John OoSTerhuis
Life Is Good!
Looks like good gear, positive reports. Wasn’t familiar with the brand. And John’s Rukka is premium stuff too.
John
Your Rain/Foul Weather Gear?
- Thread starter Big_Jim59
- Start date
John
Yes John, I did wonder if Oxford makes its way Stateside?
The jacket punches well above its price point and compares well with competition at twice the price. I don't like the matching trousers though. Too darn loose to hold the armour in place if the worst should happen.
My solution to replace some aging leather trousers is Wiese Leather waterproof trousers, I've just bought them on discount at around £220.00 delivered. They are also well ventilated and the waterproof drop liner is removable. After wearing leather for ever I just can't get on with textile trousers.
To each their own.
kiltman
Site Supporter
I’m going to suggest scuba diving gloves or neoprene kayaking gloves for riding in the rain. Your hands will get wet, there will be a very thin film of water between your hands and the neoprene. Your hands heat that thin film of water and the neoprene insulates them from the cold. Your hands will be toasty warm and you will be able to operate the controls easily. If you have heated grips that’s a bonus.
When you take the gloves off your hands will dry quickly. The gloves will dry quicker than gortex or leather gloves.
CollingsBob
Certified JB Welder
Klim Latitude jacket & pants, Alpinestars Web Goretex boots and Rukka Virium II gloves..
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Cold weather is handled by Gore-Tex gear, one or two piece. Hot weather is Frogg Toggs over mesh pants/jacket.
I have the Alpinestars Andes V3 jacket and pants, and they have never let me down, even in proper torrential downpours. I also use Alpinestars SMX S boots and have the same dry experience with them. I'm sure other brands are available, but I would suggest buying gear that has a water-proof outer layer rather than adding a rain liner inside, as the latter results in heavy and soggy gear.
Regular work boots with snow wax, 1st gear jacket and pants, Nothing expensive, Lots of water proofing. And a boot dryer at home to dry the shoes and gloves, figured getting wet was just part of it all
jfheath
John Heath
Yeah, I used to think that too - for a long time. All the way through my first epoch of motorcycling. But then when the kids had finished university and got married. Top notch gear was the first beneficiary. My Rukka kit was bought 10 years ago April 2015 - about a year after my current bike. My Hein Gericke kit had been pretty robust for about 6 years before that. IT hadn't leaked but it had been worn day in day out for commuting. It was showing the signs.
Don't get me wrong - it isn't perfect. But the Rukka 6 year guarantee is. The goretex in my right arm must have burst a seam in rain that only the Hebrides can throw at you. Horizontal. I'm surprised the roads were wet - cos it wasn't coming down. My right sleeve leaked. So I tried out the guarantee. They require the garment to be washed and delivered back to the dealer. Let the dealer know, sir - they will have a jacket for you to wear in the meantime. It goes to Rukka, they inspect it - determine that yes it leaks and it shouldn't and dispatched a brand new jacket within a couple of weeks or so. It has been perfect since I got it - the trousers have done 60,000 miles in 10 years. The replacement jacket a year less and 50,000 miles.
My only quibble is the quality of the zip pulls. The sleev zip pulls have both broken off off. But a fine dremel drill, a guitar string and some heat shrink tubing, and the replacement Heath-Robinson zip pull has lasted longer than the original.
Earlier in my second epoch of riding on the 1100s - I though that I had bought good gear. Frank Thomas had a good reputation at one point - but I was disappointed. So much so, part way round a tour, I bought a new jacket from a dealer in Oban, not top quality but it certainly wasn't cheap. I don't remember the make. Rode it up the length of loch ness in the rain (which is where we were going and why I felt the need to get a new jacket), and returned it on the way back the same day. It had leaked worse than the jacket that I had taken off - sleeves, zip, chest. I was drenched. It was hard to tell where it was coming from but it was getting inside. I had a light green long sleeved shirt on under the jacket. When that material gets wet it goes dark green - very obvious where the water has come in. I spoke to the chap that sold it me in the morning. Took the jacket off and stood there in my wet dark green shirt with just a few patches of light green. I bought this jacket this morning. Guess why I have come back !
I've never bought Oxford clothing, but they get pretty good reviews in the biking press that bother to test them (Ride Magazine). Their other biking products are excellent - particularly the tank bag.
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I take the point about drop liners, and you're right they're a solution but not a great one.
The Mondial jacket is laminated and the modern fabrics are a game changer. The ability to ride all day in crappy weather and just shake the surface water off is heavenly. The fit is not unlike a leather jacket either.
The Weise Hydra trousers are a garment with an inner drop liner but that's a compromise I'm willing to take for the added protection offered. I haven't been able to find textiles which hold knee and hip armour in place correctly. And I really like my knees where they are.
But all garments will have compromises, it's just what suits the user.
Upt.
