1st road trip
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
1st road trip
Well I took a road trip from Colorado to central Nebraska for the holiday on my 2012 Street Glide this weekend.
Nice ride lots of traffic....
My question - How well does rain gear work? Before I left I bought a set of the Harley Davidison high visiblity rain gear for $200. On the way home I ran into a crazy storm. Had to actually pull over due to the 60 MPH cross winds. My concern is that the rain gear from the knees down my jeans got soaked, of course my feet did also as I just had on my boots...
Is this normal for rain suits? or do I have a bad pair of pants?
Nice ride lots of traffic....
My question - How well does rain gear work? Before I left I bought a set of the Harley Davidison high visiblity rain gear for $200. On the way home I ran into a crazy storm. Had to actually pull over due to the 60 MPH cross winds. My concern is that the rain gear from the knees down my jeans got soaked, of course my feet did also as I just had on my boots...
Is this normal for rain suits? or do I have a bad pair of pants?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 10
From: S.E. MO
I have the same suit and it works pretty well.
The issue is as your boots get soaked water will work its way up your pants as time goes on. Same thing if gloves aren't water proof. Once they get so wet water will start to run up your arms.
Water proof gloves and foot gaiters help stop this.
Then just have to keep it from coming in around your neck.
In a hard rain storm in can be hard to stay completely dry.
The issue is as your boots get soaked water will work its way up your pants as time goes on. Same thing if gloves aren't water proof. Once they get so wet water will start to run up your arms.
Water proof gloves and foot gaiters help stop this.
Then just have to keep it from coming in around your neck.
In a hard rain storm in can be hard to stay completely dry.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
I bought a set of rain gear from Cabelas and they keep me mostly dry..I find that if I tuck my pant legs into my boots ( I wear engineer type boots) and then put the rain pants outside the boots and make the velcro closures real tight my feet and legs stay dry...you have to keep the water from going up your leg holes (that doesn't sound quite right)...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,432
Likes: 290
From: FL
I hate to say it but all the years of my traveling have just shown that if we happen to be out when it's raining, we just get wet. It's just a fact of riding. I have buddies that say if there's a chance of rain, they just won't ride ... well in Florida, you might as well sell the bike. If you figure out how to stay completely dry, let me know.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 5
From: N.W. Illinois Stephenson County
I hate to say it but all the years of my traveling have just shown that if we happen to be out when it's raining, we just get wet. It's just a fact of riding. I haveui buddies that say if there's a chance of rain, they just won't ride ... well in Florida, you might as well sell the bike. If you figure out how to stay completely dry, let me know.
+1
It's bound to happen. When it does just roll through it. Making memories one at a time. Besides, the rain isn't so bad. It's the hail that HURTS!
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 253
Likes: 1
From: S E Michigan
I have the same rain suit. I used it yesterday in a light rain for an hours ride home from work. The stirrup straps that go under your boot holds the pants leg down pretty good. Just make sure that your pants don't stick out from underneath, otherwise it will act as a wick. I was completely dry after that hour. I wear a half helmet and the rain and road grime from traffic in front of you will throw it up into your face. Inevitably some will get in your mouth. I had the collar fully closed, but the hood was still stowed. As for gloves, just make sure that the "rain" gloves are of a gauntlet style to go over the cuff of the sleeve.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
If your pants cuffs hang out they'll wick up the water to your knees. Harley has some relatively cheap boot covers. Wear them over the boots but under your rainsuit cuffs and you'll stay dry.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 283
Likes: 22
From: Grand Prairie, TX
I have the same rain gear but at 6' 4" the pant length isn't even close so I also got the boot covers. They aren't very stylish but they do, for the most part, keep my pants and boots dry. I've used them in a couple of real toad strangler rains and the combo did an overall good job.
Like others have pointed out the gloves and neck are the other weak points and all you can do is try to stay somewhat comfortable. The bottom line is if you ride in the rain you will get wet; it all comes down trying to keep it to a minimum.
Like others have pointed out the gloves and neck are the other weak points and all you can do is try to stay somewhat comfortable. The bottom line is if you ride in the rain you will get wet; it all comes down trying to keep it to a minimum.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 33
From: Upstate NY
The stirrups on my rainsuit along with rain gaiters keep me mostly dry. I use neoprene gloves that will still keep my hands warm if they get soaked. Like others have stated, if you ride in the rain you will probably get wet. I have been in some gully washers that made me a little damp, but I was still comfortable.