Riding in the rain

Hey everyone ! I have a question, today I was riding my other scooter a 150cc taotao, not a bad scooter to ride close to home and work but I got caught in the rain.
Now that is not so bad when you are close to home but when you are on the road that is a different story

Ive got trips in the planning on the awesome wing and I wanted to ask all the great riders on here,

What is the best rain gear to buy ?

thank you to each and everyone you are a big help !

The waterproof kind!

I have a FirstGear Rainman 2-piece that is rain tested. H2o proof gloves and boot covers will finish off the kit. Several pair of "resistant" gloves will work also. Wet and warm is okay for me, its the wet and cold that needs consideration. There are many, but buy quality you don't need a wardrobe malfunction traveling in the rain.

Gear will keep you dry, riding skill will keep you alive. Know what to expect before it happens. Brush up on your wet riding fundamentals as a review (the first 30 minutes and be slippery).

Frog Toggs also work well from what I hear
RainGear Reviews

Depends on what riding jacket/pants you use. I wear Firstgear waterproof riding pants, so no rain pants required. Tourmaster, Nelson-Rigg and others make quality rain gear at a reasonable price. I use a yellow Tourmaster top, oversized to fit over my mesh riding jacket.
Also by layering under the jacket/rain gear, it can be used as a cold weather wind break, reducing the amount of seasonal gear needed.

I have used frog toggs. They work well. What is nice about them is they breath. They are not vinyl or rubber so when it is warmer they are tolerable."

I also have a Olympia AST 2 Jacket which is water proof and a three season jacket. I got a Olympia Moab mesh jacket this year with a water proof inner jacket. It also has a quilted liner. Was great with the extreme heat this summer. I have Firstgear pants with a liner which are waterproof. The liner is for cold weather. These pants I use in the spring and fall. I have Olympia Recon 3 mesh pants/shorts for the summer. Not water proof.

Boots I have water proof Sidi way rain. I bought those when I started riding with Bob as a passenger. They work great.

Gloves I use the rain gloves from Aerostitch that go over you
riding gloves.

I have been caught in the rain several times. Some of those times were torrential and it is no fun.

Hope this helps.

[quote="CathyN"]

I have been caught in the rain several times. Some of those times were torrential and it is no fun. / Nope, not saying a word. :lol!:

Tip #1: Look at the hourly forecast along your route and plan accordingly.
Tip #2: If you ride very long in rain, you're going to get wet. It's better to have an alternate plan that deals with the weather than trudging through conditions that can turn a fun trip into a less fun one.
Tip #3: A little wetness never hurt anyone as long as it's possible to get dry and comfy again soon.
Tip #4: With wetness comes fog. Make sure any lenses can be dried either manually or with heat.
Tip #5: While some say riding in a thunderstorm isn't dangerous, it really can be deadly. Lightning can strike a biker. Thunderstorms tend to come with gusty high winds.
Tip #7: Water on the road obscures obstacles like potholes and decreases braking effectiveness.
Tip #8: A poorly (overly loose) fitting rain suit becomes more of a wind sail than water barrier.
Tip #9: With rain often comes fog and reduced visibility. Don't drive faster than you can see to stop. Combine that with night and distances are reduced even further.
Tip #10: Know your own riding capabilities and when to call it quits. Having "get-there-itis" can be deadly.
Tip #11: Wet pavement is less forgiving to mistakes. Make sure your tires are in excellent condition.

KB

I'd say get out in it, as long as you've got good rain gear you'll be fine. One-piece or two-piece is up to you, a two-piece gives you the option of just wearing the jacket. I've got mine and Mrs M's rain gear folded up in named zippered cases so we know my two-piece from her smaller one-piece. I keep my rain gloves together with my suit and there's a supermarket plastic bag included in each kit for slipping over a boot so they don't snag on the mesh lining in the legs getting into the suit. Similarly all the zips are open on the legs and sleeves for quick entry, and only a couple of Velcro tabs secure the top.

