If you have been reading MD for a while, you know that editor-in-chief Dirck Edge, and several contributing editors over the years (Gabe Ets-Hokin and Willy Ivins, for instance) have used, and sung the praises of, the Aerostitch Roadcrafter one-piece suits. Another respected motorcycle gear manufacturer, KLIM, has now introduced its own one-piece touring suit, the Hardanger.
Featuring GORE-TEX construction and D3O armor, the Hardanger looks an awful lot like a Roadcrafter, and the suggested retail price of $1,299.99 is similar to the price of a Roadcrafter as well. We will try to get a Hardanger for a test and comparison with the Roadcrafter. In the meantime, take a look at the details of the new Hardanger provided by KLIM in the following press release and video:
For both extremes of the touring segment, the Iron Butt rider and the daily commuter, a solution now exists that offers comprehensive protection in a convenient package. With commutes and grand motorcycle journeys in mind, KLIM is proud to announce their latest chart-topping masterpiece, the Hardanger one-piece suit.
From mountaineering expeditions to drysuit diving, the merits of a full one-piece garment are proven. KLIM recognized the need for an ergonomic, fully waterproof, breathable, ventilated suit for the riders who want to be comfortable no matter if the weather is good or bad.
Located in the Rocky Mountains, KLIM is presented with a harsh testing environment of unpredictable weather and rapidly changing conditions. The high deserts and mountainous terrain helped them develop a suit that could handle hot desert temperatures, surprise downpours and cold nights with ease.
Building the fully waterproof piece began with GORE-TEX, as is standard for KLIM. The particular GORE-TEX laminate construction in this piece does not have a hanging mesh liner, meaning less bulk and better mobility in the already ergonomic design. It’s perfectly reasonable to wear full regular clothes under the suit.
Fitting a one-piece suit can be more challenging than a comparable jacket and pant, but ample adjustment straps ensure the Hardanger is comfortable in both sitting and standing positions. Further, the D3O molecular armor in all key impact areas is adjustable, letting you tailor the suit to fit. Comfort on extended touring rides is one of the most critical components, and KLIM went to great lengths to make sure the Hardanger fits the human body, not just a mannequin.
The ultimate touring ride doesn’t stop when the bike is parked, and neither should you. KLIM engineered the Hardanger with a metal D-ring to facilitate locking the entire suit to your bike, either with the helmet lock or with KLIM’s new Tek Pak touring backpack. This means when you stop to discover a new area, you simply step out of the suit and lock it to the bike. Then you’re free to explore without wearing your touring pants and threading a cable lock through your jacket sleeves.
At last, the one-piece touring experience is refined to the point where it may be more convenient than most other kinds of riding. So convenient that we may call it tourvenient, surely much to the chagrin of the KLIM marketing team. The Hardanger is engineered for ease of use and comprehensive comfort, and the convenience that comes as a byproduct is a calculated result. For those of us who are daily commuters or on grand motorcycle journeys, we now have a piece that lets us simply step in, and set out.
