Last winter and the winter before I winged it with the weather, didn't go out much if rain was on the way or occasionaly got wet. This winter I intend to ride a lot more so some good practical wet riding gear is called for.
Any suggestions on what is the best wet weather gear is most appreciated.
Bt
BT
This is a very good question. I was going to ask for the same advice a bit further down the track, but as your asking I will be very interesred in the replies.
Someone like Roadtrain would be a good start.
I'd also like some info on cold weather gear as well. (for the day I do a ride down south ) I hate the cold with a passion!!
+1 for the BMW gear, have been using it for years. 100% waterproof and very long wearing gear.
Thanks for the replies to now guys.
Greg it was actually your effort in Cairns that got me thinking about doing something about wet weather gear, up FNQ it's comparatively warm but I would emagine the chill factor would still be a problem.
The next question is where do you get it?
Seems BMW or oilskin stuff is good havn't seen it advertised too much, will try a few googles later.
I rode to work every day in winter year before last here in Canberra (decided to have a rest last winter). It was a cold winter and most days were well below 0' when I left in the morning. -10 at the coldest. I got an Ixon Drifter jacket and I was never cold at all in the upper body (legs and hands are a different story). It is the warmest jacket I have ever worn period. I think it's because the wrists neck and belt line seal it up like a dry suit and it has a good liner. 100% waterproof but breathable. It was under $300 too.
Even though it has a removable parka liner it is too hot to ear in summer / early autumn / late spring. Mine is black and grey and looks much better than the one in the link below.
www.bikers-shop.co.uk/showenlargeimage.asp
The over mits from Andy strapz are realy good.
Have tried heaps of different types and have been wearing for years a full length oil skin coat and the same in chaps. Put a few press studs in the lower legs on the chaps so you can clip the coat onto them to stop it flapping around and its done. I don't know about everyone else but havin wet weather pants on feels like you have 2 pair of jeans on, the chaps overcome this. Sealing the area around your neck is still a problem but its the same no matter what you wear when its pissin down.
If cold is an issue find a oil skin coat that has a flanno liner. I suspect that the coat will offer a little more protection if you happen to throw it down the road but have never tested this theory. There are heaps of different brands out there and the cost varies, try a few on and see whats comfortable, the big name brands seem to have the big $$$ attached to them.
Your the man RT, one tough SOB.
Have spoken to our local motorcycle outlet and am looking at Rjays gear "vector series" will need it next week methinks when we see ya at Denmark.
I have Belstaff jacket and pants that I have had for over 20 years and done too many miles to even think about in.In the old days the Belstaff jacket was the only jacket I wore on the road all year round.Pity it shrinks every year while it hangs on the garage door.I have been looking at a set of oilskins as they call them nowdays (used to be called wax cotton ) made by KAZZMAZZ,both the jacket and pants are lined,the pants have studs on the legs to allow you to get them over your boots,and the bottom of the legs are lined in plastic,which is nice,as the old ones I have were lined in flanalette,and used to get a little soggy right at the bottom.I also have a black Rjays jacket,made of some modern material,once I removed the body armour from it,it seems ok,very heavy though,only wear it in the middle of winter,as it has a built in thinsulate liner.
nobody
Not plugging anyone here but I came across this site tonight and they seem to have some pretty good specials in the closeout section
www.bikebiz.com.au/enter.html
The dririder Highway 2 looks pretty good I think.
I've never got anything from them though.
After seen RT down here with his long oil skin coat I went and got one + pants. I like the look of them, they look like the old time gunslingers of the west when you're wearing them. We had a 600km ride on Saturday, poured down with rain not long after we left Hobart and I got soaking wet to the skin. I didn't have my new gear with me because I didn't want them to get wet.
Seriously thought, no rain was forecast, just a couple of showers so I was caught. I'm riding to Brissie next month so I'll test them out then.
After a lot of looking at different gear and what has been posted here I have purchased a set of oilskins from Kazzmazz here in WA, should get them tommorow.
Hopefully they should do the trick. Rjays have a inner rain proof thing that doesn't impress me too much, plus the fact they are bloody expensive (for chinnese sh.t)
Good luck with finding total waterproofing. We tend to know a fair bit about wet weather riding here in the UK but I don't know of many who don't get at the very least a bit damp at times Hein Gerike do some good stuff .... http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/1/index.php
For a "quick fix" when you get caught by a downpour .. Triumph do a one-piece 'Chevron Oversuit' that you can get in really quickly as it zippers from ankle to neck. retails over here at £80 but tests have proved it to be pretty good. Best of luck staying dry people Phil....
Thanks for the replies guys,
Got myself burke & wills oilskins from kazzmazz, the coming weekend is going to show if they are any good or not.
I will not intentionally go riding when it's raining, to old for that shit, the simple truth is that it is not pleasant and actually pretty dangerous, did all that when I was in my 20's, used to ride from Nowra to Sydney to see my girl and sometimes be soaked to the jocks....I was going to purchase one of the Harley ones that fold into the head cover, easy to take with you just in case, that's the only time I'll need it, like last Sunday, me and some mates had a good ride through Kangaroo Valley and the Southern Highlands, some beautiful country and country pubs, but coming back down the mountain it started to rain and spoiled what was a beaut day. Overall still enjoyable but wished I had something to put over the leather jacket.
There must be something to keep boots dry???, I would think something that covers the boots up to below the knee and drawstring, seems simple, then the pants over it, anyone know of a product like that?
Didn't get much of a chance to test my new wet weather stuff but I have a few early observations. As posted before last week end turned out to be sunny with only aboutt 45min of rain to contend with. The Burke & Wills oilskins were pretty good, didn't get wet at all, but when the sun came out they were bloody hot. You can't have the jacket partially open because it will blow up like a balloon (at 160k). I didn't bring my leathery cause I was expecting to be rained on all weekend. So when I next go out with my wettys the leather jacket will have to come too.
