Wet gear for daily riding in the winter?

**Chilling_Silence** · 9th March 2009, 13:15

Greets all,

Been a while since Ive posted here

life gets rather busy...

Anyways, the recent downpour of last week had me thinking (And Ive read a few other posts of people saying they enjoyed the rain etc too), its possibly time to upgrade my wet weather pants to something more suitable that doesnt leak.

Basically I commute now every morning from West Auckland to the CBD on my SX-4W (Selling my car, getting married in 4 months and need the $).. Its a nice commute in the sun, and still just as nice in the pouring rain ... except when I arrive at work there's a lovely little wet patch around my crotch and buttocks that looks like I soiled myself

Im currently wearing some Line7 wet weather pants, but they're 2nd hand I borrowed from somebody else, I feel its time to go get myself something decent (Especially seeing as Im selling the car and Im gonna be braving the rain daily).

Without breaking the bank too much, what sort of clothing would be recommended? Currently I have no protective legwear (Just Jacket / Boots / Gloves / Helmet), and while I dont intend on falling off, if ever there was a time its likely to happen, that'd be winter! So Im not sure if I should go for something with armor in it, or just wet-weather pants to go over top of my work pants.

I understand that as with most things, you get what you pay for, and if I spend little I'll get poor results, but ideally I dont want to be spending the earth just to stay dry.

Had a bit of a search of the forums, couldnt find anything specific, must have been searching for the wrong keywords.

Any recommendations / thoughts / comments / insights / funny remarks appreciated

Cheers

Chill.

**Pwalo** · 9th March 2009, 13:27

I'd suggest that you go down to your nearest motorcycle emporium and see what's available.

Failing that there's always the yellow PVC jobbies from the Warehouse.

**The Baron** · 9th March 2009, 13:56

It will depend on how long you are sitting in the rain but for under $200 you can get winter leggings with armour and water proof. As I said before. If you sit in the rain long enough you will get a wet undercarriage. Water proof spray cans once a year help also. If thats not enough then put rain over pants over the winter leggings. Helps stop the wind chill factor as well.

**Chilling_Silence** · 9th March 2009, 15:43

So in terms of wet-weather gear there's no particular favored brand, brand to stay away from?

**Chilling_Silence** · 9th March 2009, 15:46

Noticed the motomail Ad down the bottom by the Quick Reply box ... decided to take a quick nosey.

Turns out they've got a bit of a selection here:
http://www.motoretail.co.nz/productlist.cfm?Group=16

So pretty much any of those should suffice then? Looks a fair bit cheaper than I was anticipating also!

**vagrant** · 9th March 2009, 16:46

I have had a WFO one pce suit for years now. On long touring trips and daily commuting, it has never let me down. Also great as an extra windlayer in wintertime. It lives in the "boot" under the pillion seat of the fireblade. That way, it's never left at home.

Benefits:
No gaps = no drafts
Neck to waist angled zip = no leaks in the crotch
Fits over leathers or corduras, and when it drys out , you can take it off

Drawbacks
One pce is a pain for toilet stops on long trips.

Look for something with as few seams as possible. Simple is good too. Some of the high tech suits with gortex etc are very good but cost a lot, need to be looked after, and once they leak, thats pretty much it for an expensive bit of gear.

If your on a budget, and looking for commuting type gear, an armored cordura suit with zip out thermal liners can be had reasonably cheaply, and then a one piece rain suit will give you the weather protection of more expensive gear, and come summer time, your gear is light enough to be comfortable, but still providing reasonable protection.

You could also check out Cycletreads, here

Hope that helps your decision making.

**fizbin** · 9th March 2009, 18:38

I brought my gear from Mt Eden motorcycles when i brought my bike last year. cost me under $450 for pants and jacket. I rode everyday though last winter minus a couple where it was just "FUCK THAT!" only got wet once, and that was because i didn't seal the jacket properly.
Would highly recommend the gear. i have just spayed a can of waterproofing on my pants the other day as they started to leak, as good as new.
If you need to know what brand give me a PM and i will dig out all the info on them for ya.

**Radar** · 9th March 2009, 19:59

Originally Posted by Pwalo

Failing that there's always the yellow PVC jobbies from the Warehouse.

Trouble is, those PVC pants tend to split at the crotch seam when you get on and off your bike. I held my Warehouse PVC pants up to the sunlight today to see why they were leaking - aside from a few tiny holes the crotch seam was gone. I'll see if I can glue some plastic on the seam - worth I try I guess. From KB comments on other threads, nearly all pants will eventually leak in the crotch.

**Chilling_Silence** · 10th March 2009, 08:24

Long story short I went down to the Motomail store yesterday after work, the guy there was real friendly, showed me the different options, helped me make a decision, and Im stoaked as

Now to just wait for the next rainy day and put the pants through their paces

**Starky307** · 10th March 2009, 08:38

I was about to recommend the one piece Dri Rider suit. It goes over the top of everything when required and the zip goes half way down the left leg making it easy to get on and off.
What ever you got hopefully it works.

**Hitcher** · 10th March 2009, 08:57

There are two options for weatherproof/waterproof motorcycle garb.

1. Motorcycle apparel with a weatherproof liner. GoreTex is the only one that can be relied on to work consistently well. Most will eventually fail if exposed to weather that's wet enough for long enough.

2. Weatherproof over-garments. Don't buy these at motorcycle shops, as most of the stuff that is sold through these outlets is largely crap. The best gear for this purpose can be procured at outdoor/hiking/camping stores. Columbia, Marmoot, and a range of other manufacturers make waterproof/breatheable/packable leggings and jackets that actually work really well for motorcyclists.

Don't make decisions based on information from bikers who don't ride in the rain or who have never worn the garments they're recommending.

If you want apparel that works well, expect to pay for it. I get pissed off every year at bikers who buy substandard kit, because they're cheap, and then moan endlessly when it fails.

**portokiwi** · 10th March 2009, 09:05

Wet crutch when you get to work.
yes i have the same problems waiting to try out my new bike trou in the wet.
lol only problem with my new pants are with the armor I cant wear any other trou underneath.

should have gone for a bigger size but the next size up my legs were tooooooo short lol.
BRING ON THE RAIN.

**Chilling_Silence** · 10th March 2009, 10:12

Yeah I got some with armor, figured it was a hell of a lot safer to spend the extra hundred-odd for the extra protection, especially seeing as I'll be commuting down the motorway daily in sub-standard visibility. I swear even when they see you, half the time they just dont care!

The Rev'it! pants ride semi-high, should keep the water running off my back from going down into them, the knee/shinpads are positioned quite well, and the zips by the leggings make it heaps easy to get on over my boots

I wonder if I'll get my first use outta them tonight

**BMWST?** · 10th March 2009, 10:40

proper yachting leggings if you want the over trou option,They ussually have a bib front high in the back,strong seams.the downside is if you have em on for a long spell you tend to get damp from the inside.