Forums > Parts, Accessories & Gear > New suit - BMW or Aerostich??

I definately know that teh BMW suit is a lot cooler in the summer -Ihave also placed this thread over on the UK GS site and have had a lotof replies.  They seem to favour the BMW suit buy maybe that'sbecause they have little experience of Aerostich.

---------------------------------

Everyone is entitled to my opinion!

We had a BMW Kalahari suit for a few years and I guess we got used to them. Then we got the Savanna I suits, those were better. Last year we got the Santiago suits, those are mush better. More vents nice fit. The size is a little different. Sanvanna I - US42?EU52. Santiago US40/EU50      Its like a half size difference. Be sure to try them on. 

I have several friends that have Aerostich's and they say they are hot and that the all the zippers leak in the rain. They now have to take rain gear with them.

When we get up in the morning if it cool out or coludy we put the pant liners in. If it is hot and it rains we ride through it.

The sizes I listed were my jacket sizes, my pants are Jeans 36x31 (tight I am gaining weight) Savanna I -US46, EU56. Sanitago US44,EU54

 E-mail Suzanne at Sierra BMW. She knows how to fitpeople over the internet/phone. they do a lot of internetbusiness.  suzanne@ sierrabmw.com

I have the Aerstich, Darien suit and have been very satisfied.  I have riden in 38 degrees in the rain with the liner and Widder vest and have riden in 100 degrees with no liner - poured water on my shirt and in my helmet.  With Alabama weather, I needed a suit more for warm (hot) weather than cold but have found it very good in both.  The suit never leaks and has held up very good.

Having a few miles on the new gear from Tucker Rocky – all I can say is WOW.  Some how luxurious and riding gear are not normally in the same sentence.  After years of riding in a jacket that was a  stiff as a cardboard box when I got it and still that way after 200,000 miles it is great to have something that is fitted and feels fabulous against my skin.   Right out of the box the jacket felt great.  Has a soft silky smooth lining on the collar.  The liner does not cling to your sweaty skin as you slide the jacket on or while stuck in traffic on a hot desert day in Yuma AZ.

 

            The pants I received in ladies size 16 were too high in the waist   resulting in the hip pads hitting above the waist and the top of the knee pad hitting me mid knee when sitting on the bike.  I returned them and await another pair in a different size. 

 

            The TPG gear as presented to my husband and I is built around a system of garments.  The first part, consist of a base layer of garments which are wicking, anti-bacterial and offers SPF protection.  Living in the desert southwest I rode for years in cotton t-shirts under my riding gear and put up with all the pit falls of this natural fabric.  I eventually graduated to wicking fabric and eventually to the Under Armor garments.  While these garments work well to keep you dry they quickly pick up body odor and offer no SPF protection.  The TPG base-layer  is awesome – It is light weight, very warm, wicks well and breaths so you do not over heat when stopped.  It is designed to work with the jacket and has vented areas which match the Jacket.

 

           

            I have the Rainier Jacket in Black and Yellow combination.    The color combination is attractive and provides contrast to improve visibility.  It also has well placed reflective surfaces which are visible from all angles.  To top this off it has a little gap in the fabric in the center of the back yoke to attach a clip on LED style light which can be found at many sporting good stores and Wal-Mart.  I clipped mine on the jacket and used it to riding to work.  It stays put even when I take the jacket off and pile it in the corner of my cubical. 

 

            Pockets – pockets – and more pockets.  Polaroid film fits very nicely in pockets and being water proof  you can carry that spare pack and not worry about it.  There is even a small pocket on the sleeve and one on the shoulder for keys or change.  Inside the outer shell are more pockets with one accessible with the main zipper closed (great for the cell phone or wallet) and others accessible with the main zipper open.  When the weather turns fowl there is a built in hood designed to be worn under the helmet.  This eliminates the rain getting down the back of your neck.  Some day I may get a chance to test this feature. 

 

            The sleeves have a Velcro cuff and a zipper.  Once they are adjusted with the Velcro  you can use the zipper to don and doff the garment.  Once I figured how to cock my elbow I can pull the zipper closed most of the time on the first try.   Also the end of the Velcro tab has a tab for grasping and to keep the excess length from sticking to everything (Thank you Mark).  This was one of my pet peeves on my last jacket.  The Velcro wrist strap would catch on everything and come open.  And it was difficult to close.  These issues are gone with this clean design. 

 

            Straps on the waist allow for expansion. . . .  enough said on this topic.  Also small zippers at the hips allow for expansion.  There is a grommet for threading the cord for your electric garments which makes for a clean routing of cables.   Nice touch.  

 

            VENTS that work – YAAAA.  Tested it at 97°F and they work.  They have a clever little drawstring which puckers them open so they scoop in air which flows over your body and exits out the back.  Will see how well they work at 118°F. 

I have had BMW suites, Aerostich and Rev-it gear.  All very good.  If you can't find the new TPG suite then look at the adventure suite from Rev-it.  Has both BMW and Aerostitch beat hands down for quality and price. 

I have over 200,000 miles on my Rev-it Jacket and just got the TPG gear.  With over 600,000 miles on BMWs I know how important good grear is - and want something that will last thru all the elements.

Good luck

---------------------------------

Evedrake - Ride Fast, Ride Far, Ride Safe, Love Life

About the only USA sewing is custom and a low rate production - most of the suites are made in India or some such place.  Andy claims production wassuch that he could not FIND enough people in America to sew the garments as fast as demand and he did not want to increase the size of the production place.

