Is there hope for my STIFF Aerostich riding gear?

[JustBeeming]

I got an Aerostich Darien jacket and pants....they basicly fit. The jacket is really roomy accross the back ... Im a pretty small build.

 

I love the construction of it and the features ...BUT It is STIFF like a board.

 

The collar winds up around my ears... it is so rigid! I feel like an elf in a football uniform in there.

 

 

PLEASE Tell me to hang in there with it and it will soften over time.

I got a good deal on it new with tags off ebay and the Kanetsu electric liner fits in it perfectly. It looks like the perfect cold/wet weather gear if I can get it to cooperate with the body within.

But if it remains as stiff as it is now I will hate it and lets face it, we don't wear the gear we despise....so I may have to move it along.

 

Whatch think?

 

JustBeeming

04 R1150r Black of course.

[Lineareagle]

It will take time. Like anything you are trying to break in make sure you break it where you want it broke.

I've washed my stich twice now and it is still a tad stiff but I like it like that doesn't bother me.

[nbooth]

There is no hope for this. Remember how you felt when your Mom bundled you up in the winter? think of it like a warm embrace from a loved one...

[JustBeeming]

 

Are you serious, If you are and have experience this gear remaining stiff FOREVER I will sell it to someone who likes it that way.

 

I am guessing that you just think it's funny (sick humor that you have) that I ask about the stich. I have always heard they are stiff, but this was beyond my wlidest expectations. Way beyond.

[Mike]

Well, think of it this way: If you fall off and break your leg, you've got a ready-made splint, already in place.

 

Okay, here's the deal: Aerostich gear does soften up over time. A couple of cycles in the washer and dryer will speed things along. If you do that, though, don't forget to replenish the fabric's water repellency with something like NikWax TX.Direct wash-in waterproofing.

 

However, I've never gotten to the silky soft stage with my Aerostich gear. It's a pretty robust Cordura fabric with a Gore-Tex layer bonded to the Cordura, so it will never be as forgiving as some of the gear with thinner fabrics. But it does get much less stiff after it's been worn and abused for a while.

 

Also, you mention that the jacket's roomy across the back. If you don't already have it, I'd suggest that you buy an Aerostich back protector. It will eat up a little bit of that space and provide you some critical protect in a vulnerable area of your body.

 

BTW, welcome to BMWST.com.

[russell_bynum]

What Mike said.

[JustBeeming]

Ha

Splint? More like a casket!

 

I am debating whether Or not to invest the time and energy to break it in....I look like a total newbie in the thing too....I have like..'NO Credibility!' It is so NEW and gorky.

 

Thanks

I like the back pad idea. I have those in my two more broken in jackets. It is the neck that gives me the most distress....I feel very priest like.

I have plenty of Nik Wash.

Encourage me!

[DavidEBSmith]

I look like a total newbie in the thing too....I have like..'NO Credibility!' It is so NEW and gorky.

 

Just go out and roll around in some mud, splatter some oil on it, let a wet dog sleep on it, and tell people it's stiff from all the grime you've embedded in it in your many miles of adventure touring.

 

Or get some Authentikrud.

 

[skyking44]

THe neck is designed to tuck up under your helmet. When you zip up and fold over the velcro to close the front, you will not get rain water or cold down your back in bad weather. I have been riding with a "Stich" for over ten years, on my second one. I love the feel and protection it offers. When it starts to rain, just keep on going, you will stay dry! I have been riding in 100 degree heat, you just open the back flap, wrist zips and the air flows through and out. very cool. Been riding in 25 degree sleet and it will keep you warm and dry. No drafts!

[Mr_Ed]

It is STIFF like a board.

 

When it starts to loosen up be sure to use Aero-starch to get that like new feeling again.

[George Brown]

Bug juice helps a lot!

 

Seriously, mine is about 6 years old and its been been pretty comfortable for the last 5 years or so. I washed it about 6 times the first year. Since then it gets washed at least three times a year. Its like a good wine, better with age!

[flat_twin]

It will take time. Like anything you are trying to break in make sure you break it where you want it broke.

