I have received the verbal go ahead on a ‘Stich. I am leaning towards a lined roadcrafter vs the unlined R3. Thoughts from those of you that have either.
Aerostich Roadcrafter
- Thread starter cjames431
- Start date
sirbike
Site Supporter
For me the liner is too much warmer in hot weather.
It is easy to add a layer or have a warmer layer when cold. Can’t ditch the liner when it is hot though.
Besides that I don’t find the lined version is much warmer when it is cold.
Lined is easier to get in past the armor at first but after using the R3 a few times my entry past the armor became easy.
The thing that brings these suits much closer in cold weather performance is a rain shell.
Add a heated liner and there is no difference.
This coming from a well equipped freeze baby that has had both versions and will ride between 25 and 95f
It is easy to add a layer or have a warmer layer when cold. Can’t ditch the liner when it is hot though.
Besides that I don’t find the lined version is much warmer when it is cold.
Lined is easier to get in past the armor at first but after using the R3 a few times my entry past the armor became easy.
The thing that brings these suits much closer in cold weather performance is a rain shell.
Add a heated liner and there is no difference.
This coming from a well equipped freeze baby that has had both versions and will ride between 25 and 95f
sirbike
Site Supporter
Another thought.
I cringe to think less protection, however, if I do it over I think I’d go with the R3 light as that may be cooler yet while not sacrificing warmth when layered and or heated.
Justifying that if a roadcrafter or R3 is good for track use, and the light is 2/3rds the protection, then I should still be covered well for all but some highly illegal speeds sliding on the road.
I’d still go with the full set of armor for impact protection. I would also not do the R3 light tactical as I’d still want double layer at the knees and elbows.
I cringe to think less protection, however, if I do it over I think I’d go with the R3 light as that may be cooler yet while not sacrificing warmth when layered and or heated.
Justifying that if a roadcrafter or R3 is good for track use, and the light is 2/3rds the protection, then I should still be covered well for all but some highly illegal speeds sliding on the road.
I’d still go with the full set of armor for impact protection. I would also not do the R3 light tactical as I’d still want double layer at the knees and elbows.
amorley
Site Supporter
I have had two R3 Lite Hi-Viz suits. I wear them all year round, even in the hot and humid summer in south east Texas.
Easy to add layers or my heated gear when it gets cold.
I did upgrade to the T5 protection pads and a full back armour. I now where a Helite Turtle Airbag vest over the R3 lite.
Easy to add layers or my heated gear when it gets cold.
I did upgrade to the T5 protection pads and a full back armour. I now where a Helite Turtle Airbag vest over the R3 lite.
OP
OP
Called Stich and not included
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OP
OP
Ordered my Stich in orange and black with T6 armor and the T3 back armor.
skipcurt
Skip
Guess I'm late to your thread but I'll chime in anyhow. I live in the south and I rode to Stich to try them all on. I went with the original only because it really made me "feel" safer. It is hot but I always feel protected.
Good luck with your choice. I'm sure either way will be great!
Skip
Good luck with your choice. I'm sure either way will be great!
Skip
John OoSTerhuis
Life Is Good!
RoadCrafter two-piece with back pad, hip pads, and bib since 1988. 28°F at the Arctic Circle to 115°F in South Dakota. Heated jacket and glove liners and cooling vest, carried on all rides.
My first RC 2pc’s sealed seams gave up after 23 years. I still wear it sometimes... lovely broken in feeling, not to mention the faded cache. Still breaking in the replacement set.
Crashworthy. Love the new waterproof zippers. A well sorted piece of kit. Highly recommended.
John
My first RC 2pc’s sealed seams gave up after 23 years. I still wear it sometimes... lovely broken in feeling, not to mention the faded cache. Still breaking in the replacement set.
Crashworthy. Love the new waterproof zippers. A well sorted piece of kit. Highly recommended.
John
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CYYJ
Michael
OP
OP
I wear a two piece kit now and am fed up with zip up the inner liner and then the outer liner for each leg and then the jacket. I had a coworker who rides let me try his Stitch and he instructed me in the proper donning process of holding the open suit in front of me. Stepping into with the right leg and then right arm and in 3 seconds ready to go. Shaving 10+ minutes off my prep time for riding.
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It’s not that hot. Mine is the most versatile piece of riding gear I own.I have great respect for Aerostitch - I wear one of their Transit two-piece leather suits - but I have always been a bit wary about the one-piece 'Classic' Roadcrafter. When I look at it, I think of one of those boil-in-bag dinners, with me being the dinner.
Michael
OP
OP
I finally got the email that said it shipped. I’m so excited it will be here Tuesday. Now, on to figuring out why the bike won’t start. 
When I get a new one (every 20 years) I wash it twice with Nikwax before I wear it. Breaks it in a bit and makes it more comfortable.
Which one did you get? When you wash it, take it to a laundromat and use one of their larger washing machines. While I did wash my Roadcrafter once in my home machine, I don't like the additional wear and tear on a residential quality machine. Removing the armor from their pockets before washing is not easy, but it is doable (barely).
I have two Roadcrafters, both bought used on ebay. Yes they are warm on hot days, especially on my ST which has a larger Calsci windshield and the wind deflectors. I've gone to a two piece 'Stitch, mostly for its flexibility. It is a lot easier to walk into a restaurant for lunch and hang a jacket over the chair back than find a place for the whole suit (pants stay on).
I have two Roadcrafters, both bought used on ebay. Yes they are warm on hot days, especially on my ST which has a larger Calsci windshield and the wind deflectors. I've gone to a two piece 'Stitch, mostly for its flexibility. It is a lot easier to walk into a restaurant for lunch and hang a jacket over the chair back than find a place for the whole suit (pants stay on).
Enjoy your new Stich! I sure like my R3 Light down here on Hot Muggy GA
OP
OP
I ordered an R3. I can always layer when it’s cold but I’m not gonna ride necked if it’s too hot. Bags of ice Andrew lots of water when it is.
OP
OP
Can you see me NOW!
OP
OP
I feel like a cosmonaut. My initial review is very stiff. Literature says it will take a few hundred miles to break-in. I ordered the T6 armor in lue of the T3 for the shoulders, knees and elbows. I’m going to look at the armor pouches and try swapping my armor from my old gear. The T6 armor is not as flexible.
I was worried I had ordered the wrong size but the 40 regular fits my 5ft 7in, 160 pound, 30in inseam body just fine.