You can get any number of waterproof bike suits that will keep you dry on the outside but condensation will build up on the inside of the suit if it's not breathable. Our suits are breathable which makes them a lot more comfortable to wear, but having a built in rain hood and neck seal means that in certain conditions they'll get very warm to wear if you're wearing a close fitting full length back protector under your normal bike jacket instead of the usual back pad inside.

I try not to wipe my helmet visor with a gloved hand,moving my head out of the calmer area behind the screen into the turbulent area at the sides usually clears it. I've also found that the side "wings" on the Airflow do a pretty good job of keeping your gloves dry if you are doing 60+ mph, and I can get away with just a rain jacket as long as I can constantly remain at high speed. I even start singing away, and as long as I get hot food and coffee at fuel stops I even start to enjoy it.

I'd say get out in it, as long as you've got good rain gear you'll be fine. One-piece or two-piece is up to you, a two-piece gives you the option of just wearing the jacket. I've got mine and Mrs M's rain gear folded up in named zippered cases so we know my two-piece from her smaller one-piece. I keep my rain gloves together with my suit and there's a supermarket plastic bag included in each kit for slipping over a boot so they don't snag on the mesh lining in the legs getting into the suit. Similarly all the zips are open on the legs and sleeves for quick entry, and only a couple of Velcro tabs secure the top.

You can get any number of waterproof bike suits that will keep you dry on the outside but condensation will build up on the inside of the suit if it's not breathable. Our suits are breathable which makes them a lot more comfortable to wear, but having a built in rain hood and neck seal means that in certain conditions they'll get very warm to wear if you're wearing a close fitting full length back protector under your normal bike jacket instead of the usual back pad inside.

I try not to wipe my helmet visor with a gloved hand,moving my head out of the calmer area behind the screen into the turbulent area at the sides usually clears it. I've also found that the side "wings" on the Airflow do a pretty good job of keeping your gloves dry if you are doing 60+ mph, and I can get away with just a rain jacket as long as I can constantly remain at high speed. I even start singing away, and as long as I get hot food and coffee at fuel stops I even start to enjoy it.

Riding in rain no big deal----but professional quality riding gear is necessary......that does not flap in the breeze, I find rubber over boots good for all day in rain----see Aerostich catalog for the expensive ones. Gloves, I carry several pair, have a pr of HD rain gloves---that work well provided you get them on before you hands get wet.

Long trips wear gear that is water/weather proof from get go. Saves the rain dance if it starts to rain.

Ride a lot---rain/wet will be there. I have noticed trailer bikers in the US hide under bridges as they don't seem to carry rain gear.

I like Aerostich Darien 2 piece suits---stayed dry in 8 hr Tokyo typhoon like rain, and me not wet from sweat. Waxed cotton good, too if you can stand the dirty hands, etc from it.

I think getting the right gear is leanring process.

I have an RN Gortex long jacket (mid-thigh length - no hood) and Army Gortex over-trousers. Both items were bought cheap from Army Surplus stores, both were brand new.

The trousers tend to 'ride up', exposing the bottoms of the Draggin'Jeans I usually wear so I bought some very cheap gaiters - just tubes of waterproof material with elastic cuffs into which I tuck my trousers and which go over the ankles of my boots.

I've used the jacket as a wind-proof garment many times, too, when I've been wearing my leather jacket and the weather's turned a bit chilly during the day.

The only drawback to the jacket is that it's a little bit bulky when rolled up but that hasn't proved a problem so far.

The best raingear I have as far as overtrousers go is a pair of Regatta (available in UK maybe not in USA) trousers that have full length zips down the outside of the legs (full length = ankle to waist) so I can put them on without having to get them over the boot (singular on purpose!).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390288053107?var=660015624523&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_2598wt_997

Cheers,

Silverwing28681 wrote:

What is the best rain gear to buy ?

The best is what you can afford.

My gear is bl**dy expensive but in 5+ years it has kept me dry. I ride in most weather. The only exceptions being ICE and forecast ICE. Otherwise - it rains, my gear gets wet and when I remove my bike clothing I am dry underneath.

I'm happy.

