Rain Gear over mesh

bobframe

bobframe

Joined
Feb 1, 2011
Messages
514
Location
Toccoa, GA
Bike
1200RT, 1200GS
It's warming up here in the south and I am getting ready to spring for a waist length mesh jacket and some mesh pants.

So, now that I have the heat covered, I want to cover myself in the event we have a summer thunderstorm....rain suit please.

I'd love some suggestions for a quality rain suit that is waterproof and breathable (like Goretex, etc.). I am interested in motorcycle specific gear so I'll pass on Frogg Taggs, LL Bean rain suits, etc.

Looks like HD makes some nice stuff, but not sure how I feel about the HD branding all over the back. Still, if its pouring rain, what do I care?

Thanks!
 
I purchased First Gear mesh clothing that come with windproof/waterproof liners. I carry the liners in zip-loc bags in one of the panniers.
 
I find it curious that most outdoor sports (fly fishing, hunting, skiing, bicycle touring, back packing) promote the idea of layering for wet/cold weather as follows: wicking layer, insulating layer(s) and wind/rain layer. That is, the waterproof (always breathable) layer goes on the outside, not in the middle. Doing so keeps everything as dry as possible and since the outside layer sheds water immediately, as light as possible. Adding or removing the rain layer is quick and easy.

I am trying to picture myself riding in mesh suit, seeing rain on the horizon and pulling over to add my rain layer. On the side of the interstate I take off my jacket and pants (and boots?), add the rain layer and then put my pants and jacket back on. I can't imagine doing this.

Whats the benefit to putting the rain layer under the mesh? I'm missing something here.

I want a good (exterior) rain suit that is breathable, dead waterproof, high collar, protected front zipper, adjustable cuff and waist closures, built in hood, full length leg zippers with velcro closures, heat shields on legs....a suit made specifically for the needs of a touring motorcyclist.

I've seen these features in a couple of lines (HD, BMW, Motoport). Also, the First Gear Splash looks nice.

Anyone with experience with these high end rain suits?
 
The First Gear Rainman jacket and pants (http://www.motorcyclegear.com/stree...irst_gear/rainman_motorcycle_rain_jacket.html) (http://www.motorcyclegear.com/stree...first_gear/rainman_motorcycle_rain_pants.html) are a good choice if you want a separate rainsuit. I have a set that I keep in the topbox. Each stores in an integrated stuff sack. They're nylon, instead of PVC; a little more comfortable, but not really "breathable" like a jacket with a GoreTex liner. The mesh jacket I'm using now is a Vega Merit Mesh (http://rka-luggage.com/A39 Vega Apparel/Vega Apparel.html) which comes with an outer rain cover in addition to an internal thermal liner. The rain cover stores in a pouch on the back, although I don't care to store it that way. With the liner and cover both in place, the jacket will keep you comfortable at sixty degrees, maybe a little lower. The ST1300 (with the fairing extensions) provides pretty good lower body protection; my arms and upper torso are really the only thing that get really wet. If it's warm enough for a mesh jacket, it's often more comfortable to just let the rain dry off of the jacket if the precipitation is light.
 
I know you said MC specific.... But don't frown on the Frog Togs. I've had nothing but dry with them... and they fold up small... and DON"T melt on pipes like the MC plastic suit I had once... and they breath.
 
Tom Mac 04a said:
I know you said MC specific.... But don't frown on the Frog Togs. I've had nothing but dry with them... and they fold up small... and DON"T melt on pipes like the MC plastic suit I had once... and they breath.
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I carry frog togs as well for emergency wet conditions. On trips I have my roadcrafter and it is great except in really hot weather stop and go.

The frogs are fine it is hands, feet, and neck openings you Need to watch for
 
I have a Joe Rocket Rain suit...2 Piece (I believe it's the VR2) cost about $65 is vented and easy to get on and off.....hasn't leaked a drop...
 
I haven't been doing this very long [riding only 5 years after a long lay-off] but I know what works for me. It's humid here and raingear that doesn't breathe is a non-starter. The ST or my airhead lets me be out in the rain for hours at a time. I had sailboats for 35 years and learned the value of breathable apparel. It makes no sense to gear up to shed the rain or spray only to soak thru from the inside out and endure a sauna in the meantime, then get chilled from evaporation when the raingear gets peeled off. In general I am in mesh part of the year and I use Frogg Toggs over. One pair lasted me about 3 years, I am on a second set two years old. I sometimes use them as a windbreaker over mesh for 50 degree mornings that are 80 degrees by afternoon. Because they breathe this feels better to me than the PVC Tourmaster rain liners do. For the cooler season or when up in the mountains a full textile suit with Gore Tex does it. It is a bit of freedom to not have to stop to don rain gear at all. Just close a vent or two and keep on riding.
 