I've washed my stich twice now and it is still a tad stiff but I like it like that doesn't bother me.

 

I agree, wash it a couple/three times. (take out the pads first!) Throw a pair of tennis shoes in the dryer for extra pummeling. In time the suit will soften and become very comfortable.

[Mike O]

I got an Aerostich Darien jacket...

 

Could you tell me what size the jacket is? I need to know before I suggest that it'll stay stiff forever and that I'll take it off your hands and I won't charge to much...

 

Actually, it'll soften up after a thousand miles or so but last 100,000 miles later.

 

Mike O

[NoHeat]

There was a poster over on advrider who ran a sewing business on the side especially for this problem - you send her your Darien jacket, she covers the collar with something softer and ships it back. I think she got a lot of takers. No experience myself. You could search advrider for the details.

[dmk]

I agree with what the others have said. It took me a full riding season and several washings to get past the initial break-in. Since then, I wash it approximately once a year. After each washing, I spray it with Scotch Gard to restore the water repellency. It fits me like a glove, but it will never be soft and coddling like street clothes. No good motorcycling apparel ever will be.

 

I got my 'Stitch way back in 1993 and it's been my primary riding gear for 14 seasons. So far, I've replaced both sleeve zipper pulls and the velcro on two pockets. That's it. I crashed lightly on the track with it, and it didn't even need repair. It has held up better than I would have ever expected.

 

Dave

[ChuckS]

I have had my Stich for a year or so… Now your telling me I have to wash it??

 

Seriously, I have not. Well I do ride in the rain about 300 days a year he in the Seattle area. I am completely happy with mine. It has softened and I feel very comfy in it. I ride in it daily to/from work, as well as trips. I was used to heavy leather and think this is a much better option. I would agree with the others that it will never get like a pair of old jeans, but heck, that’s why we buy them. To protect us. The collar bugged me a lot at first, now.. not at all.

 

Good luck and keep riding.

[Lineareagle]

.I look like a total newbie in the thing too....I have like..'NO Credibility!' It is so NEW and gorky

 

And you are concerned about this . . . why?

 

I look like the Michelin man in mine, everybody looks at you like you are a freak, then they see the '04 RT and ooh nice bike, you rode HOW far? etc.

 

The back protector is a good idea, and of course if it Really doesn't fit, send to stitch, or drop in and they will alter it.

I'll be sitting inside mine for about 11,000 miles next month, wouldn't want to be anywhere else!

[Jake]

The Darien jacket is the single most utilitarian piece of moto equipment ever invented by mankind. It is also much more comfy with the back protector, as it lifts the unyielding fabric off your back, creating some airflow and room to move around. Spring for one!

[Kinsley]

Why not come into the 21st century of riding gear?

Think of it like driving an old Mustang, cool when it came out and still cool in a retro way, but you can go faster, stop faster, etc. with a newer version and be as safe or safer at the same time.

 

BMW Santiago or Streetguard 2 might be worth considering.

 

[Mike]

BMW Santiago or Streetguard 2 might be worth considering.

 

 

Please note that the OP has expressed some concern about looking dorky in the 'stich. The BMW stuff, while certainly nice gear, would definitely be constitute a huge shift in the wrong direction . . . a shift to The Dork Side. If you're going to go for a BMW suit, you may as well add the latest from BMW Riders' Apparel:

 

[Mike O]

...a shift to The Dork Side.

 

I supposed I should take your comment with a bit of humor, but do folks really believe this? BMW gear is more Dorky than Aerostitch?

 

I was chatting yesterday with a fellow from the COG and he was wearing a Roadcrafter in Hi-viz yellow, was more than a bit on the portly side. Reminded me of a very large lemon in a snowmobile suit. Dorky to say the least. IMHO, you buy gear not for a fashion statement, but for protection. In the fashion department, Aerostitch vs. BMW, I'd say the Dork meter points to Aerostitch.

 

(I own both but never purchased either for their looks!)

 

Mike O

[NoHeat]

Please note that the OP has expressed some concern about looking dorky in the 'stich.

 

Are you sure? I think the OP wrote "It is so NEW and gorky."

