Braveman Posted March 7, 2004 Share Posted March 7, 2004 I'm thinking of getting a Kermit Chair for an upcoming camping trip. Are they as wonderful as everyone says? How do they pack on a bike? Is it worth the $$? Link to comment
David Posted March 7, 2004 Share Posted March 7, 2004 You can get a $20-60 chair at a good camping store like REI, but there's something kinda unique about a Kermit chair. They are no longer made by Kermit Easterling, but they are still made here in town, and I know the new owners and had breakfast today with the guy who machines the hardware (I have no affiliation with any of them). Kermit Easterling is a BMW rider (has four high mileage ones at current count), and lives in Pleasanton, TN, about 100 miles from here. The chairs are kind of legendary. When I got mine, I had never met the guy, but instead of having him ship it to me, it was an unusually warm day when he called to say that it was ready and so I rode over there to pick it up and get a tour of his "plant" (really an expanded garage). Kermit and his wife did all the work. He'd been making them for 10 years, and had sold 7,000 of them to riders (probably many of you). They are made of oak, stainless steel, aluminum, nylon, and cordura. Here's a picture of mine: The wood is oak, which is bought green and ages for at least 6 months--I saw the piles. The aluminum parts are sanded and then "tumbled" in an old cement mixer to make them smooth. The finish is a particular kind of polyurethane. They actually look a little flimsy until you put one together yourself (about a 30 second job, with no tools required). The workmanship is 9 on a scale of 10--pretty impressive: Sitting lower makes it harder to get in and out of the chair, but the ground almost acts like a footrest. If you want to sit up higher, you can get a "leg extension" kit for $20, which raises it another 7 inches or so. The four pieces just slip on the legs. The extensions are well made, but they will mark up the legs in time: It's just as quick to take it apart, too, and slides into its own cordura case (23 inches long). The whole outfit, in the case, weighs just under 5 lbs. The cordura comes in various colors. I can't remember which ones, though he suggested I go with black to hide the dirt. He didn't monogram them, but all I had to do was send my order to Ray Danley (4683 Birch Ridge Trail, Stone Mountain, GA, 30083, 770/593-1852, nammu@msn.com). I don't know if he's still doing them, but at the time he kept a supply of cloth on hand, and would monogram the seat back and the case for $10 each chair (plus $5 shipping). You had to specify block or cursive letters. He did it and sent them directly to the chair people, who mounted it on the frame. He's also the guy who can repair any cloth that needs it over time. There you have it. Handcrafted in the backwoods of Tennessee. Link to comment
BlackHorse Posted March 7, 2004 Share Posted March 7, 2004 Best damn camping chair I ever purchased. Had mine for 7 years and still looks like the day I bought it. Folds down small and compact. I highly recommned it. Link to comment
RPG Posted March 7, 2004 Share Posted March 7, 2004 if for nothing else, then because they're made in the US. It packs real easy on a bike. Comes in it's own "tent-like" stuff sack. Got mine for Christmas, so I haven't had a chance to really use it, but it's great for reading in my office while the snow's flying. Like I said, it's one of the few things you can buy today made here. Plus, most of the chairs I was looking at are real cheap looking. Link to comment
motojedi Posted March 7, 2004 Share Posted March 7, 2004 It's a great chair. I won one at last year's European Riders Rally in Burkesville, Ky. (it was the grand prize in their raffle). While it easy to strap on somewhere, it doesn't fit in the RT's side or top cases. Link to comment
DFlipp Posted March 7, 2004 Share Posted March 7, 2004 Okay David, you convinced me !!! Who & how do I contact the current manufacturers to find out about aquiring a kermit chair and the how much it will cost me? Link to comment
