Waterproof over-suits - what to buy?

[PrincessBandit]

1. Go to a camping/outdoors store, rather than to a motorcycle clothing outlet.

2. Buy a parka/leggings made of waterproof/breathable fabric. There are a couple of manufacturers to choose from. Timberland is the best I have found.

An added benefit from this type of clothing is that they are also designed to pack down really small, which makes them ideal for motorcyclists.

I did that initially - Kathmandu gear. Did keep me really dry even in torrential pissing down rain, but had to be really rugged up underneath it as it offered no protection against loss of body heat. Always wear my RJays now, been toasty warm even with the lining from the jacket and pants removed.

[zeocen]

Do you mean the Rjays oversuit? I'm looking at that one, if it's tried and tested in the heavy rain then I may buy it !

[PrincessBandit]

Uh, not sure what an over suit is (showing my ignorance). I just have jacket and pants which I wear over my usual clothing. Although I have been known to just wear thermal top and leggings under the jacket and pants and still be completely dry and warm in shitty weather. Does that help?

[BIGBOSSMAN]

I have a Dririder one piece, absolutely brilliant, does what I need it to, keep out the wet and the wind chill.

Agree 100% with you re the Dririder Maha, it's been terrific even during the odd cloudburst - completely dry! From memory mine set me back $135 or so, but well worth it. Also bought from Cycletreads

[Qkchk:Me]

Try your local NZ Safety / Protector (Wesfarmers) shops. They sell heaps of wet-weather gear at good prices (specially if you are in the industry). If people have to work outside in the shittiest weather - it has to be quality gear...and not all of it is in Hi-Vis.

www.nzsafety.co.nz

Eg: Waterproof Breathable pants for $97 (and you can get them in Navy)

[Hinny]

I think oilskin is the best material for wet weather gear. Best wet weather jacket I've had was an oilskin Anorak that folded up into it's front pocket. Only a short front zip with a gusset behind it and a pocket across the front cut the wind and water ingress points. Used to ride it with the hood up under my helmet so no water down the back of the neck. Had it as a student in Dunedin, riding through the rain, snow etc. no problem. AJ Hacket (AJ Wear) did some oilskin ski gear that was brilliant. Didn't leak as soon as it got dirty like Goretex etc. and didn't seem to sweat as much either.

[NinjaNanna]

2 piece all the way, first time you ride in the rain and stop somewhere for lunch you'll know why.

[Hitcher]

I did that initially - Kathmandu gear. Did keep me really dry even in torrential pissing down rain, but had to be really rugged up underneath it as it offered no protection against loss of body heat. Always wear my RJays now, been toasty warm even with the lining from the jacket and pants removed.

You misunderstand. I wear these over non-waterproof motorcycle clothing.

In winter, or at times when being caught in the wet and cold is largely inevitable, I wear my Teknics Gore-Tex jacket and Spidi H2Out trousers. My Oxtar Gore-Tex-lined boots I wear all the time. Gloves? Arrangements too complex to document.

[Warr]

I've had several two-piece suits and one one-piece. While the one-piece was 100% waterproof, it was also 100% discomfort: it didn't breathe, had no vents, and so if there was even the faintest glimmer of solar radiation through the clouds, I got broiled. It was also hard to get on and off, despite buying the largest size available, and it having a zip right down one side. Never again.
Two piece is much better.

Exactly what he said.

Over my leathers I now have some oil-skin over trou, available from RD1
and a top quality yellow(of course!) Line 7 raincoat.
Both work very well. What didnt work well was the Rain-off over gloves.
Too much water flowed down the arms and at next stop my hands and gloves were swimming
So that may be their last wet outing !!

[zeocen]

Just tested my recently purchased DriRider one piece oversuit tonight, in the dark with medium rain and I was bone dry to my destination. Discomfort? I felt secure as hell! Not hot at all and the cotton collar was very comfortable, a bit clunky to get on but very easy to get off. I was going to get the winter lining for my summer jacket for $99 and this whole suit was $99. There was minimal flapping (VERY windy out) and all in all I'm happy as larry in it!

$99 from Cycletreads, can't go wrong.

[Grub]

What didnt work well was the Rain-off over gloves.
Too much water flowed down the arms and at next stop my hands and gloves were swimming !!

You're supposed to wear your jacket out over the gloves in rain - all gloves will give you that result when worn outside the jacket.

Some isn't: I am really pleased with my Motoline pants, and would've bought the matching jacket, had I needed it.

Was looking at the Motoline gear again in ANZA on Sunday - good stuff. Nasty already has the jacket but she hasn't had a chance to use it in anger yet but the quality appears excellent and the price is outstanding. The overpants are only $45 and the jacket $95

[Pussy]

I've got a Motoline one piece suit I wear over my leathers... it is 100% waterproof

[cruza]

I've got a Motoline one piece suit I wear over my leathers... it is 100% waterproof

Same here, gone back to leathers and carry onepiece $100 suit. takes up stuff all space and you stay as dry as is possible on a bike. Rains stops, you take it off and don't have to wear damp gear, great for multi day rides.

[cruza]

that being said my partner(pillion) used to use bib leggings & jacket , techoflex stuff, it stretchs and moves unlike pvc and really comfy, use the same stuff at work, where we wear it all day same times , a little dearer but if its going to be a 2 piece well worth having a look at.

[homer]

yep i agree with the techniflex stuff , you stay dry , about 200 for the jacket and the pants .

heres the next point i want to actually ask
my dri riders jacket and pants , with alll the padding etc
today i find the waterproof lining inside the jacket has ripped and now you get wind come thru .
has anyone else found this .
it was all waterproof , but guess if i feel a little wind guess ill feel water as well .
to make it worse my part just got her jacket the same as mine , so its a bit of a piss off .

other wise the dririders are wicked.