 

"gorky" rhymes with dorky, but I'm not sure that it means the same thing.

 

In a momentary fit of dorkiness, I looked it up in a dictionary, and it has no meaning other than just a Russian name, as in Gorky Park in Moscow.

[Mike]

...a shift to The Dork Side.

 

I supposed I should take your comment with a bit of humor, but do folks really believe this? BMW gear is more Dorky than Aerostitch?

 

Oh, it's definitely dorkier. That's not to say I don't like it--it's really, really nice stuff. But it's definitely a step up the dorkiness scale when you buy a premium brand suit with the same company logo as your premium brand vehicle. Next time you see a guy in a Lexus wearing a Lexus jacket, ask yourself the question: "Dork or dork not?"

 

Yes, even as a master dork (Hi-Viz Darien with, egads , BMW Gore-Tex boots), I know when I've been out-dorked, and BMW suits reside at the pinnacle of Mt. Dorky.

[s3steve]

"Oh, it's definitely dorkier. That's not to say I don't like it--it's really, really nice stuff. But it's definitely a step up the dorkiness scale when you buy a premium brand suit with the same company logo as your premium brand vehicle."

 

So your saying that most all Harley riders are Dorks.

[Mike O]

...But it's definitely a step up the dorkiness scale when you buy a premium brand suit with the same company logo as your premium brand vehicle. Next time you see a guy in a Lexus wearing a Lexus jacket, ask yourself the question: "Dork or dork not?"...

OK, I see your angle. If Aerostitch made a motorcycle and you rode it in a FAT LEMON suit, that would make you 'dorkier' than the BMW.

 

I wonder what it says if you wear BMW gear but ride a Yamahsaki?

 

Mike O

[Mike]

"Oh, it's definitely dorkier. That's not to say I don't like it--it's really, really nice stuff. But it's definitely a step up the dorkiness scale when you buy a premium brand suit with the same company logo as your premium brand vehicle."

 

So your saying that most all Harley riders are Dorks.

 

Well, that's an interesting point. In my mind, that's more sad than anything. It's definitely dorky, but the dorkiness quotient decreases as the size of the corporate logo increases. Conversely the sadness level increses--sometimes exponentially--with the size of the brand name display.

[Mike]

...But it's definitely a step up the dorkiness scale when you buy a premium brand suit with the same company logo as your premium brand vehicle. Next time you see a guy in a Lexus wearing a Lexus jacket, ask yourself the question: "Dork or dork not?"...

OK, I see your angle. If Aerostitch made a motorcycle and you rode it in a FAT LEMON suit, that would make you 'dorkier' than the BMW.

 

I wonder what it says if you wear BMW gear but ride a Yamahsaki?

 

Mike O

 

Well, I think that the answer is crystal clear:

 

[JustBeeming]

Gorky....I meant it in combination of Gawky and Dorky.

 

Just how I felt in 7th grade.

 

Thank you all for your tips on softening and adding credibility to my new gear.

 

I currently have the BMW Santiago suit and it is vented at the elbows so it leaks at the sleeves. Cold in the arms.

I have to wear the gortex liner which is waterproof but feels like a boa constrictor has slithered into my coat with me.

 

The Darien with the Kanetzu heated liner looked like just the ticket. But make no mistake and get a good mental picture here....Me 5'5 120 lbs....Swallowed whole by a black jacket. Lost in there somewhere only a tiny head poking out....

 

My personal dilema is do I want to sacrifice riding time/comfort to break this monster in....further if I continue to dislike it, it has lost it's ebay resale value when I take the tags off.

 

Such a tough call.

 

Yet you have encouraged me that it is a wonderful piece of clothing. And once propperly abused...RESPECT will be mine.

 

Thanks

Just Beeming

[MG37221]

Gorky....I meant it in combination of Gawky and Dorky.

 

Just how I felt in 7th grade.

 

Thank you all for your tips on softening and adding credibility to my new gear.

 

I currently have the BMW Santiago suit and it is vented at the elbows so it leaks at the sleeves. Cold in the arms.

