Rain Wear

[fipdublin]

I'm a new STer and haven't started buying outer wear yet. My bike came with Gerbing wires so I'll probably get some heated stuff for the winter. What would you recommend for a basic protection set up the other 3 seasons? I'd like to know what people keep in their bags in case of rain or wear all the time that's water proof. Also, do you use mesh with a liner or won't one set do all 3 seasons. We're talking up North seasons! Thanks. Jack

[macc4s]

I ride my ST frequently in the rain. My only "rude" discovery is that the rain tends to pool in my crotch (!), and I cured that problem by going to an "overall" type of rain pant rather than a "pant" type pant (does that make any sense?). It also seems to help to have stirrups on the pants to keep them down on your boots due to the knees bent riding position. It's a great bike to ride in the rain with the fairing and windshield. Have fun. Nice to see someone else is willing to get wet, I actually like rain riding--but I definitely have the right riding gear for it. Good Luck.

[macc4s]

(helps if I read the entire post........) I have Gerbing heated gloves and HD heated jacket. I'm in Nebraska and ride down to about 20 degrees. Heated stuff will extend your season by 3 months! I'm slowly coverting all my hard a$$ friends who think I'm a ***** because I get about 5000 more miles a yr. than they do cuz of heated clothing. Regarding your jacket question, I have a Tecnik all season that has TWO liners: a quilted one and a fleece. It's got a real nice tall collar which helps with rain and cold. It is maxi-GoreTex and keeps me 100% dry, and is very versatile. Hope this helps.

[STeve1300]

Wow, you're still thinking about buying stuff to wear this season??? And here I thought I was late by waiting till after this beautiful (46 degree) weekend till I hang it up for winter. Where in Wisconsin are you? Hope you keep in touch this spring. The Midwestern group is is sure to post a few RTEs (Ride to eats).

[clmixon]

The mesh liners are waterproof, and windproof and sweatproof and airproof, at least in the JR stuff. So much so that you end up with a condensation problem under them in warm weather and rain. At the same time I find that they are not waterproof enough when it rains so I always pack my Nelson Rigg rainsuit.
http://www.newenough.com/nelson_rigg_ax1_rainsuit_page.htm

This thing is not expensive, keeps you dry as a bone and makes an excellent high-viz wind barrier. I wear an XL over the top of my XXL JR Alter Ego without problems. It does not pack very small so it takes up more room than some of the more expensive nylon, breathable type rain suits. I have worn it in very heavy rain and stayed dry without a problem. Suspenders on the pants and garters on the leg keep them in place, jacket has a vent on back and a tall collar. Only complaint is that the reflective material on the suit is not reflective at all in real life so buy bright colors and add some 3m reflective tape on the back.

I find Frogg Toggs to be very dry and pack very small but they are not very durable around the bike and cost more than the AX-1. I looked at one of the nylon rainsuits at Wal Mart but it is not cut big enough to get on over my ballistic gear even though it is priced very well.

Hope this helps,

Chris :04biker:

[Ken]

I have been very pleased with my Fieldsheer 1-piece rain suit. Very visible. Completely waterproof. Very comfortable. Decent price. However, it is stored away for the season ;)

[fipdublin]

Thanks for the great posts. Steve, I'm in the Chequamegon Bay area.

[Highrider]

I use an Aerostich suit for all my riding, that has also offers great protection in some of the nastiest rain storms I have had to ride through. I use this suit in weather that varies from 20 degrees to 105 degrees. On long rides I don't need to worry about packing any other gear, this leaves me the space and convenience to travel lite. Most of this gear has been planned around long rides -3,000 to 7,000 miles. I found the Aerostitch is suitable for short rides around town, and sometimes more conveinent.
If I take the ST to work, the Aerostich protects my dress suit and secures anything I am wearing or have in my pockets. In the very hot weather, for short rides around town, it may seem like too much coverage. For that a mesh jacket is more conveinent. I have tried the lighter rain suits, but the Aerostich has replaced their use probably 90% of the time. For me the Aerostitch suit has been my riding gear for all 4 seasons.
I don't mean to sound like a commercial, but after all the options I have tried over the years, this suit has solved a lot of my gear problems.

Ride Safe !!

[STeve1300]

I'm in the Chequamegon Bay area.


Sounds remote to me. Ever think about posting here: ST Owners Map (http://www.frappr.com/stownersclub)

[Allan_Leahy]

I wear a First Gear Killamajro Jacket and First Gear HT overpants perfectly water proof. I wore them today(A glorious day in the NortWest Sunny Skies and Temps in the 60s, in the afternoon.) from temps in the 30s to temps in the 60s just fine. Highly recomend.

[steve3b3]

I have a First Gear Speed jacket and HT overpants that keep me pretty dry during my daily commute. The jacket has had a couple of water leakage problems on various days, but I attribute this to not having waterproofed it again after washing it. The overpants have never leaked.

I do have a rain suit that I purchased at Walmart for ~$20 in my bag. Never used it, but when I ride through that ALL DAY storm someday, I'll be glad I've packed it.

Steve:04biker:

[fipdublin]

Steve, I added myself to the map. Wow, that is remote. Jack

[STeve1300]

Steve, I added myself to the map. Wow, that is remote. Jack

Ok, Ok, a little far for lunch, but do-able. I'll email ya sometime this spring!
You'll have to join our Midwestern group on a Minnesota RTE!

[Rob (from Hoosierville)]

My regular riding gear serves as rain gear too. I use an Aerostich Darien jacket and pants. http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Aerostich-Suits-p-1-c-248.html I've ridden in temps from 30 degrees to 100 degrees and been as comfortable as I could ever expect to be. With the liner in and the vents closed it's a toasty warm touring suit. Add a Gerbings liner underneath and you're good to well below freezing. With the liner out and the vents open, 100 degrees is no problem as long as you keep well hydrated. I've been through three hour downpours so heavy that cars were pulling off to wait it out and I stayed dry as a bone. Combine all weather use with the included full armor and it can't be beat. The Hi-Vis yellow color is pretty spiffy too.

I can't say enough good about the stuff. It's pretty expensive but it's built better and works better than anything I've ever used.