DriRider WTF

[Wolf]

Forest - thanks for the techno input. My simple mind, however, says that gear labeled waterproof should be so - even if it is the cheapest, as mine is (still, $300!). Anyway, went out yesterday and today in the torrential rain - no leaks. This kinda disproves your theory that every jacket is bound to leak.

I am now happy with my DriRider.

Welcome to the club.

My Dririder gear is heading up for 6 years old now and is still doing fine - aside from needing a bit of waterproofing spray over the seams at around 4 years old.

[Forest]

Forest - thanks for the techno input. My simple mind, however, says that gear labeled waterproof should be so - even if it is the cheapest, as mine is (still, $300!). Anyway, went out yesterday and today in the torrential rain - no leaks. This kinda disproves your theory that every jacket is bound to leak.

I am now happy with my DriRider.

I totally agree - all I was trying to say was that the waterproofing ultimately depends on the materials that are used, the design of the item, and the maintenance you do to it.

There's nothing wrong with cheap gear - provided it is still of good quality.

[rok-the-boat]

My Dririder is wet again, in the rain last week. This is my second Dririder - a replacement - and it lasted all summer - until it rained. Well, it performed well in some rain when I first got it, but last week it leaked through. I took it back today - maybe I'll pay more and ask to change it for a better version. Anyone else get wet last week?

[pritch]

When my Spidi jacket leaked last year I did a whinge. This year, in what passed for our summer, I washed and dried it according to the instructions and in the last (relatively short but very heavy) deluge it kept the water out. Now if I can just remember to shut the top vents in my helmet when it starts to rain...

I do think though that if it rains hard enough and you ride far enough you will get wet. My "waterproof" Style Martin boots are fine in showers or even light rain but in a continuous downpour they start sucking it in after a couple of hours. Applications of proofing products notwithstanding.

Of course we could buy an FJR, or an ST, or a Goldwing?

[ninjac]

Of course we could buy an FJR, or an ST, or a Goldwing?

But they don't get the chicks all wet either if you know what I mean

[rok-the-boat]

So, who's been out in the rain today? I still don't have my new DriRider. In fact, I am thinking of upgrading to something else (although I do like another one of the $300 DriRider jackets - they seem to fit me better than others). Also have my eye on a spkye one but it's $450, yet all it seems to have to make it waterproof is a flimsy plastic inner lining. Like, you pay 450 for that? Whatever happened to normal jackets? I am currently using my gortex hiking rain jacket and cheapo trousers with Korean army boots, which are 100% water proof in weather like today.

Any waterproof bike jackets to recommend? Or maybe I should just buy one of those motocross back, elbow, shoulder stringy things to wear under my gortex raincoat...

[danchop]

i have been out in this shit rain all day on my bike because im an urgent motorcycle courier in central auckland,i wore a spidi jacket(7 years old),cheap wet weather overpants,alpinestar boots(about 18 years old),no gloves and a helmet,my arms up to my elbows got wet mainly cause i wore no gloves and my feet were starting to get damp but amazingly my cheap crap pants never leaked a bit,dry crutch and everything and ive been out in this shit weather from 8am to 6pm tonight,and i only had one very slight miss with a car and it was my fault(shouldnt go up one way streets the wrong way i spose)

[Disco Dan]

It is important to know that there is no such thing as truly waterproof motorcycling gear. Except for completely impermeable materials like nylon or PVC (which aren't that comfortable to ride in).

Finally, for an item to be called fully waterproof all the seams must be factory sealed or taped (to stop water coming through the stitch holes). This is why the outside pockets on most riding jackets aren't actually waterproof.

Yes, I damaged a very expensive cell phone by leaving it in my outer pocket a few weeks back... I was not impressed! Now I have a small snaplock plastic bag I put it in first... as my jacket only has two outer pockets... (should have bought another arlen-ness one, that was fab)

I have to admit, I noticed the tape on my waterproof inner has come away from the seam... *dammit* it's not very old, but prob outside it's warranty.

What would be a good product to re-seal it down with? I was thinking of a small amount of silicone?

[Devil]

I have the Dririder Summit2 (rrp $499). It's excellent. Doesn't leak at all, even with yesterdays rain. Have the matching pants, they dont leak either. The only trouble is finding waterproof gloves that actually stay waterproof when you're on and off the clutch and brake in a traffic situation. Wiggle your fingers enough and eventually it gets in.

I think my toes were floating too, but then again i've never used sno-seal or anything on my boots. Will get around to that.

[jim.cox]

Why does my DriRider suit leak? It's only a few months old. First time in the rain was OK, then I got wet. Then I sprayed it with waterproofing, and it was OK until last night - I got soaked after ten minutes (elbows, shoulders, crotch). What gives?

Your skin is waterproof

toughen up ya wimp

[martypants]

My Dririder is wet again, in the rain last week. This is my second Dririder - a replacement - and it lasted all summer - until it rained. Well, it performed well in some rain when I first got it, but last week it leaked through. I took it back today - maybe I'll pay more and ask to change it for a better version. Anyone else get wet last week?

Ive got a dririder aspen jacket, got home thursday and jacket sleeves were soaked thru like I had put my arms in a bucket of water, the rest of it was dampish. Put it down to riding into a head wind and driving rain, jacket 5 months old. Think I might give it a wash. Leather pants and boots were dry as a bone inside.

[rok-the-boat]

Mine was the Aspen and it was just the same. Take it back - you should upgrade to a different one. I'm going to try the Summit 2 as people say it doesn't leak - no matter what. We shall see. Also looks good for warm weather as it has vents.

[rok-the-boat]

So far so good .My new Summit 2 DriRider - not cheap - is still dry, but it has only really seen a little drizzle. It's a great fit and works with one zip. I had looked at another for a similar price but heck, it had three fiddly front zips...

[Devil]

So far so good .My new Summit 2 DriRider - not cheap - is still dry, but it has only really seen a little drizzle. It's a great fit and works with one zip. I had looked at another for a similar price but heck, it had three fiddly front zips...

Mine's (Summit 2 jacket) probably a year old. Never been washed (*ahem*), probably done 30,000km in it. Still no leaks.

[mazz1972]

Hubby's jacket is a Rjays Evo.....very waterproof (and it's been washed) and a very nice jacket. Nice tailored fit....the armour is covered with hard plastic....and he never moans about being cold even with just a tshirt underneath.

We both have DriRder Nordic boots, which are very comfy and have proven waterproof thus far...however I notice that with both pairs where the sole comes up the sides and is attached to the upper....it is starting to come away and needs regluing. Bit surprised as they have not been subjected to rough treatment at all and not even a year old.