Roadcrafter Light One Piece Suit #297

Customer Reviews

Looking forward to many many years with this suit. Review by Brendan

I've had the RoadCrafter Lite Suit for about a month now and, because of the early nice weather here in MA. I've already been commuting with the suit everyday. Got home one night and noticed 23 degrees! had my Gerbing heated jacket and I was comfortable! That's saying something, 40 mile commute, mostly highway. Today for example it was 80 plus? did I mention a whacky march here in the NE? Used the venting the suit employs and was very comfortable. Fit is excellent. Having used the sizing chart the person who sized me got it perfect very happy. Suit is not inexpensive, got mine with pads, and am incredibly happy it fits so well. It's an investment I'm glad I made and the only other thing, and time will tell, is that I have it it for a long long time. (Posted on 3/20/12)

A great suit Review by Skip

This suit is lighter than the original Roadcrafter but still very substantial. It has a wide range of temps depending on your bike's fairing (or lack of). After a half dozen trial runs on and off it's getting easier! I chose a one piece to "force" me to wear lower protection as I'm always tempted to ride in just jeans if it's not too cold. Haven't had the opportunity to test it in the rain but the updated zippers and storm flaps certainly look to be up to it! I've had it for about 5 months and no buyer's remorse. Recommended! (Posted on 3/8/12)

Amazing Suit Review by Ryan in Sydney, Australia

Firstly, let me say that the customer service experience was extremely smooth - and I would highly recommend anyone who is unsure about sizing to contact the guys and gals at Aerostich to help you decide. I had originally been sized as a 40L - but living in Australia decided I wanted further confirmation before pulling the trigger and was sized up to 42L. I am so glad I did email, the suit fits like it has been tailored for me and the 40L would certainly have been too snug. To help, I am 6'1-6'2 athletic lean frame, 41" chest, 33" waist around 180lbs.

A note on the 'Not Made in America' argument that is doing the rounds on many of the bike forums. Are these people serious? Which made in America mobile phone are they using? Do they all ride American made bikes? Was their new flat screen made in America? Get real - this is the modern world - even Apple products are DESIGNED in California and MADE in China. Stop being so hypocritical. Most of the 'shoddy' production issues from the 80s and 90s are now a thing of the past. And that brings me to the suit itself.

This is one high quality piece of kit that has had some amazing thought put into its design. On my first try I got it on and had it zipped up and locked down in about 30 seconds. I wouldn't even care if it continued to take that long to get into, it's still quicker than my old gear and I don't have to change outfits when I get to the office! There are pockets galore, plenty of adjustability and
the armour (which came already positioned in the suit!) seems spot on (I opted for the hip pads also, and will be installing a back pad soon). It's pretty warm here in Sydney today, around 85F and the suit is fine with shorts and shirt on under it. The venting system works great.

Oh, by the way, the zippers work perfectly - another thing I have read a lot about - people can't seem to work the zippers! How can you operate a motorcycle if you can't work out a zipper? Baffling.

If you are ordering from outside America.... I live in Sydney, Australia - placed the order on Sunday night 12/02 (my time) - I got it this morning, Friday 17/02 - through FedEx. I tracked the parcel all the way. Just be sure to get the right size (through honest accurate measurements of your own body) and don't hesitate to buy one. Sure it seems like a lot of money in one hit - but spread it out over 10 years and it's less than a $100 a year on high quality gear.

Stay safe.

(Posted on 2/17/12)

Repaired suit received Review by CharlesG

I just received my repaired Roadcrafter suit—it looks great. I was also very pleased at the cost of the repairs ($153) in light of the damage to the suit.

I couldn't be more pleased -- now I just have to finish repairing my Bonneville.

Charles
(Posted on 12/23/11)

Good Suit Review by Jeff

I'd been ogling these suits for years - wish now I had just dove in back then and saved all the money I spent on interim solutions.

First let me say I don't expect one suit to be perfect year round. I want my winter suit to be storm proof. I don't want to carry rain gear in the winter. Other than winter, I expect to wear a ventilated suit and carry rain gear.

So you won't hear me complain that this suit is too hot.

