xcel
03-17-2009, 05:58 PM
Hi All:
___Holy Smokes! This gear is seriously top notch body armor and wear resistant stuff!!! And what John (Lightfoot) said about Aerostitch pockets, he’s not kidding.
Aerostitch Darien Bike Jacket including some details
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Darien_Front.jpghttp://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Darien_Front_Details.jpg
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Darien_Rear.jpg
___The Darien jackets exterior includes 8-pockets (5-external zipped, one external velcroed and 2-internal velcroed). All the zippers are YKK type with the four main front chest, front hip pocket and underarm ventilation zippers including a heavy rubber covering so they can be opened and closed with gloves on.
___The external ventilation and pockets are all storm enclosed so you will not be getting wet unless driving in a tornado of some sort.
___The Shoulder and elbow padding are pre-installed into the Darien jacket and you can both feel and see the wind, rain and weather protection let alone the crash and abrasion protection that this suit offers in case you were to go down.
___Ventilation qualities appear to be top notch as well with a very large zippered underarm vent opening and zippered opening across most of the entire back. I have not yet installed the optional full back pad but will do that shortly.
___The dual height storm collar is a Velcro belt like solution to meet the needs and size of the individual wearing the Darien.
___Stiffness is indeed the order of the day but nothing that will bother me... yet ;) The sleeves were sewn in the bike leaning forward rotation position so you will not be fighting the jacket all that much during that 100 + hour break in period.
___Adjustable sleeves are handled by included and sewn in velcro strips while ventilation is achieved with a standard but lengthy zipped forearm jacket expansion. (I am not sure what the proper term for that is yet). The waist can be adjusted by both a belt and adjustable Velcro.
___The HI-VIZ is not as bright as I thought it would be. It is more a standard Yellow Goretex exterior material than the lime-yellow I was expecting.
___Just placing this top tier jacket on makes my old std. full leather Heine Gericke jacket seem ancient by today’s standards with regards to crash protection and external visibility. What have I been missing all these years :rolleyes:
___The Fleece liner is more than a simple hook and loop Polartec fleece jacket. It includes some very unique attributes including 2-zipped, 2-velcroed and 2-open interior pockets, two large underarm ventilation zippered openings and a zippered section to turn the jacket inside out and store it in its own pouch. It is also lined with a lightweight material called TLtec which is wind resistant, breathable and moisture wicking yet water repellant. Very comfortable as well.
___Pants may be a wee bit long as I wear 36 waist/34inseam Levi’s while the Darien pants 36 Waist/Long inseam extends pretty far down. When I get a chance to don all the gear including my steel toed boots, I should have a better idea as to those pants length.
___Waist adjustability comes about from buttons along side the waist as well as a standard cinch belt. The pants are zipped from the waist all the way down to the ankles (can be separated in fact) with a velcroed Storm enclosure for the top 10” or so and standard storm flap enclosure from the middle thigh to the ankles.
___Ankle adjustability is via std. pre-installed Velcro overlaps.
___The pants include pre-installed knee pad/armor and I did ask for and received the hip pads as well. I have to install those and will let you know about fit/finish in a few. Two open front pockets with a velcroed rear for your wallet round out its utility.
___About all for now and it looks like I had better do a YouTube to show all of this stuff in practice sometime with in the next few months.
___All said, a Christmas present arrived, its almost 70 degrees outside and I do not have a bike to take the gear out for a ride right now :ccry: Maybe I should fire up the ATV ;)
___Good Luck
___Wayne
___Holy Smokes! This gear is seriously top notch body armor and wear resistant stuff!!! And what John (Lightfoot) said about Aerostitch pockets, he’s not kidding.
Aerostitch Darien Bike Jacket including some details
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Darien_Front.jpghttp://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Darien_Front_Details.jpg
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Darien_Rear.jpg
___The Darien jackets exterior includes 8-pockets (5-external zipped, one external velcroed and 2-internal velcroed). All the zippers are YKK type with the four main front chest, front hip pocket and underarm ventilation zippers including a heavy rubber covering so they can be opened and closed with gloves on.
___The external ventilation and pockets are all storm enclosed so you will not be getting wet unless driving in a tornado of some sort.
___The Shoulder and elbow padding are pre-installed into the Darien jacket and you can both feel and see the wind, rain and weather protection let alone the crash and abrasion protection that this suit offers in case you were to go down.
___Ventilation qualities appear to be top notch as well with a very large zippered underarm vent opening and zippered opening across most of the entire back. I have not yet installed the optional full back pad but will do that shortly.
___The dual height storm collar is a Velcro belt like solution to meet the needs and size of the individual wearing the Darien.
___Stiffness is indeed the order of the day but nothing that will bother me... yet ;) The sleeves were sewn in the bike leaning forward rotation position so you will not be fighting the jacket all that much during that 100 + hour break in period.
___Adjustable sleeves are handled by included and sewn in velcro strips while ventilation is achieved with a standard but lengthy zipped forearm jacket expansion. (I am not sure what the proper term for that is yet). The waist can be adjusted by both a belt and adjustable Velcro.
___The HI-VIZ is not as bright as I thought it would be. It is more a standard Yellow Goretex exterior material than the lime-yellow I was expecting.
___Just placing this top tier jacket on makes my old std. full leather Heine Gericke jacket seem ancient by today’s standards with regards to crash protection and external visibility. What have I been missing all these years :rolleyes:
___The Fleece liner is more than a simple hook and loop Polartec fleece jacket. It includes some very unique attributes including 2-zipped, 2-velcroed and 2-open interior pockets, two large underarm ventilation zippered openings and a zippered section to turn the jacket inside out and store it in its own pouch. It is also lined with a lightweight material called TLtec which is wind resistant, breathable and moisture wicking yet water repellant. Very comfortable as well.
___Pants may be a wee bit long as I wear 36 waist/34inseam Levi’s while the Darien pants 36 Waist/Long inseam extends pretty far down. When I get a chance to don all the gear including my steel toed boots, I should have a better idea as to those pants length.
___Waist adjustability comes about from buttons along side the waist as well as a standard cinch belt. The pants are zipped from the waist all the way down to the ankles (can be separated in fact) with a velcroed Storm enclosure for the top 10” or so and standard storm flap enclosure from the middle thigh to the ankles.
___Ankle adjustability is via std. pre-installed Velcro overlaps.
___The pants include pre-installed knee pad/armor and I did ask for and received the hip pads as well. I have to install those and will let you know about fit/finish in a few. Two open front pockets with a velcroed rear for your wallet round out its utility.
___About all for now and it looks like I had better do a YouTube to show all of this stuff in practice sometime with in the next few months.
___All said, a Christmas present arrived, its almost 70 degrees outside and I do not have a bike to take the gear out for a ride right now :ccry: Maybe I should fire up the ATV ;)
___Good Luck
___Wayne