Leathers or AeroStitch???

[slowpoke]

Which would you recommend? Differences between the two? Plus or minuses? Safety, protection and all the other stuff?:teeth

[unixgal]

Depends on what you want it for.

Mostly commuting with occasional group "c" trackdays - get the Aerostitch. More multi-purpose and waterproof. Good protection.

Hard-core twisties and trackdays go for the leather. Max protection.

JMHO

[hoax]

Aerostich while an awesome product are a bit pricey. Take a look at TourMaster line of textiles before buying.

[V4]

Since Im a Gear Whore, I like topics like these.....

If you have the money, get both but if you can only afford one, you have to look at what your needs are....

If your only riding on weekends and occassional trackdays, the leathers would be great.....

If your riding weekends, commuting, and trips, the Aerostich by far is the best to have......

I personally rather wear an Aerostich period for all the riding I do since I can wear them over my regular clothes if commuting to work/school, or riding on weekends on my favorite roads as El Camino and I-5......

I had a lowside at 70mph and with body armor, it saved me from a world of pain....and I was able to fix any damages to it....

I think there others here that can testify how great the Aerostich suits are......

[V4]

TourMaster and FirstGear had 1pc suits almost like an Aerostich but not as good.....

I have the FirstGear Expedition 1pc suit that I love only for its comfort in the rain and cold weather and okay in hot days but I don't have much confidence with the protection nor don't think it'll last as long as my Aerostich would in the long run......some stitchings are starting to get loose.....You can still put it on as easily as a 'Stich suit which was why I got it and I did replace the "armor" for better ones, but I rather have the Stich when I can afford one again....

I tried the TourMaster 1pc and its like a jumpsuit....a bit more of a struggle to get into compared to the other 2 suits especially if you are going to wear regular street clothes underneath.....It is waterproof and has venting but it doesn't allow hot air to escape through the material that well as the other 2 suits and it really gets warm even in the winter....the protection is a bit better though than the FirstGear but the Stich will hold out better.....The quality is about the same as the FirstGear but not anywhere close the Stich...

Plus neither the TourMaster or First Gear suits can be customized to your fit.....

And if you really want....you can have Aerostich put velcro to put kneepucks on em....:laughing

The Stich is well worth the money, IMHO....

[V4]

EDIT:

I got my FirstGear Expedition for $250 and saw the TourMaster for the same price at RoadRiders last year ....

But, the retail price is about $450-500 bucks which is not worth either one of these suits IMO.....

[magyarbetyar]

3 posts in a row John :confused :twofinger

I basically agree with what V4 said :thumbup

[infrandom]

I've always pondered this question myself, I hope to have both one day. But since I have textile gear already I'll probably go for leathers first.

[donoman]

Aerostich. I guarantee if you own both suits, you will ride 99% of the time in the Stich because it's warmer, more comfortable, waterproof, and the armor is top notch. Also you can wear it over your regular clothes, their customer service is great, etc. I've never met an Aerostich owner who was unhappy with his / her suit.

I liked mine so much that I bought one for my girlfriend even though she only rides w/ me once in a blue moon. 700$ of good stuff instead of 400$ of not-so-good-stuff is a good decision.

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/threads/000/025/139/368863-vfr-alices.jpg

[Ames]

Aerostitch, since I commute a lot more miles than recreational riding. It keeps me comfy and dry.

[Dar25]

leathers+back protector for max safety. I do have the light armor textile pants and First Gear jacket (with light armor) for when i feel squiddy/lazy to go with leathers.
I dont do twisties without leathers though anymore.

[Wolf]

I was flipping through the new Aerostitch catalog, and the more I look at them, the more I think I'd like a Roadcrafter suit.

[reynolds_brad]

I vote leathers for track and heavy street riding, but aerostich for commuting and leisure rides.

[NoGall]

Aerostich, for everyday wear, it's more versatile than leathers.

[Matt.Lai]

I've got both full street leathers and an aerostich, and as donoman says, I wear the aerostich 99% of the time. Actually, that's not true. Since I bought my aerostich 1 year ago, I can honestly say I've worn the 'stich 100% of the time for one full year. One of my best and most useful gear purchases ever.

-Matt

[JackEM]

Knock on wood, but anyone go down in a 'stich? How'd it hold up?

-J

[slowpoke]

Thanks for the input guys!

V4, I knew I would peak your interest with this thread:teeth

Donoman, Next time post a picture without the bald dude, m'kay:twofinger

[V4]

Originally posted by JackEM
Knock on wood, but anyone go down in a 'stich? How'd it hold up?

-J

.....REMEMBER: Aerostich is a great suit for comfort in the every day world and weekend fun and offers enough protection under a certain degree but leathers offer more protection ....


