Wet weather riding!

[breakz187]

WTF

I like it but i have to invest in some new gear this weekend - Cold wet nuts are a distraction!

What do you recommend? I need to be dry when i get to work and not 15 mins late because im in the disabled toilets, butt nekid, drying my boxers on a hand dryer!!!!

What wet suit do you guys use and recommend, and also where can i buy one this weekend in the south east?

Same goes for gloves. My Dainese short tracks aint ****ting it in the wet!

One other area of advise i really need to get in on is visors. I spent £220 on my Shoei XR-1000 and its crap in the wet. Pinlock installed ok, tightened the little fastners to seal it better, used rain-x but i still think it impeades my vision too much.

HELP!

[fizzwheel]

How much money do you want to spend ? Do you want just an oversuit to go over your leathers or are you looking for new textile stuff ?

As for the visor, whats the problem is it misting up even with the pinlock, if so try getting a foggy respro mask to fit inside your lid, it stops your breathe going onto the visor and foggy it up, works a treat.

[Grinch]

Bob Heath Vee-wipe (http://www.bobheathvisors.co.uk/accessories.htm). Its the greatest thing I ever bought...

Lidl - Got my gloves and jacket there, gloves where 15 quid and the jacket about 60. I've had the gloves 2 winters now and are still waterproof compared to some 80quid ones I have had before that lasted only one session. The jacket has worked well so fa, but does seem to suffer from a iffy finish in that I keep finding the off stray thread. Haven't tested it in really heavy rain yet.

My trousers are from HG, 200 quid ones and gortex, only reason I could aford them was as part of a insurance claim replacement. But they are great, they have pasted 2 winters themselves and a crash in which my bike landed on me.

Knox stowaway back protector - 60 quid, it to saved my back after I flipped the bike and it landed on me.

[Dappa D]

hi breakz187,

i use the bike every day for work and used to be sodden all day...no fancy dryers here!!!!!!!...

anyway i got this from busters for £30...they had offer at time so i also got free overmiitts and overboots..although its a pain putting it all on in the morning i am bone dry head to toe when i get into work...even today ands proper p***ing down in bristol i would recommend these not just as a budget item..but as a WILL keep you bone dry option.....

http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/productInfo.aspx?catRef=TECH71PSRBG5XL

[Lozzo]

My old textile kit is Gericke Voyager 2 Shelltex stuff that I bought about 7 years ago. It still doesn't leak but is looking tired so being replaced with Held gear (I just bought a Held Gizmo jacket and trousers are to follow). I'm still using Gericke Pathan gloves bought at the same time when it's really cold, and a pair of Gericke Valley gloves when the weather is wet but not as cold - both are Shelltex lined. My winter boots are Daytona RoadStar GTX, the GTX means they are Goretex lined, I have Goretex lined Oxtar race boots for summer. The Daytonas are about the same age as my Gericke kit and still waterproof but need a resole and tidy up.

I don't get cold or wet in winter so I'm happy with the stuff I bought, it was all quite reasonably priced considering the approx 70,000 miles it's all done.

[Lozzo]

Knox stowaway back protector - 60 quid, it to saved my back after I flipped the bike and it landed on me.

My Knox Stowaway has done its job twice for me. Once when I was deliberately knocked off my Bandit 600 on the M25 and landed under a stationary truck, and then again when I punted my current SV into the back of a Honda Accord. Both times I banged into the vehicle with my back, and both times I didn't feel any pain or suffer any injury - Knox back protectors are worth every penny spent, and then some.

[breakz187]

Great recommendations.

Im ordering a face mask thing right now, and probably that little wiper gizmo.

I need to buy leathers and replace these crappy borrowed rst textiles.

I'll take a look at all of those suggestions and buy some stuff asap. I commute from brighton to crawley each and every day in whatever weather and i'll spend whatever i need to in order to get to work warm and dry. The cage is up for sale!

Cheers.

[fizzwheel]

Remember leathers are not going to be waterproof, so if you are going down that route, look for an oversuit to put on over the top if it rains otherwise you're going to get even wetter than you are at the moment.

[breakz187]

I get a little steam/misting inside the visor over the pinlock insert. Its ahrd to keep water out of the visor. Open it for one second in the wet and you screw up the nice dry environment inside. Im talking about just a couple of little drips.

This steaming i can live with, but even with rain x on the front of the visor, turning my head on the motorway, i still find its not good enough to see. I mean, i can do it but would have thought that in this day and age there must be something than doesnt need reapplying every other day. Maybe some nano technology base visor...? *dreams*



How much money do you want to spend ? Do you want just an oversuit to go over your leathers or are you looking for new textile stuff ?