---------------------------------

Evedrake - Ride Fast, Ride Far, Ride Safe, Love Life

I use the Aerostich Roadcrafter. Get it loose enough to be comfortable around the waist and you'll be very happy with it at any temperature.  I'm comfortable riding in 29 degrees with jeans and a fleece sweater underneath. The RT heated grips and seat with my Roadcrafter are all I need.

I have the one piece Aerostich Roadcrafter. I am a rounder and I can tell you that living in Idaho it is COLD in the winter;I ride if I can leave the house with no snow on the ground. Coldest this year so far is 12 degrees. I can tell you that my Stich works perfectly, easy on and easy off. I have ridden for hours in a steady rain with no leaks. The suit is well made and is like a suitcase that you wear. I have also ridden when the temps are close to 100, I think that I stay comforatable because my persperation does not evaporate right away. My two cents worth.

I have the Aerostick Roadcrafter jacket with Darien pants. May be an odd combination, but offers me the posibility to take the jacket off and walk with the pants on when needed. (you need and additional piece to attach to the roadcrafter pants with suspenders to do that, which I did not like so much)  It is the only riding gear I have. I traveled in New England with torrential rains for days continuously and stayed completely dry. Rode in Arizona in 100 degrees, and with the ventilation zippers open was fine while riding.  Have used it in 36 degree temps for day long rides and with proper gear under the jacket(electric vest) I can ride for hours comfortable.

It is not fancy but rugget and well constructed. That is my experience so are after 4 years of intensive use.

---------------------------------

The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only one page - 'Saint Augustin'

And ocassionally Aerostitch has sales on their demo or training suits, from low $500 to $650 areas!

They send me Email notices and then just wait for your size and color and you get a good deal.Just sign up your E-Mail address to get first shots!

I'm just concerned about how hot they get in the summer, you can always put more clothes on, but only take so much off! [Or Ride Naked, as Alaska Leather bumper sticker recomend !]

JC

---------------------------------

'06 ducati 620 Multistrada; '81-ish BMW R100 "Project Enduro Rat"

Some general thoughts:

I spent about 4k in BMW apparel in the past 4 years for the wife and me. I like it, even though the price tag is hefty. 

About a year ago I experienced something that turned me off to the point where just won't buy BMW stuff any more, no matter how good it is. I had a complaint about a minor $ 80.- issue and both, my dealership and BMW Apparel USA were total schmucks about it. My dealer told me to complain with BMW apparel, and BMW Apparel basically told me (after not getting back with me for a long time)  that I am screwed, and there was nothing they could or want to do. After 2 cars, 2 bikes, and 4k in stuff, have a nice day!

At every Costo or Sams Club customers can give stuff back if it breaks, no questions asked. When a company like BMW claims to be the best, and charges top dollar, I expect top-notch customer service, and no stonewalling.

 Sorry to say, but BMW Apparel USA is on the low end of the totem pole, as far as customer service is concerned. 

 

---------

REVISION.

03/01/08: Was at Bike Week in Daytona, met the BMW regional manager while I was buying a black leather jacket for my wife at BMW Daytona. He asked me about my experience with BMW gear. I explained that I generally like BMW gear and am satisfied with the quality, but also pointed out my disappointment with the gloves and BMW Apparel USA's handling of my complaint. He apologized, grabbed a pair of new gloves out of the shelve and handed them to me, assuring me that what I experienced with the gloves was not BMW policy. Thank you BMW. 

  

 

---------------------------------

If Harley built an airplane, would you want to fly in it?

Take this for what it's worth as I'm a newbie to the forum and riding, but I have been accused of being a pretty demanding consumer.   Like you, my style falls on the conservative side, so I was hesitant to get the BMW Ralleye-2 gear, but I came across a deal that I couldn't refuse.  The fit was great and I had read great things about BMW's equipment testing (ultimately chose function over form).

Having worn it for a few months, the looks grew on me.  Aug/Sep, I was very impressed with how effective the venting is.  In Nov with the liner, I was equally impressed with how wind-tight it was when riding in to work at <30 deg (actually think it would be toasty warm if I added a heated liner).  No experience riding in the rain yet, but based on the design/materials, I anticipate that the outer shell might hold some water, but the liner will keep me dry.

Hope this helps.

j

If I am going to make a long trip and want to keep the gear to a minimum, I believe that I would be happy with my BMW Comfort Shell Suit.  It is waterproof, it breathes, the jacket has vents, etc.  I have been pleasantly surprised with it.  I like the Summer 2 Pants better, but they aren't quite waterproof.  I have tried the Airflow mesh jackets, mesh pants, etc., too, but have found that the Comfort Shell suit is more than up to the task IF YOU WEAR THE PROPER GOOD, WICKING UNDERGARMENTS for hot weather, and good insulating underwear and a jacket liner in the winter.  I haven't tried it out in sub-freezing weather, though, but I do love the set.

Maybe not as rugged or overall as useful as a Rallye suit, but for my kind of long-distance touring, it is just right.

 Orv Hengen

IMHO If you want to dress to impress go with the high end stuff. If you want protection for $300.00 this is well worth the money!

Fieldsheer Highland One-Piece TX Suit

Hope you find what you are looking for!

RR

 

---------------------------------

Why are you reading ths?