One or two piece suit for sport touring?

[Baz]

Well Santa asked which one to get. I have never used a one piece suit.

[Sport-Touring]

[Baz]

Wow, this is beginning to be an easy pick!

I currently use a two piece and it appears most of the others on here do also. So what is the bad idea of a one piece?

[Daniel Kalal]

So what is the bad idea of a one piece?

I have both.  I prefer the one-piece.  

(If the answers were the same for all riders, they wouldn't sell both kinds.  What others prefer won't always be what you prefer.)

[falcofred]

I prefer the Aerostich two piece with the bib option. That way when I stop to rest, pee, eat, etc. I can take off the jacket and still have the pants on with the bib (suspenders) holding them up.
I have to say, that I never considered the one piece, but friends of mine have them and if we stop along our route, and its warm, they always peel the upper portion off, and have it hanging around their waists, arms dragging, etc.
The two piece zips together, but when I have it zipped together it kind of crotches me when bent over on a sport bike. If you have an upright riding position bike, that wouldn't be a problem. There is also an extension piece you can order for the one piece for a sport bike riding position.

[maddjack]

I favor two pc as it just seems easier and more convenient to me

[Orson]

I have both.  I prefer the one-piece.  

(If the answers were the same for all riders, they wouldn't sell both kinds.  What others prefer won't always be what you prefer.)

whut he said  

me personally, I stay in the saddle all day, except for lunch, so I go with the one piece. Plus I don't like drafts and every now and then, you get a draft with a two piece.

[traveler]

I have a variety of gear, including a 2-pc 'stich, 1-pc leathers, and 2-pc Firstgear. Since the question posed specifically says "touring", my vote went to 2-pc.

I find my 1-pc leathers' biggest drawbacks are when managing a bathroom break, and the fact that it cannot accomodate wiring for electric vest.

Additionally, the 1-pc leathers, fitted properly, should be very snug (mine are), which precludes layering when needed.

Just my $.02, probably worth less. YMMV.

[tyler73]

I think that the key to this poll is "touring". I concede the fact a 1 piece suit offers better crash protection and element protection (assuming it's designed to). I think that the fact touring involves long hours, changing environments, mixed weather, and stops along the way makes versatility the primary factor in any gear. I try my best, after learning the hard way, to follow ATGATT but...I still have days that I don't wear the full on race pants (slower group rides), only the jacket. I fear I wouldn't wear a 1 piece suit but 25% min. to 50% max. and it would be a waste of money.

A point in favor of 1 piece suits to consider is that 2 piece systems tend to separate on sliding impacts. The little 8 inch zipper doesn't do all that much to keep the pieces attached in a hard fall and slide. Another thing found out the hard way...

[Baz]

I appreciate everyone's input.

I would never win an Iron butt for the simple fact that I can't go past a Tim Horton's without stopping. I think the two piece will probably work a little better. (It is what I am using now)
 

[Kamzilla]

After years of using a two piece for all day touring, I've just switched over to a one piece option.  I like the functionality of it, with ease of taking it on and off, lots of pickets, and the fact that I can put it on or over clothes in less than a minute.  Sure, you can get two piece suits that offer that also, but it's just my own preference.

I still have a two piece option though, with A Stars pants and a Joe Rocket jacket for short distance riding.  They're pretty sporty, and when I want to go across town, hang out, and not bring luggage on the bike to lock it up, this is my choice.

[Corbeau]

I appreciate everyone's input.

I would never win an Iron butt for the simple fact that I can't go past a Tim Horton's without stopping. I think the two piece will probably work a little better. (It is what I am using now)
 

In which case you'll need the two-piece, considering that each time you stop at Timmie's to fill your mug of coffee, you need to stop at the next Timmie's to empty your bladder.

Your options are really either a two-piece 'stich or a catheter.  

[Rocket_Cowboy]

I like a one piece suit when I'm at the track, but I prefer a two piece suit when traveling.

As others have mentioned, with the two piece suit it's easy to drop the jacket when you stop for food or gas. Likewise, once I get to where ever I'm going for the day, I can drop the pants and still wear the jacket if I just need to run into town for dinner or what not.

The two piece suit also overlaps the pants better, and seems to protect better from the "crotch soak" symptom that the one piece seems to have when it gets wet ... water pools in your lap then soaks through, making it look like you pissed your pants. The two piece suit hasn't done that to me.

[Baz]

Well kids, its all settled. I picked up an Olympia AST today. (Will I ever be suprised on Christmas day! ) It was a dreary overcast day and that bloody jacket was blinding me from the back seat.  

Now I just need to look at pants.

[rabbott5]

On warm days its nice to take the jacket off when I stop.  It would be a pain with a one piece.

[ksann]

Great example:
Last weekend on a ride with a few other members from here, one went to get dressed for dinner, and realized that he accidentally grabbed his wife's pants (yes, we know who wears the pants in that family), so he unzipped his jacket from his two piece, and  joined us for dinner wearing his riding pants.

I like redundancy.



ken

[Dr Gil]

I use a two-piece Aerostitch...but always keep them zipped together for safety reasons so I might as well have a one-piece.  

The only time the two piece comes in handy is on exceptionally hot days when I just wear the jacket with a pair of Draggin' Jeans.  Also the two-piece outfit doesn't make you look so much like you're wearing coveralls.  

[R.Markus]

I voted two piece. I can get to my handgun faster that way.

[lifeisabeach]

Once you reach a certain age you find when mother nature calls and you're out in the middle of BFE. By wearing a two piece you may find life treats you much better, because it's easier and most of all FASTER to rid one's self of the lower section so you can take care of business. Plus the lower section ain't in the way (Or so I've been told).

Be safe and prepaired.  

[steve.ski]

2 piece for me as well. My TourMaster pants will zip to any of their jackets...

[Tobes]

I like the versatility of the 2 piece.  At the Long Beach motorcycle show I checked my jacket and wore my mesh riding pants while walking around.