As for the visor, whats the problem is it misting up even with the pinlock, if so try getting a foggy respro mask to fit inside your lid, it stops your breathe going onto the visor and foggy it up, works a treat.

[Luckypants]

Last year I bought a Spada Circuit jacket (http://www.feridax.com/product/W-72f395a20e6453343d4f4b397ae11332/3/3250/spada_textile_jacket_circuit_blue.html) and Spada Podium (http://www.harpersraceshop.co.uk/item1998.htm) pants (no longer on Spada website). These have been great, keeping me toasty warm and dry over the winter. I did not do a huge number of miles over the winter (2000 maybe?) so not destruction tested, but for the money I am mighty impressed.

I asked a similar question last year before buying my textiles, so might be worth looking here? (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=97860)

[breakz187]

Sorry, i should have explained better. That the plan, leather for better protection with armour that is held in the right places securely, and then an over suit.




Remember leathers are not going to be waterproof, so if you are going down that route, look for an oversuit to put on over the top if it rains otherwise you're going to get even wetter than you are at the moment.

[Dappa D]

think i should have aswell....

that waterproof rainsuit i wear goes over my protective clothing....and is spot on

[fizzwheel]

This steaming i can live with, but even with rain x on the front of the visor, turning my head on the motorway, i still find its not good enough to see. I mean, i can do it but would have thought that in this day and age there must be something than doesnt need reapplying every other day. Maybe some nano technology base visor...? *dreams*

You need to keep your visor spotlessly clean, so clean it before your ride and the water will bead up and run off, if its dirty the water doesnt form into droplets and then it doesnt run off its the best solution I've foun. Yes its a PIA to keep cleaning it after every ride but I'd rather do that than not be able to see where I am going.

[Luckypants]

Sorry, i should have explained better. That the plan, leather for better protection with armour that is held in the right places securely, and then an over suit.

Well it's an oversuit then. they are all much the same although prices vary. I have a lurid red / purple affair from HG that I've had for the past 12 years, from the bargain bucket section. Still keeps me dry and I'm not fashion concious.

http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v116/128/35/508953601/n508953601_92879_2302.jpg

[keeny90]

I brought most of my winter stuff from aldi or lidl (cant remember)

cheap as chips, i have hit the deck just once and felt "almost" nout. the jacket if waterproof just take for ever to dry, so i brought lidl over suit work amazing. Not a drop of water get in and take a couple of sheets of hand towel paper to dry it.

[thedonal]

I've got an HG Oxan jacket- it's leather, but with HG's waterproof lining- it kept me nice and dry on a two and a half hour windy rain soaked journey recently.

I also have the HG Tricky textile trousers- again nice and warm and dry. Had the jacket too, but issues with the poppers tearing off on 2 consecutive jackets made me change to the Oxan- it only has zips and velcro fasteners for the waist adjuster. Poppers aren't the best fastener, it would seem!

[thedonal]

I've got an HG Oxan jacket- it's leather, but with HG's waterproof lining- it kept me nice and dry on a two and a half hour windy rain soaked journey recently.

I also have the HG Tricky textile trousers- again nice and warm and dry. Had the jacket too, but issues with the poppers tearing off on 2 consecutive jackets made me change to the Oxan- it only has zips and velcro fasteners for the waist adjuster. Poppers aren't the best fastener, it would seem!

[Dave The Rave]

Any rain suit and you will be fine. Recomend 2 piece as it is easier to put on when wet.

I have no problems with my XR1000 with pinlock. In fact I love it. Clear as a bell regardless the conditions.

[Alpinestarhero]

I have spada textiles (same as luckypants) and they keep me warm and dry (as a precaution i waterproofed them again with some nikwax stuff). However, day after day of getting down on one knee to undo the clip on my bike cover and unlock the chains has worn the stitching through on the right knee, making the panel loose....this dosn't bode well for crash protection, but I suppose its an easy fix.

I also have a spada oversuit (plastic thingy) which is great, keeps me warm and dry, but does make you slide about in the saddle a bit and can feel a bit restrictive with regards to movement.

Matt

[DanAbnormal]

I bought some Hein Gericke waterproof textile trousers for about £80. They have not leaked yet and I ride every day 60 miles+. I also bought some Daytona Gore-Tex XCE boots, 100% waterproof and a 5 year guarantee for £190. Bargain for lots of dry miles for my feets. My jacket I bought in Germany for about £100, the make is BJH. On the whole it's really good weather wise, only some small leaks to the pockets. In my experience you get what you pay for with kit.

[Jase22]

Another vote for an oversuit. Whether your gear is waterproof/resistant or otherwise, it'll still "hold" water and you'll be putting on damp heavy and eventually smelly gear post downpour. I've got a one piece and a 2 piece, both of which are quality.

