in hot weather. You open the sleeves and catch a mass flow of air. Better than any vents in any other jacket. I wear the Darian pants during the winter, but prefer the Kevlar mesh pants from Moto Port when it gets hot. I live outside of Death Valley and deal with a lot of extreme heat. It's what the majority of Moto Cops wear in California. I own a R3, and is fine when it's cool, but never in the summer. Few suits offer better protection than a R3

 

[BertRemington]

I purchased my Roadcrafter Classic one-piece new four decades ago when I was commuting 100 miles/day from sea level to 3800ft elevation on my motorcycle (BMW K100). All-weather performance was the primary consideration. Leather didn't make the cut due to rain and snow issues. I noted the Roadcrafter was the only non-leather riding suit accepted by open-tracking sponsors. I ordered the TF3 armor as a winter-summer compromise. Being much skinnier at the time the suit was easy entry-exit. I also could fit the Aerostich heated vest (still have the vest, forget about closing the zipper).

The suit was the perfect choice for me. And when people saw me in it they knew I was serious. Many people admired it and asked questions. They were amused about it coming from the home of the Green Bay Packers.

Did the suit leak? Yeah but not much. Dried out at work or at home. I had a special hanger for both locations (special to avoid flexing the armor). Was the armor a pain in the winter? Yeah getting into the suit but once warmed up not too bad.

I never had to test its armor or abrasion resistance. Just like every other rider, an 80-20 combination of luck and skill.

I purchased the used Red (Oxblood) two-piece by coincidence not intent when I had a Red Moto Guzzi V7 III (which I quickly sold on when the dealer wanted $300 for a lubricant change for which I provided the lubricants and no bodywork removal was required -- besides it was showing disturbing signs of future problems). Its a bit different from the one-piece in pocket locations so muscle-memory means I keep putting my hands in the wrong places. When I wear both pieces it's actually a bit warmer on hot days than the one-piece.

I'm very pleased with both suits. One of my best purchase decisions.

 

[rational]

I've had a one-piece Roadcrafter (I think) since 2008. I used it all the time and it was in storage last four years, but I brought it out again last month as I bought a new Spyder. The suit is still as good as new (washed it a couple times many years ago). It's very, very comfortable with a very thoughtful design. I use it a bit less in the summer, unless I'm leaving town because we go through mountain passes and very cool weather before sunrise and after sunset even in the summer. When it's hot, you can open up all the vents and occasionally stick your arms into the wind to get some air flowing.

Based on my experience, it's comfortable for highway speeds between 45 and 85. Below 45, use a heated vest underneath it (the suit's pocket can comfortably house the vest controller). If you travel out of town, it's hard to carry a second suit around because you likely have other things you need. The stich can be a versatile single suit. I finished my Saddle Sore 1000 miles in it, going through a range of cold/hot conditions in the summer.

 

[IGETAROUND]

Can't speak for you but the wife and I both have Roadcrafter two piece with the T-3 armor. We bought hers because it was the only manufacturer that had women's sizing and would do alterations to the garment to allow a better fit for short people. My wife encouraged me to purchase one for myself, bless her heart, and I must say that we do ride more, almost daily. The suits offer excellent rain protection which came in handy when 5 of 6 travel days rained on our last trip. It is reassuring to know that you have the best protection for get offs and they wear well in the heat. Treat yourself to great riding gear, you only go around once.

Al in Kazoo

 

[Dasmoetorhead]

Wow! Great information ya'll. I appreciate all of the real world riding evaluation. Exactly what I was looking for and basically what I have tead over the years. Now it's up to me to make that decision. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Dasmoetorhead]

The sweating and being soaked doesn't sound like much fun. I understand with this level of protection it's to be expected. I know I get hot enough in the summer with my mesh jacket jeans and boots. That's really the only reason I'm hesitant to make the purchase. I think I'm going to go another Summer with what I have, and re-evaluate my gear and make a decision to get an R3 or not.
My other concern is how the suit performs with all the flaps unzipped for cooling. Does the suit flap around at speed when vents are open, or act like a parachute and blow up like a balloon at hwy speeds? Or does it stay close to the body due to its weight. idk.

 

[honsfun]

there is another choice www.motoport.com/ Excellent gear, air mesh good hot weather protection With a proven record.

 

[rational]

My other concern is how the suit performs with all the flaps unzipped for cooling. Does the suit flap around at speed when vents are open, or act like a parachute and blow up like a balloon at hwy speeds? Or does it stay close to the body due to its weight. idk.

Not in my experience. It's on your, firmly, because you have the primary zips closed. The vents help a bit, but in my experience you have to occasionally expose them into the wind to get some much needed air circulation on a hot summer day. Raise your arms, sticks your hand into the wind etc so the air seeps in through the openings.

 

[PDXRTL]

So many variables to your decision but here's my experience. Note that this is on a 2009 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom - I won't have my Spyder for a few weeks yet. I mention that because airflow differences between the two machines could make things different.

