Your Rain/Foul Weather Gear?

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share a bit about the gear I use when riding in the rain. For me, it’s all about staying dry, comfortable, and safe, and my RICHA CYCLONE GTX Gore-Tex Motorcycle Waterproof Touring Jacket has been a game-changer.

This jacket is a beast in wet conditions. The Gore-Tex fabric ensures that I stay completely dry no matter how heavy the rain gets, which is huge for me since I ride a lot, rain or shine. It’s not just waterproof but also breathable, so I don’t end up a sweaty mess inside. Even when the rain’s coming down hard, I stay dry and comfortable without feeling overheated.

Another thing I love about it is how versatile it is for longer rides. Since it’s designed for touring, it has multiple layers: a thermal liner for colder days, and I can easily remove it when things warm up. This means I’m good in all types of weather, not just the wet stuff.

On top of that, it’s built tough and has reflective elements for better visibility, which is essential when you’re riding in bad weather or low light. The jacket feels solid, but not bulky, and I can tell it’s made to last, even in the toughest conditions.

For anyone who rides in the rain, I can honestly say that this jacket has made a big difference for me. I don’t have to worry about getting soaked halfway through a ride, and I can keep focused on the road rather than shivering or fighting the weather. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for solid, reliable rain gear!
 
hondawayne said:
Stay from one piece rain suits if they are pull over type....
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I have a two piece suit by Voss , which takes to long to put on, small zippers, hogs to much storage space and I lets cold air in around my waist. Long story short don't like it, but plus side it is water resistant. Long time ago had a one piece suit and found it way warmer.
 
Daboo said:
There's really no bad riding weather. Just bad riding gear.
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Or put differently, "there's no such thing as bad weather... just the wrong clothes."

There IS such a thing as bad traffic, though. I don't care for riding in the rain in heavy traffic. Drivers here rival the stupidest drivers you'll find anywhere.
 
Seems like alot of good advice and clothing available on the market. Depends what your budget allows.
My experience was starting out with a 3/4 helmet and googles and leather jacket and gloves. Then bought a used Joe Rocket jacket and pants and boots. Sometimes you can't count on the weather so count on your apparel. I decided to invest in a Klim jacket and pants. Gore tex works well. Just layer for cold days and remove as needed for hot days. I rarely pull over in heavy rain.
I like the tips on gloves and staying dry and warm.
Ride safe.
Dave
 
R3 ‘stitch for riding through pop up showers.
Alpinestars w’ goretex keep my feet dry.
Heated grips do well at drying out my 3 season gloves.
 
hondawayne said:
Stay from one piece rain suits if they are pull over type....
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Reminds me of a fond memory of riding with Fred. We are pulled into a rest area, the rain had stopped and Fred was trying to find someone with a knife to cut him out of his one piece rain gear. He had to pee desperately and his rain suit had plastic zippers not unlike a sandwich bag. He was trapped.
 
There is a really funny thread over on the CB 1100 forum about one of our Australian members trying to climb in and out of his "Onesie" rainsuit. Here's a quote I'm sure he wouldn't mind me sharing with y'all

"I can't remember exactly what time it was that I pulled into Grafton. Sometime in the late afternoon. I recall being annoyed by my wet weather onesie again failing to be properly waterproof. I also recall calculating what time I was likely to get to Ebor, always assuming there would be somewhere to stay; and quickly deciding rest would be better than risking encounters with kangaroos.

I know it's early in proceedings, but I can't help a quick digression about the bloody onesie. I bought it in Tamworth on a morning after my two-piece wet weather gear had been shredded when I came off the bike. There's more on that in the discussion on day 2. Back to the onesie. You'd think it would be great: a single garment, lots of flouro bits to make you visible in less than perfect conditions, and less gaps and joins and cracks for water to seep in.

But it isn't. It's a bastard of a thing. It's hard to get on over boots and jacket. It's equally annoying to take it off. If you aren't careful with the seal over the zipper that runs from neck to the upper left leg water will seep through and collect somewhere until it overflows into your crotch, always at a moment when you could well do without such a distraction. It's often pretty hot where I ride and leaving a waterproof on when the rain's gone and the sun comes out results in being quietly baked. If you undo the zip at the neck — even just a tiny bit — to let some air in, it's like throwing out a parachute.

In summary, and being fair to it, even though it keeps the water out well in the unlikely event that I get the zip cover right, I hate it."
 
kiltman said:
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.
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I tried neoprene gloves for several seasons. I concluded I prefer not to voluntarily, intentionally, let my hands get wet.
EDIT: Yes, I have tried using nitrile gloves as liners. And they do work at keeping my hands dry to a certain extent when wearing neoprene. But that's just one more superfluous layer I have to manage. No thanks.

