'stich alternatives

Post by **challey** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 6:05 pm

As the cold weather approaches, I again look wistfully at the Aerostich catalog. I'd love to have a warm, waterproof one-piece suit for winter riding but the price for the Roadcrafter is pretty steep.
I know that you get what you pay for but . . .
Are there any alternatives that won't put such a dent in your wallet?

pinecone · Post by **pinecone** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 6:43 pm

How about a used 'stich?
ebay is your friend

peterbulgar · Post by **peterbulgar** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 7:01 pm

The latest issue of Motorcycle Escape magazine contains a very favorable review of the Olympia suit. The magazine is touring oriented and is available at large bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and Borders.
Peter '73 R75/5, '04 R1150RA

Post by **DSKYZD** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:57 pm

I don't know about other suits that are one-piece.

Brands like Tour Master, First Gear, and Olympia make quality suits out of the same material. An application of Nikwax wash-in can give you good water repellency, for a while. The gore-tex or other waterproof layer really helps, but adds cost.

For warmth, I'm fond of zip-in liners. My old Tour Master 3/4 Cortech has one made of Thinsulate. I wish they still made that exact jacket because I'm not fond of the newer styles.

Consider the Darien pants as an interum, albeit expensive, solution. Combine them with a decent jacket you can approach the protection of a Roadcrafter suit. That's what I've done for several years now.

DSKYZD

Post by **wncbmw** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:33 pm

Search the site and see if you can find my review of the Olympia AST jacket and Ranger pants. Both come with liners, have the same protection level as the 'Stich and cost much less.

Edit: Found it!

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t ... lympia+ast

Sit · Post by **Sit** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:12 pm

I too have looked at the stich as guys at work wear them and love the two piece roadcrafter. Being thrifty though, I bouhgt an Olympia AST jacket to replace my Kilamanjaro and have a pair of their Ranger pants on order. Much to my disappointmetn though, the second time I wore the AST and the first time for it in the rain, I got SOAKED. The arms leaked as did the body. I emailed them and their repsonse was to spray a brand new jacket with scotchguard. I am not sure that putting scotchguard on the outside will help the inner "waterproof" membrane, but what to do. Yes sarcasm. I have sent them another email and am waiting to see if they will replace the jacket. If they dont, Im getting a stich.

Post by **ruddy** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:12 pm

Here's a site for you to check out: http://motorcyclegearreview.com/

Post by **challey** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:55 am

Thanks all for the responses - appreciate the suggestions.

pinecone said

How about a used 'stich?
ebay is your friend

Love to find one used but it's tough when you need 42 short.

Post by **MikeCam** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:46 am

Challey,

See my ad for the 'banana suit' one piece Roadcrafter, Hi Viz etc. In case my 42 short will fit...

BUT

Roadcrafter are not a good cold weather suit. They are water resistant and a good fit is a good fit, but they do not insulate as well as other suits do. And depending on final fit, layering gets to be problematic.

It is a good 2 and 2 halves season suit" Fall, Spring, part of summer and part of winter.

tor1150r · Post by **tor1150r** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:11 am

I also could not lay out the $$$ for a stich.

We used Rhyno for our trip and I don't know how much drier a stich would have kept us. We stayed warm and dry in extended downpours across the atlantic provinces. The outer layer gets soaked, but none came through except for a bit of dampness in the crotch area - and I suspected this was because of 'pooling' on the seat.

Rhyno did NOT sponsor us, but I can say that I'd use it again - for less than 1/2 the price of a stich. I thinks all the major brands will perform much in the same manner.

I also recall reading a travel article (Roadrunner I think) some time ago, where the author mentioned getting wet right through while wearing a stich. He claimed that even the best suits give in to mother nature after exteneded exposure to pelting rain. Short of wearing a scuba suit, I think this is generally the case.

Realistically, I know my Rhyno will not last 10 years - like a stich, but it's certainly easier on the pocket book. At least until Aerostich will let you take out a mortgage

Post by **mcollect** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:32 am

I also have the AST and ranger pants. Love them, they keep me warm when needed, cool when i want that, DRY when it pours, and have great protection. When the temps fall I am sure to give them a real test. BTW the ranger pants are too hot in 90+ weather.
Having ridden in Belstaff for thirty years these are light years ahead in all respects except for the retro factor.