Per earlier posts, 2 piece is easier to get on, but my one piece has a diagonal zip and you don't get any water creeping between gaps as you do with a 2 piece. Personal choice it is though.

They also have the added advantage of another layer, and can help keep you a touch warmer.

[Stig]

and I'm not fashion concious.



Just as well. :wink:

I've never had anything that has stayed waterproof for more than a couple of years. But then I do as many miles in winter as I do in the summer.

[mister c]

My last pair of Lidl Over trousers were fantastic, the new ones I've bought are not so good & leak. I have had a Buffalo Jacket now for over 7 years & it is still fantastic, it took a break last year when I was given a HG waterproof leather jacket with all the bells & whistles, but I wrecked that when I crashed, so back to my old faithful again. I do need a new set of over trousers tho. Gloves are Lidl super specials & my boots are Swift Superbike Boots & are fantastic 100% waterproof. On Ebay for £29.99, worth 10 times as much :) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nitro-Swift-M2R-Superbike-Leather-Motorcycle-Boots-10_W0QQitemZ200251143030QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item20 0251143030&_trkparms=72%3A984|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A131 8&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nitro-Swift-M2R-Superbike-Leather-Motorcycle-Boots-10_W0QQitemZ200251143030QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item20 0251143030&_trkparms=72%3A984%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C2 40%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)

[Alpinestarhero]

Oh, top tip: handlebar muffs. They aint pretty, but they will stop the cold wet air from getting to your gloves and making your hands cold.

Not so great when its windy though

[Mogs]

I've a pair of goretex socks, bought in an outdoor adventure shop for about £15.

[Drew Carey]

As has already been mentioned, V-Wipe......I commute daily and use it all the time in wet, wear it on the fore finger of clutch hand and just a quick wipe removes all the crud.

[thinone]

I have a pair of CAmmo GORETEX overtrousers which are spot on as they are lights easily stored and let in ZERO water - probably wear em up soho tonight - they look damn tasty with them boots I wear too!

[thinone]

Oh, top tip: handlebar muffs. They aint pretty, but they will stop the cold wet air from getting to your gloves and making your hands cold.

Not so great when its windy though
if you don't like the idea of Muffs, then Opt for heated bars but don't go for cheap options such as Oxford as some will tell ya they have a short use/ life
Honda do a rather fantastic set with 7 heat levels from hands under the grill to just on

[Pete_58]

I bought a can of that waterproofing spray from Millets (was useless in a downpour but was good for road spray or light showers), did my jacket, trousers and rucksack. I also had a cheapy pair of waterproof over trousers. Folded up small enough to fit under my seat if i didnt have my rucksack. I always struggled with my gloves mind!

[Alpinestarhero]

if you don't like the idea of Muffs, then Opt for heated bars but don't go for cheap options such as Oxford as some will tell ya they have a short use/ life
Honda do a rather fantastic set with 7 heat levels from hands under the grill to just on

Yea, my oxford heated grips controller has gone duff after only 9 months on the bike...and I havnt used the heated grips since riding home from the AR!

The grips are fine, but the controller is pants. Does anyone have any instructions on how I can build my own one? I know i need a potentiometer, a switch and an LED...

[dizzyblonde]

looks like a little aquaplaning may be on the cards going to work:-(

All my textiles work very well, shame they'll still be too moist in mornin, as nowhere to hang em to dry at work..eugh

[mary]

I got some RST 'waterproof' trousers. They're not.
Still it looks like its brightening up for the journey home :D
mary

[breakz187]

Wet weather setup update :)

Keeping my helmet/visor spotless makes a huge difference, but is obvisouly a bit of a pain. Helps that i do it in work time so im getting paid for it but it still sucks.

Bought a foggy mask thing. Pretty good, but a bit tight at the moment. My mouth touches the front of my helmet without it, so now its a bit too tight. I can only breath through my mouth so now i get dry mouth but it works very well. I havent yet tried it in a nasty down pour jsut yet but coupled with the pin lock, i think i'll be ok.

Went into a store and tried on the Rukka Armadillo suit and also tried on the Hein Gericke top of the range textile suit. The HG suit was good, i thought i was sorted but then i went on to try the Rukka stuff at a dobbles honda in purley and fell in love with it. It expensive but the 5 year warrenty kind of makes it worth it.

Anyone know if the Rukka brand can be bought cheap at the NEC bike show? I've not been to the NEC before but have been told its best to buy gear here, as there's always good offers to be had. Are the offer available typically worth me waiting? Is it all hype?

Id hate to drop £1000 on this suit to find it at the show for hundreds less, its a big old purchase which i need but cant really afford.