I have to wear the gortex liner which is waterproof but feels like a boa constrictor has slithered into my coat with me.

 

The Darien with the Kanetzu heated liner looked like just the ticket. But make no mistake and get a good mental picture here....Me 5'5 120 lbs....Swallowed whole by a black jacket. Lost in there somewhere only a tiny head poking out....

 

My personal dilema is do I want to sacrifice riding time/comfort to break this monster in....further if I continue to dislike it, it has lost it's ebay resale value when I take the tags off.

 

Such a tough call.

 

Yet you have encouraged me that it is a wonderful piece of clothing. And once propperly abused...RESPECT will be mine.

 

Thanks

Just Beeming

 

Are you sure you ordered the correct size? Sounds like maybe it's a little too big. But there's no need to sacrifice riding time to soften the gear. It's not that a stich actually gets softer. You get tougher. Ride with it... a lot! You will soon learn the love.

[JustBeeming]

Yeah... I think it is as close to the right size as I can get. A bit roomy across the back but not bad. Fits better with the liner in.

 

I remember my Santiago feeling pretty stiff before I loaded 10 thousand miles on it. It now has enough credibility to look like I actually ride.

 

I think I just need to decide if I am up for it. It is like getting a new puppy. You know it can all work out lovely if you are willing to withstand the training.

 

It has been helpful to hear testimonials.

[MG37221]

Best riding money I've ever spent!

[ratfink]

I got an Aerostich Darien jacket and pants....they basicly fit. The jacket is really roomy accross the back ... Im a pretty small build.

 

I love the construction of it and the features ...BUT It is STIFF like a board.

 

The collar winds up around my ears... it is so rigid! I feel like an elf in a football uniform in there.

 

 

PLEASE Tell me to hang in there with it and it will soften over time.

I got a good deal on it new with tags off ebay and the Kanetsu electric liner fits in it perfectly. It looks like the perfect cold/wet weather gear if I can get it to cooperate with the body within.

But if it remains as stiff as it is now I will hate it and lets face it, we don't wear the gear we despise....so I may have to move it along.

 

Whatch think?

 

JustBeeming

04 R1150r Black of course.

 

Ditch the stich, get some good leathers www.langlitz.com

 

Goatskin is best, much more abrasion resistance and repels water at the surface, instead of soaking it up to the fragile goretex innards.

 

The leather will fit you like a glove, if it's pouring put rain gear over it. If it's too hot switch to mesh with CE Armor.

 

Father knows best

[dmk]

Yeah... I think it is as close to the right size as I can get. A bit roomy across the back but not bad. Fits better with the liner in.

 

I remember my Santiago feeling pretty stiff before I loaded 10 thousand miles on it. It now has enough credibility to look like I actually ride.

 

To provide a frame of reference, maybe you should drop into a local BMW dealer and see how a new Santiago suit feels. If the 'Stitch still feels uncomfortable when compared to a new Santiago (or similar alternative), return it.

 

Dave

[Steve_Witmer]

I look like a total newbie in the thing too....I have like..'NO Credibility!' It is so NEW and gorky.

 

If the suit is red, you can always take it to the tanning booth to fade it out.

[johnlt]

I have the Darian also and found after a couple years and several washings, the only solution I found was to leave it hanging in the closet and wear my Belstaff!

[Stan Walker]

After many years, many washing, much rain, and over 100,000 miles my faded blue and very soft Darian was declared "uneconomical to repair" when I stopped in the Aeorstitch factory this last summer. They did for free fix my most pressing problem, the main zipper pull on the jacket was worn out. They also replaced most of the other zipper pulls and reclamped the snaps on both the jacket and pants just to be safe. Nice folks.

 

So now I have a soft faded blue, but not fully as waterproof Darian, and a nice new stiff grey, fully waterproof Darian hanging side by side. Which do I wear? The Blue one unless it's going to rain.

 

Try taking your old BMW jacket to the dealer and see if he will asign one of the BMW certified techs in the back room to fix it.....

 

Stan

[bmwk100]

My Darien jacket is very comfortable and I am seriously considering the pants.