Post by **wncbmw** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:36 am

SitR1150R - I don't know how to answer your problem, except that I thoughly tested the waterproofness of mine before writing the review and made it through many downpours with no problems. Including riding in the rain today. And I have never applied any Scotchguard to it, ever.

And even Aerostich does not consider the Roadcrafters "waterproof". They have the famous 'stich damp crotch problem, if you are not careful. I usually stayed dry in them, unless I wasn't careful with the zipper flap, or allowed water to accumulate in the crotch.

NHighCotton · Post by **NHighCotton** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:18 pm

Great, keep the reviews coming, my Carhart overalls are not the answer either.

priapismic · Post by **priapismic** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:46 pm

MikeCam wrote:Roadcrafter are not a good cold weather suit. They are water resistant and a good fit is a good fit, but they do not insulate as well as other suits do. And depending on final fit, layering gets to be problematic.

I agree with MikeCam. I wore a 1-piece Roadcrafter for about 8 years. Pretty good suit overall, BUT they are not well insulated, so they get cold in winter, and they also don't breathe very well either, even with the vents open, so they are simply too hot to wear in summer, at least in Texas where I live. Mine was a half-year suit at best.

I wore mine in some heavy rains, and the only spot mine leaked was at the side zipper, water got past the hip pads and left a small wet spot.

There are lots of alternatives, esp. in 2-piece designs. LOTS of jacket & pants combos will work. 1-piece suits are available from Fieldsheer (the Highlander) and I believe Dainese now offers one. You might search for Triumph gear also. If it's gotta be a 'Stich, go eBay or IBMWR.org's flea market.

Samiam · Post by **Samiam** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:18 pm

I just got a BMW Commuter 3 outfit. The jacket includes armor for your back. It is incredibly well made but I'm having a time getting used to the European zipper arrangement. It's backward!

slipknot · Post by **slipknot** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:02 pm

For cold wx, elec. by Gerbing's is the best. For protection and comfort I've found the Cycleport stretch Kevlar (mesh for summer, liner for winter) to be the best yet. One grand for a tailor fit. Cheaper than gauze and wrap at the local ER.

Sit · Post by **Sit** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:55 pm

Heard back from Olympia today. They encouraged me to spray the seams around the arm vents and pockets on the body. They said these were the only areas where it is possible to get water through. If that does not work, they want me to let them know as does the BMW dealer I got it from. I imagine I can get an exchange no problem from the sound and tone of the emails. They seem pretty concerned about customer satisfaction which makes me feel better. I really really like the jacket. It fits great, has great features and does not flap or move at all at speed. Call me crazy, but it seems like I get less wind noise and turbulence now than when I wear my Kilamanjaro. If it makes the ride a bit quieter some how, I may be able to overlook a bit of wet.

Post by **challey** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:09 pm

Based on the very postive review of Olympia by Vann and the customer responsiveness reported by SitR115R, I decided to check into the AST and Ranger pants. The Olympia site showed that a local (~20 mi away) Honda dealer carried their stuff so I phoned them. They have a jacket, but not the pants, though they said they would order them for me. I will take a ride down tomorrow to check out the jacket - they quoted me something like $240, which is about $40 off list, so I may be making a purchase.

Post by **challey** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 9:57 pm

Update on Olympia purchase - In a word: Deferred.
Went to the Honda dealer who did in fact have one grey AST jacket in size L. While I was pretty impressed with the jacket (well thought out, well put together and nice looking to boot), it seemed a little snug in the spot I have trouble with nearly all off-the-rack stuff - the forearms. I asked if I could purchase the jacket so that I could bring it home and try it on with a sweatshirt or fleece (temps were in the 80's today and I had a t-shirt on). Unfortunately, this particular dealership did not have a reasonable return policy - all sales final they said. I'll try again at a later date and bring a sweatshirt or fleece with me.

frbank6 · Post by **frbank6** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 12:11 pm

I briefly had a Fieldsheer Highland suit. At the time I was commuting 100 miles a day on the bike. This performed perfectly for my needs. It had a lot of features and seemed durable enough. I sold it only because I didn't care for the color ( I have a Yellowjacket and it was red and black), and I stopped doing the commute. I got mine from NewEnough, but I think they are available various places and I seem to remember they retail for about 299.00. If I was looking for a solution, this would be my first choice.

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