One piece riding suit

[NightShine]

I wear my one-piece R-3 in Atlanta year-round. Yes, it is warm in the summer, but it it ventilates well and has got to protect my skin better than mesh gear. (Doesn't it?)

Not all mesh gear!

This two piece keeps me cool in the summer and saved my hide during a nasty high side. I came out of the encounter with no road rash and the jacket suffered only minor cosmetic damage. And it's still going strong after 12 years. (click)

 

[Uncle Hud]

Thanks, NightShine. Motoport gear has been on my radar for several years, but their (old?) website just wasn't helpful. Makes me a little skittish forking over $1,000 for a riding suit when I can't understand details and sizing and etc.

Looks like their website got re-organized.

 

[NightShine]

You can't get into trouble in second gear.

 

[tdw]

I have no experience with the listed product but give another endorsement for Aerostitch Roadcrafter.

I've been a daily rider for about 8 years commuting on my bike from about mid/late March to late November / early December in Southern Ontario. I've ridden in Tourmaster, Olympia, FirstGear and focused on gear that will fit over business casual clothing, keep me warm when it's cold, breath/ventilate when it's hot and keep me dry in the rain.

I've been thinking about trying a Roadcrafter for a few years but was concerned about the fit since I can't easily try them on. I was also reluctant to spend so much on a one piece suit without the opportunity to try it first.

This past Winter I found a used one for sale on ADV Rider that I thought would fit so I pulled the trigger. I felt the price was right and would allow me to test it out before buying a new one. I love it for commuting. Fits well, is comfortable. Is easy and quick to put on and take off, has kept me warm when it was colder in the Spring, ventilated well and kept me dry so far through the Summer. At this point, I'm so pleased that I will start saving to get a new one in the colours and style that I would prefer. I think it's perfect for commuting.

Still prefer my Resurgence Jeans and mesh jacket for pleasure riding tho'.

HTH

 

[Uncle Hud]

tdw posted: <snip, snip>
At this point, I'm so pleased that I will start saving to get a new one in the colours and style that I would prefer. I think it's perfect for commuting.

HTH

Keep an eye on Aerostich's Sale section. They often have suits on sale for $200 off.

PS: I'm a little confused about your screen name (tdw) and your signature (HTH). Doesn't matter -- and no explanation is required -- since I get confused so easily these days.

 

[dravnx]

I'm not going to gamble on protecting my skin when sliding down the road on a $200 suit.

 

[FJRPittsburgh]

I'm not going to gamble on protecting my skin when sliding down the road on a $200 suit.

$200 off, not $200 for the suit.

 

[FJRPittsburgh]

tdw posted: <snip, snip>
At this point, I'm so pleased that I will start saving to get a new one in the colours and style that I would prefer. I think it's perfect for commuting.

HTH

Keep an eye on Aerostich's Sale section. They often have suits on sale for $200 off.

PS: I'm a little confused about your screen name (tdw) and your signature (HTH). Doesn't matter -- and no explanation is required -- since I get confused so easily these days.

I think the HTH is: Hope that helps.....

 

[RBEmerson]

I'll never understand why motorcycle inclement weather gear is so frequently blue, gray, or black. In limited visibility conditions, it would seem like fluorescent yellow or something similar would be the industry standard.

Concur, agree, and d*** right!

 

[RBEmerson]

There's Roadcrafter and wanna-be's. The suit in the OP is, IMNSHO, a pending demonstration of "you get what you pay for". The external pockets look very ...um... butch but are snags waiting to happen. Overall (no pun intended, but I'll take credit for one) this item rates "you go ahead and do it, we'll watch with interest".

To be quite, I hope, this has nothing to do with the country of origin. It has to deal with "has this been really road tested", and "what's it likely service life". Replacing the suit periodically (will it still be available when the suit should be replaced?) isn't a big problem, but it doesn't take long to p*** away the cost of useful farkles, tires, etc.

Aerostich gear is spendy.But the only piece of Aerostich gear that failed me was the thermometer/wind chill zipper pull (distinctly not worth it). Roper gloves, Combat boots, Roadcrafter? Hell, yeah!

The Roadcrafter series is handcrafted. It is not "off the rack". Expect to spend some serious time getting it right. But once it's right, you won't be buying another for a very long time, unless you go down hard. I survived a dump (albeit at low speed) with no damage to me (OK, damaged pride), and a black magic marker does wonders to conceal scraped black tupperware. By comparison, a week of bicycle time on a small resort island left me with scrapes and bruises that are still healing a week later, and a possible shin scar as well.

Aerostich has "POP-UP" sales which help with prices and, most importantly, fitting. The latter, alone, will shorten the construction/adjust cycle significantly.

Name any piece of gear, mesh included, is really cool, in standing traffic,at 80-85 F+. The Roadcrafter, with the vents deployed, is as cool as any mesh I've owned. I'll admit to wearing shorts at Really Hot conditions.

Detailing, pockets, etc. show the suit is built for, and designed by riders. Unknown suit vs. Roadcrafter? Roadcrafter, period, end of story, and that's the name of that tune.

NTL, as always,ride your own ride.

 

[RBEmerson]

Added: YT has plenty of videos of unloads, some very hard, while wearing a Roadcrafter. Read and heed.

 

[RBEmerson]

Added (even more): The Roadcrafter is essentially a fabric "skin". It has pockets, zippers, etc. But it has no insulation, or pads. In short, it's a spiffy, spendy one piece suit. Aerostich has several options for the padding of the owner's choosing. From first hand experience, the standard Aerostich padding works. Probably the upgrade is even safer. I don't know.