FULL SPECS
SHELL/CONSTRUCTION
• GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY
• THREE LAYER GORE-TEX PERFORMANCE SHELL TECHNOLOGY
• TOP DOWN ZIP-IN ZIP-OUT FUNCTION
• STREAMLINED INTERIOR (NO LINER)
• 750D CORDURA® OVERLAYS ON KNEES, BOOT PANELS, SHOULDERS, ELBOWS
• WATERPROOF PASS THROUGH PORT FOR HEATED CLOTHING WIRES
• INTEGRATED HD METAL LOCKING CLIP ALLOWS LOCKING
• INTEGRATES WITH KLIM TEK PAK LOCK
• DARMSTADT TEST PASSED
INTEGRATED ARMOR SYSTEM
• D3O® LP1 VENTED ARMOR
• LP1 SHOULDER PADS
• LP1 ELBOW PADS
• LP1 HIP PADS
• LP1 KNEE PADS
• L1 D3O® BACK PAD (IN AN ADJUSTABLE POCKET)
VENTILATION
• 2 CHEST/CORE VENTS
• 2 FOREARM VENTS
• 2 TRICEP VENTS
• 2 BICEP VENTS
• 2 VERTICAL REAR BACK VENTS
• 2 THIGH VENTS
• 2 REAR THIGH EXHAUSTS
• COLLAR TAB BACK FEATURE
STORAGE
• YKK® ZIPPERS THROUGHOUT
• 2 EXTERNAL CHEST POCKETS 1 WITH KEY CLIP
• 2 FRONT THIGH POCKETS
• 2-IN-ONE LEFT FOREARM POCKET FOR CC AND STAT CARD
• 1 INSIDE CHEST ZIPPERED POCKET
• 1 INTERNAL HIDDEN POCKET BEHIND BACKPAD
• 2 HAND POCKETS
FIT/COMFORT
• DESIGNED WITH EXTREME MOBILITY AND COMFORT IN MIND
• TOURING AND COMMUTING FOCUSED FIT
• EASY ON AND OFF OVER STREET CLOTHES
• HELMET-FRIENDLY COLLAR CUFF AND HEM
• QUICK ADJUST STRAPS FOREARM, WAIST AND CALF
VISIBILITY
• 3M™ SCOTCHLITE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL
• BIO MOTION RECOGNITION
TOP BENEFITS
• VERY EASY TO TAKE ON AND OFF OVER STREET CLOTHES.
• FULL BODY WEATHER PROTECTION WITH NO GAPS
• NO HANGING LINER PERFORMANCE SHELL
• ARMOR ADJUSTS EASILY
SIZES
SM-3X Short
SM-3X Reg
SM-3X Tall
COLORS
Black, Gray, Tan
AVAILABLE STARTING JANUARY 1, 2019 AT KLIM.COM
MSRP $1,299.99
I liked my Aerostich suit. I love my two piece Klim Badlands stuff.
I love 1-piece riding suits. The KLIM looks good, but $1300 is too rich for my budget. I’ve had Olympia Motosports Stealth and Avenger suits for years and love them. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough of a market, and Olympia quit making one-piece suits. At some point my Avenger will wear out and I’ll have to see what is available then. Since it’s hot (AZ) where I live, the mesh suit works great for me. Layer up in the cold, and add rain gear when it’s wet. IMHO, layering works better and is a lot more flexible than trying to find one suit that does it all (poorly). For less than $1300, I have a variety of mix-and-match gear that works great.
It’s warm enough in a mesh riding suit when stuck in 115F traffic. Hate to imagine what it would be like in a Hardanger or Roadcrafter.
Nothing spoils a great motorcycle ride when it’s over 65 and sunny like one of those suits, with the possible exception of an accident. I do get the rationale for wearing them. But I’m sorry, I need the rays and fresh air.
I have a Motoport Difi suit from 15 years ago that I wore a few times and put away. Most of the time, it’s just too damn hot.
After enough scars and broken bones, I tend to choose to dress for the crash that isn’t going to happen, rather than just for the weather.
fred, so you are saying nothing but one of these 1 piece suits will save your hide in a crash?
I re-read what I wrote, and it seems pretty clear. I have no idea where you came to that conclusion.
I didn’t think you did, but Bubba was saying how a one piece suit spoils a ride. He never said he didn’t wear anything, implying he did wear safety gear, just not a one piece suit, and you returned with that you dress for the crash rather than the weather and it made me think maybe you were endorsing the superior safety of a one piece suit, even if they are hot.
Written English is tough to interpret sometimes.
As usual negative ones out there,,ones who ride buy the gear,,good gear at that,,by the way I got the klim badlands jacket and the adventure jacket as well ok heres a lesson this gear is PRO GORTEX Alot of ones don’t know what this means well read up on it Doesn’t matter what you wear as long as it fits you and works as its suppose to..alot of ones bring up cost that’s the dumbest thing i always hear…lets see my personal safety against body harm is up on the scale just like a helmet have 10 cents brains buy a $10 helmet,,,ive seen in the past the real riders and also enjoy the passion and not trying to be this bad biker image always have top gear and never complain,,,that’s the difference enough of all the negatively Have enough on the radio and tv lets just enjoy the passion we so much enjoy …ok this outfit is not for you so be it ,,one last thing its not a perfect world Don’t complain about some one trying to make good gear for us riders If you think you can do better quit the complaint and make something and bring it to the table…oh don’t have time or some lame excuse,,,so be it thought so Until then everyone have a fun as well a safe ride next time your out and about
^ Can anyone translate that to English for me?
