First long ride on the big bike

[DMCD]

Took her down to Whakatane on the weekend, would have been a nice ride down if it wasn't for the rain and the cold, by the time I got to Rotorua I was soaked through and my body was as blue as my jeans.

Found out my Joe Rocket leathers are not good enough for any kind of long distance wet weather riding, except the boots they done their job very well.

So I guess its time to look at some better quality wet weather kit.

[ukusa]

yep, the old rain can certainly alter the quality of the ride. Took my America from Ch-Ch to Hanmer a couple of years ago, weather looked good when I left, absolutely bucketed down along the Culverdon straight. Water sucked up the breather, got into the carbs, bike died in the middle of a torrential downpour. Took a good 20 mins to get it started again. But I was dry (ish).
Get some good gear.

[peasea]

Took her down to Whakatane on the weekend, would have been a nice ride down if it wasn't for the rain and the cold, by the time I got to Rotorua I was soaked through and my body was as blue as my jeans.

Found out my Joe Rocket leathers are not good enough for any kind of long distance wet weather riding, except the boots they done their job very well.

So I guess its time to look at some better quality wet weather kit.

I have some ski pants my missus bought me, fukn brill. They are fleecy-lined and oh-so waterproof, warm-as, cost nix. You sound like a swish-machine when you walk in them but how much walkin' you gonna do on a bike? I reckon they're the best, and....... I have a pair of 'Rain-Offs' to keep my gloves dry. Keep the water out, stay dry/warmer, fuck what you look like.

Good to get out on the road though eh?

[peasea]

But I was dry (ish).
Get some good gear.

What he said.

[DMCD]

I have some ski pants my missus bought me, fukn brill. They are fleecy-lined and oh-so waterproof, warm-as, cost nix. You sound like a swish-machine when you walk in them but how much walkin' you gonna do on a bike? I reckon they're the best, and....... I have a pair of 'Rain-Offs' to keep my gloves dry. Keep the water out, stay dry/warmer, fuck what you look like.

Good to get out on the road though eh?

Yea your not the first person i've heard of using ski pants, seems to be a good idea because when its pissing down the last thing you are thinking of is looking cool.

But I took a wander down to Cycletreads and ordered some wet weather kit to go over my leathers, will see how that goes.

[p.dath]

Leathers generally aren't good in sustained rain. Riders often wear something over the top of their leathers if they know they are going to be in a lot of rain.

On the flip side, Cordura tends to be more waterproof if you don't like wearing something overtop of your leathers.

[CookMySock]

Get a heated textile jacket and and pants, and then just go whereever you want, whenever you want without care or regard. Everyone else can look cool in their leathers, home by the fire.

Steve

[peasea]

Leathers generally aren't good in sustained rain.

I rode from Akld Airport to Nelson and got one fine break in Wellington, the rest of the trip was in atrocious weather. My leather jacket only let a few dribbles in around the neck and that's coz the zip slider was rooted.

The thing is; leather is better when things go pear-shaped and that's more likely in the rain.

Dubbin is wonderful stuff.

[DMCD]

Good point, but after having stage 3 hypothermia im liking the sound of those heated jackets :-P