For the money, it is hard to beat the Frog Togs. They are competitively priced and work fairly well in most rain storms. If the storm is that bad,maybe you should pull in and wait it out. I have put 110,000 miles on my last two Harley's over the last eight years, and have gone through four sets of rain suits and have found that none keep you totally dry. I now wear a Gore Tex suit from LLBean, and it works quite well. Good luck, and keep riding.

dogdcinc wrote:

and have found that none keep you totally dry.

Have to disagree there; my Gore Tex suit, (Master IV) from the now closing Hein Gericke, UK, has never let me down. (Hein Gericke Europe still trading).

I am not a recreational rider, I ride my bike to commute and therefore have to ride no matter what the strength of rain coming down or indeed weather period. And believe me, we do get the odd down pore in the UK.

+1

I forgot to add - I have a pair of these, one of the greatest things since sliced bread - and wear them over my summer gloves in wet and chilly conditions.
Honestly, one of the best things I've ever bought.

Waspie wrote:

Silverwing28681 wrote:

What is the best rain gear to buy ?

The best is what you can afford.

My gear is bl**dy expensive but in 5+ years it has kept me dry. I ride in most weather. The only exceptions being ICE and forecast ICE. Otherwise - it rains, my gear gets wet and when I remove my bike clothing I am dry underneath.

I'm happy.

There's no bl**dy expensive Hein Gericke gear, it's all low to medium priced. If you want expensive try Spidi, Dainese, Klim, BMW or Rukka. For example the top of the range Rukka Armas jacket is currently £1099.99 and the matching Armas trousers are £769.99, now that's bl**dy expensive.

I've only worn my Tourmaster rain gear once but it seems really nice. (Came wit the bike). The pants have loops that seem to go under the shoes to keep the pants leg from blowing upwards. The jacket has draw strings around the waist and Velcro around the neck to keep water out so no issues on the highway. I have not yet had to use the hood built into the collar. Also both pants and jacket have a mesh liner to help breathing and everything feels solid. I am surprised it all came in a clutch purse size bag I've been keeping under the seat. (I just discovered what a clutch purse is, not that I carry one... . Oh, I did sweat a little wearing this in the thunderstorm on a summer day.

My regular riding wear is a Tourmaster outfit that has a mesh jacket and pants as the crash component. The jacket has an outer shell that zipps in that seems water proof - at least it was in light rain and of course is the wind breaker. There is also an inner quilt lining for colder weather. Good into the 40s as long as I adjust the side straps so air does not go up my back, or wear a leather vest or sweatshirt which can take me into the upper 30s (at 70 mph).

The pants have an inner liner that is water proof (means the nylon mesh will be wet in a real rain, which I avoided so far). A quilted liner goes inside the water proof liner. The rain liner being inside the pants means I can't take it off without taking the pants off. They get really hot walking around Wal-Mart with just the rain liner and even more so with the quilt. The mesh pants have a zipper that will go up to mid thigh but the rain liner is solid with folded panels under the ankle zipper. Anyway, I find that I prefer to wear chaps except in really hot weather. I think the pants will come out only in really hot or really cold weather since I have the separate rain gear in a pouch.

Overall I am quite impressed with Tourmaster gear and it seems to be a reasonable price. ($150 for the 3 layer riding jacket, $150 for the 3 layer pants - Hmmmm.... my leather chaps and my Red-wing boots were also $150 each ... I see a pattern). Oh, the rain gear in pouch was free with the Swing, along with a couple helmets, some boots, bike cover, etc...

Whatever you get, try to see it in a store. Look for good collar closure and neck protection, though you can add a face/neck mask. Also good cinching. Finally, liner or vents that will help it breath.

And don't forget to dry it thoroughly after it gets wet.

I may end up using the Tourmaster rain gear on a boat.

:lol!: Ishkatan, I didn't know they had clutch purses at Wal*Mart.

Meldrew wrote:

Waspie wrote:

Silverwing28681 wrote:

What is the best rain gear to buy ?

The best is what you can afford.

My gear is bl**dy expensive but in 5+ years it has kept me dry. I ride in most weather. The only exceptions being ICE and forecast ICE. Otherwise - it rains, my gear gets wet and when I remove my bike clothing I am dry underneath.

