[quote]Don't skimp on your rain gear. The money you save now, will cost you more in the future. I luckily got mine from one of the dealers that had a tent set up at the York, PA open house. Got caught in a truly biblical rain storm outside of Breezewood on the way back to Michigan. It's a HD varathane two piece suit which was pricey (and I don't even think they are made/offered any longer), but it has kept me dry in some heavy rains. Including riding to Biketoberfest through the remains of a hurricane in KY/TN/GA.

Things to consider:

1) I haven't yet found one rainsuit that you can wear in either hot or cold weather, without taking things off or putting things on underneath. My varathane (which is an excellant warm/hot weather suit) lets the air pass through it, so you're gonna have to get one big enough to wear the full garb under it if you venture out in the fall/winter months. I guess it depends on where you ride, and when you ride. IMO it's not worth the expense to have multiple rainsuits. If you ride in the winter, you are better off purchasing a winter riding suit made out of Thinsulate and GoreTex. Or getting heated clothing to wear under your summer rain gear.

2) Get yourself a pair of Totes slip over boots. They are light weight, fold up easily, and they will keep your feet dry! On the return trip from PA I could literally pour the water out of my boots! And this was late Sep, so it was getting cold out. I had a pair of Totes the next week. My Rocky GoreTex boots are supposed to be waterproof, yeah maybe just standing around in the rain...But not doing 70mph in the rain like I found out in FL one fall. When you go to buy them make certain that you a wearing the boots/shoes that you will be riding in. Their sizes really don't help. I've got a set with the zippers on the sides and have had no problems with wet feet after ten hours of riding in rain from the afore mentioned hurricane weather. I ripped two pairs of the Totes 'Motorcyclist' boots because they are pull over type, so I would recommend going with the zippers for ease of putting on.

3) Buy a pair of rubber 'chemical' gloves. Preferably in gauntlet length. Get a couple of pairs of light cotton work gloves (cheap white/brown ones) and wear them under the rubber gauntlets. The rubber will keep your hands dry and protected (rain stings at 75mph), and the cotton ones will keep the sweat down and your hands warm. Plus you can either toss the cotton ones or wash them when they get nasty!

4) Even if you ride with a windshield, I'd recommend getting a pair of wraparound clear saftey glasses for night riding or when it's not sunny enough for regular sunglasses. Spray from semi's is really awful at 70+. I don't like full face helmets, but that is a good option if you do and the lens doesn't fog.

5) Make certain that your rainsuit closes comfortably, but snuggly around your neck. Otherwise the water will just run off your helmet or head down your neck and it won't be long before your soaking from the inside out. A bandana helps, but not for long. I'm considering a dry suit/scuba type neophrene head piece to wear under the helmet but over the neck of my rainsuit. Just haven't went to a shop to try one yet.

6) Consider some additional reflective material, even though most rain gear has reflective areas...Perhaps one of those 'lime green' vest that construction workers wear. When it's dark out, and the rain is heavy...You want to be seen...You want to stick out...You don't want to be a statistic.

7) At the first inclination of rain, pull over and get suited up. There's never a place 'down the road' when it starts pouring. If nothing more, put on the boots and pants. That way it's a quick stop to down the jacket and gloves.

All my rain gear folds down and fits inside the pouch for the rainsuit. Between my wife's gear and mine it takes up about 1/3 of the room in the upper saddle bag on my 'glide.

Ride Saf

 

No problem. I've been wet and I've been dry.....I prefer dry.

 

My Frogg Toggs leak at the seam in the crotch. They sent me another pair and they leak. ended up buying HD gear. Frogg Toggs easily burn.

 

Yep - - - - my so called "waterproof" gortex, miltary issued Mountain boots got soaked through after 8 hours of riding in a continuous downpour (from Northern Ohio to Washington DC)


IMHO- -get the rubber overboots for sure - -any Army/Navy Surplus store will sell them for about 15 bucks.....

 

Yes, they are cheap, ugly andwork quite wellAND they pack down into a realatively small bag.

 

If, when I start out it looks like a good chance of rain, I put on my First Gear over-pants. Then, when the rain looks eminent, I pull over and put on my rain jacket. Oftentimes, on long trips, I simply wear my over-pants as my primary riding gear. I also use suspenders on them. Nothing beats a good pair of water/windprood riding pants IMHO.

 

the running down the neck is the problem i have w/my stern's set that came from walmart, esp if the full face is on, the water comes off the bottom lip and blows right into the top of the neck, 20-50 miles no big deal but from gainsville to nashville it WAS A PROBLEM!!!

 

Another Vote for: Frogg Toggs - Light weight - Fold up small & they work Great..

 

My regular riding gear *is* my rain gear.

Most of the time, I'm wearing my Aerostich Roadcrafter. Zip up some vents and keep on riding. For exceptionally hot riding, I'm in my mesh gear and wouldn't put vinyl rain gear on anyway.

 

Frogg's