a cool one piece

[melodicly]

I guess I am stupid but I have tried to search this and other topics both here and on advrider. I get everything but what is related to "one piece suit" or even "helmet". So if there is something I am missing let me know and I will stop posting things that are already out there I am sure.

I figure you guys know the heat here pretty well, so I figured I would try here first. I want a one piece becuase I think with a two piece I am likely to not put on the pants all the time for a quick ride. All I have really seen is the BMW and Aerostitch and they both look good, but what is going to the best for the 7 months of heat here? It disappoints me that the Aerostitch requires you to buy the hip/back pads seperate and it still seems to cost more than the BMW. Opinions... Thanks guys. If I can ever get caught up from my recent trips I am going to try and make it out to meet you guys one night. Seems like a great group to me!

[Juice]

This is going to be my next suit in high vis. I wish I would have had the funds to pick one up before my ride out west but shit happens.....Phantom One Piece Suit (http://www.bmwcyclesdaytona.com/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=MO140&Category_Code=olympiasuits)

[Juice]

From Fittys ride report

http://fitty.smugmug.com/photos/187917366-L.jpg

[melodicly]

yep...me thinks this is the one. I hate that hi-viz color, but would gladly take it over black! A light grey would be nice. I guess they stock those at the local Beemer store, but anybody stock aerostitch to try on or is it just an order, reorder, try again and maybe get it right? Oh and isnt' that suit about half of what a new aerostitch costs?

[ka5ysy]

Here ya go:

http://www.motoport.com/detail.asp?InStock=1&PriceCall=0&Merchant_ID=633Pm22C&Product_ID=900.102.162&Merchant_Company=Jackets%20Department&Category=Kevlar


They can add reflector/hi vis panels on this.

I have the two-piece version and really am impressed with the suit in hot weather. As long as you move and do not sit still too long, it is quite comfortable in the 100 degree plus days we have been having. The armor is outstanding. I believe you would be more satisfied with the two piece in 3/4 length like I havel

The rig gets cold in the winter, to the point that I put on my rain suit over the kevlar to maintain airspace insulation.

If you would like to see the gear give me a shout.

I am considering adding a jacket in the ultra-stretch kevlar in bright yellow.

[Dirty_Sanchez]

Here ya go:

http://www.motoport.com/detail.asp?InStock=1&PriceCall=0&Merchant_ID=633Pm22C&Product_ID=900.102.162&Merchant_Company=Jackets%20Department&Category=Kevlar


They can add reflector/hi vis panels on this.

I have the two-piece version and really am impressed with the suit in hot weather. As long as you move and do not sit still too long, it is quite comfortable in the 100 degree plus days we have been having. The armor is outstanding. I believe you would be more satisfied with the two piece in 3/4 length like I havel

The rig gets cold in the winter, to the point that I put on my rain suit over the kevlar to maintain airspace insulation.

If you would like to see the gear give me a shout.

I am considering adding a jacket in the ultra-stretch kevlar in bright yellow.

+1 on the Motoport.

I have the Kevlar mesh 3/4 Jacket and Kevlar mesh pants with armor all over.

Wearing that suit makes me feel like I've been drinking all day. No, not in a bad way, Motoport makes me feel 10 feet tall and bullet proof.

Hommie don't play around when it comes to this riding gear. I can't imagine anything else that is as stout as these threads.

It's sorta cool being able to wear riding gear and not worry about getting killed by a stray bullet or knife fight.

Start reading up on the Cycleport/Motoport thread over on Advrider. You'll learn all you need to make a wise decision.

I've been in below freezing weather with the rain liners installed with long johns/jeans/heated jacket, all the way up to August 24th South LA weather.

Drop me a line and we can meet up somewhere to swap tales and check out my jacket and pants.

The you can see right through the weave.

Shorts and a T shirt plus Motoport in the summer is the gnats ass.

Dirty

[melodicly]

you guys with the kevlar....how do the pants zip to the jacket? Is it a PITA to get together ? does the zipper go all the way around? looks like good stuff, but I am just not sure I would go to the hassle of zipping pants to jacket for a short commute everyday. As I went to get lunch yesterday I had 8 people pull out right in front of me while driving the explorer with headlights on during the day! This was all in three or four blocks too! There was a 'busa (shorts and tshirt) riding my ass and I could tell he was gettin pissed about me slamming on my brakes, but when he started to pass me he saw why I kept slamming on my brakes (almost got tboned) and got back behind me! He did finally start to give me a little breathing room, but I couldn't believe he was riding my ass so hard after all that! So long story short I want to be able to quickly and easily put on all my gear. Anyone tried the kevlar one piece. They are certainly proud of the gear ($$$) but it sounds like they have enough protection to be worth it. Thanks for the input!