My eyes glazed over by time I got to PRO GORTEX.
Not me. I quit bothering to read gibberish and shouting years ago.
The suit may be OK (though I’ll bet Aerostich is still better), but the name is just embarrassing. It’s like KLIM is making fun of wannabe “adventure” riders. “Those guys think they are so hard and go on dangerous adventures. I know – let’s call it the Hardanger.”
Actually, Hardanger is a place in Norway, but I see your point.
Thanks. I was thinking the same thing. IMHO, KLIM ought to let people know where the name comes from.
It might be a reference to Hardanger embroidery of cloths rather than the fjord. Its beyond me how someone could equate it with the dangers of adventure riding.
Have been riding in an Aerostitch Roadcrafter 2-piece suit for almost two decades. Two piece because my legs are shorter than my torso. Have been heavily touring earlier in life, now around town and shorter trips just wear the jacket and jeans. On two trips, one to Alaska from Pittsburgh PA the suit met all my expectations. I wear a heated vest under the jacket. One situation stands out, during an explosive rain storm going over a pass in the Yukon, I couldn’t see 3 feet in front of my full face helmet. Kept riding, slowly, afraid to be rear ended. Storms like this pass fairly quickly. I was bone dry pulling into a motel about an hour later. Yes, remember another situation, stuck in a traffic jam before Chicago on I80. July, no shade and splitting lanes not an option. Even with the jacket unzipped and opened wide the ride was agonizing. You will never find the perfect jacket, but overall I will keep riding with this one.
When it starts raining I pull out the Frog Toggs and away I go. They’re cheap as chips and will keep you dry for hours.
Don’t get them near a hot exhaust however.
That’s my routine as well. My Tourmaster jacket and pants will keep out “sprinkles or a light drizzle” for quite awhile, but for a toad strangler I need to stop and don the Toggs. A minor inconvenience for the few times a year (usually on a motorcycle trip someplace) that it happens. According to statistics it rains 138 days a year in southwest Ohio where I live, but I’ll bet I only get caught out where I have to stop and don gear about 1/2 dozen of those even though I ride just about every day. I don’t consider it much of an inconvenience to don the rain gear and in the meantime I can wear a waist length textile jacket, a leather jacket, a 3/4 textile jacket, mesh jacket, textile pants, denim armored pants depending on ride length, temperature etc. When I go into a restaurant to eat I just remove the jacket. No biggie.
I’m on my third Aerostich Roadcrafter, each the two piece with the bib (suspender) option. I prefer to be able to take off the jacket quickly at stops without having to take off the pants. Each of the first two lasted about 10 years each and a lot of miles before becoming very faded, zipper pulls breaking and reduced water resistance.
The first I advertised on SVrider as old, faded, with reduced water resistance, and the fact it had shrunk on me 😉 and ‘Free to a Good Home’. I had guys arguing over it in minutes and shipped off to a guy in NY.
The second one I advertised is pretty much the same condition with photos on ADVrider for sale asking $250. It sold in less than an hour. I could have gotten more for it.
My current suit I had some customization’s adding an under arm gusset as my gut is bigger than my chest and 2″ in addition to the leg above the knee as I’m tall and this keeps the knee pads where they should be when seated.
Where can you get a suit that is made in America, can be sent back for repairs or just an overhaul. That can be custom tailored to your body, comes in a very wide selection of color combinations and has value when you decide to get a new suit? Aerostich is the only place.
