'stitch vs Darien

[bomber]

if the Darien jacket and pants zipped together, wouldn't you basically have a two-piece stich?

[KLRchickie]

Nope, they don't zip together. Jacket is long enough I don't really think they need to though.

To my way of thinking it is physically impossible to have a jacket "long enough" to keep from riding up if you go sliding in a feet first sort of direction down the road...

[Mrs. DantesDame]

To my way of thinking it is physically impossible to have a jacket "long enough" to keep from riding up if you go sliding in a feet first sort of direction down the road...

Bingo.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

if the Darien jacket and pants zipped together, wouldn't you basically have a two-piece stich?

Judging from what people here say, no. The Darien apparently fits "looser" than a 2-piece stitch. Also, the Darien material is slightly less abrasion-resistant than what they use in the stitch.

[ConPilot1]

Just have your needle Maestro seamstress girl who does your gear for you to stitch in a circumferential zipper. Could probably just seal the seam up with Gore-Tex tape
and you'd have your attached Darien jacket + pants. Could be done. Ask Aerostich if they could do it on a new suit delivery.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Yeah, I don't have any problems having Carol add a zipper to the Darien, other than the *idea* of having to have her add a zipper to the Darien. You'd think that they would have taken care of that already, ya know?


When I get closer to pulling the trigger, I'll call them up and have a pros/cons discussion with them directly.

[ConPilot1]

Lemme tell you something though, that Darien suit is the most comfortable SOB of a riding suit you'll ever try.  

I still say go for it, you like the 1 pc and you've outgrown a 2 piece, so you know what the 'Stich quality is like. Darien is equally quality stuff,
just a little different form and fit.

Dorky, but functional beyond belief. The zippers across the back with the pit zips and crack the chest zip on a warm
day and the airflow is killer. I think when I wear mine out finally, (who knows when that might be) I'll probably put another Darien suit in the closet.

[KLRchickie]

Lemme tell you something though, that Darien suit is the most comfortable SOB of a riding suit you'll ever try.  

Only if you're shaped like a Darien suit...

I'm truly not trying to be difficult, just pointing out that we're not all shaped the same!  I believe I read that this suit has a very "relaxed cut" --- for me that would mean I could expect it to fit like a bag - and I wouldn't trust it to hold armour in place over the pointy bits in the event that I went sliding in it.

[ConPilot1]

Only if you're shaped like a Darien suit...

I'm truly not trying to be difficult, just pointing out that we're not all shaped the same!  I believe I read that this suit has a very "relaxed cut" --- for me that would mean I could expect it to fit like a bag - and I wouldn't trust it to hold armour in place over the pointy bits in the event that I went sliding in it.

Very relaxed cut. Izzz baggie no doubt. The armor staying in place hasn't been an issue for me with the jacket, but the pants armor might need a little custom velcro position work to make it comfy.

I'd say the cut of the Darien should accommodate most body shapes.

[bomber]

Only if you're shaped like a Darien suit...

I'm truly not trying to be difficult, just pointing out that we're not all shaped the same!  I believe I read that this suit has a very "relaxed cut" --- for me that would mean I could expect it to fit like a bag - and I wouldn't trust it to hold armour in place over the pointy bits in the event that I went sliding in it.

And herein lies the major difference between the Darien kit and the RC (according to the mothership) . . . . the RC is recommend for more hauling the mail kinda applications, while the Darien is recommend for dual sport, wretched weather, and basically slower riding (all paraphrased, of course) . . ..

[Doug Just Doug]

DD: FWIW, I have ~100K miles in 2 pc. Roadcrafters, Dariens and AD-1s.

Fit: RC is closer/sportier. Darien allows more layering and "expansion" room.

Crashworthiness: Dunno 'cuz I've never crashed in any of them. The Darien armor never feels like it would be out of place in a crash. If I had to pick one to crash in today, it would be the RC for its ballistic patches.

Weatherproofness: Not much difference; I've never had the RC Wet Crotch Syndrome. If a had to pick one to ride thru a hurricane, it'd be the Darien.

Aerodynamics: RC wins. Closer fit so arms don't flap as much. However, it's never been an annoyance with me with the Darien. Much depends upon your bike's wind protection.

Ventilation: RC is good but the Darien wins. With no liner it passes significantly more air.

Pants: RC more protective but much less convenient IMO. I wear Darien pants or AD-1s even with my RC jacket. Dariens are brilliant and probably slightly more protective (Cordura v. plain ol' nylon), but AD-1s are comfier with articulated knee and, gusseted crotch, and have covered front pockets.  Both are equally waterproof and both allow for a lot of layering.

Bottom line: I this gear whore had a gun to his head to choose only 1 set to ride in forever, it would be Darien jacket with AD-1 pants. The fact that the Darien is both warmer-wearing in the cold and cooler-wearing in the heat tips the scales.  BUT, I always tell folks considering the FC v. Darien question to not agonize too much over the decision: you won't go wrong with either.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

DD: FWIW, I have ~100K miles in 2 pc. Roadcrafters, Dariens and AD-1s.

   Thank you!


Now what's an "AD-1"?  

[ConPilot1]

   Thank you!


Now what's an "AD-1"?  

See how nice and helpful and productive STNR's we are??


The AD-1 was a just re-engineered Darien pant for cut/fit. Supposedly a trimmer cut, not as straight and baggy with a gusseted crotch area, and I think they had a cargo pocket on the pant leg??
Correct me if I'm wrong here.
I've heard no complaint's either about the AD-1, but last I knew they were discontinued. I just checked the catalog that sits on my desk and I don't see the AD-1's listed.

[bomber]

Thanks, Doug!

[Doug Just Doug]

Re: AD-1 pants. They're still being sold. I find no difference in the fit other then the roomier knees. They're very similar to Dariens but have a few extras. All the differences are spelled out on the website: http://www.aerostich.com/ad1-motorcycle-pants.html  Unlike the Dariens, AD-1s are not made in Duluth so no alterations, but Aerostich will still repair them. I've had a few minor items repaired and the pants re-DWR'd by Aero a couple of times.

[scottdc]

To my way of thinking it is physically impossible to have a jacket "long enough" to keep from riding up if you go sliding in a feet first sort of direction down the road...

Ah, good point, my mind was on weatherproofness and riding up on the bike. I do know a few folks who have had offs at 35mph+ in a Darien  without any jacket riding up related injuries or issues but there's so many variables in a crash probably better to have it altered to zip together than not. Might look into doing the same for mine now actually...

Also for anyone going the Darien/AD1 route I bought my AD1 pants on the small side and found the TF5 hip pads (same as SAS TEC) a more comfortable fit as they are much thinner. Swapped the armor in my jacket as well to the SAS TEC pads and it reduced the bulk quite a bit.

[Doug Just Doug]

Tip for anyone wanting to use the TF-5/SAS-TEC back protector: it's only $45 from RevZilla v. $100 from Aerostich. Hate to cost Andy G. any sales, but that's a huge difference.