New for 04: Alpinestar 360 Oversuit....

[V4]

Available in January 2004, Alpinestars is going to come out with their version of a textile suit to compete with the famous Aerostich suit....

Retailed at $499.95
Sizes S,M,L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
Color only available in gray/black for now....

Features:
Water resistant 500 Dnylon Cordura outer shell/ waterproof and breathabl taped membrane liner/ adjustable collar, wrist, sleeve, waist and lower leg/ stretch Cordura and textile flex zones for optimal fit and comfor/ full-length zipper makes it quick and easy to put on and take off the suit/ padded knees for comfort and a better fit/ heavy nylon reinforcements on the knee, shoulder and back/ ventilated pockets/ padded ergonomic back panels/ 4 front pockets and convenient side access to inner pant pockets/ CE certified SP protectors on the elbow and shoulder/ 3m reflective fabric inserts for increased visibility....

I don't know if this suit will threaten Aerostich but for the money and features, Ive already have one on order....

Stay tuned for full review..

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/threads/000/049/921/726361-untitled-1.jpg

[spdt509]

i guess the group buy ain't happenin'......:(

[V4]

wait...:teeth

alpinestar is testing the market in America because they know they have to compete against the likes of Aerostich which already has loyalists and a cult following so the standards must be very high to succeed....

so far, europe already has them released but demands have exceeded production....

[tiltedworld]

ewwww....ahhhhhh..... :teeth

Looking forward to your review John :thumbup

[Ezekiel]

Definitely looking forward to the review. Since it was made to compete with Aerostich, have you or do you now own a 'stich so that you can give us a comparison between the two or will the review be based on the alpinestar suit standing alone? Either way, looking forward to it.

[Max Smiley]

I am hoping the knee will have pockets for the armor. what I recall of the description is just some padding in there. I prefer to have hardshell outer knee protection with padding inside. so my thought is to mod up some dirtbike gear to fit. Marsee has a similiar suit at least looks like it kinda' in the ads so want to get their info too. hopefully we'll see more gear at the show this weekend. I remember being kinda' disappointed last year just the same old wax and chotsky not full on booths with tons of gear like at the cow palace years before.

[V4]

Originally posted by Ezekiel
Definitely looking forward to the review. Since it was made to compete with Aerostich, have you or do you now own a 'stich so that you can give us a comparison between the two or will the review be based on the alpinestar suit standing alone? Either way, looking forward to it.

Ive had 2 aerostich suits that I can compare with and because of this, I have higher standards about other brands....

But, unfortunately, a crash and me gaining weight is the only 2 reason I don't have the Stich anymore, plus the fact I was unemployed for over 2 years....had to sell the last set cuz it didn't fit anymore nor I had the $$ for a new one.....

I do have a FirstGear Expedition suit I use for commuting and for riding in the colder climate which Ive done a reveiw on before and it has not met up with the standards of an Aerostich.....

Only reason I got it was it was on a closeout sale which I would NEVER buy at full retail but still cheaper than other suits including FirstGear and Tourmaster for a 2peice combo....

[WickedWahine]

Do you know if they will make them in women friendly sizes? :teeth

I need to get a good textile suit but have a hard time finding ones that work for me (without dropping the big bucks on an Aerostitch).

I'm also hoping that they'll have these available at the show this weekend to look at :)

[V4]

Originally posted by Max Smiley
I am hoping the knee will have pockets for the armor. what I recall of the description is just some padding in there. I prefer to have hardshell outer knee protection with padding inside. so my thought is to mod up some dirtbike gear to fit. Marsee has a similiar suit at least looks like it kinda' in the ads so want to get their info too. hopefully we'll see more gear at the show this weekend. I remember being kinda' disappointed last year just the same old wax and chotsky not full on booths with tons of gear like at the cow palace years before.

from what I was told, unless the hard armor is snug around the intended area, it can be a hazard in certain conditions in case of a fall which is why Aerostich uses a temperfoam pad instead of hard armor.....

The more better pads they use as body armor softens due to body heat and molds around the limbs so it'd stay secure when needed....

Hard armor in a textile suit can move around away from the area that is needed in a fall for protection as well as "roll" the limbs in an awkward position, potentially causing more harm than the fall itself....motocross hard armor have straps to secure them in place whereas many textile jackets don't except a small few....

I found doubling the layer of the pads has kept it snug from moving around and feel it offers enough protection for riding on the street at a respectable pace....anything else, I'd be wearing leathers....