David Posted March 7, 2004 Share Posted March 7, 2004 Okay David, you convinced me !!! Who & how do I contact the current manufacturers to find out about aquiring a kermit chair and the how much it will cost me? David, I don't know, actually! They might have a web site now, though they didn't then. But I think they run a small ad in ON. Maybe someone will help out here. Link to comment
SteveW Posted March 7, 2004 Share Posted March 7, 2004 www.aerostich.com and feed "kermit" into the search engine... I'm seriously thinking abour ordering one too. SteveW Link to comment
BlackHorse Posted March 7, 2004 Share Posted March 7, 2004 Who & how do I contact the current manufacturers to find out about aquiring a kermit chair and the how much it will cost me? Here is what I found: Kermit Easterlings number is 931-729-9836 mctchair@centerville.net Link to comment
BlackHorse Posted March 7, 2004 Share Posted March 7, 2004 Who & how do I contact the current manufacturers to find out about aquiring a kermit chair and the how much it will cost me? Here's the address as well Kermit Chair Co. 1904 Skyview Dr. Centerville, TN 37033 Link to comment
Effervescent Posted January 11, 2005 Share Posted January 11, 2005 I've read this thread twice now and still don't know: what does it cost? What size does it fold down to? -Eff Link to comment
bmw_rider Posted January 11, 2005 Share Posted January 11, 2005 All the details you want are on the Aerostitch.com web site. Link to comment
Effervescent Posted January 11, 2005 Share Posted January 11, 2005 I've now read this thread three times! lol -Eff Link to comment
wuli959 Posted January 11, 2005 Share Posted January 11, 2005 Kermit Chair Website (direct) Specifications PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: SEATING SURFACE: SLING TYPE WITH BACK AND ARM RESTS SETUP/PACK: LESS THAN 1 MINUTE WITH NO SMALL LOOSE PARTS WEIGHT CAPACITY: 350 LB – TESTED TO OVER 750 LB PACKED SIZE: 4" BY 6" BY 22" SEAT HEIGHT: APPROX. 11.5" WEIGHT: APPROX. 5.3 LB WARRANTY: 5 YEARS COVERING FUNCTION MATERIALS: OAK FRAME COATED WITH MARINE FINISH, 2/3 LB OF ALUMINUM PLATES & BARS, NUTS & BOLTS OF STAINLESS STEEL, COVERS & BAG MADE OF 1000 DENIER NYLON PACK CLOTH COLORS: FOREST GREEN, BURGUNDY, BLACK & NAVY ALL CHAIRS HAVE BLACK BAGS ACCESSORIES: LEG EXTENSIONS RAISE SEAT HEIGHT TO 17.5” FORMED ALUMINUM TUBES WITH RUBBER TIPS PACKED IN A BLACK BAG 9.5" BY 3.5" BY 3.5" EMBROIDERY: NAMES AVAILABLE IN BLOCK & SCRIPT STYLES, MOTOMAN ALSO AVAILABLE PRICES: TOURING CHAIR $119 LEG EXTENSIONS $25 PER SET SHIPPING TO LOWER 48 STATES: TOURING CHAIR: $8 PLUS $6 EACH ADDITIONAL LEG EXTENSIONS PER SET: $6 PLUS $4 EACH ADDITIONAL OR $4 EACH WITH CHAIR ORDER OTHER STATES/COUNTRIES: ACTUAL SHIPPING QUOTED BY ORDER PAYMENT: CHECK, CASH, MONEY ORDER, VISA & MASTERCARD Link to comment
1flyer Posted January 11, 2005 Share Posted January 11, 2005 I stopped by their place outside of Nashville just before Christmas and picked up a green one. Good people to do business with. Not cheap but worth every penny. Only problem is getting it away from my wife. If in doubt, just get it and you'll not be sorry. Link to comment
BFish Posted January 11, 2005 Share Posted January 11, 2005 do they make a miss piggy chair as well? Link to comment
SAAB93driver Posted January 11, 2005 Share Posted January 11, 2005 I don't have one but I was at the GA Mountain rally a few years ago and it was one of the give aways for the drawing, along with a Roadcrafter jacket and a Garmin GPS all the way down to t-shirts and ear plugs. The Kermit chair was the like the third thing picked. Link to comment
tomk99r11 Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 IMO, which may not be worth much, they are grossly overpriced. You can buy a tripod stool, or camp chair for under $10 at alot of places. They are light, comfortable enough to sit around a camp fire telling lies and drinking beer, and if they break, you throw it away and buy another one. I have used a tripod seat for 3 seasons now, and have a folding camp chair used for off and on for 5 yrs now. Individual taste is just that though. IMO. Link to comment