I went with a one piece Rukka Saana because I wanted to stay dry after spending that kind of money. I had to order it from a shop in England since no one carries the suit in the US. With shipping and customs, it was under $1,200 and I stay dry in the rain – near priceless. A co-worker paid a bit more for his Roadcrafter and the next day came to work with wet crotch syndrom. Uh uh, not for me. I’ve typically had Tourmaster stuff in the past but feel their quality has diminished in the last decade or so. Im happy with my Rukka, it just sucks when you need to get to your wallet in your pants pocket!
Dirck, you ought to do a comparison between Aerostitch and KLIM. I have been wearing Aerostitch for over 30 years and I find it hard to improve on. My first was a two piece Roadcrafter, it shrank (just kidding, I gained a little weight). I bought a slightly used Darien and find it to be perfect for long trips and day rides year round in Texas and California. I have had a couple of low sides over the years and the suits scuffed up a little but did not require repair. Ventilation is great, why would anyone want mesh when you can open up the cuffs, armpits and back for flow thru? The only improvement I would like is leg vents for really hot days. I like the hard back but flexible temper foam armor too. Aerostitch ain’t cheap but it does the job and lasts a looong time. ATGATT!!
$1.3k? Uhhhh …… no.
Go to Cyclegear and get a less breathable Bilt version for $200. Some of us can expense these things and dont mind supporting Chinese forced labor.
KLIM makes quality stuff to be sure. But the killer app for a Roadcrafter is how quickly a fully armored Roadcrafter can be put on and taken off, even while wearing Combat Touring Boots. This guy doesn’t have the boots on. But you get the idea.
https://youtu.be/UnPBtrixYYo
If you can get in and out of the KLIM that quickly. Then fine. If you can’t, it’s missing a very important feature.
The Y-zipper and the ability to get in and out of a Roadrafter in 15 seconds is it’s downfall to waterproofness. It’s the reason 50% of the people who buy them, return them or sell them off at a loss (like me) because it all starts at the wet crotch. As such, Aeostitch has publicly acknowledged for 20 years that it can happen. Light rain, not a big deal, hard rain all day long, Big Jim and the twins will be swimming for their life and the excess water flows down the legs into your boots.
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I sincerely hope the R3 does a much better job. The classic is still the go-to for day touring and commuting as a coverall. But I think the type of bike has a lot to do with it. Cruiser? Problem. Big GS or Katoom with leg room? No problem.
BoB K, the R3 is 100 percent waterproof, heavy rain for hours won’t faze it. That’s the main reason Aerostich began to offer it. Love my new one. Still have my 17 YO classic for sunny day commuting and dual purpose riding.
Hey, that’s me. My first roadcrafter did indeed occasionally leak but that suit is now well over 20 years old. I knew that the original zippers were the problem so I had it updated at the factory along with the chest zipper velcro which is now full length rather than 4 or 5 pieces. 100% water proof ever since. This hi-viz suit has always been completely dry inside. I wash and treat with nikwax every season or two.
Visit the factory, it’s a cool place, then ride up the north shore to Betties pies in Two Harbors.
Pizza, beer and a T-shirt at The Thirsty Pagan. Burgers, beer and rude staff at The Anchor Bar. Old time mountain music can sometimes be found at Carmody Irish Pub, as well as other places in Duluth. Fitger’s is worth a stop. There’s a place called Toasties that has cool grilled cheese sandwitches. Mountain biking in the whole area is pretty cool.
I should buy me a place in Duluth.
I too am glad Aerostich has competition. The R-3 is great but more venting would be welcome. Here are some notes based on my Roadcrafter purchase last year:
-A well appointed R3 runs $1600 or so. When all is said and done, you’ve added pads and made your alterations, paid for shipping to test fit a couple different sizes and modified pad placement, you will have spent well over $1200.
-I’m a moderately fit person at a hair under 6 feet tall, a 32 inch waist, and 170 pounds. It took test fitting a couple roadcrafters, but my R3 fits me well.
-There are less expensive competitors like Teiz and now Klim, but with everyone offering a product that is over 1k, I chose to go with the tried and true company that I know will stand behind their product and offer alterations for at least the next decade.