Ive done this in my Aerostich, my FirstGear, and Alpinestar leathers.....not only am I protected, but I look sexy too.....
:teeth

[NoGall]

Originally posted by V4
from what I was told, unless the hard armor is snug around the intended area, it can be a hazard in certain conditions in case of a fall which is why Aerostich uses a temperfoam pad instead of hard armor.....


temperfoam backing with hard cup exterior

[V4]

:wow

aerostich is using temperfoam/hard armor now..?? time's a changin' fast......for da better...

hmmmm...

maybe I say screw the Alpinestar and go back to the 'Stich afterall...:laughing

NOTE: one of the biggest advantage the Aerostich has over all the textiles is that it can be repaired which others are not or covered by a limited time warranty.....

[spdt509]

Originally posted by WickedWahine
Do you know if they will make them in women friendly sizes? :teeth

I need to get a good textile suit but have a hard time finding ones that work for me (without dropping the big bucks on an Aerostitch).

I'm also hoping that they'll have these available at the show this weekend to look at :)
sorry honey,they don't make'em in a size 3.keep looking...;)

[Max Smiley]

thanks for the update nogall. I don't care how many layers of soft padding there are (as long as they are there), I want a hard(er) shell or layer somewhere between my bones and the ground even if it's only for the first critical hit.

good to hear of the "smart" foam. I forget what's in my JR jacket but on one dump I had a big bruise in the exact shape of the elbow armor so it didn't a great job of absorbing the force. or maybe it did, I don't know. glad not to have broken my elbow that's for sure.

[WickedWahine]

Originally posted by spdt509
sorry honey,they don't make'em in a size 3.keep looking...;)


I think a size 3 on a 5'8" frame would be a bit freakish ;)

They just don't make sizes for gals with super long legs :( Well, at least I would be prepared if a flood came...

[spdt509]

Originally posted by WickedWahine
I think a size 3 on a 5'8" frame would be a bit freakish ;)

They just don't make sizes for gals with super long legs :( Well, at least I would be prepared if a flood came...
haha,i forgot how tall you are.but i rather guess too small
than too......yeah,you know:teeth

[V4]

UPDATE:

sorry Wicked....Alpinestar doesn't have any in women sizes at all so you may have to go with a man's smaller size...:(

I'll be more than happy to help you get fitted in the right size (hubba-hubba) but unfortunately, my life will be cut short by a ragin' Yoda....:mag

As for the armor, it'll be the hard shelled with soft foam paddings since theyre still sold EU standard and not before its changed to U.S ....

[morthrane]

I'm looking forward to seeing this new stuff they're bringing out. Who knows, maybe it would even fit :wow














And the best thing about Wicked Wahine... when she stands up, she's tall, but when she sits down, she needs a booster chair at the table :D :later

[WickedWahine]

Originally posted by morthrane

And the best thing about Wicked Wahine... when she stands up, she's tall, but when she sits down, she needs a booster chair at the table :D :later


Awwwww man...making fun of the freakishly long legs again, huh? I get no love :(

[morthrane]

Originally posted by WickedWahine
Awwwww man...making fun of the freakishly long legs again, huh? I get no love :(

If they weren't so damned freakishly long, you wouldn't be able to ambush and jump on me :twofinger :laughing

Besides... I thought that was just an excuse you use to sit on people laps :nerd :later

[WickedWahine]

Originally posted by morthrane
If they weren't so damned freakishly long, you wouldn't be able to ambush and jump on me :twofinger :laughing

Besides... I thought that was just an excuse you use to sit on people laps :nerd :later

Shhhhhh! Now you're giving away my secrets...DAYUM!!

[soniq]

Looks like parts411 has 'em. Wonder when these will be available locally.

http://www.parts411.com/acb/showprod.cfm?&DID=9&ObjectGroup_ID=119&CATID=4

[V4]

Originally posted by soniq
Looks like parts411 has 'em. Wonder when these will be available locally.

http://www.parts411.com/acb/showprod.cfm?&DID=9&ObjectGroup_ID=119&CATID=4

I checked the availablity on them and they are taking orders but haven't received them as of yet last month....

Im still waiting for my orders to come in as well which will be sold locally in SF....

Im expecting it in a couple of weeks (hopefully) and the sizes available are SM-XLRG....

So far it seems to be popular in Europe and has the hard CE approved temperfoam armor rather than the cheap plastic armor....

Stay tuned...

[tiltedworld]

Hey John,

Any update on these?

[V4]

next week

[ocserv]

All sizes of the 360 Suit are in stock in Parts Unlimited's Wisconsin warehouse. It's about 1 week to get them shipped to CA. Looking at it and the price, I'm underwhelemed.

Looking at the specs, I think the Fieeldsheer Highland 1 Pc Suit has more features.

http://www.fieldsheer.com/products.php?display=highland-1pc

It should be available again in the states in the next month or so.

[hkwan]

Looking forward to the review..