Rain Season

[biker1]

Some suggestions required please.
I already have two types of raingear, a cheap nylon set and an expensive Duchini set which has all the extras such as removable liner and pads. My problem is the rain. I must start thinking about this already because when it starts to rain here, it keeps on coming.
The expensive gear, is not waterproof even though it says so, the cheap gear is better but has no protection. I was driving for just ten miles last week in one of our usual downpours, with the Duchini gear on and when I got home I was wet. The problem seems to be at the seams, at the seat area. This is going to have constant water and obviously the seams are going to leak at some point.
Please keep in mind that I live in Ireland and can only buy online,, and that they MUST ship abroad.
I know some of you will have good gear,, but when I say it rains, think of sitting under a waterfall and add the chill from November to April or May.
I have this great idea that someone has done good work somewhere with seams elsewhere, or seamless. I do not want a one piece and this is my getting to work ride also, the gear must fit over work clothes.
If some great gear is available, only in the US, then I have the outlaws coming over in September and they could bring something, but obviously not too bulky.
Thanks In Advance :f_spider:

 

[Dudley]

My wife and I have Frogg Togs. They are very lightweight, have never failed us in the rain, breathable, 2-piece. We are very pleased with them.

 

[altonk]

I use a light goretex shell aka sking, snowboarding etc. it's light you can put it over your leathers mesh jacket etc. works great. I keep the jacket and pants in the frunk.

http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3781081

http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3781110

 

[NancysToy]

I don't know what types of gear are available to you over there, but there are many brands of dedicated motorcycle rainsuits that are sealed very well. I have owned a number of them that performed well. Check with some of the people you know that ride touring motorcycles, or go to a touring forum for some good recommendations in your area.

For water-resistant riding suits, I have not been as successful. It seems my pants almost always leak...eventually. In hard rain I always wear my rainpants. There are some good suits, though, including Aerostitch and the newest Belstaff gear. I'm sure there are some readily available to you. Keep in mind that all textile suits perform better with periodic cleaning and re-waterproofing. I like the Nikwax Tech Wash and TX-Direct wash-in or spray-on waterproofing.

 

[VaughnCat]

My wife and I have Frogg Togs. They are very lightweight, have never failed us in the rain, breathable, 2-piece. We are very pleased with them.

:agree::agree: We bought 2 sizes larger than we actually needed to make sure they fit over our warm wear for winter. They are great -- roll into a small stuff bag and very affordable.

Cat & Vaughn

 

[dancogan]

My wife and I use a Gore-Tex liner over our riding outfits. The shell has a hood, and when we put the hood on under the helmet we don't get water running down our necks. A decent Gore-Tex shell will come with sealed seams. We've driven in driving rains and it has kept us dry. Folds up into a small stuff sacks that are always on the bike.

 

[BajaRon]

I like the Firstgear rain clothing I have. I got their top of the line stuff which is a bit more substantial.

I had their mid-range gear and it was good too but I misplaced it somewhere so I decided to go one step up.

 

[biker1]

Thanks for suggestions.
Will go and do some investigations.

 

[chris56]

greetings to irland .. best quality for me is BMW-Stoff .. and i really did many tests on most of our tours over the alps stayed dry ..
you should get it by each BMW dealer

 

[biker1]

Getting annoyed now... the cheap stuff is getting me wet too.
I am doubting that any gear is WATERPROOF at this stage. Maybe its the heavy water deluge we get here, but I was wet again today. I have tried all that spray on waterproofing stuff as well and no luck yet.
Can you guys guarantee that you have been BONE DRY after riding in the rain. Our really wet season is on the way soon enough and I must drive to and from work.
Will I have to resort to bin liners ?:roflblack:

 

[NancysToy]

Getting annoyed now... the cheap stuff is getting me wet too.
I am doubting that any gear is WATERPROOF at this stage. Maybe its the heavy water deluge we get here, but I was wet again today. I have tried all that spray on waterproofing stuff as well and no luck yet.
Can you guys guarantee that you have been BONE DRY after riding in the rain. Our really wet season is on the way soon enough and I must drive to and from work.
Will I have to resort to bin liners ?:roflblack:

Hard to stay bone dry in rain gear. The coated urethane or nylon fabric clothes don't breathe, so if you don't get wet from the rain, you do so from the inside, from perspiration. It is also virtually impossible to fully seal where your legs, wrists, neck, or waist (with a two-piece suit) pass through. Overlapping the other gear helps, but it is not foolproof.