Everything you wanted to know about “Klim” but we’re afraid to ask. Sheesh!
Like many riders I have and love my roadcrafter suit, but competition is a good thing.
Take a look at how HD has kicked it up a notch with the resurgence of Indian.
Hello, my name is Brunt Hardanger, you may have seen me in such movies as….
Brunt! Nice job…
I’ve never really been a fan of one piece riding suits. I know riders that would rather sleep with their Aerostich than their spouse. I gave a Roadcrafter a go about 15 years ago and was unimpressed. I’d rather go with a nice two piece suit. I’be been using a mixed match Belstaff jacket and Tourmaster pants for a decade. Far more versatile and way less expensive.
But if their spouses were wearing an Aerostich – look out!!!
Two piece suits work well for touring, but for commuting you can’t beat a one piece that fits over your work clothes.
Love my Klim gear, it was a major hit when I bought it, but three years on it still keeps the rain out, is comfortable and is washable. Having said that, I would go with a custom made Aerostitch if I did it again. However, that armor is great.
Dozens of pockets out the yin yang are unfortunately a design mandate for Klim but tend to require really well taped seams and stitches to stay watertight, even with a Gore-tex ProShell. The pocket craze is ridiculous. Adds bulk and most are empty. Carrying too much stuff and crashing would mean being impaled by everything in those pockets, causing more body damage. Keep your crap in a tank bag.
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My Rukkas have the labyrinth gaiters in the ankles and wrist cuffs. Work flawlessly. Also the zip on high collar tucks under the neck roll and chin guard keeping rain from getting in from the top. Waterproof zippers are a must, of course. I have the Gore Lockout chest zipper currently in my Armas but my old SRO Anatomic had the YKK waterproof zippers that I actually liked better. The Gore lock out conducts cold and I can feel it a bit on my sternum. These 4 things are critical to being truly water proof in a monsoon or named tropical storm, all of which I’ve ridden through and been perfectly dry.
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The 5th thing is that Gore Pro Shell. Keeping the moisture outside the suit is key to long term comfort. Suits with liners allow the outer shell to get soaked, bringing body heat removing moisture closer to the body, even with a liner. You can really tell the difference. And the suits get 4X heavier when soaked. Pro Shell is awesome. Like water off a duck’s back.
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6th important thing is another gaiter…in the crotch area. All the Rukkas have them and they work perfectly. My Aerostitch left me with numerous soaked crotches in heavy rain and the rain went all the way down my legs into my boots. I sold it for 1/2 price 3 weeks later. That was 25 years ago though. My Intersport was completely waterproof for 7 years, then it needed regular treating of Nik Wax.
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I actually really like a 1 piece suit for touring. I really feel safe and comfortable in them. But I’m a normal build and a 2 piece is better for people built like apes or long legged supermodels so you can mix sizes.
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However, please make sure to test this thing in the rain. Heavy rain. So take a trip to Oregon for the review. Enquiring minds want to know how it stacks up.
I don!t care how good a suit is, I!ll never spend $1300+ on one.
Can someone confirm the rear thigh/leg vents WON’T wreck the paint on sport touring bikes?
Dirck, has MD ever tested any of the Teiz suits? Those tend to be somewhat more affordable and seem to be well-reviewed, but I haven’t seen any reviews for some time.
Have not tested one.
A large contingent on Two Wheeled Texans has gone through hell and back with Teiz since they first appeared and with mixed reviews. Some love them, some hate them, all agree to be waterproof, it needs a better liner and zippers. They’ve all said it will not keep out the hard and long rain storms. You get what you pay for in that regard. But they generally like the fit and customer service.
It amazes me what some of this stuff costs.
There’s more expensive stuff out there. But this stuff costs what it does for good reason. The most excellent abrasion resistance and Gore Pro-shell and other little details adds up. And it adds up to long term comfort and performance.
How difficult is it to attend to personal ablutions when wearing these suits?
