Comments on: Living with the Roadcrafter http://rideapart.com/2011/11/living-with-the-roadcrafter/ Mon, 20 May 2013 02:56:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: KLR_Pilot /2011/11/living-with-the-roadcrafter/#comment-79029 KLR_Pilot Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:52:24 +0000 http://hellforleathermagazine.com/?p=21490#comment-79029 As Ax mentioned, I, too, had a deer strike at 60+mph wearing my 'stitch. Actually, the deer jumped across the road, my bike went under it and the deer caught me in the chest peeling me off the bike backwards. After the 150 feet or so of sliding up the road, I pulled the dead deer out of the road, picked up the bike, inspected it for damage and rode home. I had a few broken bones (which I didn't realize until the next morning when I couldn't get out of bed and the adrenaline dump had subsided), but my 'stitch was shredded. I, on the other hand, had no road rash to speak of. After contacting Aerostitch and sending photos of the damage to the Road Crafter, they told me it would be more expensive to repair than to buy a new one, which I did. After it arrived, I noticed on the invoice that Aerostitch had failed to charge me full price for the replacement (something on the order of a 90% discount). I called them to talk about the bill and was told that they were glad their gear did what it was supposed to, that I was alright and that I had replaced my 'stitch with another one. That fact alone resulted in the sale of three additional Road Crafters to my riding buddies. A top-shef organization that will continue to receive my business. As Ax mentioned, I, too, had a deer strike at 60+mph wearing my ‘stitch. Actually, the deer jumped across the road, my bike went under it and the deer caught me in the chest peeling me off the bike backwards. After the 150 feet or so of sliding up the road, I pulled the dead deer out of the road, picked up the bike, inspected it for damage and rode home. I had a few broken bones (which I didn’t realize until the next morning when I couldn’t get out of bed and the adrenaline dump had subsided), but my ‘stitch was shredded. I, on the other hand, had no road rash to speak of. After contacting Aerostitch and sending photos of the damage to the Road Crafter, they told me it would be more expensive to repair than to buy a new one, which I did. After it arrived, I noticed on the invoice that Aerostitch had failed to charge me full price for the replacement (something on the order of a 90% discount). I called them to talk about the bill and was told that they were glad their gear did what it was supposed to, that I was alright and that I had replaced my ‘stitch with another one. That fact alone resulted in the sale of three additional Road Crafters to my riding buddies. A top-shef organization that will continue to receive my business.

]]> By: Barry /2011/11/living-with-the-roadcrafter/#comment-78605 Barry Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:12:36 +0000 http://hellforleathermagazine.com/?p=21490#comment-78605 You must be constantly moving if you find it agreeable for commuting in Texas. I live in Austin, and my comment to most people about my 'stich is: "It isn't warm, but it sure gets hot". I love mine, but it's all about layering to stay warm in it. And if you have any stop and go traffic between about May and October, it's totally unwearable. That said, it's still better than the mesh Teiz I bought. It's a sad ripoff of the stich, and just doesn't work as well. A friend picked up the mesh Motoport suit, and it looks like it's the real deal. On long desert trips, you can fill the pockets with ice on a stich, and still be dry. The water helps keep you cool. I haven't tried my stich with a Veskimo cooling system yet, but I know it works brilliantly under my leathers. You must be constantly moving if you find it agreeable for commuting in Texas. I live in Austin, and my comment to most people about my ‘stich is: “It isn’t warm, but it sure gets hot”. I love mine, but it’s all about layering to stay warm in it. And if you have any stop and go traffic between about May and October, it’s totally unwearable. That said, it’s still better than the mesh Teiz I bought. It’s a sad ripoff of the stich, and just doesn’t work as well. A friend picked up the mesh Motoport suit, and it looks like it’s the real deal. On long desert trips, you can fill the pockets with ice on a stich, and still be dry. The water helps keep you cool. I haven’t tried my stich with a Veskimo cooling system yet, but I know it works brilliantly under my leathers.

