Proper wet weather gear listed.

[Jeff Williams]

Hi all,
Just went thru all the treads under rain gear and just saw bits and pieces.
As a rider who doesn't ride in the rain very often, I would appreciate some help in putting together a rain gear kit.
I'm going in a 300 miler today and its going to rain the whole way,(or so the weatherman says,but what does he know).

Questions.
1. What gear to put over your normal riding gear.

2. What about rain gear under your normal riding gear.

3. Should you buy special gear for rain that can work well in dry weather with out being an oven at 80 degrees.

4. If your caught in the rain or think it might rain is there a small travel rain gear,(besides green garbage bags, too noisy), that you could recomend.

5. I have found some gear the will say dry while riding but gets wet if you have to stand,(or sit), in the rain.

6. Riding in the rain at night, stick to the freeways or ride any well traveled road.

I know this is a lot of information that I'm asking for but since this forium doesn't really have a proper wet riding gear thread this needs to be done.

To the people who ride in the rain regularly my helmet is off to you.
cya
jeff

[ckcarr]

As I mentioned in the other post.

The Sidi GT Sympatex Boots, or On Road Sympatex.

I had boots full of water, no more.

[bigwhup]

1. Road Gear 2 piece rainsuit. Its got "bib" bottoms so there isn't any leaking around your waist. The jacket is too short for me in the sleeves. It won't fit over my leathers or Savannah II so its gotta be a quick stop to swap.

2. Nothing special there. Its gonna get sweaty in the suit would be my only caution.

3. Nope, just be prepared. One piece of gear can't do everything well.

4. The suit listed above can compress down to the size of a tennis ball can. It can be tied to the back of the bike or in the tankbag.

5. Don't know of anything like that. If its breates, the water is going to get in eventually. More pressure from speed puts the water through the fabric, I don't think just standing is as bad as riding in a downpour. Tell us more about that.

6. I don't think it matters if you are comfortable, meaning dry. There may be more crap on two laners from the winds, but thats up for debate as well. I've seen a lot of trucks lose it on high windy rainy nights and they leave a lot of debris when they turn over.

Overall, for 300 mi I would just strap the rain gear onto your bike and swap it out if you need to. You can get away with leaky boots and gloves for a short trip, make sure you have something dry for the next day. Use ziplock freezer bags for stuff that cannot get wet, like cameras andd cell phones. None of the raingear I have used has ever had a legitimate waterproof pocket, so don't trust it. Being wet isn't as bad as being wet and cold, so pull off for a coffe if its getting unbearable...

[jackbunce]

Originally posted by Jeff Williams
...
To the people who ride in the rain regularly my helmet is off to you.

I have a BMW Rally suit with the zip in goretex liners. It keeps me dry in even really heavy rain but I still get cold.

I also have the BMW Tourmaster suit with the goretex bonded to the outer fabric. This I have worn up to 90 degrees without being totally miserable. Again, it keeps me dry and as an added advantage it seems to keep me warm too.

The boots are the BMW Savannah model. They are great; my feet NEVER get wet.

I can wear my Boxer gloves in the rain for a long time with the grips on but eventually they are uncomfortable. They also take about three days to dry completely. I bought the BMW summer rain gloves: they are OK, I just don't like the difficulty and feel when putting them on. Even though they are at least one size too big for me there was one time my hands were so cold and wet (rain, 38 degrees) that I could not get them back on after a gas stop. Haven't tried any others.

My helmet is an Arai Corsair and I have found that the only thing that almost works to keep the face shield from fogging up is a Fog City insert. Not too difficult to install, but a real bear to clean the first time. This thing is a godsend. It has some drawbacks when its not raining but I rapidly got used to it. Way better than the chemical preparations.

When it is raining and I have a choice I like to ride where there is less traffic and less artificial lighting. The cagers seem to tailgate more often in the rain or sort of either hang back on your left or alongside. And of course my favorite thing is the idiot who pulls back into your lane right in front of you! Instant IFR! They simply have no conception of what they are doing to your riding environment.

If I can't have a route with nice dark and quiet secondary roads then it is the slab for me and I slow down to the limit and use my superior maneuverability to stay in a safe zone.

Of course, it goes without saying that smoothness counts when it is wet along with proper tire pressures. In fact according to Metzler if the tires are over inflated they don't work as well in the rain.