First you got to dig ‘Lil Duke’ out of your skivvies, which is made by one mfg, so he’s probably pointing south. Next he’s got to take a hard turn north to get out of your trousers (likely another different mfg). Lastly, he can probably see the light at the end of the tunnel, which entails another hard turn to the south before he can poke his head outside. All this zigging and zagging could tucker a ‘lil fella out. Good thing we’re all built like horses.
Get those external catheters for men. It’s like a condom but with a nipple on the end for a tube. Run the tube down your pant leg and out behind your boot. Ride all day and never stop.
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But if you want to keep your friends, tell them to ride in front. 😉
Aerostich makes its suits in Duluth, Minnesota. If you want to help keep Chinese employment high, buy Klim.
Are you sure about that? I have heard that at least some of their stuff is made in Vietnam. I stopped in there once when in Duluth…..not a big place.
I am pretty skeptical regarding how such suits would work in 90+ degree temperatures. I have ridden a day where the temp has gone from 35 to 105 degrees. I can’t imagine wearing that suit at 105 degrees!
I think some of their lighter / cheaper gear is not made in USA, but their website and catalog is labeled clear, and should be easy to see. I think their top of the line garments are still made in MN by actual humans. And you can be custom fit for the suits in Duluth, or at events around the country (I get their emails).
I also agree, I need mesh venting for summer riding, but would consider these to be 3 season suits (fall, winter, spring!)
“I am pretty skeptical regarding how such suits would work in 90+ degree temperatures.”
They do not. Period.
Not true in the least Jeremy.
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Rule #1 in long term comfort is to keep your core temperature stable. Air flow can either add or remove heat from your body and fluctuation of temps causes stress and discomfort over long periods of time.
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Not only have my old 1 piece suits (Aerostich and Intersport) and 4 season 2 piece suits by Rukka kept me comfortable in 0 degree weather (I’ve also skied in them) but all across Texas in July and August and even at 120+ degrees in Death Valley, I’ve been fine all day long.
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Opening the vents does work. It’s not supposed to be like a coastal breeze flowing through. It allows regulation mostly but can flow enough to make the suit billow up. While the coastal breeze may feel good in the short term, long term, if you’re a saddle sore 1000 type, it’s not good. I can easily do Houston to San Diego in one sitting in the summer. And I have numerous times.
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Since I’d gone to these kinds of suits, I’ve put on about 350,000 of 500,000 miles in typically 100 degree and higher weather. The hottest I’ve ever felt was when I was less geared up, adding heat to my core and sweating profusely trying to maintain my core temp..
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As Bill Murray says, “That’s the fact, Jack!” 🙂
If you are moving fast enough and the suit has good enough venting, yes, they work and can even be more comfortable than mesh in some cases. But I also speak from experience when I say once speeds slow down or you are stuck creeping along with Houston traffic for an hour in July, those suits are miserable. Or when the rain starts and you need to close the vents – misery. And I could never use one for off-road riding unless we’re talking sub 30 degree temps.
As something a rider might wear purely for touring sparsely populated areas, sure… These suits are a great option, and a well made one can last well over 10 years. Even now that I live amongst the Rockies, it is probably something I could wear all year round so long as I never rode south or east after May. But in the deep South? Fuggetaboutit!
I should be fair and say that by “experience” I’ve only ever had one, from the benchmark mfg from Duluth. And then I only had it for a short time given how much I disliked it for the type of riding I bought it for. I really wanted it as a waterproof, quick gear up/off solution for commuting. Everyone (on the forums) told me not to worry about the heat , “it is just a shell”, “core temp regulation”, etc, etc.” Nope. Glad I bought it used and was able to sell it a month later for what I paid.
I’ve not tried any others from Rukka, Klim, or the less expensive brands. I noticed the Klim is a lighter material, so maybe it does a little better than the heavy ‘Stitch in the heat (at the expense of abrasion resistance.)
Aerostich’s riding suits are made in Duluth.
https://www.aerostich.com/employment
They work well in a range of temperatures as long as you’re moving. When it’s cold, close the vents and wear layers under it or a heated jacket. When it’s hot open the vents.
