aerostich roadcrafter color

well i have decided to take the plunge and get an aerostitch roadcrafter suite. I can't decide on the color. The neon yellow would be the safest from a visual recognition standpoint. i am typically pick subdued colors, don't really like to standout. I saw a deal on a red rodcrafter but i wonder if i would look like santa clause.

i wouild pick gray or black if i don't take safety into account.

what is the most popular color for these ?

i can imagine what my wife will say. she already calls me mad max or tor cutter when i put on my leather jacket and track pants.

thanks for your comments/ snide remarks

Oh TwoWheelNut! Clean-up on Aisle 7!

...Actually, you want to turn this into the first unscientific vote of 2007? PM me your color choices.

I have had 2 Roadcrafter suits and if appearance is important to you then you should avoid the yellow and red. Both colors will fade long before it is time to replace the suit and the yellow also seems to get badly discolored from stains. I like the blue but it fades more than the gray and the gray seems to be more of a neutral color that goes with any bike. Black is great in the winter but it gets pretty warm in the summer sun.

The Roadcrafter is a good all around suit with great crash protection but it is about a 15 year old design that needs to be updated. There are other options that are warmer, cooler, or more waterproof depending on your needs.

panayoti said:

well i have decided to take the plunge and get an aerostitch roadcrafter suite. I can't decide on the color. The neon yellow would be the safest from a visual recognition standpoint. i am typically pick subdued colors, don't really like to standout. I saw a deal on a red rodcrafter but i wonder if i would look like santa clause.
i wouild pick gray or black if i don't take safety into account.

what is the most popular color for these ?

i can imagine what my wife will say. she already calls me mad max or tor cutter when i put on my leather jacket and track pants.

thanks for your comments/ snide remarks

Click to expand...

I was told by Aerostich that the Hi-Viz yellow was their most popular color. I bought one and haven't been sorry. Do I look like a 800 # canary?? ..... who cares!

MCRIDER007 said:

The Roadcrafter is a good all around suit with great crash protection but it is about a 15 year old design that needs to be updated. There are other options that are warmer, cooler, or more waterproof depending on your needs.

Click to expand...

My Roadcrafter has kept me warm, cool and dry for a number of years. I'd like to know what you have found that does a better job so I can check it out.

I got my Aerostitch a year ago for Christmas when I was commuting on my black Harley Sportster. I wanted to get a red Aerostitch with black trim. My wife convinced me that would be too uncool, so I went the other way round (photo):



Along with the back protector and hip pads, it's the perfect motorcycle outfit for commuting and when you just want to throw something over your blue jeans and sweatshirt like I did today when the pic above was taken (from Fort Cronkite overlooking GG Bridge and San Francisco). The Stitch also goes right over your "business casual" clothes, or even a suite.

Worth the money. In my book, when you see someone commuting in an Aerostitch, particularly if s/he's riding an FJR or BMW, you know you're dealing with a serious commuter--particularly in a downpour! Which reminds me, yes, they DO leak around the crotch, even post-washing with that water sealant. So I got myself a XXX-large rainsuite to go over the whole shootin' match.

Jb

OhioFJR1300 said:

My Roadcrafter has kept me warm, cool and dry for a number of years. I'd like to know what you have found that does a better job so I can check it out.

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That sounds like a challenge! I think I paid $727 for my Roadcrafter in 1994 and I would not have bought if I thought there was something better available -- but that was 12 years ago and the competition has moved forward while Aerostitch is still selling the same product. The Roadcrafter has minimal ventilation and starts to get uncomfortable after 85 degrees. It is not that airtight and when the temperatures get cold it needs to be worn with an electric vest or multiple layers of clothing underneath. It has never been marketed as being waterproof, although it offers pretty good protection in the rain as long as you don't have to ride in the rain for extended periods.

What's better? I would spend my money on Aerostitch's Darien jacket and pants before I bought another Roadcrafter. The Darien is totally waterproof and I think it would be more comfortable in hot weather. My personal experience is that the Teknic Monsoon jacket and riding pants are both warmer and more waterproof than the Roadcrafter. I used to use an electric vest with the Roadcrafter but I don't need it with the Teknic Monsoon. Firstgear's Kilimanjaro jacket and overpants are also warmer and more waterproof than the Roadcrafter but not as much so as the Teknic Monsoon. There are numerous choices for riding in hot weather. I use a Firstgear Air Kili in the summer with mesh pants which can be used with an evaporative cooling vest and seems to be a good compromise between cooling and crash protection.

