Rain Gear
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,881
Likes: 32,990
From: King George, VA
I've owned quite a few rain suits over the years and none of them really impressed me with their ability to keep me dry.
First thing to avoid is the elastic wrist band. Doesn't stand up to freeway speed and collects water in the arm. Reach up to adjust your helmet and the water runs down your side.
Neck closer, if it isn't well closed you're going to have water down the front of your shirt. I use a large face kerchief on the outside of the rain suit to collect water off my face and it runs down on the outside of the jacket.
Jacket hood needs to be able to fit under helmet and is one piece with the jacket, not snap or buttoned to the jacket.
Jacket waist closure, if it doesn't have draw strings you're going to have water coming up at the waist then running down into your trousers. If the back doesn't stay down, wind current will take the rain around to your back and down the back of your trousers.
Jacket pockets, need to be water tight when closed or else water gets through the jacket to your shirt there.
Jacket needs to be able to be cinched around your body so it doesn't balloon up at freeway speeds.
Trouser waist has to be able to be drawn tight so the trousers don't try to fall down around your feet when ya walk.
Need pockets on the trousers or a means of reaching your cloths pockets for stuff.
Trousers need heat shield on inner leg to protect from engine heat.
Trousers need foot loop to go under shoe or boot to keep trouser leg from riding up at freeway speed.
Trousers need a one piece seat pan without stitching there. Stitching will expand over short time providing leakage into crotch area.
Boot covers need to have secure tie at top to keep boot cover from sliding down leg.
Boot covers need elastic band from sole over top of foot so the cover doesn't flop loose when walking.
Boot covers need rubber sole that is none slip.
Boot covers need full coverage, top and bottom to keep water out at freeway speeds.
Rain gear needs container or bag so the set can be easily moved and strapped to the bike.
Rain gear needs to be reconditioned after a year or so. Dirt and body sweat will effect the technology built into the rain suit material. Regular laundry soap will damage the water proofing of most gear. I use a product called NikWax Tech wash to wash mine and Nikwax Tx.direct to recondition it.
https://www.nikwax.com/usblog/how-to...r-rain-jacket/
Despite all the efforts to take care of my rain suits, they still allowed water in and I arrive with soaked crotch and shirt.
I recently paid for an Aerostitch Darien light suit. Trousers arrived yesterday and the jacket should be here in late October. Pretty expensive stuff but they guarantee that I'll stay dry.
My first impression of the trousers is that they are pretty heavy for being the lightest trouser they sell and will prolly be uncomfortably hot in summer heat. I put em on and took a ride for about half hour in 95 degrees with high humidity. Felt pretty good. They are built heavier than the standard trash bag quality of all the previous rain suits I've owned. Won't be flapping in the breeze.
The other biggest problem I have in the rain is vision. Obviously, ya can't wear eye googles over glasses. Rain will get in between them and you're eventually blind. I've tried the clip on windshield on my half helmet but that kept falling off. I'll usually put a hat on under the helmet to provide additional eye protection so rain isn't hitting me directly in the eyes. Despite all that, the rain seems to be coming up from below and collects more on the back side of my glasses than on the front.
I think I'll have to resort to a 3/4 helmet with the built in retractable face shield that extends down a little further for the long haul trips.
First thing to avoid is the elastic wrist band. Doesn't stand up to freeway speed and collects water in the arm. Reach up to adjust your helmet and the water runs down your side.
Neck closer, if it isn't well closed you're going to have water down the front of your shirt. I use a large face kerchief on the outside of the rain suit to collect water off my face and it runs down on the outside of the jacket.
Jacket hood needs to be able to fit under helmet and is one piece with the jacket, not snap or buttoned to the jacket.
Jacket waist closure, if it doesn't have draw strings you're going to have water coming up at the waist then running down into your trousers. If the back doesn't stay down, wind current will take the rain around to your back and down the back of your trousers.
Jacket pockets, need to be water tight when closed or else water gets through the jacket to your shirt there.
Jacket needs to be able to be cinched around your body so it doesn't balloon up at freeway speeds.
Trouser waist has to be able to be drawn tight so the trousers don't try to fall down around your feet when ya walk.
Need pockets on the trousers or a means of reaching your cloths pockets for stuff.
Trousers need heat shield on inner leg to protect from engine heat.
Trousers need foot loop to go under shoe or boot to keep trouser leg from riding up at freeway speed.
Trousers need a one piece seat pan without stitching there. Stitching will expand over short time providing leakage into crotch area.
Boot covers need to have secure tie at top to keep boot cover from sliding down leg.
Boot covers need elastic band from sole over top of foot so the cover doesn't flop loose when walking.
Boot covers need rubber sole that is none slip.
Boot covers need full coverage, top and bottom to keep water out at freeway speeds.
Rain gear needs container or bag so the set can be easily moved and strapped to the bike.
Rain gear needs to be reconditioned after a year or so. Dirt and body sweat will effect the technology built into the rain suit material. Regular laundry soap will damage the water proofing of most gear. I use a product called NikWax Tech wash to wash mine and Nikwax Tx.direct to recondition it.
https://www.nikwax.com/usblog/how-to...r-rain-jacket/
Despite all the efforts to take care of my rain suits, they still allowed water in and I arrive with soaked crotch and shirt.
I recently paid for an Aerostitch Darien light suit. Trousers arrived yesterday and the jacket should be here in late October. Pretty expensive stuff but they guarantee that I'll stay dry.
My first impression of the trousers is that they are pretty heavy for being the lightest trouser they sell and will prolly be uncomfortably hot in summer heat. I put em on and took a ride for about half hour in 95 degrees with high humidity. Felt pretty good. They are built heavier than the standard trash bag quality of all the previous rain suits I've owned. Won't be flapping in the breeze.
The other biggest problem I have in the rain is vision. Obviously, ya can't wear eye googles over glasses. Rain will get in between them and you're eventually blind. I've tried the clip on windshield on my half helmet but that kept falling off. I'll usually put a hat on under the helmet to provide additional eye protection so rain isn't hitting me directly in the eyes. Despite all that, the rain seems to be coming up from below and collects more on the back side of my glasses than on the front.
I think I'll have to resort to a 3/4 helmet with the built in retractable face shield that extends down a little further for the long haul trips.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 279
From: .
FXRG triple vent jacket, waterproof riding jeans, and waterproof boots. Can wear the same gear year round and don't have to stop to put on rain gear.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 543
Likes: 92
From: clinton CT
I love the Harley Hi Vis rain gear myself and I actually just had them out and retreated them. I also use the gators for over my boots. the gators work well if you are going to be in the saddle for long periods of time and not a lot of on and off the bike. Even though they have the sole tread, they always seemed clumsy to me. But on those real bad days when you are traveling they are nice to have.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