The sizing app had me at a 46 Long w/ the advice that I'd have to have the legs shortened - I'm 5' 10'' 200#s 36 30 pants, 44 - 46 suit jacket. I got all the pads. They take up some room in the suit - the hip and back pad takes some space reserved for my gut. Still fits - I'm not returning it - but if i was trying it on in a store I would have gone with a bigger size. The legs are also cut a bit slim - I'm not going to have them shortened. I wear heated gear so I don't need even more space for insulated clothes - which I wouldn't have room for. When it arrived, it was dark, 37 degrees and raining - I immediately took it out for an hour ride on my most exposed bike and was very happy with it. I'm still experimenting for the optimal solution for routing the wires for the heated gear. (Posted on 12/22/11)

Excellent with Caveat! Review by CarlM

Love the suit, fits great, high quality material, fit and finish with one exception...I really do not care for the main zipper function. Extremely difficult to get started from that top position and get both lined up. Easy to get into, but lands up sometimes taking 10 minutes vs 10 secs to get zipped and ready. Hopefully it will get easier with use and any operator malfunction will disappear with experience! (Posted on 12/16/11)

Some Light, Mostly Great Review by James

Spent a long time aching over RC vs RC Light, and here's what i've found after my first full day of riding. My basis for comparison: I've owned an RC 2 piece, an Olympia two piece mesh with liners '3 season' suit, and Vanson leathers. SO here are a couple of notes that maybe haven't been noted in The reviews.

I was originally thinking about a Darien 2 piece, but no short pants and I have length-challenged lower extremities. So I focussed on RC's the like.

Before I start, though.... This suit rocks. Plain and simple. No outrageous gadgets or silly features - just what you need, and well done at that. It's truly a Roadcrafter, only light! But, in case you wonder.....

I ordered a size appropriate suit. I wear a 42 S suit coat and have a 30" inseam, and bought a 42 S suit. It's a perfect fit: not too loose, room for a thin fleece. Enough velcro at sleeves, waist and legs to tighten it up.

Material is a bit stiff: pro= doesn't flap much. Con=Hopefully it will loosen up without losing it's laminate. I've always preferred Aerostitch pads to those in the Olympia or Vanson. They are not super stiff, mold to your angles once they're in the right place and are very comfy.

Part of being light is the lack of lining. With the back and hip pads it's not small enough to fit in my pannier (Old BMW stock boxes), but definitely less bulky than the RC.

This means a couple of things......

It weighs less, which i like.

It feels a bit of the breeze that the lining would have blocked, which is cooling in the heat (only up to 50's today) but cool in the early AM frost (easily overcome with a thin fleece at 30-degrees and hwy speed).

The lack of lining also means that the pads are not in pockets and can bunch up when putting the suit on & off. Something I'm still getting used to. On the other hand, they are infinitely adjustable.

Yup the zippers are stiff. So? It's a zen moment to practice gentle strength while focusing on the ride to come ;)

The new collar rocks. Adjust-ability, warmth - a really nice feature. Same for the new pocket liner.

5) Customer service is 2 edged. The suit came missing some velcro, though a signed quality assurance card was stuffed in a pocket. Then again, they were awesome in handling the exchange, reimbursed me for shipping without question. So it's a two edged sword!

SO I am really really impressed, and so happy I pulled the trigger.
(Posted on 12/8/11)

Customer Service Review by customerservice

Hi there Desert John.

Some of the Roadcrafter alterations (but not all) are available for the Lightweight Roadcrafter. We are adding more and more of these alterations as we learn how to do them. This one (stomach gusset) is not yet available.
All customer comments are reviewed by Andy Goldfine and others here.

Customer Service. (Posted on 12/1/11)

Customer Service Review by customerservice

Hi there Charles.

Sorry to hear about your 'slide along the road'
Really glad you are in one piece and were not seriously injured.
Send your suit in, we'll take a look at it for you and let you know what can be done.
Mark the box "Attention Jeff The Repair Guru" and he'll put his magical powers of repair to work on your suit :-)

Customer Service. (Posted on 11/26/11)

Saved my skin last week Review by CharlesG

I loved this suit before I ventured out last Thursday morning at 6:20 on my way to work. It had rained the evening before and the leaves that were on the trees two nights before were now in the street. I came to an intersection on a back road and pressed on my brakes. My bike hit the wet leaves and slide out from under me at 30 miles-per-hour.

My Roadcrafter and I slid through the intersection. I tore through the left knee (I had the additional pads), rolled on my back, and and tore an additional two holes. The only abrasion I had was on my left wrist between the suit and my glove -- very small.

Although I am still sore, and my bike needs some extensive repairs, my skin and my clothing are intact.

I will send my suit back for repairs. If it can't be repaired, I will order another one. (Posted on 11/25/11)