Aerostich Transit Suit

[Oxblood]

Well, last week I bit the bullet and ordered a Transit suit from Aerostich. It arrived today. In a word: AWESOME! It fits well, the leather is not stiff, and will take little time to break in, and we are scheduled to get some rain tomorrow, so I can put it to the waterproof test.

The cut of the suit is more generous than a racing suit. It also lacks all the goofy panels, and none of the garish colour schemes so popular with most suits. It is black. That's it. Stitching is good, and fortunately there are ample pockets. My soft shell fits underneath nicely so I will not freeze in cooler weather.

I'll add more as I get it out for rides.

 

[Mrs. DantesDame]

 

[Oxblood]

Soon. I just got the suit today! LOL.

[Lawn Dart]

Soon. I just got the suit today! LOL.

Fuck soon.  The masses demand NOW.  

[miles]

A whole lot of us  have been waiting for a real-world review of this suit.

[Rincewind]

 

 

[DNA]

That suit is pricey - is it really worth the substantial cash?


 

[MadOzodi]

Forget riding in the rain, just put the suit on and have someone take video while you're getting doused with a garden hose...and, of course, upload to ut00b immediately after...

 

[motormike]

Do you guys actually want to see him decked out in the suit?

I'm sure he'll look similar to this but with a head, hands and feet.

http://www.aerostich.com/transit-two-piece-suit.html

And here is a pic of an actual dude in it.

http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-suits?cat=31

[Oxblood]

That suit is pricey - is it really worth the substantial cash?


 

After Sunday's ride back from Olympia, 4.5 hours in the pouring rain, yes, it is worth the price. I am really impressed with this suit.

I had the new Transit suit out for a good ride this weekend. I went down to Olympia for the Lee Park's TCR course. Friday was a nice, warm day. I superslabbed it on the I5, averaging about 70mph the whole way.

The suit was awesome. I did not overheat, and the suit blocked the wind very well. The rear vent, when needed added a nice bit of circulation to keep the body temp down.

The fit of the suit is generous, and not like racing leathers at all. There is little to no binding or pressure points. The leather is heavy, but supple. It basically breaks in almost immediately. Overall, the suit is extremely comfortable, and 5 hours on the bike was not an issue in the Transit.

During the day of the course we had balmy weather, with mostly clear skies. Standing around got a bit warm, but with the main zip opened a bit, and riding the air flow was nice and things got a lot more comfortable.

By the end of the day we were hit with very heavy rain. A deluge, if you will. The Transit did not let the water pass! It did it's job well. I spent almost two hours all told exposed to heavy rain, and I was fine.

Finally, Sunday and I had to ride for almost 5 hours in a heavy rain storm, from Olympia back to Vancouver. Alas, I left the rear vent wide open, and my neck gaiter was not properly adjusted. Some water did seep in. In an effort to keep the gloves dry, I pulled the gauntlets inside the sleeves. this allowed water to migrate inside and up the sleeve. Mind you it took a long time (3 hours) for it to be noticeable. At that, there was very little.

All in all, the suit is worth the high price. I am happy with it.

Oh, and I hope to get around to some pics soon.

[cognosticator]

Nice write up and glad to see that it is waterproof.  I was wondering if it really was.

I probably won't ever be able to afford one, but it sounds nice.

Thanks

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Out of curiosity, would you be able to give it a fair assessment of how it compares to a standard stitch? Maybe some day you and a stitch owner can get together and compare them  

From what I read from Aerostitch, the Transit gives something like 2/3s of the protection of the standard suit. I'd be interested in how they calculated that

[cognosticator]

From what I read from Aerostitch, the Transit gives something like 2/3s of the protection of the standard suit. I'd be interested in how they calculated that

78% of all statistics are made up on the spot  

[Rincewind]

Do you guys actually want to see him decked out in the suit?

Yes, otherwise what's the point of asking for pictures?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Do you guys actually want to see him decked out in the suit?

If he's cute, he can post pictures of himself without the suit  

[Oxblood]

If he's cute, he can post pictures of himself without the suit  

Cheeky girl   Come to national and find out

As to the comment about 2/3rds the protection, I do not recall reading that on the site. But if they said it, I suppose it has to do more with the length of the jacket, as the Darien and Roadcrafter are proper 3/4 length jackets. The Tranist jacket does fit longer through the torso than a typical race jacket, or "bomber" style. It overlaps the top of the trousers and fits snug at the hip. There is an elastic drawsting to further cinch the fit. The jacket does zip to the trousers, and the trousers have a high back. Without having worn another Aerostich 2 piece suit I cannot definitively say one is better than the other. However, having ample experience with other 3/4 length textile jackets, and textile pants, I find the protection much more than adequate.

Plus, ya get that cool factor of black leather   You're on a bike, gotta look mean and cool, right?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Cheeky girl   Come to national and find out

   I'd love to! (well, come to the National. Not sure about the second half of your sentence    )

As to the comment about 2/3rds the protection, I do not recall reading that on the site.

Ahh - that'd be my fault. I wasn't thinking "Transit" as in "leather", but instead, I was thinking of the new "lightweight" aerostitch that they're offering. I'd have to say that yours is probably more protection than the standard stitch    My mistake....

[Oxblood]

   I'd love to! (well, come to the National. Not sure about the second half of your sentence    )




Ahh - that'd be my fault. I wasn't thinking "Transit" as in "leather", but instead, I was thinking of the new "lightweight" aerostitch that they're offering. I'd have to say that yours is probably more protection than the standard stitch    My mistake....

What? You don't want to know if I am cute or not? Oh pooh!  

I just checked the page, and yes, I think you might have been thinking of the Darien Light, which uses a lighter weight nylon than the Cordura used i the Darien and Roadcrafter. Though I can see how some could argue that, as the Transit is not a 3/4 length jacket it would not provide as much coverage. That said, after my prolonged ride in the downpour on Sunday, I'd say it performed very well. With the exception of a couple of configuration errors on my part (which allowed some water to migrate in), the leather itself stood up to the test.

When using this suit in heavt rain, use a neck gaiter, and do not tuck the gauntlets of your gloves inside the sleeves. That ought to keep you good and dry.

[Major 662]

When using this suit in heavt rain, use a neck gaiter, and do not tuck the gauntlets of your gloves inside the sleeves.

When the gauntlets are outside the sleeves, things are better when you're moving, but in a good downpour, the water'll come down your sleeves into the glove when you stop or slow.

Thx for the Transit review -- I was one of the legions of folks waiting for a review!

[Oxblood]

When the gauntlets are outside the sleeves, things are better when you're moving, but in a good downpour, the water'll come down your sleeves into the glove when you stop or slow.

Thx for the Transit review -- I was one of the legions of folks waiting for a review!

Its a conundrunm, to be sure. Reduce the water running down the sleeve into the glove, or have the water litereally wicked up from the sleeve cuff into your arms. I have heated grips, so damp gloves, unless it is brutally cold are not a huge issue for me.

And you're welcome regarding the review. I had the chance money wise to get one, and thought I would share my opinion on the suit's performance. I will be certain to update as time passes as well.