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/Motorcycle-Rain-Gear/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/Motorcycle-Rain-Gear/1/112.html

Any particular recommendation? there are a few suits there.

[Mom]

Get a root :yes:

[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 :niceone:

[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).

[nzspokes]

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.

Do they do a Big fat bastard wearing it over even bigger leathers size?

[awa355]

I have a Dry-Rider Tornado quilt lined over tro' Totally waterproof. The pants have a thigh pocket in which I keep a heavy plastic bag. Slip that over my boot and the boot slips through the tro leg easy as. No catching the boot heel on the tro's inner lining.

[slofox]

Y'know, to be honest, I have ridden in pouring rain many times over since I first rode a bike. In all that time, I have only gotten really wet a couple of times. I have always used over suits - always two piece. Some were real heavy stuff, much lighter now. But all waterproof.

Most trouble for me comes from being too lazy to put the stuff on when it looks like dodgy weather...and then getting fucking WET.

It really comes down to wearing something really waterproof that might be clunky on the bike but wearing it anyway. IF you want to be really dry,

Or something...

[Ocean1]

Y'know, to be honest, I have ridden in pouring rain many times over since I first rode a bike. In all that time, I have only gotten really wet a couple of times. I have always used over suits - always two piece. Some were real heavy stuff, much lighter now. But all waterproof.

Most trouble for me comes from being too lazy to put the stuff on when it looks like dodgy weather...and then getting fucking WET.

It really comes down to wearing something really waterproof that might be clunky on the bike but wearing it anyway. IF you want to be really dry,

Or something...

I agree, I've tried quite a few jackets and pants as the single rainwear option over the years. Some of them lasted a couple of years but they always fail. Then, a few years ago I borrowed the brothers lightweight pants mentioned above for a trip. Like the lightweight jacket they stow in their own pocket and as long as you get them on in time they provide the front line protection layer. With the composite Buffalo touring jacket underneath I've traveled the length of the SI in continuous rain and stayed dry.

[vifferman]

I've had several different gear combos: leather jacket with jeans, and Line-7 bike pants (like used to be issued to bike cops); leather jacket and pants with cheap 2-piece nylon suit from Doyles (useless - the zip blew out of the jacket, and it flapped like a bastard anyway. So... I bought a one-piece oversuit: brilliantly waterproof, but a bastard to get on over the leathers, and if there was even the merest glimmer of solar radiation, you become a broil-in-the-bag chicken. Next: Tecnic Hurricane jacket and leather pants, with Motoline nylon pants over the top (very good, but it took a while to get the pants on over the leathers and boots. Gloves were ordinary leather ones, with oilskin mitts over the top, which was awkward, because of the mitts: very hard to get the mitts under the jacket cuffs when... err... wearing the mitts.

So... I decided I needed a proper 4-seasons setup, and bought some Spidi Gran Turismo pants, and a Macna leather jacket, with waterproof liner. The pants have a Goretex liner too. Boots are waterproof StylMartin StyleSafe, gloves are Spidi H2Out.
All good! For several years, even!
Until the liners get tired.:(
Now the gloves still look pristine but leak, unless thoroughly treated with waterproofing on the outside, so I bought some new ones (Rev'It - after trying on every pair in the shop) last week. The GT pants were brilliant, until the vent zips on the thighs wore the coating off the Goretex liners, so they leak through the zips, even with lots of waterproofing spray on the outside. So, I wear my still good Motoline pants over the top, and they're all good. Just a bit awkward. The jacket is pretty much waterproof, apart from some mysterious leak that appears near my bellybutton in heavy rain, unless I wear a plastic rubbish bag draped underneath the front of the jacket.

Here's the thing: the best you can do is to keep ALL the water on the OUTSIDE of your gear. Even with waterproof liners, use waterproofing spray on the outside, or if they're leather, use leather conditioner or Rev'It leather waterproofer.

My next setup was going to be a new Spidi Gran Turismo suit, but they seem to be not made any more. So, it will be all leather gear, with whatever is the current equivalent of the Motoline pants and a similar jacket.

[DODO``]

I plan to ride in all weather too,

would you recommend one piece suit? or two piece?? :cold:

[DODO``]

I plan to ride in all weather too,

would you recommend one piece suit? or two piece?? :cold:

what would be the pros and cons of each sort?? Thank you. I am just browsing on tradme and quite sold on 2 piece,, at the moment.. :laugh:

[Gremlin]

I plan to ride in all weather too,

would you recommend one piece suit? or two piece?? :cold:
One piece is more waterproof as there are less places water can get through it. However, one hole in the suit anywhere, and the whole thing has to be replaced.

Two piece allows you to change one piece at a time, and also mix and match as you like. Perhaps you only want the rain jacket, maybe only the rain pants... you get the flexibility.

[Jerry74]

I use a set of old army Miliar (Similar to goretex) wet weather kit over my leathers no worries even when riding down the West Coast.

Greymouth to Haast in torential rain, dry on arrival.

Big bonus is that they are camouflage so you can hide in the bushes if the Popo comes after you hahahaha

[gunrunner]

Any particular recommendation? there are a few suits there.

Think they all pretty good , i love mine . Very good on cold days too .