Again, best thing I have found is dedicated rain gear, not waterproof riding suits. Those all seem to leak eventually in a hard rain, no matter how often you renew the waterproofing. A good quality rainsuit over a water-resistant riding suit provides the best protection, but it is warm and bulky. The one piece suits of both types offer better protection than the two piece suits. I prefer a velco closure, that folds over double at the lap, but these are getting harder to find. Remember, the harder it is to close, the better at keeping out the rain.

 

[bjt]

If I had to ride the Spyder in the rain and I had to have dry clothing, I would wear something comfortable to ride in, pack my dry clothes in the trunk and change when I got to my destination. My wife has been through about three different rain suits and every one of them leaked or allowed water in somewhere. (Some damp spots were more embarrassing then others. )

 

[YPILOT]

I'll second the Frogg Toggs. We have the suits made for fishermen, they are bibs and the jacket has a hood. get a size larger than normal and wear over your regular riding gear. with the hood on under the helmet and the bibs don't allow water in around your waist. they work really good. Regards Dennis

 

[biker1]

Thanks again for followup info.
I have currently put industrial tape around the seams which were leaking and so far this is working. Not sure how long this will last though,, and its silver in colour.
Will let you guys know if I find better gear.

 

[ARtraveler]

Here's 2cents more. For all around protection, we like Firstgear Textile stuff. We have been in a couple of 3+ hour, 150 miles+ type downpours and have neither been cold or wet. Wipe off the seat once in awhile though. We put the liners in when it gets below 50 degrees. I also have a pair of SIDI waterproof boots, and Revit leather pants with the zip in rain liners. These have not yet been tested under strenuous conditions. Good gear makes any ride doable--hope you find what you like best.

 

[irish2themax]

Some suggestions required please.
I must start thinking about this already because when it starts to rain here, it keeps on coming.

Having visited all parts of Ireland over the years, I know what you mean!! And it seems that Co. Kerry and Co. Donegal get more than their fair share :roflblack:

I too have had Frogg Toggs for over a year...inexpensive and lightweight (easily transportable by outlaws). I have ridden through lots of rain and they have kept me bone dry (IF i can get them on in time!!). They are two-piece with 16" zippers on the legs making them easy to get on in a hurry. All zippers have velcro covers. The suit is full-fitted making it easy to put on over underclothes.

Only problem...jacket zipper failed on my last use but I am getting a new suit. I had the Pro Action suit but this time I think I am going to step up to the Horny Toadz for the increased visibility

They get great reviews:
Frogg Toggs reviews
Frogg Toggs Forum

 

[Capt John]

Having visited all parts of Ireland over the years, I know what you mean!! And it seems that Co. Kerry and Co. Donegal get more than their fair share :roflblack:

I too have had Frogg Toggs for over a year...inexpensive and lightweight (easily transportable by outlaws). I have ridden through lots of rain and they have kept me bone dry (IF i can get them on in time!!). They are two-piece with 16" zippers on the legs making them easy to get on in a hurry. All zippers have velcro covers. The suit is full-fitted making it easy to put on over underclothes.

Only problem...jacket zipper failed on my last use but I am getting a new suit. I had the Pro Action suit but this time I think I am going to step up to the Horny Toadz for the increased visibility

I had the same problem with my jacket zipper. I always have a problem getting a jacket that fits and the pants are way too big. So I bought separates ( Not exactly cheap, double what I paid for the 1st set). I went with Frogg Togg Toadskinz pants. Zipper all the way to the knees with dual storm flaps and velcro cuffs. The jacket Firebelly Toadz. Have yet to use them, but they seem to be better quality than the lower end Frogg Toggs.

 

[Eraser]

Gor-Tex, triple layered, it breathes well.The double layered version has a lining and does not breathe as well.It can get pretty wet inside from your own sweat after a couple of hours.Both are wind-proof and waterproof.The triple tends to be more "card-boardish" (is that a word??),while the double is more like a nylon shell and they tend to balloon on the High-way.

 

[Lamonster]

I'm in the same boat as you. I've spent I don't know how much on rain gear and I have yet to find any that will keep me dry all the time. I've pretty much gave up. I do have some ski pants that so far are working pretty good. Those were $150 bucks.

 

[ARtraveler]

The SIDI boots with the waterproof liner and the Revitt pants with liner really work. Tested them on a 3 hour plus ride in the rain, and did not get a bit wet.