Ok, what do y'all use for rain gear? Do you even ride in the rain? When do you put the gear on if so? If it looks like below, or when it starts to rain?
Are there any other weirdo's out there that actually enjoy riding in the rain?
Character is not formed in a crisis...only exhibited.
That's a damn good question. I've just moved to Washington, so I'm pretty sure rain is something I'm going to have to deal with. The one time i got caught in a rainstorm comng home from work in SoCal, I was soaked! Some kind of rain gear will be in my future for sure. Like the good Dr. above-
Ok, what do y'all use for rain gear? Do you even ride in the rain? When do you put the gear on if so? If it looks like below, or when it starts to rain?
Are there any other weirdo's out there that actually enjoy riding in the rain?
<-- Old school Aerostich...but I do have regular PVC waterproofs for when I get caught out in my leathers.
Getting the gear on before you get wet is pretty crucial, otherwise you are just going to steam inside your boil-in-bag pouch...
Rain riding is actually pretty good therapy, a great exercise to hone your throttle and brake skills. The only downside is that with today's tires you can make pretty rapid progress, so it can be easy to get drawn in and have a play in the rain...
"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."
Aerostich here, too. I wear it on any overnighters or days where it might rain. I don't have to stop and wrestle into rain gear on the side of the road. In a heavy downpour, however, I get some water in around the zipper areas. I've found that even with the dedicated, rubberized rain gear, water always manages to get in somewhere!
Some of my friends really like the Frog Toggs. No personal experience with them.
“I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can't see from the center.”
~Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Seamus bought us some rain gear while he was in Germany a few years ago - its called Buse. Not sure if its available online but it works awesome. I love to embarrass my daughter when its raining by showing up at her soccer games wearing it - keeps me both warm and dry. The fact that it is bright yellow is a bonus as far as embarrassing my daugher goes and for being seen on the road when its raining.
As for riding in the rain, my very first experience was in a tornado that ended up flattening the gas station we were going to take shelter in. I wasn't in a hurry to repeat the experience.
About a year later we went to Barber for a track day and it rained. I was only scheduled to ride one day so it was ride in the rain or nothing - so I rode (it was Barber after all ).
Overall, I wasn't much slower than normal and although I made A LOT of mistakes, I never went down. After that, the few times we got caught in the rain didn't cause panic - and neither did the mistakes I made.
Bottom Line, still wouldn't put riding in the rain at the top of my "Things I Love To Do" list.....
Seamus bought us some rain gear while he was in Germany a few years ago - its called Buse. Not sure if its available online but it works awesome.
Yeah, what she said.
It's just straight PVC, one piece but it's pretty high quality and I figure if they're using it in Germany where people ride through the winter, it's good 'nuff for us.
I used mine once during a thunderstorm with lightning hitting within a mile of the highway and was able to maintain 75mph and not a single drop got through.
I enjoy riding no matter what as long as I can keep myself relatively dry and warm. I won't start out in foul weather but it doesn't bother me to out in it.
Now that I read these, I must be bad luck. Massive thunderstorms and tornados seem to be following me around.
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.
---Leonardo Da Vinci
Rain riding is actually pretty good therapy, a great exercise to hone your throttle and brake skills. The only downside is that with today's tires you can make pretty rapid progress, so it can be easy to get drawn in and have a play in the rain...
Um...yeah. Been there and done the monos...er, yes. Been a long time though...
For a light rain my GoreTex backpacking stuff works great. In a heavy rain it gets in over the collar.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
I've had several rainsuits over the years. I used to have an old Hondaline one piece that held up for several years. The last one piece suit that I had was a Tourmaster Elite. It was good, but the zippers are flimsy. The suit itself was still functional, but it sucks when the only thing holding the main flap closed is the velcro. I would still be using that suit if it had better zippers. My latest is a Firstgear Rainman two piece, and so far I like it, thanks to Conqsoft for the recommendation. I think you don't cook as bad in the two piece as a one piece, and the rainman suit folds up into it's own pockets so it stows pretty easily. Appygirl has a Triumph one piece that works pretty well, too.
