Aerostich suits.

[Warthog]

Giali UK used to do a similar thing. Maybe not as robust as the Aerostitch (then again it maybe), but at about £350, its a lot cheaper!!

Unfortunately, they appear to have stopped production at the mo'.

Still worth keeping an eye open here.

 

[Wapping]

Alpinestars make a 'copy' of the Aerostich suit. I have one, having sold my 'stich to someone on this site. It works very well.

I bought mine in Stockholm about two months ago (where they had several on display) but the odd thing is that I have never seen one in the UK nor can I find it on their UK website.

It may be worth contacting one of the bigger Alpinestar dealers to see if they know of it.

 

[Chris G]

Alpinestars make a 'copy' of the Aerostich suit. I have one, having sold my 'stich to someone on this site. It works very well.

I bought mine in Stockholm about two months ago (where they had several on display) but the odd thing is that I have never seen one in the UK nor can I find it on their UK website.

It may be worth contacting one of the bigger Alpinestar dealers to see if they know of it.

Called a drystar 360, £340ish, have been looking at these myself

my shortlist looks like this

bmw streetguard2 £!!! but good armour
roadcrafter armour questionable but could wear mx vest under
drystar 360 reasnoble armour and cheapish too

 

[Bigtwin]

Called a drystar 360, £340ish, have been looking at these myself

That looks like an OK bit of kit actually - bet they will be down a few quid too somewhere.

 

[longdog]

Import duty, VAT, and handling fees about £90-100, unfortunately. ParcelForce have the kindness to include a £15 handling charge for all the tax work (thanks guys). Still bloody good though, dry in all but worst downpours (slight leak at crotch zip) and very good for commuting - just fits over clothes. Wear it all the time (black with silver ballistics - it's coolest)

I took delivery of my Aerostitch Roadcrafter one piece suit this morning. I bought it on ebay and it came from Alaska. HM Customs & Excise charged me £11.08 Import Duty and £57.37 V.A.T. Parcel Farce charged me £8.00 Clearance Fee. The Very Nice lady at my local Parcel Farce depot explined that over £18, it it liable to V.A.T. and they will add the postal charges to the value and charge you V.A.T. on those too. She said that Customes & Excise randomly check quite a few parcels, but rarely charge Import Duty. She said I was unlucky. On the bright side, it still cost me less than half the price of a new Roadcrafter and is in "as new" condition. It's all black, so it's as fast as the wearer too!!!

 

[sethmopp]

There's also the Fieldsheer Highlander. I picked one up at the Scottish motorcycle show for £100. It's a good suit, well armoured. Only problem being when I got it home I found the main zip was in upside down (probably a second) and the body's a bit too long for me (not the suit's fault). I've used it quite a bit and found it OK. Even full price I think is less than any of the others.

 

[ELIMINATOR]

 

[Parky]

There's also the Fieldsheer Highlander. I picked one up at the Scottish motorcycle show for £100. It's a good suit, well armoured. Only problem being when I got it home I found the main zip was in upside down (probably a second) and the body's a bit too long for me (not the suit's fault). I've used it quite a bit and found it OK. Even full price I think is less than any of the others.

Yes, £200, anyone else got one ?

http://www.fieldsheer.com/uk/catalog/highland 1pc suit.htm#

 

[STUBBS]

There's also the Fieldsheer Highlander. I picked one up at the Scottish motorcycle show for £100. It's a good suit, well armoured. Only problem being when I got it home I found the main zip was in upside down (probably a second) and the body's a bit too long for me (not the suit's fault). I've used it quite a bit and found it OK. Even full price I think is less than any of the others.

are they waterproof

 

[sethmopp]

On the whole, mine has been, but one one occasion I adjusted the waist belt and it caused the flap to bunch open a bit. This let is a little water giving a damp patch on my jumper. Some pockets are waterproof some aren't, and there's loads of pockets. Another issue which may cause a small leak is the it is a bit too long and will bunch up when sitting on the bike. Even so, it has kept me dry in some heavy downpours. mine is a bright red one and combined with loads of reflective material means you should see (or hear as it has no volume control) a mile off. Well worth the money, especially if you have a long body and average leg length .

 

[Bigtwin]

I took delivery of my Aerostitch Roadcrafter one piece suit this morning. I bought it on ebay and it came from Alaska. HM Customs & Excise charged me £11.08 Import Duty and £57.37 V.A.T. Parcel Farce charged me £8.00 Clearance Fee. The Very Nice lady at my local Parcel Farce depot explined that over £18, it it liable to V.A.T. and they will add the postal charges to the value and charge you V.A.T. on those too. She said that Customes & Excise randomly check quite a few parcels, but rarely charge Import Duty. She said I was unlucky. On the bright side, it still cost me less than half the price of a new Roadcrafter and is in "as new" condition. It's all black, so it's as fast as the wearer too!!!

They are charging you v.a.t. on used goods??!! That really is unlucky - tell 'em it's for medical research (exempt) or an antique (5% rate).

 

[cbritton]

Didn't think they were allowed to charge VAT on used goods.

Colin.

 

[longdog]

Didn't think they were allowed to charge VAT on used goods.

Colin.

If thats right, then I shall get in touch with the thieving gits!

 

[longdog]

Import Duty and VAT

I made inquiries following the comments posted on here about Import Duty and V.A.T on second-hand goods brought into the country. Here is the relevant part of the reply that I received:


Dear Sir


I would like to explain that all goods both new and second hand, sent from
outside the European Community are liable to Customs Duty and VAT if the
value of the goods is over £18. If the parcel contents are a gift from a
private person abroad to another person in this country the limit is raised
to £36.

Duty is charged as a percentage of the value of the goods. The percentage
varies depending on the type of goods and the country of origin. Duty is
charged on the price paid for the goods including any local Sales Tax plus
postage, packing and insurance costs. Duty amounts of less than 10 Euros are
not raised.

VAT is charged at the same rate that applies to similar goods sold in this
country. The value of the goods for import VAT is based on the value for
duty plus any duty charged.

The additional £8.00 is a Parcelforce Worldwide fee which is levied by them
as a contribution towards the cost of presenting the parcel to Customs,
paying the duty and VAT on your behalf and collecting it from you. It is
entirely separate from the duty and VAT charged by HM Revenue and Customs
and if you require further information you should contact Parcelforce
Worldwide direct on 08708501150.

Donna Routledge (Mrs)
Officer
Correspondence Team
HM Revenue & Customs
Coventry International Hub
Siskin Parkway West
Coventry
CV3 3HX
Tel; 02476 212860
Fax; 02476 212812
Email; [email protected]
Website; www.hmrc.gov.uk