nklr- warning! oil content.

[Tom Bowman]

Robb wrote:

> I was looking at the Aerostitch Darien pants and jacket. The

pants

> are a bit pricey at $300. Any suggestions for other

manufacturers of

> something to wear over good work clothes? > > Thanks. Robb > 2000 KLR650 (225 miles - still breaking her in)

I believe I've looked at, tried on, and evaluated every piece of clothing similar to the Darien available in this country looking for something better, and haven't found it yet. I rode in a Darien outfit for four years, and it never let me down, never gave a problem, and always did exactly what it was billed to do from frigid to blasting to wet to desert. My point? After writing the check (gulp!), I never thought of the price again. There are several priceless features on the Darien that are not available on anything else I know of : - the sleeve pocket (for earplugs, change, gum, etc.) - the large chest pocket (for drinking system, wallet, Glock, etc.) - the deep side pockets on the trousers (stuff stays where put, carries a lot) - the ventilation (which makes the comfort range up into the 90's before suffering starts) - the wide trouser leg bottoms with zippers (which allows you to get them off without removing your boots; sounds silly, but you wouldn't believe how much you'll appreciate that feature when you just completed a long, hot leg and you can't wait to get them off, or when there's no place to sit down that isn't wet/muddy) Niggles? Not worth talking about. Do yourself a favor and just get one. Tom Bowman Atlanta

[R. Kaub]

At 11:15 AM 5/31/00 -0700, you wrote:

>Do you know, are the regular dariens cool enough to >sit in traffic on a 90-95 degree day? >>>>

Robb: I wear the Aerostich pants and jacket whenever I ride. I consider the potential protection worth it. In the summer, I usually wear shorts and a long-sleeved cotton t-shirt under the Aerostich stuff. The jacket (mine is grey) can be opened/unzipped and is completely comfortable whenever I am moving at all. Sitting in traffic can get hot but not distressingly so. The pants can be left unsealed around the ankles for more ventilation but they get warm while sitting still. However they also provide some protection to the right leg from the considerable exhaust pipe heat. So I consider it a good trade-off. I also carry water all the time and drink it. Thanks. Bob Kaub

[Skip Faulkner]

> I believe I've looked at, tried on, and evaluated every piece of > clothing similar to the Darien available in this country looking > for something better, and haven't found it yet. I rode in a > Darien outfit for four years, and it never let me down, never > gave a problem, and always did exactly what it was billed to do > from frigid to blasting to wet to desert. My point? After writing > the check (gulp!), I never thought of the price again. > > There are several priceless features on the Darien that are not > available on anything else I know of : > - the sleeve pocket (for earplugs, change, gum, etc.) > - the large chest pocket (for drinking system, wallet, Glock, > etc.) > - the deep side pockets on the trousers (stuff stays where put, > carries a lot) > - the ventilation (which makes the comfort range up into the 90's > before suffering starts) > - the wide trouser leg bottoms with zippers (which allows you to > get them off without removing your boots; sounds silly, but you > wouldn't believe how much you'll appreciate that feature when you > just completed a long, hot leg and you can't wait to get them > off, or when there's no place to sit down that isn't wet/muddy) > > Niggles? Not worth talking about. Do yourself a favor and just > get one. > > Tom Bowman > Atlanta

Tom, I did the same thing a couple of years ago ( trying on and checking out every jacket made) but came up with a different solution. Whereas the Darien is an excellent jacket and value, there are a few features ( not gimmicks) that my Spidi Trans NT has that the Darien doesn`t have. I`ll put my Spidi up against the Darien for quality, features, versatility and protection anytime. I still have not come across a jacket that will convince me to trade the Spidi, regardless of price. After saying that, let`s both keep in mind that what you and I look for in a jacket might be different than what someone else is looking for, regardless of what we think is critical in features. Skip

[Dash Weeks]

> > After saying that, let`s both keep in mind that what you and I look for >in a jacket might be different than what someone else is looking for, >regardless of what we think is critical in features. > >Skip

Hey Skip, How on earth are you going to start a controversial thread on the "Best Riding Gear" with a statement like the one above. GEEZ I still wear my white Heimlick (Hiem Gierick sp? wow I really massacred that one) leather from 15 years ago. Sure it fits differently now but still got lots of life left. Where can a try on a Spidi? They sound great. Wife says that the Kili is more likely to be authorized than the Darien (cost) but I'm looking around. LaterZ Dash

[Skip Faulkner]

FWIW. Honda is now labeling their MC specific oil " No Friction Modifiers Added" In other words, NOT API SJ. Somebody Else