I wore a 2003 Roadcrafter Classic (I bought it used) from 2009 through 2020. As a commuter, I think there was nothing better - it goes on over my work clothes. So easy. Also worked well for my annual trips with friends. Comfort wise, as long as I was moving I was fine in the heat. I really like the underarm vents.

I spent a year in a Cycle Gear Sedici mesh jacket that I had to buy while on a trip after a user zipper failure on the Roadcrafter (more my fault than the suit's). And I'm a believer in the concept that in really hot weather, a solid material is better than mesh. With the caveat that I'm on the Pacific coast and have only ridden as far east as CO, WY, MT so I can't speak to the humidity in the south and on the east coast.

While on the topic of mesh, I did look at motoport gear. Good stuff with a good reputation. But I couldn't get over the idea that I had to stop and add/remove a liner when dealing with rain. In my Stich gear, I don't have to worry about rain, i just get to keep going. Note on the one piece: on my older version, after really heavy or prolonged riding in the rain, a couple times I did experience the dreaded crotch leak due to the pooling of water in my lap. I don't know how much that issue has been resolved in recent years and with the newer waterproof zippers.

After hemming and hawing about what gear to get to replace the Roadcrafter, I finally decided to go with the Darien jacket and AD1 pants. I'm still breaking in the jacket and learning what adjustments I need to make at what temps. Discovered that the unlined Darien is very different than the lined Roadcrafter Classic. I've found a good windproof shell that makes up for that in cooler temps. In warmer temps, unlined seems to be better.

I'm an Aerostich fan, no doubt. As I get a chance to ride more this year (now retired) and finish breaking in the Darien (the AD1 pants were good from the start), I'll figure out if I like two pieces better than the one piece. But so far, I do.

The best thing you can do is watch for Aerostich pop up events in your area. They bring lots of sample gear for you to try on to help determine size and how it feels on your bike (or one of their demo bikes). Or head up to MN to the factory. For sure, get on their email list so you can get information and notices of sales. Such as this one in my inbox this morning:
Save 15% on all IN-STOCK suits, jackets, and pants! (In-stock garments are NOT Individually listed on the website.) Call 800-222-1994 for in-stock suit size information, availability, and to order!

 

[vito1943]

Not to steal the thread, but for hot weather riding I have not found anything better than the Klim Induction jacket. It has excellent armor and allows a huge amount of airflow. The Spyder's windscreen is almost too efficient in hot weather. Even when I turn the vent to blow air on me, even with the Klim jacket I sometimes get miserably hot. With any of my other jackets, summer riding is almost out of the question. If I'm too hot with the Klim, just a long-sleeved t-shirt is about the best choice.

 

[cruisinTX]

I've always wanted an R3 suit. I like the whole idea about it, but I'm not sure if I'd really use it that much. It's cold in the Winter here in E.TN, and gets hot and muggy in the summer. I wear a mesh armored jacket in the summer with jeans and boots usually. Winter I wear long johns , jeans usually a light Adidas track suit jacket my HD Shovelhead leather jacket. I don't commute (retired) and just ride for fun. I use my spyder more than my pickup.
I like The Idea of the protection from the stich, but I still think in the back of my mind it's overkill for my riding style. Does anyone have or use one of these suits? Convince me they are the way to go or not.

This may not answer your question entirely, but I am in the ATGATT (all the gear all the time) group. If there is a chance you can be knocked off your ride in an accident, the protective gear is a must. Whether it be two wheel or three, sliding down the pavement with just jeans and a t-shirt for protection is not an option for me. Fact: a pair of new denim jeans will wear through in 0.3 seconds when sliding on pavement at 70mph. At that speed, you cover approximately 102 feet per second. Do you really want to feel asphalt grinding into your skin for the remainder of the "slide" after that; not to mention the possibility of severe damage to your head & brain hitting the pavement multiple times during the tumble/slide? I personally have worn full protective gear since seeing a friend mine's helmet and jacket after he slid off the road wearing full gear. The helmet looked as if someone had taken a grinder to it and the jacket had severe scuff marks all over it. Had he not been wearing that that gear, he might have been facing weeks of agonizing recovery. As it turns out, he was back riding again in just a few days.

 

[BertRemington]

Dasmoetorhead -- didn't mean to put you off with stories of my sweaty body. It's me not the Roadcrafter. I'm just a sweater kind of guy (not for Hunter Thompson reasons). And as I said during Summertime within a month I adapt to the heat to the point sitting at a traffic light in Valley Center in 100 degree temperatures doesn't bother me.

There are many excellent choices out there. Four decades ago when I was commuting every day on my motorcycle the Aerostitch was the best choice available. Today if I was only riding my Spyder I'd consider those other choices according to my riding seasons and budget. With regard to warmth there is no substitute for heated gear, preferably powered by the Spyder's unlimited energy not limited energy rechargeable batteries. Heat loss is attention loss and attention loss leads to riding time lost to spending time in the hospital.

Have fun this summer.