The Mondial jacket is laminated and the modern fabrics are a game changer. The ability to ride all day in crappy weather and just shake the surface water off is heavenly. The fit is not unlike a leather jacket either.
The Weise Hydra trousers are a garment with an inner drop liner but that's a compromise I'm willing to take for the added protection offered. I haven't been able to find textiles which hold knee and hip armour in place correctly. And I really like my knees where they are.
But all garments will have compromises, it's just what suits the user.
Upt.
the Ferret
Daily rider since May 1965
I believe with all gear, it's just a measure of how long it will keep the water out, not if it will keep the water out. Like a buddy of mine said, if you want to test the waterproofness of your gear, put it all on and come jump in my pool. swim around for a couple mins then get out and take it off and see how dry you are.
st11ray
2006 ST1300
Klim Latitude jacket and pants with Aerostich Combat Lite boots. I have the Aerostich lobster mitts but, like Mellow said, they kind of bug me and I usually just let my hands get wet.
I just carry electrics year round and comfortably accept a soaking... it's like jumping in a shower and adjusting the water temp. Never been shorted or shocked when soaked.
Tom
Been searching internet for a one piece rain suit, FC moto has a suit that's got my interest, anyone have experience with FC moto?
Olympia rain jacket xxl to fit over either my mesh first gear jacket or my old Belstaff jacket. Liners are only for warmth for me. A heavy soaked outer jacket is no fun. Btdt! First gear waterproof cortech riding pants. Now don't ban me, Harley Davidson goretech rain gloves. Not cheap but have been the best of the other two brands I tried.
Moto-Charlie
Vendor
I hate putting on rain pants and/or booties (could be my belly in bending over) - so whether it's hot or cold I always wear Gore-Tex pants (Klim Latitude) and Gore-Tex boots (Rev'it Discovery GTX). I split my riding time between the US and the Alps, so I have 2 sets of gear, one here, one there (it's one of the reasons I have tried/owned a number of jackets). The pants and boots are the same in both locations.
If I expect the temps will be above 70F most of the time, then I bring a well vented textile jacket and pull over rain jacket. If the temps are likely to vary from 40F - 90F, or space is tight when the wife is 2-up, then I bring a Gore-Tex jacket like the Rev'it Poseidon I have for sale here, or its big brother the Dominator. In Europe I use Held gear including the Held Atacama Gore-Tex jacket, which while heavy is well protected and vents very well.
I have come to like the convenience of having just having the single, easy to use Gore-Tex jacket. As long as I close all the vents properly, I always stay warm and dry even in all-day rain - just as dry or better than a pull over rain jacket. If the weather is warmish and variable with periods of rain, then clear for a while, then back into the rain/showers it's nice to be able to open and close the vents while I ride - no pulling over to put on the gear, take it off when it stops/gets hot, put it back on again, etc.
I am a fan of the Held Air and Dry gloves, basically 2 gloves in one, vented on the palm side and full Gore-Tex rain protection on the out layer. I have found the trick with Gore-Tex gloves is to put them on when your hands are dry. If your hands are wet/damp when you put them on that wetness stays in the glove and makes it feel like they're leaking. If you put the gloves on dry hands the hands stay dry and warm.
If I expect the temps will be above 70F most of the time, then I bring a well vented textile jacket and pull over rain jacket. If the temps are likely to vary from 40F - 90F, or space is tight when the wife is 2-up, then I bring a Gore-Tex jacket like the Rev'it Poseidon I have for sale here, or its big brother the Dominator. In Europe I use Held gear including the Held Atacama Gore-Tex jacket, which while heavy is well protected and vents very well.
I have come to like the convenience of having just having the single, easy to use Gore-Tex jacket. As long as I close all the vents properly, I always stay warm and dry even in all-day rain - just as dry or better than a pull over rain jacket. If the weather is warmish and variable with periods of rain, then clear for a while, then back into the rain/showers it's nice to be able to open and close the vents while I ride - no pulling over to put on the gear, take it off when it stops/gets hot, put it back on again, etc.
I am a fan of the Held Air and Dry gloves, basically 2 gloves in one, vented on the palm side and full Gore-Tex rain protection on the out layer. I have found the trick with Gore-Tex gloves is to put them on when your hands are dry. If your hands are wet/damp when you put them on that wetness stays in the glove and makes it feel like they're leaking. If you put the gloves on dry hands the hands stay dry and warm.
OP
OP
Big_Jim59
Site Supporter
Years ago, when I worked for a Honda dealer I got a riding jacket called a Vega. The clothing and accessory manager got a deal on them and he couldn't sell them because they were not a brand name. I bought one at cost and I think I gave $45 for it. It is one of my favorite jackets with lots of features like a quilted zip in lining and a double zipped, Velcro and snap closed front. It's roomy, not binding and it's just a great all round jacket. It's not High-vis so I do not wear it as much. I do not want to be blacked out and blend into my surroundings if I can help it.