I'm happy.

There's no bl**dy expensive Hein Gericke gear, it's all low to medium priced. If you want expensive try Spidi, Dainese, Klim, BMW or Rukka. For example the top of the range Rukka Armas jacket is currently £1099.99 and the matching Armas trousers are £769.99, now that's bl**dy expensive.

Not an issue anymore as HG are in the hands of the receivers! But I wouldn't call the Master VI cheap at £1400ish to replace, when you consider you can pay £150 for jacket and trews at some bike shops. (Still I took advantage of the closing down sale!!!) Although no 'Master' series togs left.

Next time I want a good quality water-proof jacket I will be on the prowl for a good manufacturer.

I'm not a gear snob, one of my favourite HG outfits is the long discontinued lightweight Air jacket and trousers costing about £160. It's not waterproof but I have often rode through heavy rain in it with no problems. I use for Spring and Summer touring supplemented with a two-piece rain suit.

A few days ago I had a bit of a clear out and took an old BMW two-piece Gore-Tex suit with a load of other stuff to a local charity shop, I paid around £450 for it in the early 1990's and I checked the price tag when I was in there with more stuff yesterday, they want £40 for it.

I've gone a bit broad in the beam to get into my Aerostich Roadcrafter two-piece, and I think that might sell on eBay.

Meldrew, it's nothing about snobbery. It's about gear that works.

After reading an article in 'Bike' mag. Quite a few years back were a 'journo' gave the HG Master IV jacket and trousers 10/10 during a years testing of water-proof textile suits and was then prepared to buy a set after the test was completed. It made my mind up which bike gear I was going to buy. As it was they gave him the suit saving him wonga - lucky sod.

Like you, I expect I went through a few manufacturers gear before settling on something that works. For me that is the criteria I work to, not the price or who makes it. A Belstaff jacket I had was really well made, but! Too hot in summer, not warm enough in the winter, no compromise. It also leaked, not good when your riding all year round. I have tried cheaper options but they just haven't worked.

Like I said buy the best you can afford, it's all we can if we want to ride throughout the year. Otherwise - wait for a weather forecast and go for it!!!

I have come to the conclusion that if one lives in an arid area and wants advice for raingear (just in case the locals do a rain dance) then it is best to ask someone from the UK. I mean, the chances of getting it right the first time would be very remote. The only way the Brits can possibly improve their wet weather gear is obviously to use wetsuits or a body condom.

I have come to the conclusion if you live in an arid area why would you need advice on rain gear, you're hardly likely to be out in the rain so often you need to buy a one or two-piece over suit. If you do then a lightweight commuter suit would do as long as it fits over your riding gear. If not then the waterproofing in your normal riding gear should cope, out on the road with the Airflow fitted it's usually only the shoulder and outer arms that get wet, and they soon dry once the rain stops.

Meldrew wrote:

I have come to the conclusion if you live in an arid area why would you need advice on rain gear, you're hardly likely to be out in the rain so often you need to buy a one or two-piece over suit. If you do then a lightweight commuter suit would do as long as it fits over your riding gear. If not then the waterproofing in your normal riding gear should cope, out on the road with the Airflow fitted it's usually only the shoulder and outer arms that get wet, and they soon dry once the rain stops.

Amen!

Think this has been done to death now.

Yes I think so too, funnily enough it's pissing down with rain in Cumbria...again, and I can't be bothered to go to Carlisle and pick through what's left in the Hein Gericke shop.

Sunny down sarf! Forecast for rain tomorrow - just in time for me to go back to work!!! (Bank holiday work = £££'s).

As for HG, I imagine they have been picked to the bone by now. Can't have a lot left. Last email I received said up to 70% off! Was looking a Schubert C3 but even with there discount they weren't any cheaper than a couple of on line dealers! Not so much discount on Lids! probably to do with the VAT!

Latest on the UK weather;

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/national/9894443.Britain_set_for_respite_from_rain/

Slashing down here at the moment and I have to go out later.

'Rain before 7,
Dry by 11'

doesn't seem to work here.