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SugarHillCTD
Site Admin
Joined: 10 Oct 2007
Posts: 4238
Location: Now in Eastern Pennsylvania
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 Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:40 pm Post subject: Riding suits- any recommendations? 1 piece or 2? |
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Looking at updating my riding gear. Does anyone have a recommendation based upon experience?
Looking for clothing that is 3 season- Spring Summer, Fall (or 3+ if possible). Aerostich ($$$), Olympia, Tourmaster, Fieldsheer, or........?
Specific model name would be appreciated and why it works best for you- along with any other info you would like to divulge.
Thanks,
John |
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mnb
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
Posts: 660
Location: San Jose, CA
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| Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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The Olympia Phantom is getting great reviews.
The Fieldsheer Highlander II seems ok.
The Aerostich Roadcrafter is the king of textile suits.
The options for 2 piece are very wide. Look for vents up the wazoo.
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M N B
1997 BMW K1100LT ABS Special Edition
2003 Husqvarna TE610e
2007 Harley Davidson Road King
2009 BMW F800GS
2011 Husqvarna TE310
2014 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak MNB Edition |
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Off the grid
Chaotic Good
Joined: 05 Jul 2006
Posts: 3414
Location: At the local taco truck waiting for Jo.
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| Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:15 pm Post subject: |
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I like the flexibility of a 2-piece.
However it is a bit of a pain in the ass getting all that gear on, specifically the boots.
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Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
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Ted
Site Admin
Joined: 03 Apr 2003
Posts: 1117
Location: Further
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| Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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Love my 2-piece roadcrafter 
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 Ted
KOG#1 |
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owrstrich
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Joined: 29 Oct 2006
Posts: 2566
Location: CheezConsin
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Klinker
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 28 Aug 2006
Posts: 876
Location: SD I-90
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| Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:39 am Post subject: |
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I posted this last December.
| Klinker wrote: | Here's an option:
Challenge pant
and the matching jacket:
Airforce jacket - both from Rev'It
These are intended as summer riding gear (mostly mesh with ballistic nylon and a little leather), but with liners and layers, I wear them year-round. I like the pants because they're not really "overpants." As the Rev'It reps like to say, "They're a riding pant," which means they fit closer than a 'Stich Darien or other comparable types. They are a bit tight over jeans, but I have a couple pair of breathable microfiber hiking pants that work great underneath - not so bulky and quite cool with the mesh.
The Challenge and Airforce come with zip-in breathable waterproof liners that cut the breeze fairly well, but there is enough room to wear my Gerbing's jacket liner and a pair of fleece long johns under for the cooler temps (worked during the April delivery of owrstrich's Bug-Eyed Brick). The fabric (mesh and otherwise) is quite supple, not as stiff as my former Tourmaster Cortech stuff.
Downside to the "riding pant" concept: one must put the pants on before the boots. The zippers on the side of the legs don't open up enough to pull the pants over. But since the pants are more snug, I feel like the armor stays in place fairly well. I guess they're somewhat of a middle ground between overpants and the skin-tight Bohn Body Armor system. The stuff ain't cheap, but it's less than the Aerostich. I've been fairly satisfied...and I confess to being a bit of a tough customer.
I'll take a kick-back if any Rev'It reps are reading...  |
Again, the nice thing about the Rev'It fabrics is how comfortable they are from Day One - not stiff. My particular jacket and pants can be zipped together, but I seldom do. They're designed for warm-weather, but with the liner and a layer or two (or my Gerbings), I can and do wear them anytime.
Not as spiffy as owrstrich's one-piece, but I don't have his svelte physique.
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tlp
1994 K1100RS
Only the Reasonists. They believe in an evidence-based world, something called Rationalism. But it's a tiny group, not so influential.
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BlackHoof
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 12 Nov 2006
Posts: 302
Location: Near Duluth, Mn.
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| Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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Herr Klinker,
Are there any retailers in Minnesoota selling these wares?
Now that I've lost 30+ lbs I may be needing something
with less volume...
I'm working on that svelte physique...
I'm a JO wanna be... 
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Kent
'93 K1100LT- Blurple Colored
Lucky # 887
'27 Bugatti Replica/Kit Car-Dark Purple
'05 Suzuki Brugman/Russell Seat... |
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Klinker
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 28 Aug 2006
Posts: 876
Location: SD I-90
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| Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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| BlackHoof wrote: | | Now that I've lost 30+ lbs... |
Impressionante!
I got mine at Motoprimo in Lakeville. I think I saw that U Motors in Fargo was a dealer if you're over that way.
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tlp
1994 K1100RS
Only the Reasonists. They believe in an evidence-based world, something called Rationalism. But it's a tiny group, not so influential.
- Page Griffin |
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ken
Mad Brick Rider
Joined: 26 Mar 2008
Posts: 89
Location: Denver
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:42 pm Post subject: Tourmaster Flex |
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I bought Tourmaster Flex
http://www.motodepot.com/product_list.php?cid=1379
Velcro adjustments.
Lots of zippers, have only been using since January.....but I bought so that I could wear pants and a sweatshirt underneath. Then shorts this summer, and leave the pants on the bike.
Pain in the a** part must take off shoes to change pants.
Good parts.........Waterproof........I rode last week 45 minutes in the rain......didn't get wet.