I know getting wet might, or will, eventually happen, but IMO the neoprene material itself makes for an inferior glove for operating motorcycle controls. It's thick and restricts my finger movement and grip more than I'd like. At least one of the pair of neoprene gloves I have are intended for fishermen, Stansport I think.

YYMV, but when I was wearing those gloves my hands emerged as wrinkled, pink, cold pieces of clammy meat. I keep a pair in my rainbag (small duffel sent to Rider magazine subscribers eons ago) mostly as backup and for a passenger to wear should the occasion demand.

My current fave wet weather gloves are Klim Spool Glove (for rain) and Klimate Gauntlet Glove (for cold and rain). When you visit their site you'll immediately see that these are not motorcycle gloves, but for snowmobiling instead. As such they lack the crash protection padding those designed for use on pavement have, but they do work well in in the conditions I mentioned. I know this and have made my decision.

My biggest problem has been my hand size and my ability to find gloves which fit me that are in stock at my local gear dealers. Both of those Klim gloves are 2XL and fit me perfectly, but other brands I've tried fitting - Alpinestar, Dainese, Tourmaster, Icon, Bilt and Sedici - are too small at 2XL, and 3XL versions of those I listed were never in stock for the glove I wanted, so there's that. :(
 
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One of my requirements of a onesie is to be able to put it on and take off easily, and requirement #2 waterproof. Cost is another factor not about to spend $2000 for a suit, will just take the cage. Main reason for searching my $50 two piece suit (bike show special)the pants are falling apart. That is a option, just get new pants.
 
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet... i frequent gear reviews online, in forums such as this one, and having made a decision, will look at motorcyclegear.com for last season's stuff, and discontinued items for below-retail pricing.
More frequently than that, I'll browse the Flea Market on ADVrider for like-new stuff. I need to quit doing that, because since I haven't (dare I say it) had a street crash in years, I now have more than a lifetime of riding gear. Although i did give into temptation and bought a lightly used Klim Latitude jacket last year.
A quick inventory of the rack holding all my jackets shows 8... with about half as many riding pants. My weight does not fluctuate, so I've not experienced garment shrinkage or expansion, as do some riders.
And while I am not a large person by any means, my gloves usually have to be a 2XL to fit comfortably without pinching.
Remember, my motto is Never Pay Retail.
And there are no bike shops in my town with any semblance of a variety of riding gear.
"But we can order it for you."
 
On a return trip I was with two other riders. I was on my Norton and I didn't have the gear I usually take with me. The sky began to get ugly and my companions signaled to stop while they dawned their rain gear. I was pretty close to the house so I reached into my tank bag and pulled out a Ziploc bag. I popped my wallet and phone into it and declared myself ready. I always keep a Ziploc bag for the items that must never get wet.
 
STRider said:
When you visit their site you'll immediately see that these are not motorcycle gloves, but for snowmobiling instead. As such they lack the crash protection padding those designed for use on pavement have, but they do work well in in the conditions I mentioned. I know this and have made my decision.
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:) I'm not trying to pick on you, but you said it so well. I just do not understand the "logic" some riders have.

From about mid-October through March and maybe April, the roads are slick. You get leaves that fall and get rain on them. Mud that gets tracked out on the pavement from the side roads. Snow and ice if you're crazy enough to venture forth. And even after the white stuff is gone, you have the sand that is left behind. It is the most crash-prone time of the year to ride....and all thought of crash protection goes out the window for some riders. It's the last consideration. It's like you're sitting in your car, not on two wheels that could turn into an unbalanced unicycle in a heartbeat.

When I had my get-off at 70 mph last June, the most damaged part of my gear was my gloves. I don't remember putting my hands out, things happened so fast. We instinctually put our hands out to protect ourselves...and in the time of the year when we have the most chance of falling and hurting ourselves...we ditch the protection. :eek:

Chris
 
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This $50 cheap plastic (nylon) suit that I got on Amazon seems to work OK.

I'm a big guy and I needed something size 5 XL, and that's pretty hard to shop for.

I also ordered some heavy duty yellow chemical resistant gloves --they look like the type of kitchen gloves a lady would wear when cleaning around the house,
but those kind are all too small in size and the material is too thin. The ones I got came from an industrial supply company, online, and they are made for men who work in industries where they are exposed to hazardous chemicals. So the gloves are available in very large sizes for a man's hand.
 
jfheath said:
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.
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Yes, I agree. Although at 70 I am still waiting to move on to the better stuff. Switched to more trips instead of better stuff. Just bought a newer tent and better camping stuff to stay out of motels too. Either too cheap or too "poor" to spend a bunch. Although I do not know anything about being poor
 
A good book with a large steaming mug of hot chocolate and a comfy recliner wondering who's that across the hollar.
 
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