]]> By: Jonny /2011/11/living-with-the-roadcrafter/#comment-77868 Jonny Wed, 09 Nov 2011 07:50:17 +0000 http://hellforleathermagazine.com/?p=21490#comment-77868 Thanks Sean... Thanks Sean…

]]> By: Sean Smith /2011/11/living-with-the-roadcrafter/#comment-77776 Sean Smith Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:33:35 +0000 http://hellforleathermagazine.com/?p=21490#comment-77776 I'm not any off the rack size. I ordered a 40L, and had 2" added above the knees. I also had the torso tilted forward and the shoulders and arms altered for sportsbike riding. My best advice is to email Aerostich if you're unsure of sizing, they've been making these things for a long time now and they'll know how to get you fitted. I’m not any off the rack size. I ordered a 40L, and had 2″ added above the knees. I also had the torso tilted forward and the shoulders and arms altered for sportsbike riding. My best advice is to email Aerostich if you’re unsure of sizing, they’ve been making these things for a long time now and they’ll know how to get you fitted.

]]> By: Jonny /2011/11/living-with-the-roadcrafter/#comment-77507 Jonny Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:28:09 +0000 http://hellforleathermagazine.com/?p=21490#comment-77507 Sean, if you don't mind me asking, what size are you and what size suit did you get? Aerostich look like they size for beefy 'merkin mid-westerners, not malnourished teabags from across the pond... Sean, if you don’t mind me asking, what size are you and what size suit did you get? Aerostich look like they size for beefy ‘merkin mid-westerners, not malnourished teabags from across the pond…

]]> By: 10/10ths /2011/11/living-with-the-roadcrafter/#comment-77319 10/10ths Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:41:12 +0000 http://hellforleathermagazine.com/?p=21490#comment-77319 So, here's another "tired" argument against the 'stich---"Not Modern, Old Tech." When you lose your keys, and you search the house, and you find them under the sofa...do you keep looking for them? The "old tech" 'stich works. Cordura works. The latest "super fabric" doesn't actually improve the performance of the suit, it just costs more and looks cooler and sounds cooler. The beauty of the 'stich is that you can put it on and take it off in thirty seconds, works in all weather and all temps, lasts a lifetime, can be custom fit to YOUR body, can be repaired after a crash, and when you get old and fat you can send it in and get it re-sized to fit your fat belly. And they are great folks who support riding a motorcycle every day, every where, for every need. So, here’s another “tired” argument against the ‘stich—”Not Modern, Old Tech.”

When you lose your keys, and you search the house, and you find them under the sofa…do you keep looking for them?

The “old tech” ‘stich works. Cordura works. The latest “super fabric” doesn’t actually improve the performance of the suit, it just costs more and looks cooler and sounds cooler.

The beauty of the ‘stich is that you can put it on and take it off in thirty seconds, works in all weather and all temps, lasts a lifetime, can be custom fit to YOUR body, can be repaired after a crash, and when you get old and fat you can send it in and get it re-sized to fit your fat belly.

And they are great folks who support riding a motorcycle every day, every where, for every need.

]]> By: Tommy /2011/11/living-with-the-roadcrafter/#comment-77299 Tommy Sat, 05 Nov 2011 04:59:17 +0000 http://hellforleathermagazine.com/?p=21490#comment-77299 awesome. I'll def take that into consideration. awesome. I’ll def take that into consideration.

]]> By: Tommy /2011/11/living-with-the-roadcrafter/#comment-77297 Tommy Sat, 05 Nov 2011 04:58:36 +0000 http://hellforleathermagazine.com/?p=21490#comment-77297 hate to say it cause its icon? haha. hate to say it cause its icon? haha.