If you want one suit that works good in hot and cold weather you should take a look at Cycleport.

Just got an Aerostich for X-mas a few weeks ago, and have already logged over 300 miles in it. No big deal if you live in CA, but in Northern IL, that's fricking awesome. Anyway, I got mine in gray with black trim. I thought about the high vis, but just couldn't do it. Black as the primary color would be way to hot during the summer. So far I LOVE the Aerostich, but we'll see when it is in the mid 80's this summer. right now, I have to put more insulation under the suit than I thought i would, so maybe that is a good sign.

Red with black trim bought used for $500 on IBMWR site seven years ago. Not as visible as Hi Vis, but pretty good conspicuity. Hot but wearable in summer Texas heat. Don't leave home without it.

Black with silver ballistics. This combo looks sharp (I think) and has gone nicely with all my various bike colors over the years (since I can't seem to keep from buying new ones )

MCRIDER007 said:

The Roadcrafter is a good all around suit with great crash protection... There are other options that are warmer, cooler, or more waterproof depending on your needs.

Click to expand...

I will say this: yes, the Aerostitch has limited ventilation than other suits, and that can be frustrating. Yes, it is not really waterproof by itself (not in a sustained downpour). Yes, it is not the warmest outfit, particularly in the arms because it does not have a liner, so I notice the cold in my arms when I ride in 30s temps (coldest it gets around here). In winter I wear a Widder vest with a Northface sweater that zips up around your neck.

But what trumps all other suits in my mind is the easy on-off as a commuting outfit. I don't drive a car, and ride the FJR to work every day, and the ease of the Aerostitch is nonpareil.

Jb

James Burleigh said:

But what trumps all other suits in my mind is the easy on-off as a commuting outfit. I don't drive a car, and ride the FJR to work every day, and the ease of the Aerostitch is nonpareil.

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I agree. The Roadcrafter is a great commuting outfit and very easy to get in and out of. It was much better than the competition when it was introduced in 1988 but I think it should have been upgraded (by now) to be fully waterproof and have better ventilation.

MCRIDER007 said:

I agree. The Roadcrafter is a great commuting outfit and very easy to get in and out of. It was much better than the competition when it was introduced in 1988 but I think it should have been upgraded (by now) to be fully waterproof and have better ventilation.

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Yes, it would be nice if this was done, but until someone steals a large part of the market, which Aerostich seems to dominate, there isn't a lot of motivation for them to make improvements. I still love mine.

MCRIDER007 said:

...I think it should have been upgraded (by now) to be fully waterproof and have better ventilation.

Click to expand...

Agree... Seem like easy solves. So why not solved?

James Burleigh said:

MCRIDER007 said:

...I think it should have been upgraded (by now) to be fully waterproof and have better ventilation.

Click to expand...

Agree... Seem like easy solves. So why not solved?

Click to expand...

Sounds like a question for Andy Goldfine. Maybe its a marketing strategy to sell more Darien jackets and pants. I can live with the waterfroof shortcomings since rainfall seems to be a rare commodity in the West during the summer riding season but the summers are also getting so hot that I just can't tolerate the Roadcrafter in the midday sun. Maybe the heat isn't an issue in Duluth, MN (but I think the rain would be).

I too have a blue (with silver) Roadcrafter and love it. After 8 years and 75,000 miles it's the only thing I'll wear when riding. Shortcomings? Only a few. Zipper pulls seem to fall off occasionally. Minor problems with the pockets for the armour. It's Ok in hot weather. I use a wet cloth around my neck and open down to mid chest and it is tolerable into the 90's. I got the ultimate compliment when I met another rider in North Carolina last summer. I was applogizing about the fading and he said a faded Aerostich is a sign of a serious long distance rider. Oh I almost forgot the most annoying aspect of the "Stich". The general public will always ask "Aren't your hot in that"? Mine shows no sign of being done yet and I believe that the suit was designed right in the beginning and is still very current and as good as anything out there.

I have had mine for about a year and a half (black/blue). now I'm looking to electric liner cause riding below 30 is too painfull (riding a warrior with no windshield

Diver

I am looking for another setup too. Im currently using a First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket and some Belstaff Typhoon pants for the cool/cold weather. In the summer I use a perforated Vanson jacket and pants.

Recently I was able to try on a Rukka APR3 jacket. If I could justify the cost, I would get their jacket and pants since they are truly an all season outfit.

John

WOW something more expensive that Aerostich. Now i don't feel so bad about the price.