Yes, you do get wetter when you stop.

[motoman]

What? The great Master Mechanic and Improvisor needs some help with some basic riding tips?

I have 3 words for you Jeff:

Aer O Stitch.

If you don't choose to go that route, here's another option. Most cordura/gore-tex jackets are reasonably waterproof (I have a Marsee). Then you can go with some pants by them or Gericke or Firstgear. OR you can try the (gasp!) Harley Davidson nylon rain pants. I find them to be excellent, they have tuckaway shoe covers and stirrups, and they fold up very small. If you don't mind that little bar-and-shield thingy.

[johnty288]

I really like the Aerostich rain glove (covers) except they pack so invisibly I keep misplacing the #$&*^@! things. They sell a pair of rainpants that I suspect would just fit inside the S cowl, but are priced very high. BMW Goretex boots were great in the one deluge that I rode in, currently using Oxtar.

[Kenyapret]

1. What gear to put over your normal riding gear. I used a Rain Suit called Frogg Togg. Its not a motorcycle specific suit but it works. Its very light weight and can be stuffed in a very small space. They dry very quickly and do not absorb water. In fact, it looks like a paper suit when you first take it out of the package. The only problem that I have run into is when I ride for a long period of time, water seems to run off my helmet and down the front of my chest. I have never buttoned the suit all the way up to my neck because I like a little air to flow. I have also used my Frogg Toggs for golfing and fishing and have stayed very dry through out the hours spent out doors. My other concerns with the Frogg toggs are how long they will last. I've hadmine since May 2003 and they are holding up but I don't know how long. The positive side of the Frogg togg investment is they sell for around $35 at your local Bass Pro Shop.

[The Sea Dog]

Don't know of you guys get em over there, but Heine Gericke gear is tops.

Goretex trousers built in, not extra liner, but with additional warmth liner. Never leaked a drop even in Monsoon conditions, and boy can it rain in Scotland. HG Jackets as well ( 2 one sporty one touring ) Neither leak, perfect, and they keep you warm as well. Gericke Goretex gloves as also ace, again sporty or touring oprions available. Got a set of Dainese GOretex gloves now which are also pretty good.

All the HG gear has removable liners for warmth, the goretex is in the garment not the liner so even in a summer downpour wihtout the liner you'll be dry. They're very warm wiht liners and very comfy and hard wearing with great features. Best of all they are exceptionally competitively priced.

I wear it all year round and even on the hotest days ( yes we did get some this year 30oC + ) you're not really much hotter than in summer gear.

Top Notch kit at fantastic prices

As for the best roads to take, it's what you feel most confident on.


Toodle Pip

[hooligan620]

Living in the Pacific Northwest we ride a fair amount in the rain. I've found as hard as I try and as much money as I spend I still get wet...somewhere. Water like electricity finds the path of least resistance...always!

Recommendations;

A good two piece rainsuit big enough to fit easily over your riding gear. Two pieces provide options depending on how much rain and how far you have to go. They are easy to get on and off. I bought a midrange suit with bib pants and it works fine. I avoid Goretex it's expensive and it leaks. While mountain biking I've had it leak at the points of contact, even where it folds back against itself. Rainsuits in warm weather are hot period!

Waterproof boots are a must. They are no hotter then regular riding boots and don't cost any more either. I ride with polyprop socks and if it's raining when I start maybe a pair neopreme ones too.

Gloves are a matter of choice. I wear insulated waterproof fabric gloves if it's cold and rainy and leather gloves when it's just raining. the S does not provide hand protection so your hands will eventually get wet. I get the ones with the little rubber wiper on the fnger to clear away the raindrops in slow moving traffic. Pack a couple of extra pairs, dry gloves at a gas stop are heaven!

I have a Arai RX7-4 which flows a bunch of air, it still fogs up. Two words about vision in the rain, Fog City. They do not fog period. The view through even the best installation is not as good as just a plain visor and they are buggers to clean streak free. It's a trade off. I'd rather have things less defined then have my shield fog up. Yellow visors are good as they increase definition.

I ordered a Foggy mask by Respro, through Helmetharbor.com, we'll see. They are made in England and it rains a bit there.

Gear wise I think I covered it top to bottom. A polyprop neck gaiter is a nice addition. Hat, suit, gloves, boots yeah it's all there.

