Rain gear
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,769
Likes: 2,230
From: Florida
I carry my rain gear in the saddlebags, but honestly only use it if I'm heading out in the rain, or know for a fact it will be raining.
Rain will sneak up on you here in FL, even if there is 0% chance. Once your soaked, no point in the rain gear.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,174
Likes: 1,960
From: Great State of Canada
From years of sailing I've learned that "dry" is dependent on weather not clothing. Heavy duty Helly Hansen rain gear works best but is really heavy and bulky (commercial fishermen wear HH). Gore-Tex in particular is a total scam; "anyone ever notice the directions ? You're supposed to regularly spray it with Scotch Guard. " What makes Gore-Tex appear to work are the positive testimonials by "the scammed" who are too embarrassed by their expensive purchase to admit that they may as well be wearing flannel pajamas as $500 Gore-Tex rain gear.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 534
Likes: 35
From: Western Australia
You've obviously never bought decent wet weather gear.....
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,468
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Guys, here's everything you ever wanted to know about Gore-Tex and any other water repellent and/or waterproof and/or breathable fabrics:
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advi...-it-works.html
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 178
Likes: 33
From: Kansas City, MO
I bought the Harley rain suit, pants & jacket. The pants are nice because they have a strap that goes around the bottom of your boots. Cuts down on all of the wind ballooning out your pant legs. The jacket and pants roll up and go in a bag that I keep in my saddlebag and it also makes a nice pillow if you are camping. No more than I actually ride in the rain and as good as they are made I will probably never need to buy more rain gear. Jes saying.....
Last edited by bagger51; Mar 26, 2015 at 12:11 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 482
From: MA
I dont buy any Harley clothing, except rain gear. My dad, who also never buys harley stuff swore by it so i tried it.
its expensive, but it works very well. I was the only one not wet after a 3 hour ride in downpours last summer. My leather is pretty waterproof so no rain jacket, but I got the pants and the boot covers (very nice having dry feet and dry boots on multi-day trips!)
Worth every penny IMO, should last me a very long time but I'd buy them again if needed.
its expensive, but it works very well. I was the only one not wet after a 3 hour ride in downpours last summer. My leather is pretty waterproof so no rain jacket, but I got the pants and the boot covers (very nice having dry feet and dry boots on multi-day trips!)
Worth every penny IMO, should last me a very long time but I'd buy them again if needed.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 300
Likes: 1
From: Fayetteville, AR
The problem I am having finding rain gear is size! I'm 6'1 216lbs with 36" waist and 36" inseam. Everything I find is either way to big at the waist to fit the length. Anyone know of gear that is made for taller folks that are not for heavier guys? I can work around the jackets but the pants are always the problem.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 764
Likes: 355
From: Missouri
Nine years on HD rain gear and still in great shape. Bought it on a 20% off day and it really wasn't any more expensive than other good rain gear.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 1,121
From: USA
Jumping on the Gore-Tex issue, being an avid/semi pro fishermen for several years, I've spent some time on the water and in the rain. I swear by my Cabelas Guidewear Parka & Bibs, while most of the time I'd be on the deck, theres those frequent 60MPH+ trips to the other side the lake. Only issue is they really don't pack well and they're not reflective in any way, but they'll find a way on the bike in the event of any long distance road trips.
Considering the local tailor to see if I can have some reflective piping sewn in.
BTW: If anyone bought any from of Gore-Tex and you're soaking wet, better check label. I'm guessing you bought Ko-Tex instead.
Considering the local tailor to see if I can have some reflective piping sewn in.
BTW: If anyone bought any from of Gore-Tex and you're soaking wet, better check label. I'm guessing you bought Ko-Tex instead.
Last edited by 04FXDI; Mar 26, 2015 at 10:44 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,784
Likes: 57
From: In The Corn, Illinois
A few minutes sitting at a red light in a down pour in my Frog Toggs on vacation last year was all it took to convince me to pull into Pigeon Forge HD and buy a Harley rain suit. I should have bought the HD rain gear from the start. Would have saved me from getting soaked.