I have Motoport pants with the waterproof liner that goes underneath. I agree with the negative comments about rain gear under the pants. It's a pain, on the side of the road, to remove the pants, put on the liners, put the pants back on, then ride. When I've gone through that in group rides, I'm always the last one ready to go. I gave up on the inner liners and bought First Gear rain pants that fit over the Motoport pants. Lots faster, the pants and things in the pockets stay dry, and I'm more inclined to wear the rain gear vs. push it through the rain to avoid the road-side hassle.
Rain Gear over mesh
- Thread starter bobframe
- Start date
+1 on the Tourmaster suit. I keep it folded up in the side bag and uses it for rain as well as covering the mesh gear when it starts getting chilly in the evenings.
st11ray
2006 ST1300
Like I said in post #16, I use and like the Icon pants. I can't say about the jacket because I still haven't worn out my old FirstGear rain jacket.
OP
OP
The Icon bib pants seem to have most of the features that I'm looking for (bib design, full length zipper, velcro closure, stirrups). However, they appear to not be breathable. While I think breathable material has its limits (NOTHING breathes...for me anyway...if its hot and humid enough) I wish these were breathable fabric. I'm open to your real world experience using the product though.
Thanks!
st11ray
2006 ST1300
I have been pleased with the Icon rain bibs. However, I did burn off a good bit of the heat shields on the inner ankles by letting my legs hang down. Got a big black blob on my pipe that won't come off. Never had a problem doing this with my leather pants, but the ST pipes cooked my Icon heat protection.
They don't seem to cause me to sweat too much in hot weather, but I'll trade a little breathability for better waterproofing any day.
OP
OP
I use the Frogg Toggs Elite Highway Rain Suit. Cut MC specific, goes on easy, breathes, keeps me dry. I wear them over anything, leather, textile, or mesh. I have a nice Rev It mesh/leather two piece suit that has zip in/out waterproof/breathable liners, but like others have said, what a pain. I guess if I knew it was going to be raining all day I could zip them in for the whole trip, but you don't want to get caught in the heat with them in...breathable? Well that's just a dream...
OP
OP
I rode yesterday in 64F sunny weather and wore my mesh Olympia jacket with the rain liner in. I had to stop within 10 miles and take the liner out...I was sweating already. Had it been 80-85, I have had a heat stroke. The liner becomes a vapor barrier and it does get steamy.
Thanks, Bob. I have a set of lighter Frogg Toggs and like them, the breathability is worth every penny. The Hogg Toggs are quite a heavy dual layer material and I can understand some frustration. I'm more interested in the Road Toads which are a single layer. One learns with these things not to abuse them, and if you take care of them they will last a few seasons. They will have to be replaced sooner or later, but I still think they are worth it.
DANS ST
AKA Dan Nelson
Road Toads by Frogg Toggs. Heavier and more fabric-like than a previous pair of regular Toggs I had. The light-weight ones melted to my pipes...not sure if the Road Toads would melt or not, but I'm trying to keep them off the pipes. Road Toads are MC specific, including a tall collar that keeps the rain out, and even a hood rolled inside the collar that can be worn under your helmet.
Ten hours in a down-pour and just a little dampness at the front of my neck. I'll pay more attention to the zipper closure at my neck next time.
Ten hours in a down-pour and just a little dampness at the front of my neck. I'll pay more attention to the zipper closure at my neck next time.
BakerBoy
It's all small stuff.
As mentioned by others above, I too have a First Gear Rainman top and bottom that has kept me nicely dry, worn over mesh gear. It is 12+ years old, and still quite supple, however it doesn't breathe well. My Olympia waterproof liners breathe, but they eventually leak. I use whichever one I have with me when I need it.
steve3b3
Retired
I'm another who wears a 2 piece Tourmaster rainsuit. It works fine for me.
Before that, I had a set of Frogg Toggs that I picked up at a MC show, and lasted me ~4 years before they started leaking and I started loosing zippers.
I used the Frogg Toggs for another two years at the track, racing and corner working.
Steve
Before that, I had a set of Frogg Toggs that I picked up at a MC show, and lasted me ~4 years before they started leaking and I started loosing zippers.
I used the Frogg Toggs for another two years at the track, racing and corner working.
Steve
OP
OP
I have a very limited (OK, none) background in street motorcycling and so this "wet riding" issue is all new to me. However, I have years of experience fly fishing and being out in the rain is part of the deal, as is wading in rivers. So staying dry is something we become proficient at or get pretty uncomfortable.