Insulation is whatever you bring to the party. Jeans and sweatshirt, Long johns under jeans and sweater - knock yourself out. Heated gear? Why ever not?

Roadcrafter sizing recommendations are generally a size (in standard riding gear sizes) larger than expected. It helps to have room for winter gear, and room for air to circulate in the summer.

There are three lengths, short, regular, and long. Let Aerostich help you with the right length.

Finally, there are two zippers to get into and out of the suit.

• Start with both zippers open (at the top of the zipper). Right foot (with boot) goes into the suit's right leg. The right arm goes into the right sleeve (well, duh). The left arm... yep.
• The zipper for the main zipper has an upper and lower slider. Slide the two to the top, and slide the left side end of the zipper into the lower slider and up through the upper slider (practice and sobriety will help nail this part down).
• Slide the lower slider all the way to the bottom of the suit, taking care to keep the zipper flap (on the right side of the zipper) flattened out - it's what keeps the wet from getting into the suit.
• While you're down at the bottom of the suit, slide down the zipper for the right leg.
• Climbing out of the suit is the same steps in reverse.

With a little practice, the whole process can take only a couple of minutes. Depending on how phobic you are about putting a new Roardcrafter on the ground (get over it!), it's reasonable to get to a parking spot, climb out of the suit, fold it up (see YT how-to), and show up somewhere suitably dressed instead of looking like a "Road Grimed Astronaut" (see Aerostich catalog for an explanation). BTDT

The Aerostich rally includes a don and doff speed contest. Properly readied, IIRC the record is around 15 seconds to don the suit, and around 10 seconds. On a good day, I'm not even close. On a bad day, it's easy to know it's a bad day

 

[RBEmerson]

Even more...

The Roadcrafter has a Göre-Tex liner. NTL the original Roadcrafter a problem where the zipper meets Big John and The Boys. The new version corrected this problem and adds the "Hall Pass", which has nothing to do with hall monitors in school. It's the pass-through for the heating cable. Guess the last name of the person it's named after...

 

[bgross]

Thanks, NightShine. Motoport gear has been on my radar for several years, but their (old?) website just wasn't helpful. Makes me a little skittish forking over $1,000 for a riding suit when I can't understand details and sizing and etc.
Looks like their website got re-organized.

Another vote for Motoport.

Yes, the new website is better, but there is nothing like being about to walk in and touch the merchandise. (I’m only about 40 minutes away, so I’m spoiled.

The most important thing to know about ordering Motoport is sizing: there is no such thing as “off the rack” - your garment is made to YOUR measurements. Wayne makes a point of explaining the difference between “vanity sizes” and actual sizes. He’ll make you a jacket or pant that fit you like a glove - the most comfortable thing you’ve ever worn - but you need to follow his instructions and provide him with the measurements he asks for.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve worn a 42L jacket for 300 years. Forget it. Measure!

Like a top-shelf helmet, Motoport gear is about protection. And, like a helmet, the first thing is... it must fit well.

Following Wayne’s measurement instructions ensure you will get both fit and function.

Once you’ve nailed that part, the rest is fun & easy: pocket placement, hi-viz scotchlite stripes, mesh or stretch or both, etc.

Anyway, that’s my two cents.

YMMV.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

I can’t make myself wear my aerostich in the summer. It’s hard to get me to wear anything in the summer. But fall/winter/spring, you won’t find me on two wheels without it. I bought Long sized pants, luckily. Even though I’m just 6’, 32” inseam, regular pants would have been too short in the fjr’s riding position.

 

[RBEmerson]

I figure my handsome self is worth protecting it any time of the year with my Roadcrafter. YMMV

 

[Uncle Hud]

Bill Lumberg posted: I can’t make myself wear my aerostich in the summer. It’s hard to get me to wear anything in the summer. But fall/winter/spring, you won’t find me on two wheels without it. I bought Long sized pants, luckily. Even though I’m just 6’, 32” inseam, regular pants would have been too short in the fjr’s riding position.

It can be done. Fabulous wife got me a fancy new ventilated jacket that works well with my vented pants -- and the zippers mate! The pair are a little cooler than the 'Stich, but don't even pretend to keep out rain. No problem, really; a little rain is welcome in the summertime.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

I have first gear meshtex pants and jacket, instead of a one piece, purchased from peer pressure here. I wear the jacket during morning commutes all summer. Probably should wear the pants. I dont wear much gear beside a helmet and boots in the 100F afternoon. I wear the whole set of mesh when traveling in hot weather for the day. If I win the lottery, Id love to try a one piece stich for winter. But the two piece Dariens are pretty much nirvana.

 

[RBEmerson]

I just wrapped up 325 mi. in +/- 87F (as FJR) and probably almost humidity to match. Although I wish the legs had ventilation, too, I understand there's no way that could happen without compromising leg protection. With all of the vents up top open and the windshield down (dang, I wish it went a bit lower), there was a fair amount of breeze inside the suit. The conditions aren't optimal(!!), but I do like having at least some protection.

By comparison, a week of bicycling on rental bikes, on a small German island with mostly packed gravel to downright sand trails, has left me with slowly healing scrapes, cuts, and a possible hematoma (encapsulated tissue with excess amounts of blood) behind my right knee. My wife's hematoma on her right thigh is about golf ball size and will need 6-8 weeks to resolve.

I really wish bicycling with a Roadcrafter was possible and practical.

 

[sks700]

I have Aerostitch Darien jacket and pants. LOVE them! I have unzipped the pants outside zippers a bit in very hot weather for a bit of additional ventilation. Works pretty well.