Sunday, July 14, 2013

I pulled the trigger

On the advice of several fellow motorcycle safety instructors, including peer pressure from a certain someone in Minnesota and a blog challenge from another, I ordered an Aerostich Roadcrafter Light one piece suit.

What's in the box?

I've been teaching and saving my pennies for some time now to fund such a purchase, but it was the extreme temperature differences in my commute that had me finally placing an order. I head off to work at the butt crack of dawn when temperatures hover around the 40ºF to 50ºF mark, then I head home in the late afternoon heat of 82ºF to 95ºF plus. This means that I am layering and wearing my winter gear to get to work and packing my mesh gear to ride home. Where to put all this gear? My saddlebags are busting at the hinges trying to hold all my jackets, liners, sweaters, gloves, glasses, visors and of course  my lunch. There has to be a better way.


Gore-tex

I took advantage of Aerostich's Fourth of July Sale where they offered the TF3 shoulder, elbow and knee pads for free with the purchase of a suit. It is rare to find such a deal so I jumped on it.


Suit, pads, gloves and t-shirt


Of course I had to add their Hot Weather Vegan Gloves and a T-shirt to the order. Karen at Aerostich said that the Vegan gloves were their most popular gloves but their supplier quit making them and they are trying to source another manufacturer. I wanted to order the winter gloves as well but they were out of my size. Who would have thought Vegan as being so popular...  we ride among you.


Happy boy


I managed to wear it for an 80 mile round trip ride to Eugene bike night and love it. The convenience of slipping it on and off is well worth the price of admission, although I am still new at it so the quick 10 seconds or less is more like a clumsy 20 seconds.

Struggling with the zipper

I'm still fine tuning the padding location, the collar is a bit stiff and I'll need to experiment with layering during next week's commute, but so far I am very happy. Off for a ride today to break it in, figure out the zipper and cut down my mount and dismount time.

Addendum: Rode out to the coast today and the suit was comfortable from the 95º heat of the valley to the low 70ºs of the coast and back to the valley heat. I like it!

Bring your desires down to your present means. Increase them only when your increased means permit.  ~Aristotle 




15 comments:

  1. That looks like a great addition. Does it really pack smaller in your saddlebags? I am seriously thinking of the same one piece Roadcrafter but may wait until I go to Duluth to just get measured up at their shop.…

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    1. It packs smaller than my winter jacket, liner and sweater but I don't have to pack it as I can wear it both to and from work. I'm hoping that all I'll need is a sweater in the morning.

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  2. Once you get it broken in and have worn it a bit, post up your review of it. I've been eyeing new gear and the company is just an hour and a half away!

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    1. I will, in the meantime keep an eye on Everyday Riding as Chris mentioned he was going to write a review on his suit.

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  3. Troubadour:

    Your Roadcrafter looks great with your Bobskoot shoes. I'll have to stop by on my way home to look at it. I've never seen one before. Maybe you shouldn't show it to me ... otherwise I may want one too

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast

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    1. I had just got home, changed out of my work clothes and into my comfy loungewear so barefoot it was.

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  4. Thanks for the addendum. I was wondering how it worked for you in hot weather.

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    1. As long as you're moving it works well, if you're stopped in traffic or fueling up however, it does get warm. My legs get pretty warm too as I wear jeans under the suit, I'm thinking of wearing shorts or hiking pants instead.

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  5. Hope the suit works well for you Brad, everyone I know that wears one loves it. Keep it scratch free!

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    Replies
    1. I blame the peer pressure, all the cool kids wear one.

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  6. I have heard many good things about this gear. I hope you get to enjoy it and it's worth the cost.

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    1. I am enjoying it so much that I put all my other gear away in the garage. I can definitely see it being my everyday gear.

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  7. "The suit was comfortable from the 95º heat of the valley to the low 70ºs of the coast and back to the valley heat"

    I was wondering about that very issue. Good to know!

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    1. I finding that to be true as long as you're moving, it's not unbearable when you're stopped but it does get mighty warm.

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  8. This concept of the "all in one" outfit for motorcycling is "da bomb". Especially for commuters who just need "easy on, easy off".

    I think it looks sharp too and is hi viz.

    Looks like you've found a winner and I bet you will convert some others over to it.

    I'd like it except I am very short and that might be an issue.I had to cut 6 inches off my chaps to make them work.

    Glad you are loving it and it works in hot weather too!

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