Managing waterproof/breathable garments such as waders and raincoats is important....otherwise they quit breathing and/or start leaking. The keys to this are periodically washing them and then renewing the DWR with a product such as ReviveX. The DWR (Durable Water Repellant) is applied to fabric in the manufacturing process and causes it to repel water before it gets to the waterproof/breathable membrane (Goretex, et al). It's what makes water "bead" up on a rain shell. It will deteriorate and wear out over time and/or becomes contaminated with dirt. Fabric that used to bead water becomes saturated and heavy. This promotes leaking and all but stops the Goretex from breathing and converts the garment into a vapor barrier...hot and steamy.
It took me some years before I realized that this was important and was the reason why my waders and raincoat were not performing like they had when they were new (and clean with a fresh DWR coating). A good wash and DWR refresher and they are like new.
I bring this up because it may not be well understood here and may help extend the life and performance of breathable rain gear.
Managing waterproof/breathable garments such as waders and raincoats is important....otherwise they quit breathing and/or start leaking. The keys to this are periodically washing them and then renewing the DWR with a product such as ReviveX. The DWR (Durable Water Repellant) is applied to fabric in the manufacturing process and causes it to repel water before it gets to the waterproof/breathable membrane (Goretex, et al). It's what makes water "bead" up on a rain shell. It will deteriorate and wear out over time and/or becomes contaminated with dirt. Fabric that used to bead water becomes saturated and heavy. This promotes leaking and all but stops the Goretex from breathing and converts the garment into a vapor barrier...hot and steamy.
It took me some years before I realized that this was important and was the reason why my waders and raincoat were not performing like they had when they were new (and clean with a fresh DWR coating). A good wash and DWR refresher and they are like new.
I bring this up because it may not be well understood here and may help extend the life and performance of breathable rain gear.
Thanks for pointing that out. It might save someone from discovering that the hard way - like I did several years ago with my First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket. Riding through a tropical depression was really not the ideal time to discover that gear can lose its ability to shed water. That was the wettest I have ever been in my life. Thank goodness it wasn't cold or I would have been stranded.
+1 on the DWR info Bob...thanks! Where do you get the ReviveX?
Interestingly I just called Frogg Toggs and they seemed completely clueless about treating their garments with a wash-in or spray on product like ReviveX or Nikwax. I guess they just expect you to buy a new set...
Interestingly I just called Frogg Toggs and they seemed completely clueless about treating their garments with a wash-in or spray on product like ReviveX or Nikwax. I guess they just expect you to buy a new set...
OP
OP
Maybe...or they may have some other process...or none at all...I really don't know. And I can't say whether a product like ReviveX would do any good on Frogg Toggs products.
One of the fly fishing industry leaders in waterproof gear is a company called Simms...they make the best waders and rain gear, period. Expensive, but durable, well made and very high performance...the kind of stuff you put on when you want to stand for hours in waist deep 40F water in an all day rain storm...and stay warm and dry. Here's a link to their recommendation of renewing DWR for a pair of waders: http://www.simmsfishing.com/site/gallery/gallery_display.html?gallery_id=00006&media_id=00023
Here's a link to the company that makes ReviveX: http://www.mcnett.com/ReviveX-Spray-On-Water-Repellent-P316.aspx
OP
OP
Well, after a 325 mile ride in north GA, western NC, and eastern TN (ask me about the Cherohala Skyway) last weekend and a close encounter with rain, I decided that I'd better bite the bullet and buy a rain suit. Finally decided that the Tourmaster Sentinel suit has most of what I wanted and have order one. Actually I ordered two suits in two sizes..the one that fits best stays, the other goes back. Thanks for all the great suggestions on wearing Rain Gear Over Mesh!
Side bar: I also decided to order an Aerostich Darien coat to go with the Darien pants I already owned. really excited about getting this coat!
Side bar: I also decided to order an Aerostich Darien coat to go with the Darien pants I already owned. really excited about getting this coat!
OP
OP
Bummer.
Got the two Tourmaster Sentinel suits and found that even a size up was too small in the jacket. The pants fit OK (also a size up), but getting them on over my boots was close to impossible (naw- make that impossible)....and I have no intention of taking my boots off on the side of the road to slip on a rain pant. Both suits are going back and I will try some others at the BMW store tomorrow. Probably try the First Gear Rain Man and the BMW suit. Neither of these is breathable....crap.
I am not a fan of these mesh liners inside the rain pant- they catch on my boot heel and make pulling the pant on a real fight. PIA, if you ask me.
My first requirement for a rain suit is that it go on quickly and with a minimum of grunting and groaning. Is this too much to ask?
Dang. I'm dissapointed...the Sentinel coat is nicely made, albeit a bit on the short side (I'm 6'3") -wish it would have worked. The design of the pants is just stupid....how can you make a slip on pant that doesn't have a full length zipper? Worried about leak? They make waterproof zips and a storm flap over the zip would have to seal it off, no?
