Olympia Moto Sports Jackets/Pants

[Mark Jags]

I have the opportunity to become a dealer for Olympia Moto Sports and was wondering what models the forum members like.
Opinions appreciated.

[ConPilot1]

Personally I'm done with Olympia. The only Olympia product I've ever liked was my Bushwhacker air mesh in high viz.
AST was the biggest waste of money ever, leaked like a sieve and was a Velcro nightmare.
The Airglide ll rode up my waist when I sat on the bike and I had a big pouch of jacket materiel under my chin.

No more.

I went with a couple Stich' jackets, Darien pants, and never looked back.

[Cablebandit]

My AST doesn't leak.  I'm very meticulous about closing up the zippers and closures though.

[ConPilot1]

Meticulous when on the fly is a PITA.

I wanna go zip zip zip when I'm on and off the bike on the run.
Nothing worse than having to futz around with your jackets.

I've heard disappointing things about the Ranger pants as well, which were touted as a very good waterproof pants. NOT according to a couple reports I've read.

And as far as improper pocket/velcro sealing causing the leakage on the AST, it wasn't. It was on the back of the arms, shoulder/elbow seams. Nothing to do with velcro closures.

[Cablebandit]

I have the Ranger pants as winter pants.  They work alright but I really don't like the knee armor in any of the Olympia stuff.  If you're not a fatty they just don't fit.  My Rev'it pants have a nice "cup like" pad that worked well.  The Olympia ones push my knee cap to the sides.

[Justin]

One thing the AST does well is venting. The downside is that it has more opportunities to leak. I get damp spots on the arms and chest right where the awesome vents are. Not terrible, but still not waterproof. As I live in the west, the venting is more important 95% of the time. It is not the most comfortable jacket either - seems to bind and pinch in spots. I probably would not get another Olympia - back to Firstgear for me next time.

[Cablebandit]

It never occurred to me that the liner could be pinching me.  I only use my AST during winter and it always feels like I have a roll of dimes in my armpit.  I thought it was due to being bundled up, but perhaps it's a design issue.  Back to Rev'it for me when the time comes, or the BMW Ralleye 3.  It's the only jacket I've ever tried on and it just fit.

[Justin]

It never occurred to me that the liner could be pinching me.  I only use my AST during winter and it always feels like I have a roll of dimes in my armpit.  I thought it was due to being bundled up, but perhaps it's a design issue.  Back to Rev'it for me when the time comes, or the BMW Ralleye 3.  It's the only jacket I've ever tried on and it just fit.

Nope it's not the liner. I get the exact same thing in the armpits/shoulder area, liner in or out. The liner makes it seem worse, as it fills up what little slack you may have in that area.

[Cablebandit]

Yeah the sleeves don't seem to have a forward cant to them.

[Croak]

I've been using the Airglide 3 (newer model) jacket and pants since last year.  Like the jacket itself a lot, with the liner in it does not leak, it's been a good all around jacket, even in winter riding (with a Gerbings).  Wore it to the National last year, and that trip was pretty much a deluge the entire time, Vancouver to Rapid City and back.  No complaints at all about the pants, once again with the liner in they're dry.

That said, the mesh parts on both pieces have a real tendency to "fuzz", which I'm not happy about, especially the gray mesh on the jacket.  

[ambientboy]

I really enjoy my Olympia Bonneville (in sand/pewter).  Although I think everyone has moved those to closeouts.  Either way, it's really cool in the summer, warm enough for fall/spring with the insert, and I get great looks wearing it.  I also have received "Damn, you're hot in that jacket." and "That jacket makes you a total badass! ..yum." from a couple female friends of mine...so I'll count the style as pretty spot on.  It's quite comfortable to wear off the bike, too.

My only qualm is that on my Bandit, it rides up when I tuck.  Thankfully it has the belt loops in the back so I can loop through my belt and fasten the jacket to my jeans.

[Mark Jags]

Thanks for all the feedback folks, good and bad. Kinda surprised to hear about the complaints on the AST jacket. Another forum I'm on had pretty much nothing but good to say about it.

[MrsCablebandit]

I've been using the Airglide 3 (newer model) jacket and pants since last year.  Like the jacket itself a lot, with the liner in it does not leak, it's been a good all around jacket, even in winter riding (with a Gerbings).  

This, with one difference. I've had the Airglide 2 jacket and the 3 pants since July 2010. (Caught the 2 on close-out.) With a heated jacket liner, I've worn this combo in the 30s and 40s with no complaints.

One thing I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE about Olympia pants is that they come in one length that allows you to have a seamstress alter them for your height. It's a smart strategy on Olympia's part, too...no need to stock different inseams. But I loved being able to take mine to my seamstress and have pants that are the perfect length FOR ME.

[Cablebandit]

 But I loved being able to take mine to my seamstress and have pants that are the perfect length FOR ME.

 

[fishhuntride]

I bought the X Moto pants and the GT Air Transition jacket last year.  I think they offer a decent value for what you get.  Venting on the jacket is very good.  The pant vents don't do a lot when sitting but are better than solid material.  With the liners in, they are fairly warm and still comfortable.  They offer a lot of adjustment to get the fitting right.

That said, the knee armor wants to rotate to the side of my leg while seated and I'm not sure it would be where it needs to be in the event of a get-off.  Another issue I have is with the separate waterproof liners.  They are not easy to get on standing on the side of the road, especially the pants since I'm standing there in my underwear while doing it.  I use them when I'm home on cool/cold/damp day but on a trip, I carry a separate rain suite.

If I were to buy new gear now, I'd still look at Olympia but would also look at other higher end options like First Gear, Dainese and Alpinestar.

[three west]

One thing I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE about Olympia pants is that they come in one length that allows you to have a seamstress alter them for your height. It's a smart strategy on Olympia's part, too...no need to stock different inseams. But I loved being able to take mine to my seamstress and have pants that are the perfect length FOR ME.

This is the reason I bought my airglide pants.  
I really like the pants, but they are a little too big around, and as such, don't always hold the knee armor where I believe they should (which, as a member here noted, is pretty much the sole purpose of mesh pants).

Still, I'd buy them again because of the quality level and the length.

[FJRmgm]

I've had the Airglide 2 jacket and the 3 pants since April 2005.  

With the liners, I've worn this combo in the 30s and 40s with no complaints and been very comfortable.

I love the way the outfit looks and fits me and versatility of it.

[ConPilot1]

Another forum I'm on had pretty much nothing but good to say about it.

Probably just a bunch of bullshitters anyway. Everybody knows we're the real riders and EOE on everything, especially gear and apparel.  

[Chuck 500]

I bought an Olympia GT Air Transitions jacket and AST pants in summer 2008. (First suit)  Use it for commuting and travel.  As such, i sized everything to wear over street clothes.  Jacket is very versatile with major vent panels and two stage liner.  I've used it in temps from 25 to 115.  Only had it leak once.  Last weekend (Feb 10) I did 450 miles i pouring rain.  Pants soaked through at about hour 5 and I got seepage doen the collar.  All other areas stayed dry.

[MK96xj]

Had an AST and HATED it. Sold it last year. It was a straight jacket, leaked, sewed seams sucked, and my major complaint was that the arm buckle was right wear my arm bends causing a great deal of discomfort. 
The Ranger pants are ok and I still use them. They are not waterproof either.
I also have a pair of recon mesh pants. These I like.