The wet stuff

[Sly_guy]

OK, so, this morning, the weather in Auckland was, well, decidedly pants..

I tried to wait at home for the weather to die down a bit, but it wasn't happening, so had to leave home and do the 12ish K commute to work.

I've been riding a couple of months now, but have only really caught a few showers, not full on heavy rain....

Anyway.. I get to work in one piece, (which given the standard of some of the driving, I always count as a blessing), however, i'm a little bit damp !.

I've got Dryrider boots... Wet tops of feet and ankles,
I've got a Dryrider Jacket, and a reasonable pair of gloves... Piss wet through lower arms and cuffs, to the point it was dripping like mad when I took my jacket off...
I've got some fairly decent waterproof trousers... and i've got a damp crotch !

Now, either i've got kit that's not entirely waterproof, or, i've not used it correctly...

I realise I probably need to get some better gloves...


I bought the bike with the intention of not being a fair weather rider, and using it to commute whatever the weather (within reason). can any one offer me some suggestions to make things a bit easier / less wet ?

[Jantar]

Dryrider gear means the rider uses it when its dry.

Most Cordura gear is reasonably waterproof, but you do have the liner in don't you? I personally prefer leather as it keeps me dry for up to 3 hours in heavy rain, or all day in light rain. It does slowly soak up water before finally letting it through, so drying leather gear must be done slowly as well. Cordura is simply drip dry and forget.

[vifferman]

Periodically waterproof your gear: Scotchgard on cordura stuff, leather conditioner on other stuff. I don't give a crap if the "100% waterproof" liners are designed to let the water through the outer shell. The more water you can keep on the outside, the better. Pay particular attention to seams: that's where most of the water sneaks in.

[slimjim]

may need to buy an over rain suit...

[disenfranchised]

I've got Dryrider boots... Wet tops of feet and ankles,
I've got a Dryrider Jacket, and a reasonable pair of gloves... Piss wet through lower arms and cuffs, to the point it was dripping like mad when I took my jacket off...
I've got some fairly decent waterproof trousers... and i've got a damp crotch !

Now, either i've got kit that's not entirely waterproof, or, i've not used it correctly...

Are your gloves tucked into your sleeves or around the outside?
Being tucked in works better on sportsbikes where your arms will be angled down.

I've had the wet crotch thing before, because my jacket was leaking round the neck, and dribbling down the inside of the liner and through the waistband of my pants etc..

[cheshirecat]

In my despatch riding days the only stuff that kept one dry 10 hours a day, day after day, was lined heavy duty pvc, welded seamed, top and bottoms. Didn't suffer too much from condensation provided you didn't rush in and out of receptions too much. I also used heated grips with lined muffers which meant I could use light gloves even up the motorways in snow whilst keeping hands dry(ish). It's also tough. Boots stayed wet but didn't mind that so much and kept spare dry socks handy. I kept the same set of riding gear for three years. Wish I could get it now.

[Neon]

I bought a set of cordura for commuting, but now my commute has increased from 10km to 60km per day and now includes bonus motorways, I've shelved the cordura in favour of my leathers and one of these:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-191188632.htm

I've had it out in numerous torrential downpours and never had so much as a drop of water leak through. As long as you shake yourself off when you arrive, no worries! Oh and doesn't flap about too much at open road speeds either.

[vifferman]

I bought a set of cordura for commuting, but now my commute has increased from 10km to 60km per day and now includes bonus motorways, I've shelved the cordura in favour of my leathers and one of these:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-191188632.htm

I've had it out in numerous torrential downpours and never had so much as a drop of water leak through. As long as you shake yourself off when you arrive, no worries! Oh and doesn't flap about too much at open road speeds either.

Yeah, you can't beat PVC-ised nylon oversuits. The only problem is, they don't breathe at all, so they are farkin hot if they're a darkish colour (like black) and there's even a glimmer of sunshine. And if they have vents, they tend to flap and balloon MORE for some weird reason.

[swbarnett]

My "really wet" weather gear consists of:

- Gore-Tex socks (can be bought at camping stores although you may have to hunt).
- RevIt over trousers
- Light weight rain jacket underneath my cordura jacket
- Rain-Off over-gloves (http://www.rain-off.com)

All of this works brilliantly except for the trousers which still give me a wet crotch. I've tried the water-proofing sprays to no avail. I might try them on the inside next.

[Radar]

- Rain-Off over-gloves (http://www.rain-off.com)

I also have Rain-Off gloves and they are good. Have not used them much since in a light rain my gloves are OK. In a heavy rain I put on the Rain-Offs - also use them in cold weather, e.g. during the winter when in Taupo it was 2 degrees and I headed over the Desert Rd - sure glad I had the Rain-Off over-gloves.

Rain suits are the way to keep dry but as others have said, they do not breathe so you will sweat in warm weather.

A cheap way to ensure you keep dry is to wear a 2 Dollar Shop raincoat underneath your cordura or leather gear. These cheap raincoats are long so will cover your crotch and bum. Of course it will not breathe but in a heavy rain it will keep your clothing dry.

Earlier this year I read here on KB about someone putting plastic bags on their feet then putting their boots on - they said it was a crazy idea but it worked. I also read about someone using bread bags (Subway bags will also do) over their gloves. Cheap and nasty and it sure will not look good but this will keep your gloves dry.

[Sly_guy]

Thanks for all the advice, very helpful...

I think i'm going to go over to Mt Eden M/C at some point to get some of those Rain off doofers !

Are your gloves tucked into your sleeves or around the outside?
Being tucked in works better on sportsbikes where your arms will be angled down.

I've had the wet crotch thing before, because my jacket was leaking round the neck, and dribbling down the inside of the liner and through the waistband of my pants etc..

Gloves were around the outside of my Jacket, but then pulled the cord tight, I guess a lot of the water got in there !, once they've dried out, i'll try it the other way around (or may have got the Rain Off's by then ).

I guess with the boots, that would have been the same as with the gloves, the rain's trickled down the cordura pants, and into the boots... is it worth trying the trousers not tucked in to the boots ?, i.e. have the trousers around the outside of the boots ?

[vifferman]

T
Gloves were around the outside of my Jacket, but then pulled the cord tight, I guess a lot of the water got in there !, once they've dried out, i'll try it the other way around (or may have got the Rain Off's by then ).

I guess with the boots, that would have been the same as with the gloves, the rain's trickled down the cordura pants, and into the boots... is it worth trying the trousers not tucked in to the boots ?, i.e. have the trousers around the outside of the boots ?

How you have your gloves/sleeves depends on your bike.
For a crusier, where the bars are high so your elbows are lower than your hands, you can tuck the sleeves into your gloves when it's raining. Otherwise, tuck your gloves under the jacket sleeves. It's a bit awkward, but it keeps your gloves from filling up in heavyish rain. I don't bother doing this unless it's more than a shower.

Always tuck your pants legs over your boot tops in wet weather, regardless of bike type, otherwise your boots will fill up quickly. (I've got no choice - the Spidi Gran Turismo pants don't tuck in well).