Jackets best 4 season jacket and pants

shadow

Hey,
Id love to hear the thoughts on best 4 season jacket and pants.
thanks
 
I've worn my Aerostich Roadcrafter (two piece) when it was 35 degrees and raining, 110 degrees in the shade, and all types of weather between those two extremes. It has always performed well and, for a motorcycle suit, is reasonably comfortable. I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in serious touring.
 
Jon - didn't your just get your Roadcrafter zippers or something repaired? That's another plus for Aerostich -they'll repair their garments at a very reasonable price.
 
Maybe I just can't stand the heat...but I lose my stich when temps get above 80. :( I switch to mesh stuff with a cooling vest when necessary.

My ST is a blow torch though. It's a real crotch rocket cooker...if ya know what I mean...

I'd have to say that the stich is a good 3 season suit. Fall/Winter/Spring but NOT summer!!!
 
I like my TourMaster Flex jacket. Bought it for all seasons and it has served me well from MINUS 5 F to plus 105 F. I do add a fleece jacket under it for the cold temps (well below freezing). At over 90 F I have all the layers out and the panels removed so it's a mesh jacket at that point. The new style TM Flex 2 jacket was changed for some reason and I don't know if I would like the change. They removed the rain/wind liner layer but kept the insulation layer. I like the rain/wind layer since that is what makes it perfect for 50 F to 70 F temps, and warmer with the insulation layer. I also wear the flex style pants. Wish I had the TM Flex pants with the insulation layer but currently have First Gear mesh with the rain/wind liner. With the liner in and with the minimal heat from the ST engine in single digit temps these are comfortable. The TM insulation liner would make it more comfy at zero F.

Jon - only 8 inches on the side? Of course you weren't in AZ then. I know it does snow in AZ (my mom lives in Green Valley) but not that much down south.
This winter the roads finally cleared enough here in central Iowa to ride with 14-16 inches of snow still on the side.
 
I have the roadcrafter and the Aerostich darian jacket. I love both but think the darian jacket has a larger temperature range. But I like the fit of the roadcrafter better. These are two very different jackets. And if you follow the instructions it can be a single jacket for all seasons. And Yes I have used the jackets in temps above 100 degrees. Yes they are warm but they are still cooler then riding without a jacket as long as you are moving.
 
I really don't think its even reasonable to expect a single garment to function well in every range from 10-110 degrees.

Above 85, just get some mesh gear, its hot out!

+1 I wouldn't expect this out of any other piece of clothing and a motorcycle suit is no different. When it is cool / cold outside protecting yourself in comfort is relatively easy. As it gets warmer and the layers come off protecting yourself while remaining comfortable becomes more challenging.
 
+1 on a mesh jacket being cooler in 100 deg temps than no jacket while moving. It always amazes me when I feel a *cool* breeze coming through the mesh even when walking fast. I'd say my TourMaster is good from 30 to hot, Hot, HOT! No, it's not like A/C, but it is better than nothing and has the armor for safety.

+1 also on the idea that no one jacket will work for ALL temps by itself. That's why I went for something that works better at higher temps. I can always add another layer for insulation at the lower temps. That's how I extend using my TM to below zero temps.
 
Darien light maybe with liner. I purchased a Fieldsheer suit last season, and I can't stand to wear it in anything but cold temps. I'm pretty sure it is not much warmer, if any, than the Stitch. Hey...I wore my Joe Rocket mesh pants and Fieldsheer mesh jacket to Moonshine this year. SO, what do I know?
 
I have a Scorpion Commander for the 3 cold seasons. It works wonderfully down to 0 w/o adding extra heating. Does work (albeit not wonderfully) in temps up to 90.. but I'll usually ditch it at 75-80 and switch to the Hat Trick for 50-95F or my FG Torrent for really warm riding 80-100+.
 
Karen said:
I really don't think its even reasonable to expect a single garment to function well in every range from 10-110 degrees.

+1 I wouldn't expect this out of any other piece of clothing and a motorcycle suit is no different. When it is cool / cold outside protecting yourself in comfort is relatively easy. As it gets warmer and the layers come off protecting yourself while remaining comfortable becomes more challenging.

Yes ..... I wouldnt expected that either.
But .... my Flex 2 series does just that ! Loving it !
 
My Rukka APR3 is touted as being a four season jacket. It definitely fits the bill cold weather up to 90. I have had success in cold weather with the jacket in temperatures below freezing. It is has gortex liners for the rain as well.

www.rukka.com/

The stuff works but is expensive
 
It depends a lot on the individual as well. Some people can wear a Stitch in temps below 30 degrees all the way up to temps into the 100's with no problem. I, on the other hand, break a sweat just slipping my suit on in the air conditioned house. I am going to give the suit an honest try this summer, but I just don't think it is ever going to work as a summer suit for me. I think I will be stuck using it for the winter and my mesh for the summer. This is the suit I have:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkWvHe-DNYc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tCJnRCvnvQ&feature=related

For the summer, I could probably wear this:

http://www.olympiamotosports.com/stealth/stealth.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWe-qirdTs8
 
If you can only own one riding suit: Aerostich Roadcrafter 2-piece w/hip and back pads, bib. Add cooling and heated vests and you're good to go. Mine's 20 years old and 150K now and still works fine. Tested from below freezing (Arctic Circle) to steady 115?F (all afternoon in SD).

John
 
If you can only own one riding suit: Aerostich Roadcrafter 2-piece w/hip and back pads, bib. Add cooling and heated vests and you're good to go. Mine's 20 years old and 150K now and still works fine. Tested from below freezing (Arctic Circle) to steady 115?F (all afternoon in SD).

John

Well like I've already said, I have a very hot ST1300.

I have exactly what you mention above and there is no way I could wear my stich in temps above 95?F no matter how fast I was going or how much air flow I had. IMO, you are seriously jeopardizing your health by doing so.

There is absolutely no air flow to your lower legs with the stich on even with legs on HW pegs.

Staying cool can be a challenge in hot temperatures despite the underarm and back vents (hip vents are worthless with hip pads in). I even partially unzip the sleeves, chest and inner legs, but doing so too much compromises crash protection.

I just find it hard to believe that riders wear this thing in such HOT temperatures. The difference must be my very very very very very HOT ST1300. :(
 
... there is no way I could wear my stich in temps above 95?F no matter how fast I was going or how much air flow I had. IMO, you are seriously jeopardizing your health by doing so.

I was just fine with my cooling vest, Rodger. I even buttoned up a bit (and closed my face shield to the hot wind blast), and other than being a bit damp and clammy, felt pretty good when I finally pulled into a motel for the night, as I'd kept my core cool. Here's something that may be of interest to those that are convinced of the necessity of mesh/perforated garments in high heat:
http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/ExtremeHeat.html

Just my opinion, of course, and might very well vary from yours.

John
 
Back
Top Bottom