]]> By: Sean Smith /2011/11/living-with-the-roadcrafter/#comment-77156 Sean Smith Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:48:40 +0000 http://hellforleathermagazine.com/?p=21490#comment-77156 I actually consider the Roadcrafter to be the sexiest piece of riding gear I own. Here's why: A custom built one-piece leather racing suit is pretty sexy. Just ask Wes about his Icon. They fit like a second skin, they're high-tech, and scuffed pucks prove to anyone who cares that you've got skills. But when you squeak into a bar in leathers and race boots, the cute girls look at you the same way they would if you walked in wearing baseball gear, covered in mud, dirt, blood and sweat. And that's because leathers actually are athletic gear. They're not something you can easily change out of, walking in them is embarrassing (ever heard the phrase "smuggling plums?") and they're not appropriate for anything but the track or canyons. Weren't talking about racing leathers sexy? How about a perfectly broken in Vanson, Iron Heart jeans and big black boots. Just for fun, lets assume you've got on a well-fitted vintage flannel too. How could a few acres of armored cordura possibly beat the all-time classic riding outfit? Showing up to the bar shivering cold, smelling of road grime and with bird shit caked on your shoulder is not sexy. Whether you're dressed that way because you're trying to be cool, or because you don't know any better, it's obvious that you're not prepared for riding a motorcycle. When you show up in a Roadcrafter though, you walk in wearing clean, warm, fashionable* clothes. You're not wearing the suit because it took all of thirty seconds to zip it off and roll it up in the parking lot. Your friends who know you're riding can see that you're perfectly prepared and everyone else just sees a happy and confident person. That's sexy. The only thing sexier than that is a set of well-worn leather knee pucks on your Roadcrafter. Think of it as having your cake and eating it too. *<em>Subject to taste</em> I actually consider the Roadcrafter to be the sexiest piece of riding gear I own. Here’s why:

A custom built one-piece leather racing suit is pretty sexy. Just ask Wes about his Icon. They fit like a second skin, they’re high-tech, and scuffed pucks prove to anyone who cares that you’ve got skills. But when you squeak into a bar in leathers and race boots, the cute girls look at you the same way they would if you walked in wearing baseball gear, covered in mud, dirt, blood and sweat.

And that’s because leathers actually are athletic gear. They’re not something you can easily change out of, walking in them is embarrassing (ever heard the phrase “smuggling plums?”) and they’re not appropriate for anything but the track or canyons.

Weren’t talking about racing leathers sexy? How about a perfectly broken in Vanson, Iron Heart jeans and big black boots. Just for fun, lets assume you’ve got on a well-fitted vintage flannel too.

How could a few acres of armored cordura possibly beat the all-time classic riding outfit? Showing up to the bar shivering cold, smelling of road grime and with bird shit caked on your shoulder is not sexy. Whether you’re dressed that way because you’re trying to be cool, or because you don’t know any better, it’s obvious that you’re not prepared for riding a motorcycle.

When you show up in a Roadcrafter though, you walk in wearing clean, warm, fashionable* clothes. You’re not wearing the suit because it took all of thirty seconds to zip it off and roll it up in the parking lot. Your friends who know you’re riding can see that you’re perfectly prepared and everyone else just sees a happy and confident person. That’s sexy.

The only thing sexier than that is a set of well-worn leather knee pucks on your Roadcrafter. Think of it as having your cake and eating it too.

*Subject to taste

]]> By: Sean Smith /2011/11/living-with-the-roadcrafter/#comment-77128 Sean Smith Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:17:18 +0000 http://hellforleathermagazine.com/?p=21490#comment-77128 Rukka makes damn nice gear (<a href="http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2010/11/labrador-grants-gear/" rel="nofollow">just ask Grant</a>) but they don't make anything that's designed to go on fast and work just as well for 10 as it does 1000 miles. Aerostich does make the <a href="http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-suits/transit-suit/transit-two-piece-suit.html" rel="nofollow">Transit suit</a> though, and it's made from Goretex Pro-Shell leather, just like the Rukka Merlin. People seem to like it and it costs $1594, or nearly $2000 less than the $3500 Merlin. It's not made in America, but it is made by an American company and stocked in Duluth by friendly people that can assist you with sizing and even a free exchange if you get the size wrong. Rukka makes damn nice gear (just ask Grant) but they don’t make anything that’s designed to go on fast and work just as well for 10 as it does 1000 miles. Aerostich does make the Transit suit though, and it’s made from Goretex Pro-Shell leather, just like the Rukka Merlin. People seem to like it and it costs $1594, or nearly $2000 less than the $3500 Merlin. It’s not made in America, but it is made by an American company and stocked in Duluth by friendly people that can assist you with sizing and even a free exchange if you get the size wrong.

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