As far as riding in the rain goes, I don't mind it. We go to NC/TN area for a week every year, and it's a given that you WILL get rained on at least once or twice. I've been pretty impressed with the wet traction the Pirelli Diablo has, too. The only piece of gear that I wish was better in the rain is the Chatterboxes. Once it starts raining, they need to come off. We got lucky with one of ours when we rode through a storm, it quit working but the next day was ok after drying out overnight.
Edit: One piece of gear I forgot to mention is my backpack. I quit using tankbags or tailpacks years ago when I bought a Triumph waterproof backpack. That thing just rocks for keeping everything dry. It's the same backpack I was using on the motard at Grattan for the camcorder. I also have a pair of Joe Rocket rain gloves. They work good, but are a pain to get on and off if your hands are already wet. Also, the boots that I have are the SIDI vert 2 with the tepor lining, so far they work as advertised.
Last edited by evl_twn; 08-31-2007 at 10:58 AM.
Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba.... - Hunter S. Thompson
I ride in one of the new Olympia Phantom one-piece suits and it works great. I've already tested it out in torrential downpours and I stayed completely dry. Note: the removeable liner is hanging in the closet so the suit is dry without requiring the liner.
Prior to the Olympia, I used an old Fieldsheer one-piece rainsuit that was large enough to fit over my leathers and can vouch that I never got wet with that thing, either.
I actually enjoy riding in the rain... I guess I like the combination of skill honing and having people look at me like "what an idiot" - probably moreso because I feel like cagers actually SEE me as opposed to riding in good weather.
I know the Olympia is basically an Aerostich knock-off but the quality is very high and ventilation is quite good for a one-piece. The price is right, too. I'm sure that the liner will come in handy when temps finally drop for our winter riding season.
the only part I hate about riding in the rain is when you first start to get wet. once I'm soaked its fun. and once I get home soaked it starts to suck again.
I try not to ride in the rain but if I have a specific destination I'll do it.
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough" - Mario Andretti
the only part I hate about riding in the rain is when you first start to get wet. once I'm soaked its fun. and once I get home soaked it starts to suck again.
I try not to ride in the rain but if I have a specific destination I'll do it.
I never thought about it like that, but thats definately true... I don't mind riding in the rain as long as it starts raining when I'm on the bike, not a big fan of starting out in the rain.
I try to avoid riding in the rain if possible. When I'm wearing the 'stich, there's no problem though.
When I'm wearing one or two piece leathers I have a First Gear two piece rain set that I really, really like. Got it from newenough. Self stowing and easily fits in a tank bag or panniers. I got the yellow as I want to be seen in the rain. If you wear the hood under your helmet, rain doesn't go down the back of your neck.
I put on the suit as soon as I figure out this is going to be more than a brief sprinkle...so yeah I get a little wet. That's okay though, it helps clean off the bugs from my leathers.
mojave...you should get out more.
Last edited by maxib; 08-31-2007 at 05:47 PM.
Reason: forgot the when part
I have a 2 piece Frogg Togg suit. I really like the fact that it is waterproof and still breathable. I don't like that it is very "blousey", makes for lots of flapping. I would rather have a one piece, but they are hard to come by in the Frogg Togg brand. I have a light gray one, found a yellow AFTER I bought the gray. I will get it as a replacement, as I don't expect these to last too long.
I really need a set of good waterproof, breathable boots. I am using covers over mine now, and it is a poor set up. I will check out the gloves evl uses.
I really don't like riding in traffic in the rain, but other than that I enjoy it. Makes a big difference if I am dressed for it, and that it is usually warm rain down here. The weird rains we get here (usually brief torrential showers with little warning) are sometimes not to bad to endure without rain gear.
Character is not formed in a crisis...only exhibited.
