New Waterproof Leather Aerostich Transit Suit: My Review

[Beauregard]

I heard if you wear an Aerostitch on a GSXR your dick falls off.

Does this apply to the leather one as well?

 

[moriya]

Ok, that looks awesome. 3 hangups:

1. Price. This would be less of an issue if not for...
2. Vietnam? Really, could you not make it in the US for that price?
3. Longevity. I can't get used to the idea of the leather holding its waterproof properties for the (many) years leather gear lasts - any word on this, Gabe?

 

[ThumperX]

I heard if you wear an Aerostitch on a GSXR your dick falls off.

Does this apply to the leather one as well?

Sweetie....YOUR dick is not going to fall off!

 

[louemc]

When I attempted to buy an Aerostich I was advised I would best be fitted with a 2 piece; however, they wouldn't be able to accommodate my body type unless I compromised with a 38 pant to couple with the correctly sized jacket
When oh when are they going to realize there exists a female market with boobies and everything?

Ummm, all boobies aren't close to being a simular size (but you know that ).

Custom boobies require custom suits (but you know that )

If the boobies are small enough to not matter, though, it doesn't matter. (but you wouldn't know that ).

 

[greener]

Sweetie....YOUR dick is not going to fall off!

HD is already in the sidecar.

 

[masameet]

I heard if you wear an Aerostitch on a GSXR your dick falls off.

Does this apply to the leather one as well?

I know somebody in a 'Stich who rides a GSXR.

(It's a pink 'Stich too.)

j/k you know who!

 

[louemc]

I heard if you wear an Aerostitch on a GSXR your dick falls off.

Does this apply to the leather one as well?

How far could it fall inside the suit? It could be sewn back on, and with modifications if wanted. (how big is the GIXXR?)

 

[vaara]

I heard if you wear an Aerostitch on a GSXR your dick falls off.

Magnetic tank bag. Problem solved.

 

[V4]

only on teh BARF would a review topic turn into a pen0r and b00bies thread...

 

[Gabe]

Yep, it's pricey.

Aerostich wouldn't break down materials or labor costs for me, but I'm pretty sure there isn't a 600% markup on this suit. I'm guessing Aero is making just a few hundred bux per suit, which is why they only sell direct to customers.

The leather is made in Portugal, bonded to the Gore-tex lining in the UK, then shipped to Vietnam for cutting and assembly. Gore Industries has rigorous standards for garments that carry its labels, which is why most motorcycle apparel uses other systems like Hipora or some other thing. But if the label reads "Gore-Tex," you can be pretty sure it won't leak, ever, and that it is on a very well-made product.

My suspicion is that Aerostich didn't have the resources to train its workers and equip its factory to Gore's standards for this new leather. There really aren't a lot of leather craftsmen left here; 30 years of Walmartization of consumer products has seen to that. But it's all speculative on my part. In any case, the craftsmanship and quality of materials is as good as anything I've ever seen.

How long will it last? Well, here's the thing: Gore Industries takes its reputation extremely seriously, so it has (I assume) unlimited guarantee for any product with a Gore-Tex label. If any water from the outside gets in, it will repair or replace the garment. I could find no mention of a time limit on its website for this warranty. Gore does say the membrane will last a long time, but:

"It really depends on you. The GORE-TEX® membrane won't deteriorate with time, and our garments are guaranteed to be durably waterproof and breathable. Just use common sense and wear your garment for its intended use; i.e, don't wear a lightweight cycling jacket on a backcountry camping trip. And obviously, a ski instructor who wears his or her garment every day will need to buy a new one sooner than a skier who takes his or her garment out twice a year will. If you maintain your garment properly, you can expect it to last."

I believe them. The lining (that is bonded to the inner side of the leather) is actually made of PTFE, a plastic developed for NASA in the late 50s, which is how Gore made so much money. It's very flexible, soft and doesn't dry out or crack with age. The oldest Gore-Tex garments are approaching 30 years old now; maybe somebody reading this can dig up an old ski parka and stand in the shower with it and let us know how good it works? In any case, I think 10 years is a good lifespan for this kind of garment, and I would feel confident expecting it to last...that's only $150 a year...

Ok, that looks awesome. 3 hangups:

1. Price. This would be less of an issue if not for...
2. Vietnam? Really, could you not make it in the US for that price?
3. Longevity. I can't get used to the idea of the leather holding its waterproof properties for the (many) years leather gear lasts - any word on this, Gabe?

 

[Kestrel]

Still.. One accident and the entire thing could be trash. $1500 bucks is way ridiculous when you could spend 500-600 for a decent seat of leathers and next to nothing for a rainsuit.

The aerostich fit the niche perfectly. Why would somebody spend 1500 bucks on waterproof leathers? The utility of the stich comes from its ability to be removed easily. Commuters aren't going to buy this; they aren't going to want to wear full leathers as much as something that is quickly and easily removed, without having to change clothing. Hence the original aerostich success...

If you're going to wear leathers, you might as well wear leathers less expensive ones at that) and take a rainsuit when it wears.

 

[tigerbeck]

He was quite the international man of mystery of the MSF class. Now in that leather suit he won't be able to keep em away!

Becky

Why not, "For the love of Gabe"?