Check out this post.
https://advrider.com/f/threads/aerostich-1-piece-suit.1366976/page-3#post-37036371
As long as you’re moving at some clip, there’s enough vents and zippers built in to keep you OK in the heat. Once you have to stop or crawl, all bets are off. “Breathable”, in the context of waterproof, in all garments, means there has been a documented case of one air molecule passing through the waterproof membrane in some lab somewhere. Except for that one molecule, it’s a rainsuit.
Unless Klim is offering Aerostich levels of customization, I wouldn’t even consider them. You have very little means of adjusting fit by how you wear it, or by different sizing of pants and jackets, in a onepiece suit. And the thick materials and armor, means your fit, in the context of your positioning on your bike, have to be pretty bang on, for long term comfort. Cordura isn’t leather, which will shape itself to the wearer over time. Aerostich offers to adjust almost anything, from thigh and calf lengths to knee gussets and shoulder rotation. Absent that, you’re stuck with a suit that fits Mr Average as he is positioned on a standard GS (Hey, it’s Klim…), and noone else.
The breathable part isn’t that bad. Some people I’ve ridden with in Frog Toggs have pulled their gear off and were soaked from sweat like they were actually out in the rain the whole time. They didn’t get rained on but they’re soaking wet anyway. At least that’s how it is for Frog Toggers in Texas. The upside is the lost 10 lbs of water weight.
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You’re dead on about Aerostitch customization. The fees are reasonable (but add up) but well worth it because no one else in the business does this. And as Jim and Hot Dog state, it comes out cheaper when you keep something for 15 years instead of replacing every 5 or less. Plenty of 20 year Stitches out there that just need cleaned and re-waterproofed.
Harley rider?
Aerostitch riding Harley rider? Lol, I doubt it.
I’m betting his ride was made in Germany
Man these suits are pricy. Too rich for my blood. First Gear or Tourmaster are more in my price range.
What’s wrong with that? hahahaha
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I’ve gotten plenty of looks of disdain and confusion from the Harley ilk while in my touring suits, race boots, gloves and full face helmet on my FXDX.
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They can keep their melanoma and their wives whose boobs look just like the overly weathered leather saddle bags on their steeds. 🙂
I’ve owned a Roadcrafter since 2002. If you divide the cost ($1200) into 17 years (and counting) of use I’ve gotten out of it, it’s a bargain. I recently bought a new R3 Roadcrafter and will use that as my touring/rainy day suit and my old Roadcrafter, which is still going strong, will be relegated to DP rides and commuting.
During that time I’ve owned many bikes. Mostly Japanese with a few BMWs and one Harley Road King, which I used for two-up touring. Don’t ever let your wife/SO ride on a Harley touring bike with a wrap-around backrest, big comfy seat and floorboards because they won’t want to ride anything else.
Current rides are an XT1200ZE Super Tenere and an XT250.
True story…
Does it have boot gaiters? I would love to be able to use it to go skiing/snowboarding.
1 pc suits are great, in general, regardless of the brand. I miss my yellow Rukka that I outgrew.
I had custom Langlitz Leathers made for me in the early 80’s, when that was the best my money could buy. Sadly, I out grew them by a decades long habit of tossing down cold ones. I started to look like a cooked bratwurst when I put them on, so I purchased a AeroStitch Roadcrafter coat. I have really long legs,(someone referred to that as “Supermodel”) so I got a two piece suit instead. I paid some where in the neighborhood of $550 for the coat. One of my riding buddies thought I was crazy for spending that much and he saved money by buying cheaper. He’s now on his 3rd coat whilst my 15 year old coat just came back from ‘Stitch, cleaned and re-waterproofed. It’s costume made to fit and I can get it repaired or cleaned.
I’ve ridden at temps below freezing to 100 deg +. When I’m riding in hot conditions, my vents are open around my wrists, underarms and across my back. I get all puffed up as the wind blows thru my coat, keeping me cool and comfortable. Granted, if I’m at a standstill, I’m sweating in spots I can’t see but once there’s movement, it’s like air conditioning.
Suits like this are worth the money, even if it seems like a lot of money. ATGATT.