Enjoy the rain, slow down, brake and accelerate smoothly it can be fun almost Zen like. Be careful this time of year not only are the roads wet but the leaves are falling. Wet leaves = ice!

[Jeff Williams]

Thanks guys,
I appreciate your help.

Motoman said,
What? The great Master Mechanic and Improvisor needs some help with some basic riding tips?

Dude, isn't it the 'Great Master Batter'
Where I live it only rains a total of 6weeks a year,(21-35 inches/year).
I know where you live people 'rust' , but you guys have it all over me in wet weather. I kneel to your brillance
thanks,
jeff

[wolff]

BMW rainsuit one piece lined runs a measly $89 dollars. As for helmets a BMW system 4 with the doppleshield (double pane) never fogs or a pinlock system similar to the Nolan N101.

BMW suit kept me dry and comfortable down to 35 degrees while in Norway and a run to the Artic circle..

[bradzdotcom]

without getting too long-winded:

i've never met a 2-piece rainsuit that worked as well as a 1 piece. i wear a 1-piece over my regular riding gear.

i'm a sidi slut, so i prefer their boots. the "tepor" word in the boot name tells you they're waterproof. but with these big cylinders for protection, it's not a giant issue.

gloves are always a problem. i wear waterproof "undergloves". the guys at www.pcracingusa.com sell a good set of kevlar, waterproof undergloves. over those....i wear www.mechanix.com gloves (1 size larger than normal) and always pack at least one set of spares.
a bandana around the neck is a must. bring spares and scotchgard them if it doesn't bother your neck skin.

the helmet is fairly easy: Rain-X on the outside, Fog-X on the inside of the shield. If it leaks, you duct-tape it closed and learn to breathe DOWN through your mouth until you get moving down the road. (or get a "mouth guard" if available for your helmet).

If Rain-x isn't available, hit the grocery store and get a couple of potatoes. potato juice works just as well as Rain-X and it's cheaper. to clear rain off the shield when riding (over 45 mph), just turn your head full lock left to right. blows all the water right off.

even in torrential rain, you still have 80% of your normal dry traction. you don't have to tip-toe around quite as much as you'd think.

and remember the most important rule: under all those clothes....you're waterproof!

...brad

[ckcarr]

"i'm a sidi slut, so i prefer their boots. the "tepor" word in the boot name tells you they're waterproof. but with these big cylinders for protection, it's not a giant issue."

Brad, this must only apply to the race boot. Because for their street boots their "best" are the GT and On-Road Sympatex.

Hey, here's one review. http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcbeware/sympatex.html

[bradzdotcom]

you are correct sir.
i should learn not to get up and post things at o-dark-thirty.
still, with those big cylinders sticking out, a lot of riders get away with a "water-resistant" boot rather than 100% water-proof.
i used to live on Kauai....360+ inches of rain a year.
nothing, absolutely nothing could keep you dry.
the lifespan of a package of saltines was about 15 minutes from the time you opened the package to the time you had a pile of mush.
...and that was in the kitchen.

...brad

ps: speaking of wet, he're Ortega Hwy right after a deluge: www.killerroads.com/ortegawet.wmv

[Effervescent]

Rubbers over my boots. Heavy duty dish washing gloves (XL with some kinda sand-like grit in the mix)) over my glove. That $150 BMW yellow rainsuit.

-EFF

[Jeff Williams]

Effie,
I like you 'low tec' approach.
jeff

[Jeff Williams]

thats, 'your'
spelling wasn't one of my strong suits in school.
jeff

[badbilly]

Jeff,

I got a Rallye II Jacket before I went to Copper Mtn, Colorado last August. It worked great--hit rain, sleet, then snow all during the last 25 of a 759-mile day. No water inside--will have to get the pants for my next splurg. Was high 30s when we pulled in, and then it was 111 when I made in into Mesa.

BTW, your bags worked magnificently, and were also water-tight!

Later, BB

[Flatbutt1]

Originally posted by bradzdotcom
[
...brad

ps: speaking of wet, he're Ortega Hwy right after a deluge: www.killerroads.com/ortegawet.wmv [/B]

Deluge? That looks like the normal morning dew out this way.
Nice road though!

[Jeff Williams]

B-Billy,
Hows life my friend,
send me a line and let me know whats going on.
jeff