If you are looking for a daily use waterproof boot I recommend Sidi On Road boots. I just got my second pair as I like them that much. Never, ever had a wet toe in any rain and yes, I've schlopped through sloughs looking for something that fell off the bike and got distracted trying to catch a bullfrog to take home to show the kids....but that's another story. The bottom line was my feet never got wet.
They are comfortable enough (after break in) to walk in when touring a new destination on foot, and they don't scream BIKER when you go into a restaurant.
Although acceptable on track, I would recommend a purpose built boot for that.
I know what you're gonna say CBRVFR, so put a sock in it! Besides, you're supposed to get ready for a wonderful weekend!
Get a pre'08 Concours so you actually HAVE rain protection :POKE) , a 'Stich, an extra pair of dry gloves to wear when the rain stops and make sure your stich is long enough to cover the top of your boots. I wear waterproof Redwing (Red Wing Shoes) boots. I still have protection and don't look like a mutant when I'm not on the bike. Of course in my class of RT students I could be wearing scrubs/crocs and still look like a mutant.
I ride year round and don't mind leaving the house in the rain. What sucks is leaving the house wearing a leather jacket and jeans and the bottom falling out in 10 miles. I leave before daylight in the mornings and don't always listen to my weather reporter(broken shoulder/leg that aches with barometer change). Last week I just thought I played with the kids too hard in the pool. Nothing like being in class with my pants soaked from the knees down. I also like to keep a change of clothes strategically located wear I tend to be(school, work, Mom's). An extra pair of socks and a shirt stuffed in a case are handy too.
At the risk of being a threadjacker (insert condemnations here), along this vein-what about helmets and rain. The couple of times I rode in the rain, worse by far than getting wet, was my helmet fogging up, or if I cracked the visor to clear the fog, water ran in.
At the risk of being a threadjacker (insert condemnations here), along this vein-what about helmets and rain. The couple of times I rode in the rain, worse by far than getting wet, was my helmet fogging up, or if I cracked the visor to clear the fog, water ran in.
No, that's a really good issue to bring up. That is the main problem I have in the rain with my Shoei Syncrotech. It actually leaks rain down the inside of the visor, then fogs badly .
I have used the Scorpion EXO-700 a bit in the rain and it has been great so far. No leaks, and it has no-fog visors.
Character is not formed in a crisis...only exhibited.
Get a pre'08 Concours so you actually HAVE rain protection :POKE) , a 'Stich, an extra pair of dry gloves to wear when the rain stops and make sure your stich is long enough to cover the top of your boots.
Crusty
Everybody seems to like the Stich! How are they in the heat?
I think I will get one soon.
Character is not formed in a crisis...only exhibited.
Everybody seems to like the Stich! How are they in the heat?
I think I will get one soon.
there was a little review a few months back in Motorcyclist about them. The editor had been using his since the 80s when they first came out and was thinking about getting a new one. but he said it was still in such good shape after riding through every condition it encountered. you could tell from reading it that he was in love with the thing.
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough" - Mario Andretti
At the risk of being a threadjacker (insert condemnations here), along this vein-what about helmets and rain. The couple of times I rode in the rain, worse by far than getting wet, was my helmet fogging up, or if I cracked the visor to clear the fog, water ran in.
Respro Foggy Mask and crack the visor to the first detent if it fogs.
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.
---Leonardo Da Vinci
The HJC CL-15 works very well in the rain so far very little fog (only while stopped) and no leakage. I don't have any rain gear, cause I'm a fair weather rider. That said if I'm out and it rains, I get wet. Pilot Powers and wet concrete are not a good combination.
I wouldn't get in too big a hurry unless they have changed their manufacturing process. It took me 8 weeks in 2000 to get mine. Well worth the wait though. I have the two piece and it's got about 45000 miles on it
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Originally Posted by DrHall
). 
and although I made A LOT of mistakes, I never went down. After that, the few times we got caught in the rain didn't cause panic 
- and neither did the mistakes I made.
. 
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