Textile riding suits.

[Triple]

...

[Katherine]

These would be so great in the summer. Has anyone tried one out yet?

[CrazyKell]

G-Rex is the authority I believe.

[fnfalman]

The Aerostich Roadcrafter (http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-suits/roadcrafter-one-piece-suit.html) may be the standard in this mix, but how do other manufacturers' products stack up? For example, Tourmaster's Centurion (http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/catalog/Centurion-1-Piece-Suit-p-315_66.html) retails for $369.99 vs $797.00 for the Aerostich.

Let me put it this way - there are Aerostitch and BMW and then there are the rest. Well, Rukka is a badass manufacturer but it's so unrepresented in the US, it might as well count for naught.

I have textile suits from Aprilia, First Gear, Tourmaster/Cortech and Field Sheer. The Aprilia stuff isn't too bad but it already shows some wear, the rest are rather crap. I ain't cryin' much over them because they're pretty cheap, but we're talking about fabrics starting to fray and zippers starting to break. Granted that I wear my shits on the daily basis for commuting (at excess speed :rockwoot:).

You pay for what you get. If you have money to spend stupidly like I do, then buy several different outfits and try them out. If you are tight on the budget and want ONE good outfit then stick with either Aerostitch or BMW. It's worth the extra bucks.

I've developed a hate for BMW motorcycles, but at least their riding gears are still good shits.

[Katherine]

Thanks for the review, fnfalman.

[derf]

I dunno, I would equate the tourmaster vs aerostich to the differnces between driving a ford vs a ferarri. Both are good cars, just one is way nicer and cooler than the other.

The tourmaster will do what you ask of it every day and you will be comfortable, but the stich is more comfortable and will last longer.

[fnfalman]

If you're accustomed to spending stupidly, would you like to buy one for me?

Hell, you can just send me one of yours that you didn't like...

How big are you?

I have a Field Sheer 1-piece commuter suit that I "think" is either Large or XL.

http://weblog.masukomi.org/2008/05/03/fieldsheer-highland-ii-review

[Particle Man]

How big are you?



that's a bit of a personal question....

:lol:

[Trip]

I recommend looking at First Gear and Rev'It as well, they are good for the price.

the newer first gear stuff is a lot better with the new d30 padding.

[Trip]

Motoport is high end as well on the same level as aerostitch/BMW.

[G-Rex]

LOL Thanks for throwin' my name into the ring Kel...

As far as I'm concerned, if you're going to do serious miles, and you need an all purpose suit that is good for all varieties of inclement weather, then you need to place a call to Duluth, Minnesota.

Before I bought my Aerostich, I looked at the BMW suit. I loved the suit, but the cut didn't fit me very well. It was also just a little more expensive than the 'Stich, but at the time, I wanted the right suit for the job. Price wasn't in the mix honestly.

I will offer this as far as the TourMaster. Prior to our tour in 2008, Carolina bought a TourMaster 2 piece suit. The suit had TWO liners for the jacket and the pants. One was a rain liner, the other was a wind liner. The suit fit her well and she really liked it and said it was very effective for cutting the wind, especially if you used both liners. I was VERY impressed with the suit to tell you the truth.

My only beef with it was my whole purpose for getting a suit was I wanted something that I did NOT have to stop to put in liners or put on, so the TourMaster wouldn't have fit my criteria at the time.

I love my 'Stich, highly recommend it, but it is not for everyone. If you're going to ride in more heat than not, I'd probably not recommend it. If you're going to be riding in more rain and colder weather, then absolutely I would recommend it.

Hope this helps.

[dReWpY]

How big are you?

I have a Field Sheer 1-piece commuter suit that I "think" is either Large or XL.

http://weblog.masukomi.org/2008/05/03/fieldsheer-highland-ii-review

im interested if your trying to get rid of it....

[fnfalman]

I He asked me first, sucka!



Large or extra large..? I thought you were some 5-foot-nothing Asian guy.

I stand about 5 feet, 8 inches and weigh a top-heavy 180 pounds. 32-34 inch waist with a 30 inch inseam.

Review sounds good for such a cheap suit.

I'll go to the storage and check out to see which size of the suit.

I may be short but I'm fat. Either way, it'll fit you but may be a bit too loose, though the extra room may come in handy for wearing liners underneath. It comes with a liner but I have no idea where it's at.

If it's a Large, it'll be OK. If it's an XL then it may be too big.

[dReWpY]

If its xl.....

[Kerry_129]

I picked up a used/unworn 'Stich last year for a smokin' half-price deal. Takes some getting used to - compared to my Vansons & Dainese one-piece, it feels a bit like wearing pajamas. But it's obviously very well-made, and great for all-purpose long-distance use - with the caveat, as Trace said, that it's not great for hot weather (doesn't help that mine's black, like his).

A buddy of mine has the Tourmaster Patton jacket & pants, and he swears by them - all-in-all they seem like better bang-for-the-buck. Nearly as good build quality, equal weather-protection, better looking, and nearly half the price.

[Trip]

I agree

A lot of the "lesser brands" have really improved quality, while Stitch and BMW have just stayed where they were at. So the cost vs quality scale is really bringing them closer.

Olympia/Rev'It/First Gear/Tourmaster all make really good shit for the cost.

I know my new First Gear TPG gloves are some of the best winter gloves I have ever seen.

[Homeslice]

I had a Fieldsheer Highlander and it held up really well, but that was 5-6 yrs ago. Not sure how it compares to their new models.

Think I'd have to go with Rev'It the next time though... the styling isn't all that great but in terms of product specs those guys definitely know what they're doing.

[fnfalman]

Okay,

My Highland II suit is size Large, and I also found the liner too.

The suit is two-years-old and probably been used for maybe four months. My gears get rotated out so that they don't stink.

No tears, no cuts, with exception to some fraying due to wind blast.

Color is black with white reflective as shown in this link (it's the only color).

http://www.sandhillspowersports.com/sandhills/OnlineStore.do?DSP=200&PCR=1:5:50010&IID=fieldsheer_highland

I'll let it go for $100.

[fnfalman]

What are your dimensions and how does it fit you?

I'm 5ft6 with 46" chest and 38" waist.:lol

It fits me OK but not great. Legs are a bit too long for me. With the liner out, I can wear a set of clothes underneath it (jeans, shirt). With the liner in, it would be too tight for me.

[fnfalman]

I hate to be an Indian giver, but it's raining dogs and cats out here and this 1-piecer sure comes in handy in the morning. Slide in and slide out.

[fnfalman]

Seriously though, the Highland II is a decent suit except that I don't care much for the fraying of the material (kind of like the Tourmaster cordura jacket that I have as well) and the leg openings are slightly small. It's a pain in the ass to try to put your booted feet through the leg holes. A couple of times one of my foot got caught and I'd topple over.

My advise is that if one were strapped for cash, then a Field Sheer/Tourmaster/Scorpion will do. But if one were to want to invest in an outfit that provides superior protection and lasts a long time then go with Aerostitch or BMW.

[fnfalman]

I'll pass on yours for now. I'm a year-round rider who will likely never stop, so it's probably wiser for me to set cash aside over the summer and get the Aerostich next fall.

Yep. Consider the fraying this outfit and the Tourmaster have already suffered from easy usage, I don't have much faith in their longitivity. The Beemer outfits are still going strong. Dirty and stinky but still going strong.