I haven't been in a rain storm yet, but I have a couple big rides planned this summer. Any experiences/suggestions?

 

A little pricey, but the Icon PDX hi-vis jacket and bib-pants works well for me.

 

do they pack down pretty small? I've heard of people buying froggtogs?

 

Pay attention to the radar. I try my damnedest to miss the rain. Get caught up in it, I just deal with it til I find a find a spot to lay over til it's gone. With that said I will say this, every scoot I have owned I always spend time in the rain to get use to the scoot, altgough I prefer no rain. Food for thought.

 

Just buy the Harley gear from the beginning and save yourself the trouble and extra money.

My second set of rain gear were FroggTogs and I threw them away at the dealership in Pigeon Forge during the downpour that inspired me to spend the cash on Harley gear.

 

I have HD rain gear, not the Hi Vis ones, just regular black with some orange and white on the back. Never got wet wearing them. I also found some gaiters on Ebay which help stop wet feet. I don't care how waterproof your boots are, in torrential rain, water gets your feet wet, plus they are great if the roads are wet but you don't need the rain gear.
Rain gear also helps keep cold and wind out. Been caught on days when the temperature drops and I forgot a jacket or hoodie.

 

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...

 

If you like the HD stuff I had an email from Surdyke about a sale on it today. Might be worth a look.

 

I've done a solid ten hours in a steady rain.

Believe it or not, it's downright beautiful. No, it wasn't a frog strangler with horizontal sleet, but it rained the whole damn time. I found it meditative, peaceful, and serene.

I have the Harley hi-viz rain gear. It's very, very good. Get the gaiters for your boots.

Don't be afraid of the rain.

 

I have some regular HD gear that folds up into the hood. Has kept me dry on numerous occasions and packs down small enough to keep in my swing arm bag. Every year when I do a multi day trip I ALWAYS hit rain. On trips like that when you have planned months in advance and taken work off you are at mother natures mercy. Good rain gear is essential for a safe and fun trip.