Plenty warm behind the LT fairing.....in the teens.......it gets chilly with a side wind. 20's no problem.
Email me for more next week.........I am expecting to leave Denver Thursday AM 20-42 F day.......rain and snow. Trying to get to NM .......then.....Taos and over to grand canyon where it is to be partly cloudy.......50's. Grand Canyon..........70's Sedona.....80's Leaving Phoenix Sunday mid to upper 90's.......home again to 70's . Most of my riding with the pair has been in the 20-40 F range. This is first venture into the 90's
I have another pair of mesh pants though that were nice, and these are lighter, and more holes than last pair
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Mystic Red
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 28 Mar 2005
Posts: 2330
Location: Twin Lakes Idaho
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| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:50 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | I bought Tourmaster Flex |
I also have this jacket, in silver, and I love it. Waterproof lining, insulated lining and it converts to a mesh! Do they make a set of pants that do the same? I never use the insulation, opting for a fleece top instead, but what a touring jacket! 4 in one! 
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Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466 |
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ken
Mad Brick Rider
Joined: 26 Mar 2008
Posts: 89
Location: Denver
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| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:56 am Post subject: Tourmaster Flex pant |
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Yes they make a pant no draft when zipped to jacket at all.
Here is where I bought mine. I believe I paid about $150 for the pant. Just as the jacket, rain gear on outside, mesh on inside, and a winter liner. If it is 40 F then you don't need the liner, and I bought large enough to put pants underneath. Also remember I stated you need to take off your boots to take the pants off.
www.rockymountainkawasaki.com
These guys are very fair priced, and good to work with.
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Ken in Denver |
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wera32
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 05 Apr 2003
Posts: 427
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina USA
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| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:48 am Post subject: |
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As noted, the Roadcrafter is top of the line. I've had mine for 10 years. I would recommend a one piece suit. It is so easy to get in and out of. When on it is more comfortable than a two piece.
I would avoid any one piece that doesn't have the full length zipper like the Roadcrafter has. It would be too inconvenient when stopped in warm weather. That zipper is the key to one piece convenience. My leather suits are both two piece suits and I wouldn't have them any other way.
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Paul - '93 K11/12RS (sold), 2002 R1100S BCP and '03 RC51 KOG 29 |
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rydor
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 16 Nov 2006
Posts: 1304
Location: Southern Illinois, U.S.A.
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| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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| I'll vouch for the one piece 'stich, for the reasons above, although Olympia makes a passable knockoff. I don't believe the Cordura is as thick as the Roadrafter's though. |
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SugarHillCTD
Site Admin
Joined: 10 Oct 2007
Posts: 4238
Location: Now in Eastern Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:37 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the input so far.
Still debating between some off the rack stuff (Tourmaster, Rev'it, Olympia, etc..) and going "full boat" with a Aerostich suit.
Thinking about doing an IronButt 1000 miler in June and a Roadcrafter 1-piece may be appreciated at about 700-800 miles or so.
Thanks- keep it coming.
John |
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rydor
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 16 Nov 2006
Posts: 1304
Location: Southern Illinois, U.S.A.
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| Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:33 pm Post subject: |
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If you can swing the Aerostich, you won't regret it. I was lucky and found a like-new one on Ebay in my size and preferred color scheme. Why did I wait so long to get one of these  |
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ljjohns
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 21 Oct 2006
Posts: 263
Location: El Paso
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| Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:45 pm Post subject: FirstGear Kiliminjaro |
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When I wound up in Seattle, I first used my Army Goretex stuff and it was okay, but then I went to the Firstgear stuff.
It worked great in all conditions in Seattle; it was great on our long trip around Washington/Oregon/Idaho and then on the long ride back from Seattle to El Paso. I haven't used it extensively in the summer Southwest yet (last year's trip was during unseasonably low temperatures) but I have developed a lot of confidence in my ability to use the multiple zippers/liners to adjust the gear to the environment. |
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kirkkw
Big Brick Rider
Joined: 11 Jan 2004
Posts: 67
Location: Near Austin Tx
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:05 am Post subject: Motoport / cycleport |
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I would second the motoport recommendation.
I purchased the Ultra II 1000 denier pants and jacket in 1998 and bought my second set in 2006 - just got tired of hauling it across the ocean every summer.
Purchased my wife the jacket last year and will purcahse her the 620 denier Ultra II pants this next week.
Have not bought the liner to date since I live in the desert and ride in the US southwest during my summer vacations.
I have worn the Ultra gear in 114 F temp. It was hot when stopped but very bearable when moving.
Ken
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1996 K1100RS, 1976 CB750A, 2017 Triumph Trophy, 2020 R1250RT, 2022 RE Classic 350 |
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Scott_Anderson
Site Admin
Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Posts: 3122
Location: Central Iowa, USA
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:38 am Post subject: |
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I purchased the BMW Motorad Gortex 2-piece set the first winter I was riding. (along with my Gerbings). There are plenty of zippers in the jacket and the liner zips out.
BUT, I think the next time I'm going to look for more pocket access in the pants. The ones I got have only 1 zipper access to my inside pants, and no pockets. Kind of a pain, but I can usually plan ahead and put my wallet and keys in one of my jacket pockets. The velcro up the pant legs is wonderful so I don't have to take off my boots to put them on or off.
Ride Safe.
Scott |
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