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thumbs up on the Hi-Vis rain gear from HD. had it for the past 5 years. always kept me dry. I got it first when I was living in Florida with all the torrential rain afternoons. it folds down to a small pack that I always keep in my saddlebag.
the Hi Viz is referring to the bright colors?? I like some of the harley gear, but not specifically Hi Viz. I also like the Icon stuff. Both about the same money...
Hi-Viz does look like a traffic cone a bit, but in rain conditions when drivers are using their phone and can't see anything, I rather be a traffic cone than a cool/dark gear rider, but dead...
(already paid my due once, spending a week in hospital after hitting a Deer going 70mph)
I have an Eastern Mountain Sports set that still looks new, and I have had it for over 20 years ! Wear it over winter coats, while driving Zamboni on an outdoor rink in snow and rain. Also, use them skiing. Wore it in raging down pours refereeing Lacrosse. But, it's too big to wear on MC.
On the MC, I have been using a $80 house brand set, made of vinyl. They worked for the most part, but are hot to wear. Funny, they put a hi-vis stripe on the arms, and didn't seal the stitch lines. Would have stitching hole leak marks on my undershirt, when I took jacket off.
I hadn't really done any "touring", so that set worked. By touring, I mean have to be on MC, and have to do the miles - unable to avoid weather.
As we were going to Sturgis, I researched a Gore-Tex MC set for over a year. Was unable to physically try on what I wanted to buy, so never pulled the trigger. Was targeting Klim. Which I thought was the best available.
Ironically, last night, a guy came in the restaurant I was in, wearing it. But, last month I came across a Harley Gortex set online, and bought it. It's awesome. However, it was discontinued a few years ago. Gore Tex PacLite if you can find one online.
Haven't owned them, but ride with guys that have the lesser cost Frog Toggs. They work. But, you really need to watch contact with the pipes. As they will melt from any contact. They report them as warm to wear. I would suggest some Velcro hockey shin guard straps, to chinch in the leg/ankle area.
I wanted to like the Icon gear so as not to be an HD billboard flapping in the wind, but saw some crappy reviews on it....I had some old hand-me-down HD rain gear that kept me fairly dry riding in several days of rain, so I decided to keep my new gear in the family
just picked up the HD "Full Speed" rain suit and have yet to try it out, but I'm riding the Blue Ridge Pkwy in May and will assuredly get rained on at some point...it's a little toned down in looks but still reflective as hell
There was a nicer one I considered, with more features, but I had read that the chest pockets can leak, so I got this one
I wanted to like the Icon gear so as not to be an HD billboard flapping in the wind, but saw some crappy reviews on it....I had some old hand-me-down HD rain gear that kept me fairly dry riding in several days of rain, so I decided to keep my new gear in the family
just picked up the HD "Full Speed" rain suit and have yet to try it out, but I'm riding the Blue Ridge Pkwy in May and will assuredly get rained on at some point...it's a little toned down in looks but still reflective as hell
There was a nicer one I considered, with more features, but I had read that the chest pockets can leak, so I got this one
Same suit I bought, also yet to be tried out. Also got the HD boot covers and a set of Dainese (sp?) glove covers.
Although it's not very "Harley-ish", if you want riding comfort and wind and rain protection, there's only two word you need to know...Aerostitch Roadcrafter! Just another option for ya. It's not a suit you'd keep tucked away in case of rain, it's something you'd have to wear all the time. But for long highway trips, it keeps all the elements off of you and completely dry in the rain. Certainly a little much for daily jaunts, but for trips, this is the only way to go. Used to commute 90 miles a day in one round trip and I rode it every day, year round, period, regardless of weather.
You want complete peace of mind for riding in the rain? Invest in a something with Gore-Tex technology. Expensive? Certainly, but you will never need anything else and it WILL keep you dry in any weather. I commute to work by bike, rain or shine (and it rains a LOT in Japan) and have a Gore-Tex one piece rain suit. It has always kept me dry and never let me down for 5+ years, now. Gore-Tex also insulates and breaths, so it keeps you dry and cool in the summer and warmer in colder weather. Consider it an investment, especially if it will be used frequently and when you want something dependable that will do what it's supposed to when needed...
Aerostich has some good stuff, but you'll pay over a grand for their one-piece stuff. I have THIS which is simpler and made by a Japanese manufacturer, but I paid about a 3rd of the price. If you're interested, I can help you acquire one (no I don't work for them - just a service I offer my HD Forum brothers who want something only sold in Japan). With shipping it would probably still be well under 5 bills. Only thing to be aware of is that they make only up to XL which fits guys up to about 6' tall and of average weight...
I like that japanese setup you have, I'll have to give that a serious thought. How compact is it when stowed away?
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