CMWingfield Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 I've had mine a few years, and it is a fine camping chair. Packs small, sits big! Something new.... they're making a drink holder that clamps to the side of the front leg. Keeps ones brew from getting kicked over, if you know what I mean! Mike Link to comment
Effervescent Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 $126 shipped. Holy Moley! 6 x 4 x 22. -Eff Link to comment
BUSTED Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Well, they aren't likely to get cheaper. I thought I paid too much for mine when I bought them years ago. That $59.95 isn't looking so bad now! Link to comment
Motonut Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 they are grossly overpriced. You can buy a tripod stool, or camp chair for under $10 Yeah, but... I'll sit my old fart's butt in my Kermit for hours longer than you kin on yours. Kermit chairs are without a doubt one of the most comfortable little chairs in the world. They are CHEAP by my calculations...though mine was only $85.00 a few years back. If you can get past the sticker-shock, GO FOR IT! Link to comment
SSSR Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 At the MOA rally in Spokane last summer, the new owners had a display outside and were selling them for either $90 or $100, and they also had a prototype of a folding table, which was a bit smaller than the chair, and it looked cool. 2 days into the rally, I think he was sold out of the chairs and was taking orders. You really can't compare the Kermit chair to a tripod stool.. you can't drink as much beer and still balance on a tripod!! Link to comment
tomk99r11 Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Okay, this one makes me feel compelled to respond. MAYBE AN AMATEUR CAN'T STILL BALANCE ON A TRIPOD! MAYBE YOU SHOULD STAY ON THE PORCH!!!!!!!!! Link to comment
AdventurePoser Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 They are wonderful chairs, but are very heavy for their size. For us, that is an issue because we travel two up and camp from our R1150RT. Still, they are wonderful camping chairs. We wouldn't do without ours, even though the additional ten pounds is not fun! Cheers, Steve Link to comment
SAAB93driver Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 No disrespect, I don't even own a Kermit chair, but I don't own another type either,but I have investigated where some other types are made. Made in USA hopefully still stands for something positive. If I was in the market I'd pay what is asked for a quality item domestically made versus a chinese or other asian made product, I'm lucky I have the resources to do that I suppose. I really miss having a choice of products (in general) that are made in the USA versus other places. It's getting to the point where you don't have a choice. WalMart is the made in China king and that is a pity. I don't mean to hijack anything or take the thread into a new direction but I felt an urge to say my peace. Link to comment
dhb Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 I 'm a self confessed folding chair addict, having tried or bought just about every type of chair I could stuff on the back of my bikes. I always have a chair on the back and use it frequently. I do have a Kermit chair and admire its beauty, finish, and style--but it doesn't do the job for me and I use it rarely. Kermit problems: 1. heavy 2. assembly and disassembly time 3. pieces and parts to get lost, broken, need to pack 4. too low to ground--it's a chore to get up and down (I know there are leg extensions--more pieces and parts) 5. canvas and wood construction (I'm tough on gear) So far, the Roll-A-Chair fits my bill better than anything else I've tried on a bike. It weighs 2.5 lbs, has no pieces and parts, made of high grade thick wall large dia Al pipe and cordura nylon, no assembly, full chair height, good lumbar support, packs to a light small, short pachkage. Only problem: no arms. Oh, BTW it is made in the USA also--Spokane WA. I've found it at some camping places and also direct, but not sure if he's selling direct anymore. www.campmor.com has 'em at about $25 a pop. I've no connection with the manufacturer or any dealers etc. They're not gorgeous, but really work well. Dave Link to comment
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