The Surprising Story Behind Aerostich

[Andrew Shadow]

Aerostich: Andy Goldfine’s Homegrown Moto-Gear Revolution​

 

[kiltman]

The timing of this thread is coincidental. I’m about to order an R3 suit…waiting for the Black Friday sale.
Andy’s story resonates with me. When I was younger I rode bicycles with a passion! I would go on multi thousand mile rides across the country…when I was 12 years old I would ride my bicycle to the local motorcycle shop and ogle the Harleys. ( In the 60’s) later I would own Triumphs and wear windbreakers and later had a Barber jacket knockoff as I couldn’t afford the real thing.
I too bought sewing machines, when the local factories picked up and went offshore. I made work kilts out of hemp, leather and tweed and sold them around the world. I was doing OK for a few years. I was solo, I wanted to make the product I really didn’t want to hire people to make them for me. I had a blast making them and had great report with customers.
My product got copied and companies from Pakistan would send me copies of my product with a promise of a finished garment for $17 delivered to my door….how do you compete?
For the past few months I’ve been fielding calls from customers wanting a new kilt…I stopped making them 9 years ago!
I prefer to use my time in riding motorcycles. . Next season I will proudly wear an Aerostitch to Tuktoyaktuk, the west coast, then east coast and back home. Looking forward to wearing Andy’s fine product from a fellow stitcher.

 

[sirbike]

In my business I would say, if necessary, “charge more, do a better job”.
I am glad they charge enough to stay in business.
I got the R3 to replace a classic.
I’ve been happy with Aerostich for 20 years.

 

[TPadden]

Totally underwhelmed by our visit to Aerostich years ago.

Dinky talked a couple of us into making the Duluth pilgrimage to the small, dark, dinky, dingy, Aerostitch building. He had called them to see if they could fit him and was told they just added as many panels as it took to fit him and guaranteed they could take care of him. Seeing Dinky actually tear up when the seamstress took one look at him and said; “No Way” - was a sad surprise. He did not get a Stitch.

Tom

 

[Sadlsor]

I listened to a podcast interview with Andy G. earlier this year.
But I'll be hanged if I can recall which one.
I listen to Jim Martin on Adventure Rider Radio, Zach and Spurgeon on Highside / Lowside (Revzilla), BMWMOA, and i can't even remember the names of the others I listen to.
In any case, he is a character, and one of a kind. I still recall when he started, and I got a new paper catalog (remember those?) every month.
Was always neat looking for their non-product (they always added a joke product).

 

[ardykay54]

Totally underwhelmed by our visit to Aerostich years ago.

Dinky talked a couple of us into making the Duluth pilgrimage to the small, dark, dinky, dingy, Aerostitch building. He had called them to see if they could fit him and was told they just added as many panels as it took to fit him and guaranteed they could take care of him. Seeing Dinky actually tear up when the seamstress took one look at him and said; “No Way” - priceless and well worth the journey. He did not get a Stitch.

Tom

I was lucky enough to ride along with Tom , Dinkie, and Bob that day.......and we rushed to get there before they closed.......I still can't believe they would not make him a custom sized suit because they didn't have a pattern big enough for him!!?? What's a custom shop for? I think they wanted to start the weekend early... Felt pretty bad for Dinkie that day......also realized that I was a much slower rider than those three by far!!...Russ.

 

[JetRanger]

The timing of this thread is coincidental. I’m about to order an R3 suit…waiting for the Black Friday sale.
Andy’s story resonates with me. When I was younger I rode bicycles with a passion! I would go on multi thousand mile rides across the country…when I was 12 years old I would ride my bicycle to the local motorcycle shop and ogle the Harleys. ( In the 60’s) later I would own Triumphs and wear windbreakers and later had a Barber jacket knockoff as I couldn’t afford the real thing.
I too bought sewing machines, when the local factories picked up and went offshore. I made work kilts out of hemp, leather and tweed and sold them around the world. I was doing OK for a few years. I was solo, I wanted to make the product I really didn’t want to hire people to make them for me. I had a blast making them and had great report with customers.
My product got copied and companies from Pakistan would send me copies of my product with a promise of a finished garment for $17 delivered to my door….how do you compete?
For the past few months I’ve been fielding calls from customers wanting a new kilt…I stopped making them 9 years ago!
I prefer to use my time in riding motorcycles. . Next season I will proudly wear an Aerostitch to Tuktoyaktuk, the west coast, then east coast and back home. Looking forward to wearing Andy’s fine product from a fellow stitcher.

Will you wearing a kilt on your trip north?
You don't need to be Regimental.

 

[rwthomas1]

Bought an Aerostich in the early 90's, as I was using the motorcycle to commute. The local bike shop is where I saw the first suit, the BMW guys all had them. I remember the paper catalog well, I think I paid under $700 for it, which seemed expensive at the time. Sold it when I "retired" from riding in '98. When I got back into riding 4yrs ago, the second thing I did was buy a used Aerostich. I should really upgrade to new, been waiting for a sale that coincides with available funds. Some don't like them, but I find it the perfect thing for commuting. Not quite as protective as full leathers, but good enough. Not quite as waterproof as a full rainsuit, but good enough. Layer underneath and reasonably warm. On and off over street clothes in less than 30seconds, a one-piece is the best thing I've found. Yep, its hot over 80*F. But what isn't?

 

[STRider]

I recently got a new 2-piece R2 and the experience with Andy's staff, Stephanie in particular, was fantastic. I'm disappointed by the experience of your friend Dinky.

I used to be a member of the Motorcycle Roundtable on the old GEnie network. We had a pretty solid group of regulars and Andy was among them. In 93 we decided to have a meetup at Laguna Seca for the 500GP. I bought my first Roadcrafter 2-piece for that ride from Vermont to California and back. That was also the year Wayne Rainey suffered his career ending crash at Misano and really put a damper on everyone's spirits at the race. However, we had a great time together and was where I met Andy in person for the first time.

 

[STRider]

I listened to a podcast interview with Andy G. earlier this year.
But I'll be hanged if I can recall which one.
I listen to Jim Martin on Adventure Rider Radio, Zach and Spurgeon on Highside / Lowside (Revzilla), BMWMOA, and i can't even remember the names of the others I listen to.

Do you scream at Zach and Spurgeon on a regular basis like I do?

They take me from, "yeah, I agree with you guys" to "you flaming idiots!" multiple times in a single podcast. Spurgeon far more than Zach.