ROADCRAFTER, DARIEN, WHAT ELSE?

[Scout63]

I think the Transit is made in several countries.  The leather is processed in one, the Gore Tex bonded in another and the suit sewn in another. That’s why fitment is limited to exchanging for other sizes. The Aerosmith chart was useless for me and I had to send everything back for new sizes to the tune of about $70.00. Customer service is top notch and it was worth the hassle to get it right.

[n3303j]

No one else mentioned Dainese.
Been riding around in their Cordura / Goretex with removable liner jackets and pants for about 20 years. Keeps me dry, warm or cool as the weather requires. Zipper tabs were their weak point but I was riding 7 days a week and the zippers got a workout. Their newer stuff has more rugged zippers.

[Seventy One]

I think the Transit is made in several countries.  The leather is processed in one, the Gore Tex bonded in another and the suit sewn in another. That’s why fitment is limited to exchanging for other sizes. The Aerosmith chart was useless for me and I had to send everything back for new sizes to the tune of about $70.00. Customer service is top notch and it was worth the hassle to get it right.

The Transit WAS made in several different countries. The Transit is gone now and has been replaced by a non-Gore Tex version carrying the same name. They even transferred over the customer reviews from the old one to the new one. Customer reviews, pictures, testimonials, ect all of it was re-used for the new suit.

I'm a fan of 'stich but I am NOT a fan of what they did here.

For the most part I've been happy with my Darien jackets and pants. I do look at other brands from time-to-time but haven't found anything better. I even ordered a lower end Rev-it jacket a few years ago but was unimpressed with it and sent it back. I can't wear Klim because it doesn't fit well enough. If it gets annoying in the store after 3 minutes, it'll be torture on the road.

I don't trust waxed cotton in a crash. You might just as well wax a Carhart jacket. Protection isn't stressed enough.

[Travlr]

Transit suit for sale in Flagstaff.

M

https://flagstaff.craigslist.org/mpo/d/flagstaff-aerostich-transit-suit/7526286267.html

[LongRanger]

+1 for giving the BMW suits some consideration. My cordura / Gore-tex StreetGuard 2 suit that I bought in 2005 has held up very well, has a full complement of CE-rated armor, and remains fully waterproof after many washings. Not inexpensive but a good value for me nonetheless. I wear a Helite Turtle air bag vest over it for added protection (it deployed during a tip over and, based on how and where I hit the ground, really saved my ribs).

[kingoffleece]

My  former made in Vietnam R-3 Light was top notch quality.

For above: Gore-Tex fabric has a useful performance life.  At some point depending on a lot of different variables it will degrade to the point of functional uselessness.

Second, the fact that any breathable membrane is regularly renewed in no indication that it's "no good".  In fact, to work properly, every two stage membrane, like Gore and many others, needs the outer fabric to be treated on a regular basis to renew the DWR which then lets the two stage process operate as well as it can.

As an aside, IMO and many others, single stage membranes like eVent have a much wider range of breathability which translates to greater comfort, and also have  a few drawbacks when compared to two stage membranes.

[Gustav]

  Not trying to hijack this thread but, Fox Creek Leather in W. Virginia is a great retailer. Paul

[Furbo]

well,
 
not to put too fine a point on it......do you need another 35yr jacket? My son has a stitch - very good quality. I've used Dianese, Tour master, ISX and a terrific one piece FS suit. All good. As a 30yr Army guy, I don't really believe in "water proof"....delayed, yes, minimized, yes. I prefer armor over waterproofing - always use a decent Frog Togs MC 2Pc rain suit when travelling. Just too easy.  Good luck.

[JJ]

C'mon now...I just want to be DRY and COMFORTABLE...

[Scout63]

The Transit WAS made in several different countries. The Transit is gone now and has been replaced by a non-Gore Tex version carrying the same name. They even transferred over the customer reviews from the old one to the new one. Customer reviews, pictures, testimonials, ect all of it was re-used for the new suit.

I'm a fan of 'stich but I am NOT a fan of what they did here.

For the most part I've been happy with my Darien jackets and pants. I do look at other brands from time-to-time but haven't found anything better. I even ordered a lower end Rev-it jacket a few years ago but was unimpressed with it and sent it back. I can't wear Klim because it doesn't fit well enough. If it gets annoying in the store after 3 minutes, it'll be torture on the road.

Things I wish I knew a few months ago. Thanks for the info Seventy One.  In truth I bought the Transit mostly because it looks so good and is also waterproof and safe and I was feeling flush at the time. I’m also a little addicted to buying gear.  The BMW gear looks really nice. I’m such a poser. As we say about so many things - “any (gear) is better than no (gear)...

I don't trust waxed cotton in a crash. You might just as well wax a Carhart jacket. Protection isn't stressed enough.

[blackcat]

I crashed once, going about 65mph on a double lane back road with no traffic wearing the Fallstaff wax cotton coat and Roadcrafter pants. In the few crash’s I’ve been in the first thing that hits the road is my hip so I prefer pants with hip protection but the jacket took very little damage as I slid in a semi upright position on my hip/rear end. Same thing happened in another crash down Park Ave in the rain. I slid watching my CX pass me and made it through the light just as it turned red.  I’m positive that a more serious crash, I’d be better with leather or a textile garment.

[mojohand]

I have two Transit suits. I got the Gen2 first, and then the Gen 3 (they're on Gen 4 now). The Gen3 is for sale, if anyone wants one--Jacket is a 48R and the pants are 38R.

I totally dig the fit and feel of the Transit. It was waterproof for awhile, but now isn't. So, I wear either a Rev'It H20 rainsuit or the pants-and-jacket liners from my Rukka Air (which is my hot (above 90º) suit). The Transit now is fine for a quick light rain, but you'll get soaked in an all-day rain ride.

Here I am with my Transit and my HitAir vest. Ray is wearing a Rev'It jacket and Transit pants.