[FROSTY]

Ive ridden in all sorts of gear combinations. leathers,cudura one and two piece.
My personal preference is to wear well water "proofed" leather jacket and cudura pants for most of my riding.
If its wet enough to be more than that can cope with then either A --sod that I'm gonna stop and sit it out.--Im riding for pleasure not to prove I'm a masicist or if its a -=I gotta get there situation then the trusty Dalgeties wet weather trou and jacket go over the top.
Something to concider-being a lady -loo stops in a one piece can be a royal nightmare.

[bluebeemer]

Rukka makes everything Gore-Tex. Rukka is very well known brand in Europe for it's quality and waterproofness.Their Apollo gloves are awesome and waterproof. Jackets and pants come with 5 year warranty.

http://www.rukka.com/mxl-fashion/rukkawww.nsf/pages/en_mc.html
http://www.innotesco.co.nz/rukka/

[Subike]

Rukka makes everything Gore-Tex. Rukka is very well known brand in Europe for it's quality and waterproofness.Their Apollo gloves are awesome and waterproof. Jackets and pants come with 5 year warranty.

http://www.rukka.com/mxl-fashion/rukkawww.nsf/pages/en_mc.html
http://www.innotesco.co.nz/rukka/

who you?
their products look gay, even the names

[_Shrek_]

have you thought about alpinestar Dave, even thow the cost is $1800 for jacket & pants they are 100% water proof & a one pc dryrider about $100 for xtra warmth etc... this set that i'm using has done about 160k in the last three years & has never let the water in yet

[GrayWolf]

Sounds like a manufacturer could make some good coin making a modern version of those old one piece 'touring suits' we used to have in the 80's......

[centaurus]

I gave up on one piece suits miself. Thought it was a good idea originally but the strain it puts on various muscles when riding on a sports bike was too much, especially when you're riding in the rain for 6-8 hours (most I've done was 12 hours in the rain).

You can't beat two piece for confort and if it's the right product it will keep you just as dry.

As for gloves, after multiple pairs of "winter and waterproof" gloves, I've given up. There is no such thing as a waterproof glove. I've switched to rainoff overgolves that allows me to ride in the pouring rain for hours and hours and still have dry hands. Moverover they seem to keep the warmth enough to allow me to use my summer gloves which give better feel of the controls.

[crash99]

Yep, I gave up on one piece too. I swore by Revit gear, but recently (after myRevit zip came unzipped - permanently) got an RJays jacket. Its a bit heavier duty than some but this is a good thing. Waterproof, flexible, comfortable and a good price. You can't beat the proper bike stuff - forget cheap Warehouse crap - you get what you pay for. I ride 2000k/month, done 90,000 in past 3 years, every weekday and looooong tours. Gloves are not waterproof - get the Rainoff ones like the man says. And some xCover Spidi overboots if you do the real long haul, come what may rides. Nothing worse than wet boots.
Get out there and into it!:clap:


I gave up on one piece suits miself. Thought it was a good idea originally but the strain it puts on various muscles when riding on a sports bike was too much, especially when you're riding in the rain for 6-8 hours (most I've done was 12 hours in the rain).

You can't beat two piece for confort and if it's the right product it will keep you just as dry.

As for gloves, after multiple pairs of "winter and waterproof" gloves, I've given up. There is no such thing as a waterproof glove. I've switched to rainoff overgolves that allows me to ride in the pouring rain for hours and hours and still have dry hands. Moverover they seem to keep the warmth enough to allow me to use my summer gloves which give better feel of the controls.

[Subike]

want waterproof boots?
Have a look at
"muck Boots"
not the normal boot you might find for sale, but god they are warm as in any weather, water proof and comfortable .
sadly they offer no protection other than water proofing, would not be much better than sneekers in a bike incident.
But I wear them in winter, and have never had cold or wet feet, even in a foot of snow.

[centaurus]

want waterproof boots?
Have a look at
"muck Boots"
not the normal boot you might find for sale, but god they are warm as in any weather, water proof and comfortable .
sadly they offer no protection other than water proofing, would not be much better than sneekers in a bike incident.
But I wear them in winter, and have never had cold or wet feet, even in a foot of snow.

I don't get water in my boots (unless I am riding in boots full of holes) so I don't need over-boots. Recently I've ridden over 10 hours in the rain and my boots were still dry at the end. Then again, I am riding a busa most days and the weather protection around the lower legs is quite good on this bike, so there's not much water that makes it close to my boots.

[vifferman]

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.

Yayeah! I bought one of these a couple of weeks ago too! Eet's broollyunt! :2thumbsup
It's specifically made to go over bike gear, so is easy as to put over my leather jacket, and it keeps out all the rain (and is stoatally windproof too!)
Now... I've just gotta replace my Motoline overpants; the waterproof membrane on the inside is starting to peel off at the bottom. (Might just buy some more; they're pretty waterproof, only $38 at Cycletreads and fold up VERY small - will fit in a large pocket, like the small one on my tankbag).

[Swoop]

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

http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/rvjkwindh20.aspx
+1.:niceone:
Excellent piece of kit. Overtrousers as well = mother nature not getting her way.