I had a 70mph lowside and it protected me well.....

I started sliding on my stomach for a bit and somehow flipped on my back till I went over a dirt embankment and over a cliff .....

The stomache area wore through but did not touch skin and my back held up fine, except for "skid marks" left from the sliding....

The knee paddings, the elbow pads and most importantly the hip pads helped a LOT and the Tpro body armor did its job well....

I sent it in the same week and got it repaired about 3 weeks just like I had it when I first got it.....

The ONLY thing that should always be aware of is to have the straps on the leg/ankle area securely tightened because it did rise up while sliding leg first on my back....., but this is due to MY OWN LAZINESS of not taking the time to have it properly fastened....

From this point on, I always tell people to always keep their leg strap/buttons tight if they have theirs loose

[slowpoke]

Does the suit have a back protector?

[donoman]

Originally posted by JackEM
Knock on wood, but anyone go down in a 'stich? How'd it hold up?

-J

I went down in my Aerostich and it held up fine. Luckily, 30 minutes before my crash, V4 actually told me to snap up those leg buttons, and I listened to him. I was fine after my highside, and a few tumble rolls. I still wear that suit everyday, even though it has a rip near the pocket... but all in all, not much happened to the suit.

You can buy an Aerostich backprotector for 60$. I think imma get one pretty soon.

[slowpoke]

Is it foam type or would, say, a Helimot protector be better?

[donoman]

I'd get the Aerostich one... I have a Dainese, but it's a pain in the ass ... the Stich backprotector velcro's into the suit and that's it. you don't have to think about it after that :thumbup

[mrtnz]

I agree with what everyone said. It depends what you'll be using it for the most.

If you intend to commute more on your bike than do twisties and track, then the textile might be the one for you. I heard great things about AeroStitch. They are waterproof and you can wear your work clothes underneath.

Good luck!

[Baptistro]

:bump

[wsmc831]

both.

I have both and wear both depending on what type of riding I'm doing.

[Baptistro]

I also have both, and a bunch of stuff in between. I will wear whatever I feel might be appropriate for the riding I will be doing and the conditions I will be doing it in.

[lo39cal]

a wear a two piece, leathers. although, 90% of my riding consist of commutting, not bad, dc to sf, 30 miles a day. alot of people see it as being very impractical to wear full leathers for a commute. i really have no excuse, i change into a uniform at work. either way, aerostich or leathers i'll still have to get out of my riding gear once at work. there are a few things that i heard about aerostich that doesnt' sit well with. no forearm protection, no shin protection and not 100% water proof. there's tons of people that will testify that aerostich is the best, but i'm not convinced.

[Mad Gnome]

Believe it.

[rumpofsteelskin]

:laughing

Good god. This thread is ancient.

I've put 32,000 miles on my stich and have come to the conclusion that it is the best general-purpose compromise between convenience, comfort, and protection. However, my main problem with the Roadcrapper is that it's just so fucking hot. I'm actually planning to get perforated leathers because I can't stand it any more. When I tour in the fall, I hope to wear the leathers and use the stich as backup in case it gets cold.

[Sidewalk]

I have a similar suit to the 'stitch. Laugh if you want, but a discontinued Harley FXRG suit. Very similar, but all black. Has held up well in the past 40,000+ miles I have been wearing it. I wear that 99% of the time.

The other 1% is the leather one peice for the track, and the rare hard street riding.

[ian408]

Why the answer, of course, depends.

What kind of riding are you going to be doing?
For commuting, it's nice to wear a 'stitch. Easy on,
easy off. For long trips, it's nice because you (generally)
don't need to have rain gear. And getting stuck in the
rain in leathers blows goats.

I like leathers for most of my riding around home.
Comfy. Great protection. You know the rest.

Don't forget, you need to wear something under
your 'stitch. Not so w/leathers.

Get both.

[Mad Gnome]

I've had two Stich suits, the one I wear is two years old, the other I had for 10 + years, it finally gave up the ghost with the zippers dying on me. I wore it daily (still do). My friend still wears the jacket, the pants were blown.
Get it with the "Hard " or capped pads, much better. I like the two piece myself , convienient and handy
They are just great, well made, handy and comfortable in most weather. cool when needed and warm when needed too. (I would not get the thinsulate inner liner- too hot.
Biggest thing the stitch has got leathers do not?
Pockets, pockets and more pockets. too cool.
Besides that you get to look like a :nerd
How can you go wrong. Did I mention it has pockets?

Of Course for the track get thee to a tannery and get yo self some leathers-

[uraniaclio]

For sportriding, definitely get the ellipse alteration. I need to get it done and see if I like the fit better. For now, I find the suit a little uncomfortable in the crotch and the shoulders.