Rain suit recommendations
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
We got so wet one day, travelling about 250 miles from the Czech Republic into Germany, with heavy rain all the way, that while we were dry and warm inside, the exteriors of our riding suits were so wet we had them tumble-dried, so we could set off the following day in reasonable comfort. There ain't no leather suit will deal with those conditions.......
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
We got so wet one day, travelling about 250 miles from the Czech Republic into Germany, with heavy rain all the way, that while we were dry and warm inside, the exteriors of our riding suits were so wet we had them tumble-dried, so we could set off the following day in reasonable comfort. There ain't no leather suit will deal with those conditions.......
Going to Arizona one year I hit 3 monsoons.
You know those desert storms where they get all their water for the year.
It seemed like the drops were the size of dinner plates.
10 miles on the other side of the storms I was dry again.
A rain suit I just ain't worried about.
Granted the windshield helped a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Neither - modern hi-tech suits that include kevlar and other fancy stuff to provide warm storm-proof kit. No way would I expect to get wet on many of the journeys I have ridden over the years and expect to survive the experience, let alone dry out! We enjoy or endure quite different weather conditions!
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,839
Likes: 17,865
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
Well a Heritage is the touring softail. Yes, it is an evo with a carburetor.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 675
Likes: 32
From: Massachusetts
ive got the harley suit, and it has its ups and downs. when we went to NC a month or so ago, we got caught in a 2 hour monsoon coming through gettysburg. one guy wearing an OLD mock suit, me in my fairly new hiviz suit, and our buddy joe in his carhartt suit (work-provided)
old mock suit got wet crotch, and wet anywhere near a zipper
i stayed dry once I zipped the jacket up all the way...my gaiters works perfectly (below the knees i was bone dry), but the water pooling between my legs on the seat leached through in ~ 15-20min, and ended up looking like a teenager at his first tittybar
our buddy joe stayed BONE dry from the stomach down. his carhartt jacket wasnt set up for riding (mostly around the neck), but the pants worked FLAWLESSLY. im giving some serious thought to picking up a pair of those pants.
i rarely take my rain gear out. I brought it on the trip because we had to ride, rain or shine, to keep on any sort of schedule. even getting swamp ***, it beat the hell out of the alternative.
old mock suit got wet crotch, and wet anywhere near a zipper
i stayed dry once I zipped the jacket up all the way...my gaiters works perfectly (below the knees i was bone dry), but the water pooling between my legs on the seat leached through in ~ 15-20min, and ended up looking like a teenager at his first tittybar
our buddy joe stayed BONE dry from the stomach down. his carhartt jacket wasnt set up for riding (mostly around the neck), but the pants worked FLAWLESSLY. im giving some serious thought to picking up a pair of those pants.
i rarely take my rain gear out. I brought it on the trip because we had to ride, rain or shine, to keep on any sort of schedule. even getting swamp ***, it beat the hell out of the alternative.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
ive got the harley suit, and it has its ups and downs. when we went to NC a month or so ago, we got caught in a 2 hour monsoon coming through gettysburg. one guy wearing an OLD mock suit, me in my fairly new hiviz suit, and our buddy joe in his carhartt suit (work-provided)
old mock suit got wet crotch, and wet anywhere near a zipper
i stayed dry once I zipped the jacket up all the way...my gaiters works perfectly (below the knees i was bone dry), but the water pooling between my legs on the seat leached through in ~ 15-20min, and ended up looking like a teenager at his first tittybar
our buddy joe stayed BONE dry from the stomach down. his carhartt jacket wasnt set up for riding (mostly around the neck), but the pants worked FLAWLESSLY. im giving some serious thought to picking up a pair of those pants.
i rarely take my rain gear out. I brought it on the trip because we had to ride, rain or shine, to keep on any sort of schedule. even getting swamp ***, it beat the hell out of the alternative.
old mock suit got wet crotch, and wet anywhere near a zipper
i stayed dry once I zipped the jacket up all the way...my gaiters works perfectly (below the knees i was bone dry), but the water pooling between my legs on the seat leached through in ~ 15-20min, and ended up looking like a teenager at his first tittybar
our buddy joe stayed BONE dry from the stomach down. his carhartt jacket wasnt set up for riding (mostly around the neck), but the pants worked FLAWLESSLY. im giving some serious thought to picking up a pair of those pants.
i rarely take my rain gear out. I brought it on the trip because we had to ride, rain or shine, to keep on any sort of schedule. even getting swamp ***, it beat the hell out of the alternative.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: southeast Indiana
Ha!
You're showing your age! 
We Europeans routinely wear proper motorcycle suits, which these days are available with various removable linings, plus openings for cooling. Having ridden all year round for many years and in all weathers I can assure you Spanners that Belstaff and even Barbour suits wouldn't keep me dry for more than two winters. Waxed suits wouldn't keep me warm at any time!
I have a Halvarsens at present, which is super hi-tech, but not cheap. It has a UV reflecting outer, to reduce heat build-up when the sun is out, and thermal lining to reduce heat build up inside as well, plus waterproof lining. No lightweight two-piece or overall type of suit will last long, if used frequently, in my experience.
As for Prot's question, in my long experience with over half a million miles in North European conditions, a purpose made modern bike suit is preferable to any lightweight packaway style waterproof. If you are confident of needing it infrequently one may well do, but for long term use look at alternatives.
We Europeans routinely wear proper motorcycle suits, which these days are available with various removable linings, plus openings for cooling. Having ridden all year round for many years and in all weathers I can assure you Spanners that Belstaff and even Barbour suits wouldn't keep me dry for more than two winters. Waxed suits wouldn't keep me warm at any time!
I have a Halvarsens at present, which is super hi-tech, but not cheap. It has a UV reflecting outer, to reduce heat build-up when the sun is out, and thermal lining to reduce heat build up inside as well, plus waterproof lining. No lightweight two-piece or overall type of suit will last long, if used frequently, in my experience.
As for Prot's question, in my long experience with over half a million miles in North European conditions, a purpose made modern bike suit is preferable to any lightweight packaway style waterproof. If you are confident of needing it infrequently one may well do, but for long term use look at alternatives.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
used this for 400 miles..
didnt get wet at all
http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/S...020_59409_1936
didnt get wet at all
http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/S...020_59409_1936