Zipping rain liners in and out of mesh gear doesn't work for me. It's too time consuming/frustrating to do alongside the road so you wind up leaving it in and sweating in warm weather. I went to a layering system with a USAF MA-1 flight jacket under my cortech GX-air jacket in cold weather and a nylon/PVC rainsuit over the mesh in wet. During warm weather rains I usually elect to get wet and cool off. Here in Florida you are usually dry again 20 miles after the rain stops.
 
I'm using a Fieldsheer One-Piece, two piece suits seem to always seem to puddle up and and leak in the crotch area for me .. I wear it over Joe Rocket Ballistic Mesh and Alter Ego pants (late Spring/Summer/early Fall), or Teknic Violator Jacket and Alter Ego pants ( late fall/Winter/early Spring).. I also carry Alpine Star Rain Gloves, and wear Alpine Star boots. I stay dry .. no issues .
 
I've just thrown some Nelson Rigg's rain gear over my mesh... it's vented and worked well for me living in Houston, tropical rainforest of the south. :)
 
I'm with dduelin. I haven't seen a high end rainsuit that breathes, vented maybe. Frog Toggs for me are the best for breathability, and are just plain economical.
 
bobframe said:
want a good (exterior) rain suit that is breathable, dead waterproof, high collar, protected front zipper, adjustable cuff and waist closures, built in hood, full length leg zippers with velcro closures, heat shields on legs....a suit made specifically for the needs of a touring motorcyclist.

I've seen these features in a couple of lines (HD, BMW, Motoport). Also, the First Gear Splash looks nice.

Anyone with experience with these high end rain suits?
Click to expand...

As you can see from the responses there are several right choices for what you are looking for. As for Motoport, I have the Motoport rain pant. It is somewhat pricey but it is top notch stuff and works as advertised - windproof, waterproof and breathable. The Motoport rain pants do have zippers to facilitate getting them off and on over your boots but they are not full length, only the lower leg. Not to say that it doesnt exist, but I dont know that you are going to find any rain gear that meets the exact criteria you have specified in regards to the pants relative to full length zippers, velco closures and heat shields on legs. The rain gear I have tried over the years has generally been without those features on the pants other than some sort of adjustability for getting them over your boots.
 
Tour master rain suit over mesh. Hot,sweaty comes to mind. Cool rainy day,warm.
Had HD suit. IMO over price.
Had Frogg togg things fit so loose the wind/air from riding tore them up.
 
ckhkjh said:
Not to say that it doesnt exist, but I dont know that you are going to find any rain gear that meets the exact criteria you have specified in regards to the pants relative to full length zippers, velco closures and heat shields on legs. The rain gear I have tried over the years has generally been without those features on the pants other than some sort of adjustability for getting them over your boots.
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Probably not...and most likely it will be stupid expensive anyway. But it doesn't hurt to ask. Actually I saw many of these features on a utube vid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU2EousuNeU) HD rain gear. But wearing an HD logo around is more than I can tolerate...for now!! Still, I really like the design of the HD rain pants...suspenders, full pant leg length zips, velcro closes them down tight. Also think the rain gaitors are cool.

I am still considering the Motoport gear, but its so hard to tell how its made from a couple of (not so high quality) pictures on their website. Internet marketing has a ways to go!

I looked at the BMW Klimakomfort rain suit today. Stupid expensive ($600) but nicely done. Still, I can't see spending that kind of money for something that probably won't get used much. Also, while the BMW suit was nice, I didn't see anything about it that told me it was 2-3 times better than anything else.
 
bobframe said:
I didn't see anything about it that told me it was 2-3 times better than anything else.
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Road Toads by Frogg Toggs over mesh for me. Try 1/9 the cost. My summer attire is mesh covered by rain gear for wet and /or cold. Have ridden in upper 30's for several hours in this set up with little discomfort. Like all other decisions, it is your choice in the end.

Best luck in choosing your best.
 
I now have to do more research on Frog Toggs. Was in a bike shop today and they had "Hogg Toggs", which were quite a heavy material and had an internal lining of breathable material. Jacket had zipped pockets, heavy zippers and storm flaps... wow, way better than the paperweight things I have. They also had the Road Toads and they were lighter single layer, but again heavier than mine. Impressive, but I think the Hogg Toggs were a bit too heavy and maybe wouldn't stow as small (can't find these on their website).
 
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