Rain gear advice ?

[scootertrash]

OK...it's time for me to buy some rain gear. I have a $10 cheapo suit that I have stuffed under the seat of my bike. It's fine for when I get caught in a rain shower on the way home, but is not adequate for longer rides in the rain, as it leaks after a bit.

I have looked through a bunch of sites (newenough, etc) and found lots of options in the $50 range.

Does anyone have any advice on:

- One piece vs. two piece ?
- PVC vs. waterproof nylon ?

I assume I should stick with the ones that have vents in the back and arms so I don't get too hot while using it, right ?
Anyone have anything else to offer up that I need to consider ?

[Stoneman]

I'm assuming by your post that you're not looking for a $300 fully armored suit...

Soooo, I prefer a two piece. Then you can combine with other gear if needed. Also shop for something that'll fit over your other gear...

I'd say plan to spend about $30-$50 on a decent one. Again, it should fit over your other gear...

I've had a Hein G. for several years now, and it's never failed in any way. I also use Joe Rocket's something-or-other pants (cordura) for the colder rain stuff...

[RandyO]

scooter.. I think I can recomend stepping up from your $10 poncho or what ever you have to a $19.95 rainsuit from walmart... it don't matter what you get, if you are in torennital downpour all day, you will get wet. water will eventually work its way in thru the openings where your head arms & feet stick out. or your will sweat yourself wet...

I recommend just getting fabric gear rather than leather

[scootertrash]

Originally posted by Stoneman
I'm assuming by your post that you're not looking for a $300 fully armored suit...

Correct...I am thinking of something (extra large) that will fit over my leather suit or my Joe Rocket jacket, etc.

[Stoneman]

We'll hook up. I'll letchya size up the HG. Paid $27 for it like, 6 years ago, mebbe more. Been working like a charm...

[benVFR]

I think I spent about $100...

I think it is Motoport if I recall correctly.

It does get hot but it's not vented and it's not horribly bad. No worse than just wearing regular gear when it's hot out. Once I have it on I never really had much leakage. The collar and pants have velcro closures and the sleeves have elastic closures.

The only tricky thing is deciding when to put it on, and keeping hands dry. I've tried lots of different gloves & glove covers and it seems like you can pick 1 of dry & good control feel.

I would also recommend boot covers... if you're going to get stuck riding all day in the rain leather boots will eventually get soaked through if they don't have a goretex lining, and when that happened it took me about a week to dry them out.

Surprised your aerostich is not keeping you dry though. My Joe Rocket pants suck but once I sprung for my Dainese jacket with the goretex lining I never had to use the rain jacket again. Goretex definitely works. And actually on the interceptor it would take forever and a day for the JR pants to finally leak through, so I barely ever put on the pants either. On the SV I always would throw it on pretty quick.

Ben

[stoinkythepig]

Originally posted by benSV
I
The only tricky thing is deciding when to put it on, and keeping hands dry. I've tried lots of different gloves & glove covers and it seems like you can pick 1 of dry & good control feel.

I would also recommend boot covers... if you're going to get stuck riding all day in the rain leather boots will eventually get soaked through if they don't have a goretex lining, and when that happened it took me about a week to dry them out.


Ben

Aerostich Triple Digit Glove covers work well for me. I got my boot covers at MM. I have a Teknic 2 piece suit that works well but it does not slide over my stich very well when it's even slightly damp. Feels like the two fabrics grip like Velcro. Takes me awhile to get the pants off which has been the source of great amusement for my co-workers.

[twrayinma]

Originally posted by stoinkythepig
Takes me awhile to get the pants off which has been the source of great amusement for my co-workers.

...and reduces tips.

[stoinkythepig]

Originally posted by twrayinma
...and reduces tips.

excellent!

[benVFR]

Riding a motorcycle PERIOD seems be a constant source of amusement for co-workers.

Last year the woman who had her office next to me asked, "Don't you EVER drive a vehicle with 4-wheels???" as if I was committing some kind of crime.

She had been putting up with me either walking in in full motorcycle gear every morning or wheeling my bicycle past her office.

And then there is putting my SV in the smoker area at the office a couple years ago as a gag so it wouldn't get rained on. They got a kick out of that.

Ben

[stoinkythepig]

I'm slowly converting everyone here into bikers. Got another on Monday. He's looking for a used Bandit 600 now... 40% of my department rides now (4/10).

[Stoneman]

Originally posted by stoinkythepig
I'm slowly converting everyone here into bikers. Got another on Monday. He's looking for a used Bandit 600 now... 40% of my department rides now (4/10).

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...&threadid=9988

[stoinkythepig]

Originally posted by Stoneman


http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...&threadid=9988

I don't think a GSXR600 race bike was quite what he had in mind... He's a newbie who has never ridden in the rain and owns no rain gear

[need4speed]

Gordon here's a couple of locations for ya with 2 piece rain suits that are reasonably priced.

Competition Accessories

Discount Motorcycle

Parts411

[R7]

I got a motoport 1 peice from a vendor at the Loudon nationals that year it rained... err wait, like 3 years ago I usually stay reasonably dry with this as long as it's not a downpour. Hands and feet always seem to get wet though. I think i paid $50 for it and it's help up pretty well. I got a xxlarge and it fits over all my gear and has some breathing room. Personaly, i'd go with a 1-peice, one less seem you have to worry about leaking
I noticed last race weekend your rain gear wasn't working to well.. haha.

I'm gonna start carrying mine full time now and use the R1 as a commuter back and forth to work all summer, rain or shine

[legalspeed]

2 piece. You can wear the jacket as a raincoat when not riding.

I use a gortex shell, REI. I didn't buy it to wear motorcycle riding,
but had it anyway from mountian skiing.

If you can, a gortex 2-piece mountian suit is the best I've ever seen for riding. BTW, it is much more expensive than a motorcycle rainsuit.

[scootertrash]

Originally posted by R7

...
I noticed last race weekend your rain gear wasn't working to well.. haha.
...

Ya noticed, huh ? Yes, I had to ride the bike back to the track Sunday morning in a downpour and the gear I was wearing didn't work too well.

Thanks for all the input everyone...some great info.
I am going to order up a suit and boot covers in the next day or two.
Stoinky...I hadn't thought of glove covers...that's a great point. Gonna have to look into those.

[stoinkythepig]

Originally posted by scootertrash
Ya noticed, huh ? Yes, I had to ride the bike back to the track Sunday morning in a downpour and the gear I was wearing didn't work too well.

Thanks for all the input everyone...some great info.
I am going to order up a suit and boot covers in the next day or two.
Stoinky...I hadn't thought of glove covers...that's a great point. Gonna have to look into those.

At $47 a pop, they ain't cheap but I really like them and could find no better alternative. Prolly use them on the way home tonight. They say it's gonna pour...

[Feirax]

I have the 2 piece tourmaster elite rain suit. Got it for about $50 from parts411 a year ago. Rode in the rain several times with it, even torrential downpours and never got wet.

[coffee]

I agree on the two piece. They let a little more air in. Just remember, if you are really sealed off, and no water can get in, than no sweat can get out. You'll be a nasty, sweaty, swamp very fast. If that happens, why are you wearing the rain gear in the first place?