I quite like riding in the rain when I am geared up for it. The worst is when you are already wet, pull up under a bridge to get your rain suit on, struggle mightily to stuff yourself into it and then slowly cook like a roast in a baking bag.
I quite like riding in the rain when I am geared up for it. The worst is when you are already wet, pull up under a bridge to get your rain suit on, struggle mightily to stuff yourself into it and then slowly cook like a roast in a baking bag.
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I once tried to make do with just the waterproof liners inside my TM jacket and pants. They did keep the rain out except at my waist where they didn't overlap enough. The bigger problem was they also kept my body humidity IN and I ended up with a soaked outer jacket and pants that sealed against any air movement as well as being soaked in my own sweat and feeling really clammy as a result.
For a long time before that little test and since then until now I am a long time Frogg Toggs user. I like keeping the moisture out and keeping my riding gear dry. A LOT more comfy even if a little drop or two gets past the rain gear. I wear Alpinestars Air Plus V2 Gore-Tex XCR boots in ALL weather. 2 pair of socks work well to keep my feet comfortable in the coldest of winter and the Gore-Tex has kept my feet dry (so far). My TM Mid-Tex gloves keep my hands dry and comfortable in cool and wet weather (40-60F). I have TM Dry-Mesh gloves for mid temp rainy weather. Riding in rain at warmer than 80F I don't care if my armored mesh Alpinestars gloves let my hands get wet since it's still warm. I have ridden in some very severe thunder storms with torrential rain and wind, and even within 5 miles of a tornado and still kept dry after several hours. As mentioned, there is no riding gear that will keep you totally dry riding ALL DAY in heavy rain. Eventually water will find a way past even the best rain gear money can buy (swimming pool test). The idea is to attempt to control how much moisture gets past the defenses and where.
In winter temps (35F down below zeroF) I have Kemimoto handlebar muffs and with the heated grips and my Mid-Tex gloves I stay dry and warm at all temps I have gone for a ride in. Of course a full face helmet is as dry as it gets for the noggin and with thick foam lining the helmet there is no problem staying warm in very cold temps. I also use a breath snorkel in cold weather to keep my glasses from fogging up.
For those really cold winter temps I have an extra wind/rain liner with a thermal liner from my previous riding jacket as well as the same for my current jacket. I wear thermal long johns under my street clothes, a fleece jacket, both wind/rain/thermal liners under my TM Pivot jacket. I also wear the wind/rain/thermal liners for my TM Venture 2.0 Air paints. Even though the boots and pants have significant mesh the extra socks and extra liners work well to keep me warm even in the coldest temps. I also wear a Turtle Fur neck gator to keep my neck warm. This year I have ridden in temps down to -13F dressed like this. Still comfortable enough.
For a long time before that little test and since then until now I am a long time Frogg Toggs user. I like keeping the moisture out and keeping my riding gear dry. A LOT more comfy even if a little drop or two gets past the rain gear. I wear Alpinestars Air Plus V2 Gore-Tex XCR boots in ALL weather. 2 pair of socks work well to keep my feet comfortable in the coldest of winter and the Gore-Tex has kept my feet dry (so far). My TM Mid-Tex gloves keep my hands dry and comfortable in cool and wet weather (40-60F). I have TM Dry-Mesh gloves for mid temp rainy weather. Riding in rain at warmer than 80F I don't care if my armored mesh Alpinestars gloves let my hands get wet since it's still warm. I have ridden in some very severe thunder storms with torrential rain and wind, and even within 5 miles of a tornado and still kept dry after several hours. As mentioned, there is no riding gear that will keep you totally dry riding ALL DAY in heavy rain. Eventually water will find a way past even the best rain gear money can buy (swimming pool test). The idea is to attempt to control how much moisture gets past the defenses and where.
In winter temps (35F down below zeroF) I have Kemimoto handlebar muffs and with the heated grips and my Mid-Tex gloves I stay dry and warm at all temps I have gone for a ride in. Of course a full face helmet is as dry as it gets for the noggin and with thick foam lining the helmet there is no problem staying warm in very cold temps. I also use a breath snorkel in cold weather to keep my glasses from fogging up.
For those really cold winter temps I have an extra wind/rain liner with a thermal liner from my previous riding jacket as well as the same for my current jacket. I wear thermal long johns under my street clothes, a fleece jacket, both wind/rain/thermal liners under my TM Pivot jacket. I also wear the wind/rain/thermal liners for my TM Venture 2.0 Air paints. Even though the boots and pants have significant mesh the extra socks and extra liners work well to keep me warm even in the coldest temps. I also wear a Turtle Fur neck gator to keep my neck warm. This year I have ridden in temps down to -13F dressed like this. Still comfortable enough.
There's really no bad riding weather. Just bad riding gear.