Rain Gear

[frankmc]

Thought I would pose this question here in hopes experienced riders might have suggestions. I have a set of frogtogs that work well for long trips, since they are light and take very little space. They worked fine for the Canada trip with several days of rain. But, I would like to pick up some rain gear for local rides when storage isn't an issue and be able to stay dry and warm. Any suggestions based on your own experience with rain gear?

[astuber]

I really like Goretex. I pick up a rain suit from Cabelas that has worked very well for me.

[Ted Shred]

Thought I would pose this question here in hopes experienced riders might have suggestions. I have a set of frogtogs that work well for long trips, since they are light and take very little space. They worked fine for the Canada trip with several days of rain. But, I would like to pick up some rain gear for local rides when storage isn't an issue and be able to stay dry and warm. Any suggestions based on your own experience with rain gear?

If you don't have a water proof winter jacket and pants you should consider some new gear. I have been very happy with my 1st gear winter jacket and riding pants. Not very expensive and very warm and totally dry.

[jackd]

I would like to pick up some rain gear for local rides when storage isn't an issue and be able to stay dry and warm.

When I wore leather (Jacket and pants) I went to a sports store or a golf supplier and decided on a fabric rain suit that was made from GoreTex. It was real expensive (about $200) but it allowed me to cover my leathers on those days that if you wore a 'normal' M/C rain suit you would be wetter inside than out. In an all out rain any real rain suit works. The GoreTex rain suit would also work as a wind breaker and provide more warmth.

A few years ago I finally had it with getting on rain suits to protect my leathers and switched to textile M/C gear. They can be bought with permanent or add in GoreTex or GoreTex type liners.. Now I usually don't stop when it looks like rain.. There are some exceptions nut the textile gear with rainproof liners are really the way to go. Changing all your gear over to that type of equipment can be a little expensive but in the long run I think you might find that it really is the way to go.

[RVB1019]

All of the above are great but expensive!

A cheap alternative that packs small is a set of Frogg Togs. Cost about $35 and smooshes down very small.

It's basically tyvek pants and jacket. You balloon up alittle at high speeds but they work well for the money.

[Ted Shred]

All of the above are great but expensive!

A cheap alternative that packs small is a set of Frogg Togs. Cost about $35 and smooshes down very small.

It's basically tyvek pants and jacket. You balloon up alittle at high speeds but they work well for the money.

He's already got those....

[kellenbenz]

If you are looking for something for the cold wet days, you may consider the FirstGear Thermo suit. I did a 650 mile ride last Christmas in one of these with the temperature at 31 degrees and ice pellets. I was quite comfortable and it does keep me dry in even a hard rain.

http://www.firstgear-usa.com/fgweb2.nsf/Products/D98A4D6D2D34292F862571F00077BE86?opendocument

Ron

BTW, they can be found new on ebay for about $128. They are sized a little bit larger than normal.

[Big_E]

Treat your riding gear with the outdoor grade scotchguard & forget rain gear. I even treat my Firstgear mess gear with it & don't use rain gear. I use the Scotguard rated for outdoor furniture. From Home Depot.

[RVB1019]

He's already got those....

Sorry... missed that. My Bad!
http://images.google.com/url?q=http://www.ospreydesign.com/foreword/archives/my-bad.jpg&usg=AFQjCNEY978Y5mYfxFtOh3rO-5s9axzEcw

[lnowell]

I use the newer model Tourmaster rain jacket (yellow and black) that has a fairly effective hooded neck protector built inside the collar. The hood part that goes over your head is very thin and the material that protects the back (and sides) of your neck is a waterproof material. I had the older model that held up very well and kept me dry - it just did not have the hood.

My rain pants are my winter riding over pants without the liner. Firstgear from New Enough for $99.00 a couple of years ago on special. I keep them coated with Camp Dry just to keep the outer shell from getting soaked in a heavy rain.

I can stop and have my rain gear on in no time, because the pants seal up the sides of the legs. The other rain gear I have tried make you do the one foot hop or you have to sit down to get them on over you boots. I also like the idea that I can unzip the upper part of the pants while riding if I get too hot - as in after the rain stops and the sun comes out and you start to roast (or steam) and you don't want to stop to take everything off at that moment.

For the life of me, I cannot understand the practicality of rain gear you have to remove all your gear to install INSIDE your riding gear - and then re-dress.

[Got2Greys]

I have the Frogg Toggs Elite suit, but I also have the one piece BMW rain suit.

This suit is multi-colored; black and green with reflective material.

It sell for about $100, but it is high quality, like all of the BMW riding gear.

[ljjohns]

I live in El Paso, where rain gear is a non issue. But my K-bike experience started when I had duty in Seattle and purchased a K11Lt. I found that my Army BDU Gortex Jacket and pants was more than enough to deal with the ride in the rain from downtown Seattle out to Marysville.

Now that the Army has abandoned the BDU (forest pattern) uniforms for the ACU (the digital green stuff) there should be more and more BDU Gortex stuff showing up in surplus stores. It is great raingear; there are also liners that make it even more useful for overall cold-weather riding.

I will say, though, that I did purchase two sets of the First Gear Kilaminjaro suits for long distance travelling, two up, in the Northwest rains.