'Stitch Roadcrafter

[Grumpy]

I rode to Duluth this last summer and bought the Hi-Viz. The lady I was dealing with told me that the Hi-Viz was their most popular color.

As an old street bicycle rider I'm a great believer in being conspicuous. The main way this is accomplished is to wear clothing whose colors don't normally appear in nature.

The only comments I've gotten were questions about being a fireman. Personally, if wearing Hi-Viz keeps one cager from turning left in front of me, it was worth any comments I might get!!

Jim

 

[kaitsdad]

All,

I gotta say, it's great to hear everyone's opinions and experiences!

Those of you that have worn the Hi-Viz for some time confirmed everything I've heard - visability is extreme !

Thanks for weighing in, y'all, Hi-Viz it is !

Gleno, I'm giving Sally a call. B)

(now all I need is a bike)

 

[Gleno]

Personally, if wearing Hi-Viz keeps one cager from turning left in front of me, it was worth any comments I might get!!Jim

Although I razz my Hi Viz friends endlessly, I gotta add a huge AMEN to the above quote.

All jokes aside, that is of course our main concern. Living to ride another day. B)

I've even considered a Hi Vis Darien for the combat commuting I do here in Vegas. (just don't tell anyone please )

 

[Toynut]

Or........

You can always order a [SIZE=14pt]high vis suit [/SIZE]with [SIZE=14pt]Red ballistic trim[/SIZE], and have it both ways. :bleh:

Have fun, make a new fashion statement, amaze your friends, and above all,....screw the fashion world!

(They only ride Harleys and Ducatis, anyway). :lol:

 

[Carnifex]

I was gonna go for orange, then get a white reflective vest and a white half-helmet.

But then I realized I'd look like this guy...

 

[Toynut]

Carni,

Is that guy wearing a ...."Man-Bra"?

:clown2:

 

[donaldb]

Kaitsdad, where u ordering the suit from? I have been surfing for a 1 piece suit, have not yet decided on which to get, Aerostitch is a bit pricy for me but if I could find one either slightly used or a really good price on a new one I might take the plunge.

 

[Toynut]

P.S.

I forgot to mention that the leg band full of road flares might be considered mandatory riding apparell for those inclined to ride a Hardley!

No dissaproving remarks, please! :bleh:

 

[Shadowfax]

Subscribe to Aerostich's Sales list.

last one listed a bunch of stuff in a discontinued color for 25% (or so) off

https://www.aerostich.com/home.php?cat=390&...stEmail20060202

 

[Fastfckr]

I've been ridin' with a red w/ black stich for 8 years. Mine still looks great, not pink at all.

It at one time matched my Ducati and red Arai perfect, put still is lookin good on my 2004 FJR.

I'd say red/ black!!!

ZZZzz

 

[madmike2]

Get the Hi-viz. Then, when you are riding, er, uhm, briskly, and pass an officer going the other way, we can have a test to see if he remembers all the others or the Hi-viz.

 

[kaitsdad]

Kaitsdad, where u ordering the suit from? I have been surfing for a 1 piece suit, have not yet decided on which to get, Aerostitch is a bit pricy for me but if I could find one either slightly used or a really good price on a new one I might take the plunge.

donaldb, I'm ordering direct from the factory. They're gonnal have to make it special for this pudgy little body of mine. :lol:

 

[Toynut]

Kaitsdad,

I ordered 2 or 3 stock sized Roadcrafter suits in different sizes for test fit purposes before ordering my final suit along with it's alterations. Aerostich personell were very accomodating to my doing this, so long as I returned them in a reasonable time. I did find that it would be a good idea to order and install (velcro) the optional pads during the test fit, for correct sizing.

For FJR and sport touring work, I would highly recommend ordering the forward rotated shoulder option if you have a large upper body, as well as the back ellipse panel for leaning forward. Otherwise you may be singing some high notes along with the motor. Since I wear an occasional electric Kanetsue fleece vest (with removable sleeves) during colder Michigan months, I made sure to add some additional room for layering in the chest and torso area.

My last recomendation would be to make sure you sit on your bike in the normal riding position while suited up and figure out where you want your knee pads to be placed. I find that many suits are usually locating the knee pads too low for practical safety. Aerostich will be happy to move them vertically at the time of suit build for no charge. They are also a very nice company to do business with.

 

[kaitsdad]

Thank You, Toynut !

Excellent Advice ! I do appreciate it.

And I did consider the red ballistic - however, I'm not into chinese dragons ..... :assasin: :bleh:

 

[Bounce]

Well,  I've decided to order my Roadcrafter -  but now I'm in a bit of a quandry -  So I'm asking the sage opinions of the many august authorities on this forum - 
Which Color ?

Hi-Viz?

OR

Red ?

I like the visibility of the Hi-Viz -  however,  I can just hear the comments along the lines of - - - "BigBird",  "Banana", "Ghay",  ...  you get the idea.  Opinions and Comments are welcome -

Red becomes "pink" very quickly. Everyone I know with a formerly-red stich has said so. And it becomes striped in area that fade faster than other areas.

I'd say 6-7 years of sun exposure hasn't faded the two piece suit too badly.

it's not the years, it's the miles. i've seen pink stiches that were under 3 years old. they don't fade at all if left to hang in a dark closet for 5 or 10 years.

I can relay the reports of hi-viz users who have been allowed to the front of traffic and store lines when other people thought they were emergency personnel. Not a bad thing IMO as any perception of "authority" means the BDC's will take notice and grant a wide berth instead of ignoring you or trying to flatten you.

 

[TWILKIN650]

I'd defer to a LD guy like Bounce, but man, those guys with the pink (formerly red) Roadcrafters must be laying down some serious miles in three years. Mine only has an estimated 49,000 miles but looking at it right now, it doesn't seem much different than the picture shown. Go with the HiVis. Probably what I'd buy if buying new. BTW, the IBMWR Marketplace has several used for sale today.

 

[Shadowfax]

Not sure if I posted this before here, but I bought my stitch (Blue on Black) back in 99 and have over 55k miles on it in all kinds of weather and twice-a-year washings.

A year ago I was debating getting a new 'stich as mine was starting to look worn, but instead sent mine back for new reflectors (back, chest), some velcro repair for the back protector and a new collar (always shave before you ride ). They also replaced all the zippers but didn't charge for that. I got a new-looking suit for $132 incl shipping.

Great people to work with too.

 

[kaitsdad]

Well, Sage and August opinionates - (is that a word?)

Thank You All for your input !!

I have ordered my Stitch - and it is to be in the most glorious color available - HI-VIZ with GRAY ballistics. If you don't like the color - well then, too efffing bad. Close your eyes.

Gleno, I spoke with Sally - and she does remember you !! She kind of .. well ...

laughed hysterically when I mentioned you :rolf: :rolf: :rolf: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:.... something about 'you know what he was doing, don't you?'

Just kiddin. She did remember you, and said to say "Thank You" for the testimonial.

And then she very professionally asked me bouqou questions - and is sending me an off the rack for fitting purposes.

So - now I just have to get it before Wonky arrives. Wish me luck on that !!

 

[FJR_pig]

They either move over because they see me or because they think I am some nutcase. I don't know which, or care.
If you are walking around without your helmet, folks confuse you for a Life Flight team member, especially if you are walking around a hospital visiting co-workers that just hit a car that pulled out in front of them.

You're killin' me, that's good stuff. :lol:

 

[FJR_pig]

I was gonna go for orange, then get a white reflective vest and a white half-helmet.
But then I realized I'd look like this guy...

Oh man, after a hard week, I needed the laugh this gave me. Classic.