Aerostitch suit spotted

Had a couple walk onto the GLF stand today with a pair of Aerostitch
suits. They look very well made, and are extremely easy to get in and
out of but.....according to both the wearers they aren't waterproof for
very long.

If I was paying 700 quid for a one piece oversuit I'd want the fucking
thing to work for more than 45 minutes. I suppose having a zip that goes
from collar to bottom of left leg and another from chest to bottom of
right leg is never going to hold water out all day, but 45 minutes is
joke for that price. I think even Frank <spit> Thomas kit lasts longer
in a downpour, at a fraction of the cost. Even my 26 quid Hein Gericke
Nylon oversuit keeps me bone dry for at least 150 miles at a time.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

did you mis type that?

 

What bit, the seven hundred quid? I think that was the going rate a
while back.

They don't have 'CE approved' armour IIRC (although 'approved' is a bit
of a misnomer for most CE stuff that I know about, since the approval is
based on self-declaration; i.e. the manufacturer says "my stuff complies
with all relevant EC requirements")

The website:

http://www.aerostich.com/riderwearhouse.store

Shows them as costing 727 dollars which at the current exchange is about
400 quid. Add postage and it's probably 430.

If you get it routed through a friend in the states you'll probably get
away with the duty since it's a 'gift'. If you have to pay the duty,
**** knows what the rate is for 'motorcycle clothing' (you'll prolly not
get away with safety equipment due to the lack of CE...)

 

Only applies to items with a value not exceeding £36 - anything declared
over that is subject to tax and duty.

Probably about 3.5% but it's a moot point, cos there's no way any
oversuit is worth that amount. Let alone one that leaks.

 

So your friend declares it as being clothing with a value of 50 dollahs.

Well, the feedback I've heard from others is that there is a risk of
leakage in the crotch (due to the zip) but that it's not that great a
risk. Then again, since the whole reason for buying one of these is so
you can slip it on over 'work clothes' I would have designed the damp
patch to be somewhere else if I produced it...

 

I don't think he did. The price sounds about right, once carriage and
duties are added.

 

Quality and performance were nothing to do with the Aerostich marketing
ploy.

 

Hog said...

Obviously not. The owners of both the suits I was shown complained that
they leak in the crotch area after 45 minutes of heavy rain. My cheapo
[1] Hein Gericke stuff that was replaced last year didn't do that after
3 years. I could wear smart work clothes under that suit as well.

[1] Less than 100 quid for jacket and trousers.

 

Do you mean "Aerostitch by name, stitchup merchant by nature"?

 

They aren't rain suits. They don't claim to be water proof. They are
convenient, protective, riding suits.

And they're bloody good.

From the website:

"Our fast entry zippers are a compromise, but our GoreTex fabric is
totally waterproof. The easy entry zipper system will stay leak-free for
about 30 to 90 minutes even in heavy rain on an unfaired motorcycle.
Behind a fairing or in lighter rains, it will stay dry all day long."


Tom

 

Tom Warner said...

Only someone who'd paid 700 quid for one would say that, if only to try
and make themselves seem less of a pratt for buying something that
really isn't worth that much.

I'll stick with good old Hein Gericke stuff tyvm, at least it's
guaranteed waterproof and costs a fraction of what Aerostitch charge.

 

Out of interest does anyone else make something comparable with
Aerostitch; an all in one designed to be worn over normal clothes and
easy to get in and out of?

 

Not strictly, it's more the equivalent of spending $350 on a pair of Gucci
loafers.

 

Only someone who has their head up their arse or is being intentionally
provocative and obtuse would say something so ignorant and baseless.

Anyone who is actually interested, go to the website and check out the
facts. I have over a decade of use out of one of their suits. From my
experience they make no false or exaggerated claims, and they don't cost
700 quid.

<http://www.aerostich.com/riderwearhouse.store>

I also have good quality leathers but, like most people who have the
choice, most of the time I use the 'Stich because it's so convenient,
comfortable and practical.

If you don't like 'em don't buy one, but they _are_ bloody good suits.

HTH
Tom

 

Yeah ok the $ and £ got confused. They *are* $727.

Usually worn by the sort of people who might splash the cash on an Armani
suit... and can't ride for toffee anyway.

 

*waves*

 

They could probably redesign the garment around the entry zips to make
them more waterproof, but would have to be careful that the sort of
solutions they employed did not increase bulk and reduce flexibility,
both of which would impinge on comfort. Chemical protection suits
manage to keep out far vmore dangerous liquids than rainwater, after
all!

For information: BS EN 14360 "Protective clothing against foul
weather. Test method for the rain tightness of a ready made garment.
Impact from above with high energy droplets" is available as a Draft
for Public Comment from BSI. I'll take a look at it as it may be
relevant to testing the effectiveness of wet weather motorcycle
clothing.

 

I think that's about where they're at.

Y'know these folks are not fast buck artists. It's a small business run
by honest enthusiasts paying an honest wage. They sell only from their
shop in order to keep the prices as low as possible.

They've been scrutinised by journalists and sceptics for about 15 years
and are well respected through out the USA. Track days in the US
frequently require leathers 'or Aerostich.' They could make a lot more
money by exploiting cheaper foreign labour but they don't want to do
that. Even so, their prices are in line with the best stuff from Rukka,
Alpinestar, Dainese etc.

If anyone makes a suit that's better quality, more convenient, more
versatile and offers better protection for significantly less money,
someone please tell me. I'd really like to see one.

BTW, how's your suit doing Paul? When do I get to see it?

All the best,
Tom

 

Walk away from the bait with your hand up....

 

<Homer>

Mmmmm.... bait.

</Homer>

I will acknowledge that my Aerostich Roadcrafter 1-piece has left my
crotch a bit wet on occasion. But it is a damned well made suit and
I'm 100% sure I will buy another one when/if it ever wears out.