Some pix of the man himself in his leather 'Stich ...

 

[masameet]

I read the story of GORE-TEX.

Do you know what it is?

It's rolled out teflon. Poly(tetrafluoroethylene) or poly(tetrafluoroethene). In other words PTFE. It's not completely impervious to water. But it does a pretty darned good job most of the time. Except a few Sundays ago on that Doc Wong ride. For me anyway.

 

[vaara]

Still.. One accident and the entire thing could be trash.

That's a good point. I don't know if they still do, or ever did, but IIRC at one point Aerostich offered a repair service for their Cordura suits. But if they won't do alterations or customization on these Transit suits, I assume that no repair service would be available. And if the leather is made from the purest unobtanium, as seems to be the case, then getting it repaired elsewhere would be problematic too.

 

[moriya]

Still.. One accident and the entire thing could be trash. $1500 bucks is way ridiculous when you could spend 500-600 for a decent seat of leathers and next to nothing for a rainsuit.

The aerostich fit the niche perfectly. Why would somebody spend 1500 bucks on waterproof leathers? The utility of the stich comes from its ability to be removed easily. Commuters aren't going to buy this; they aren't going to want to wear full leathers as much as something that is quickly and easily removed, without having to change clothing. Hence the original aerostich success...

If you're going to wear leathers, you might as well wear leathers less expensive ones at that) and take a rainsuit when it wears.

Here's how I look it - people who greatly value aesthetics. Let me explain:

The way I see, there are 3 things in the equation here - aesthetics, performance/convenience, and money. This goes for riding in general as well as your gear. For me, aesthetics was a big part of what got me into riding - the sensation of riding, the smells, the sounds, the feeling - it's all very important. Note that this doesn't mean "image" - I don't care about how I appear to others, I care about the sensations of riding to me personally.

Now, some value this more than others. I'm assuming most of us value it to at least some degree, or we would all be driving cars Now, lets take my case - I love leathers, its a big part of the aesthetics of riding for me. I have a textile suit for commuting, but it doesn't feel right, it compromises the experience for me. I wear this because in the case of commuting, I'm willing to compromise in the name of price and performance (waterproof, protection, warmth, etc). If I had a big bankroll, I would compromise on cost in the name of convenience and aesthetics.

Therein is your target audience - someone who values the look and feel of leathers, wants tip-top all weather performance, and is willing to throw down the big bucks to get it all.

Of course, your other target audience is mid-life crisis posers that have a lot of money and wont wear anything other than leather because it doesn't look cool.

 

[Gabe]

I hear this a lot from people when I tell them how expensive the Transit is. Then I realized how much people spend on custom roadrace leathers; $1500 will barely get you into a set of Helimots, and you'll use them what, 15 times a year? And getting them repaired is expensive, no?

$500-600 will get you a cheap, but uncomfortable suit with questionable build quality and armor. And getting a rainsuit over leathers is anything but convenient.

I have both a Roadcrafter and the Transit, and I like the Transit...I prefer the close fit and I like the way they look and feel. YThey'll last me 10 years or more. If I was a well-heeled guy who rode 10k or more miles a year (I ride more than that but I am not heeled), I think it would be a good value, especially when you compare it to the Rukka leather, which is made IN THE SAME FACTORY from the same materials and costs $3500.

I appreciate (and share!) your quest for ultimate value in bikes, parts and gear, but not everybody is looking for the cheapest way to do things. If that were true, there would be no car nicer than a Subaru on the road, and we'd all live in Modesto.

Incidentally, Aerostich has answered some questions in the last few hours:

-They have to wait and see what demand will be like before they offer additional sizes (womens, longs, shorts, etc.). They want to have sizes for women, but in this current economic climate, it might not be a good idea for a small business like Aerostich to develop and stock products they can't sell.

-They do expect to have repair capabilities soon.

-The factory in Vietnam is the ONLY factory authorized to make jackets out of the Pro-Shell leather, and several other brands are making their products there. Aerostich tells me the pay and working conditions are good...for that region.

Still.. One accident and the entire thing could be trash. $1500 bucks is way ridiculous when you could spend 500-600 for a decent seat of leathers and next to nothing for a rainsuit.

The aerostich fit the niche perfectly. Why would somebody spend 1500 bucks on waterproof leathers? The utility of the stich comes from its ability to be removed easily. Commuters aren't going to buy this; they aren't going to want to wear full leathers as much as something that is quickly and easily removed, without having to change clothing. Hence the original aerostich success...

If you're going to wear leathers, you might as well wear leathers less expensive ones at that) and take a rainsuit when it wears.

 

[littlebeast]

dude - i clicked, and made you $0.56 - you owe me. and since you are so fucking hawt - let me 'splain how you can pay me back.

 

[ThumperX]

Hey LB you want a custom Carbon Fiber corset bewbie protector to fit under yer stich?

 

[jrace]

Appalled? Do I look that fat?

Actually, it makes you look tall. Which is no mean feat.

-jim

 

[littlebeast]

Hey LB you want a custom Carbon Fiber corset bewbie protector to fit under yer stich?

haha - as if i had bewbies worth protecting. commando!!! (another VERY good reason not to wad.)