[Dirty_Sanchez]

My jacket and pants are two different pieces.

My Motoport top and bottom do not zip together.

The jacket goes on just as fast as any other jacket. Zip her up.

Step into each pant leg that was unzipped from the last time you wore them, hold the buckle area and zip the right leg down, throw over the velcro flap, zip the rest of that leg up clip the belt/fastex buckle, then zip the other leg and throw the flap home, and you're done if you don't have to shake the boys or pull down the legs of your shorts.

I'd say it's a 30 to 45 second lifetime event.

Once the top and bottom are on, you can go out, play in traffic, get pulled around by a mule by your ankles, or try to get mugged.

I bought my set used from a guy in Austin who had a suit custom made for his weight, height, inseam length, chest measurement, etc. After talking to the guy, all of our measurements were identical.

Freaky it was. I picked it up for a bit more than half of retail. But new, they are pretty spendy. But what's a year's worth of pain agony, and multiple skin graft operations worth to you?

A decision we can only make for ourselves.

You feel invincable and abundantly protected in the stuff.

Dirty

[DukeRyder]

I stupidly hesistated on buying a Roadcrafter 1 piece in my size that was on clearance from Aersotich for $499 (used ones sell for that sometimes).

The only reason I wanted a suit was because I never wear the pants when commuting and the RoadCrafter seemed the way to go because it was Water Proof, no liners or rain over suits necessary. How many times do you leave your house and it's birght and sunny only to run into a down poor only 5 miles away...I have a summer jacket that I use but has a zip in liner, I've got caught many times in the rain but have rarely had the liner in.

Just something to think about...

[melodicly]

My jacket and pants are two different pieces.

My Motoport top and bottom do not zip together.

Dirty

that doesn't make you nervous of the jacket pulling up on you should you slide feet first?

[2Evil4U]

I just picked up a used Roadcrafter one piece off EBay. I've put about 700 miles on it so far, about 600 last weekend. Even with the vents closed. (I forgot to open them) it really wasn't bad at all until I got into traffic near home. (And even than it was better than my black leather HD FXRG jacket w/chaps.) I've got about 1500 miles planned between this coming and next Sunday so I can give a better report then.

I like the fact that it is machine washable (I looked like a huge love-bug splatter when I got home) and you can re-waterproof it with NikWax spray on stuff. (Available locally at the Massey Outfitters at the mall on Corporate.)

[melodicly]

That nikwax stuff is great! I have a goretex jacket that is about 9 years old and when I washed it with the nikwax it was like new! Lookin forward to your report. Did you have any fit problems with the suit, or is it more foriving than I have read?

[2Evil4U]

I got pretty lucky fitwise.

I wear a 44 suit jacket and the suit I found on Ebay turned out to be a 12 year old 44 Regular.

I'm 6', 200lbs with a 32" inseam and 35/36 arm length for dress shirts.

The suit fits about as well as I could have hoped. The arms are just long enough that my short gloves don't leave much gap. There is an amazing amount of room vertically in the suit as well. The wearer could probably be up to about 6'2 and potentially a 34-35" inseam and they suit would still fit.

Very comfortable when riding as well. I'm impressed so far.

[ka5ysy]

that doesn't make you nervous of the jacket pulling up on you should you slide feet first?

Dale:

The 3/4 length jacket has proper retaining setup adjustment with the waist belt to avoid a pull-up. The pants also ride high to maintain coverage.

One of the things you should watch out for in any gear is whether the fit is correct. It should be somewhat snug rather than the loose fit you see in lots of jackets and pants.

The waist-length jackets have lots of straps on the arms, and sides to set up the snug-fit requirement. They do have a zipper attachment that is harder to get together than the two-piece 3/4 setup to get into.

Interesting trivia note: The Motoport kevlar gear is the only textile suit approved by race authorities, so if they are impressed with it, so am I.

Here is a good article comparing the two best: Motoport vs. Aerostitch:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/motoport/

Here is a user report from AdvRider

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80138


The only problem I have with the 'Stitch gear is that it is like an oven when the temps are over 75 degrees.

Doug

[melodicly]

Well that was about all the info I needed. Thanks. If I am going to spend that much money, why not go with the mesh? It only makes sense. It does disturb me a little that the jacket and pants don't connect, but it sounds like a solid system as long as the fit is right. They are ugly but then again so are hospitals. Thanks again, looking forward to gettin up to the red stick for some classes! Got to get the gear first though! A friend of mine was giving me a hard time about looking to spend more on gear than a bike. I just told him "If I had been riding since I was a little kid like you I probably wouldn't worry about it, but fact is I want to go out and have fun on a bike and that means I will probably lose it at some point. The last thing i want is to be riding all puckered up not having fun because I am worried about road rash!" Thanks for the great info guys!