Wet weather gear options?

[EZAS]

Guys 'n' Girls,

I need help deciding on what option to take for buying safe daily ridden/touring gear.

Option 1
All-weather, water-proof gear and wearing a water-proof suit over top

Option 2
Racing/Decent leathers and wearing a water-proof suit over top.

Due to my experience in the past when riding with all-weather/water-proof gear, I've found that it still leaks. The only way to stop this was to buy some cheap mitre10/warehouse water proof suits and wear them over top of my 'all weather' gear. The only issue with this method was that the crutch eventually wore out and leaked and the el cheapo mitre10/warehouse wet-weather suits weren't up to traveling at/over 100kmh.

The crutch on my all weather pants tends to wear out reasonably quickly and it doesn't feel like it would provide as much protection should an incident occur. I'm going to be traveling around 200km's everyday to work and back so I want good gear just in-case.

Thanks in advance for any helpful feedback.

[Gremlin]

I've had excellent performance out of DriRider 2pc jacket and pants (Thunderwave I think?) and also a DriRider 1pc.

Buy quality, I've seen the cheap stuff blow apart and become cute decorations on ankles and wrists. Even the good stuff is relatively cheap to replace every couple of years.

[Subike]

Have a look at Tecniflex wet weather gear,
Made for agricultural tracker drivers,
I use it daily to ride to work,
Never had the crutch problem yet
Good for wind , rain protection.
buy 2 sizes bigger than you normal fit. ( depending upon your weight of course)
ANd it will fit over top of all your other riding gear.
Because of the problem with the cuffs of the pants riding up
I bought two dog collars, ( cheap as) and strap these around my ankles.
Stops the pants riding up and water being thrown up the leg from puddles etc.
The set rolls up and sits in a small pac pack.
Price? around $350
Oh and newzealand made, so designed for our conditions

[Berries]

For a few years I had a one piece Belstaff waterproof oversuit. It was pretty much perfect for long rides, the colour a bit garish for commuting.

For the last ten years or so I have had a Dainese waterproof textile jacket. Used daily, it has never leaked and never been washed, the best motorbike clothing I have ever purchased. At the moment I marry that to a cheap and cheerful pair of Marmot overtrousers from R&R Sports. The only problem with this combination is that in extended heavy rain water eventually makes it up the outside of the trousers and under the jacket. I guess I could wear a simple waterproof jacket under my main jacket tucked in to my trousers but I am sure it would make me sweat like buggery.

I'd say the only foolproof way is to go with one piece waterproofs that you put over the top of your normal gear - particularly for a 100km commute.

[gunrunner]

I wear these they are fully waterproof and lined so you keep warm and dry . These work good so take advantage of the high dollar ..

http://www.leatherup.com/c/Motorcycl...ear/1/112.html

[iYRe]

Michael (it is you right? :P),

I use CNELL gear - I have a Nerve Jacket and Pants ($140 each) - havent got wet through them yet. No wet patch in the crotch (well, assuming I dont pee myself). On really cold days I wear a leather jacket under the cordura one.. but I have never used, nor needed the liner on the pants - jeans and/or a pear of thermals is all you need.

Admittedly they havent had to survive more than a couple of hours in the rain, but they havent let me down yet.

Geoff

[EZAS]

I wear these they are fully waterproof and lined so you keep warm and dry . These work good so take advantage of the high dollar ..

http://www.leatherup.com/c/Motorcycl...ear/1/112.html

Any particular recommendation? there are a few suits there.

[Mom]

Get a root

[slofox]

I use Rainbird from Para Rubber. Mainly because it folds up very small to fit into the tail bag so I can carry it all the time.

Lightweight, 2 piece, cuffs in the jacket have elastic (under the glove) and domes to seal (over the gauntlet so water doesn't run down into your glove); the trou have elastic. Last pair lasted me over 20 years.

They also have the advantage of keeping the wind out so you stay much warmer than in other gear. The only thing I don't like about them is trying to get them on in a hurry if it starts to rain when you are miles from nowhere.

Incidentally, it is possible to get the trou on without removing the boots - takes a bit of time though. damhik.

[Ocean1]

I use Rainbird from Para Rubber. Mainly because it folds up very small to fit into the tail bag so I can carry it all the time.

Lightweight, 2 piece, cuffs in the jacket have elastic (under the glove) and domes to seal (over the gauntlet so water doesn't run down into your glove); the trou have elastic. Last pair lasted me over 20 years.

They also have the advantage of keeping the wind out so you stay much warmer than in other gear. The only thing I don't like about them is trying to get them on in a hurry if it starts to rain when you are miles from nowhere.

Incidentally, it is possible to get the trou on without removing the boots - takes a bit of time though. damhik.

Now, is that the stuff made of a light nylon-like material with a rubbery skin on the inside?

Only I used to have a damn fine piece of kit made of that, trou that you could pull over boots that had a bib. I used to simply peel the jacket, pull on the trou, shrug the straps on and put the jacket back on.

It packed small, added a layer where it counts and kept one's chest and neather regions dry indefinitely. I'd like another one, I just don't know where to look.

[slofox]

Now, is that the stuff made of a light nylon-like material with a rubbery skin on the inside?

Only I used to have a damn fine piece of kit made of that, trou that you could pull over boots that had a bib. I used to simply peel the jacket, pull on the trou, shrug the straps on and put the jacket back on.

It packed small, added a layer where it counts and kept one's chest and neather regions dry indefinitely. I'd like another one, I just don't know where to look.

Sounds very like it. Para rubber is where I got mine from.

[nzspokes]

I use Rainbird from Para Rubber. Mainly because it folds up very small to fit into the tail bag so I can carry it all the time.

Lightweight, 2 piece, cuffs in the jacket have elastic (under the glove) and domes to seal (over the gauntlet so water doesn't run down into your glove); the trou have elastic. Last pair lasted me over 20 years.

They also have the advantage of keeping the wind out so you stay much warmer than in other gear. The only thing I don't like about them is trying to get them on in a hurry if it starts to rain when you are miles from nowhere.

Incidentally, it is possible to get the trou on without removing the boots - takes a bit of time though. damhik.

Ive got one of there jackets(not motorcycle) from work, its really good.

I was thinking of hitting the Warehouse for something nylon and cheap. May look at Pararubber as well then.

[mrchips]

I also commute & all my reasonably priced 'all weather / water proof' jackets & trou leak to some degree in a good downpour. Not so much through the inside 'waterproof' membrane but outer layers get soaked through which require a thorough drying in the hot water cupboard.

I have 3 pairs of 'all weather / water proof' gloves that live in the hot water cupboard.... If a pair gets wet & soggy I just swap em over. I spray my boots with waterproofing which seems to hold up well except in torrential rain.

Only thing remotely water poof is my 5 year old Rev'it one piece rain suit which i can slip on quickly over my boots.

The above kit works well. I like to be able to arrive at work & shed my gear quick as, so i can get my cup a tea / weet-bix & plug into my PC asap

[davebullet]

I have one of these jackets, married with REVIT pants:

http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/rvjkwindh20.aspx

Even better - the above jacket is on sale at motomail - a bargain at the price.

The jacket is an excellent windbreaker as well as waterproof jacket. I rode back in the recent gales in Taranaki with driving rain = no leaks. Even my ipod in the outside waterproof pocket was bone dry.

[davebullet]

PS: the one piece wet weather suits are crap. When the crotch goes, the whole thing is stuffed so you throw it out.

At least with a two piece there is less bunching, less wear and tear / stretching and if one part goes (top or bottom) you replace just that bit. Far more practical at coffee / lunch stops (not that you'll do that commuting).