Got the two Tourmaster Sentinel suits and found that even a size up was too small in the jacket. The pants fit OK (also a size up), but getting them on over my boots was close to impossible (naw- make that impossible)....and I have no intention of taking my boots off on the side of the road to slip on a rain pant. Both suits are going back and I will try some others at the BMW store tomorrow. Probably try the First Gear Rain Man and the BMW suit. Neither of these is breathable....crap.
I am not a fan of these mesh liners inside the rain pant- they catch on my boot heel and make pulling the pant on a real fight. PIA, if you ask me.
My first requirement for a rain suit is that it go on quickly and with a minimum of grunting and groaning. Is this too much to ask?
Dang. I'm dissapointed...the Sentinel coat is nicely made, albeit a bit on the short side (I'm 6'3") -wish it would have worked. The design of the pants is just stupid....how can you make a slip on pant that doesn't have a full length zipper? Worried about leak? They make waterproof zips and a storm flap over the zip would have to seal it off, no?
OP
OP
I had no intention of turning this into a rant....but I'm really getting annoyed with rain gear in genral.
Yesterday I made a 150 mile drive to the BMW store in Atlanta to try on more rain gear. This store has a large selection of motorcycle clothing and promised that they'd have several choices of rain suits to try...and they did. I tried on the one piece BMW suit in screaming yellow. The suit is NOT breathable and is made of some kind of coated nylon. The pant leg has a 10-15" zipper (WAY too short) and all it does is open a gusset at the bottom....not a real opening. Long story short, between the "rubber coated" interior and the lack of a real opening through which I could insert my boot, and the nature of all one piece suits, getting this thing on was a bear. No way I am dancing with this thing on the side of the road. Next.
Also tried on the First Gear Rainman (two piece, non breathable, no full length leg zipper- also tough for me to get on) and the ($600) BMW two piece suit (full length zippered leg, fit nice, comfy...but GAWD...$600....no effin' way).
On my way home I stopped into a Harley dealer. Side bar: Man, this place is a real palace...must be selling a lot of Harleys? Anyway, they had a big selection of rain gear and most had my #1 requirement...a full length leg zipper. Some were breathable, some not. Fit was good on the pants (never did try a jacket...not sure I can see myself wearing a HD logo while riding a Honda...knowwhatimean?). I probably would have bought the HD pants, except they were $255...c'mon guys.
So, I'm back to square one. Think what I'm going to do is 1) see how the interior rain liners on my Olympia mesh suit work in the rain and 2) see how high a temp my new Aerostich Darien suit will work for me. In the meantime, I'll keep an eye out for a rain shell that fits and has full length leg zips.
Update: I called Motoport in CA and asked about having them make me a custom suit with all the features I want. They are supposed to call me tomorrow with some prices.
Yesterday I made a 150 mile drive to the BMW store in Atlanta to try on more rain gear. This store has a large selection of motorcycle clothing and promised that they'd have several choices of rain suits to try...and they did. I tried on the one piece BMW suit in screaming yellow. The suit is NOT breathable and is made of some kind of coated nylon. The pant leg has a 10-15" zipper (WAY too short) and all it does is open a gusset at the bottom....not a real opening. Long story short, between the "rubber coated" interior and the lack of a real opening through which I could insert my boot, and the nature of all one piece suits, getting this thing on was a bear. No way I am dancing with this thing on the side of the road. Next.
Also tried on the First Gear Rainman (two piece, non breathable, no full length leg zipper- also tough for me to get on) and the ($600) BMW two piece suit (full length zippered leg, fit nice, comfy...but GAWD...$600....no effin' way).
On my way home I stopped into a Harley dealer. Side bar: Man, this place is a real palace...must be selling a lot of Harleys? Anyway, they had a big selection of rain gear and most had my #1 requirement...a full length leg zipper. Some were breathable, some not. Fit was good on the pants (never did try a jacket...not sure I can see myself wearing a HD logo while riding a Honda...knowwhatimean?). I probably would have bought the HD pants, except they were $255...c'mon guys.
So, I'm back to square one. Think what I'm going to do is 1) see how the interior rain liners on my Olympia mesh suit work in the rain and 2) see how high a temp my new Aerostich Darien suit will work for me. In the meantime, I'll keep an eye out for a rain shell that fits and has full length leg zips.
Update: I called Motoport in CA and asked about having them make me a custom suit with all the features I want. They are supposed to call me tomorrow with some prices.
That may be just the ticket for you. I have the Motoport rain pants. The liner in them makes it easy to slide over your gear when putting them on and removing them. They are windproof, waterproof and breathable. If you get them to make one with a full length zipper and the other features you want I think you would be pleased.