Over suits?

[ZER0]

Hi guys.

I've got leathers and know they're obviously not water proof. I looked in my local bike shop at a couple of over suits, but they're aprox £50! For something to stick under the seat and that I'll hopefully never need. (I'm a fair weather, pleasure rider!) That seems crazy to me.

Which ones do you guys and girls use? Are there any cheaper, that still do the job?

Thanks in advance ;)

[Bibio]

TBH if your a fair weather rider and it rains then you will no doubt head home. depending on the kind of mileage you do when your out it might not even be worth getting a rain suit.

if it rains your going to stop and put the rain suit on so your leathers will already be wet with rain, putting your rain suit on will trap this rain inside the suit causing a damp feeling.

your going to get wet so just get wet and let your leathers dry naturally when you get home. you can however reduce the rain soaking into the leather by using a nikwax product. contrary to popular belief leather is fairly waterproof as the top coating on it is plastic (yes you heard right) its the seams and fabric stretch panels that leak most.

if you want to stay dry when you think its going to rain then go out with water resistant under garments on instead.

[NTECUK]

My Emergency wet gear is screw fix trousers, and a push bike lidl rain jacket.
It is thin bright colour and helps stop the water getting through the zips.

[DarrenSV650S]

Keep an eye on lidl and aldi's specials. They sell bike gear at the start of the season and usually have a one piece rain suit. I've had one for a few years and it works very well. Get a big size because they are difficult to get over leathers

[squirrel_hunter]

I have a Oxford Bone Dry Oversuit. I think its quite good and has done the job several times. But its not the smallest thing stuffed away so not sure if it will fit under the seat. It does come with a belt though, but I've usually just had it in a rucksack.

I have started the day wearing it knowing its going to brighten up. And finished the day in it if its rained. I have also used it when riding home late to keep the wind chill off, very useful.

Mine is the XXL size, the biggest I think they do. That allows me to get the suit on easily and move around on the bike in it. However I do need to remove my kneesliders for comfort. And as it is big it can act as a parachute, I find it limits my top speed to about 90mph.

[ZER0]

Thanks guys.

I'll keep an eye out in Lidl/Aldi then, maybe see if I can get a cheaper set.

Although I can definitely see your point Bibio. I wouldnt chose to go out if it's going to rain, and if it starts while I'm out I'd just call it a day and go home. A couple of times a year though I go with a few mates on a 350 mile round trip to North Wales. We're going Monday if the weather holds off. And thought it may be good to have something under the seat with me, just in case. I'll look into this Nikwax you mentioned too.

Thanks again

[keith_d]

In the winter I usually wear a Screwfix hi-vis jacket over my leathers. Partly because it's warm and waterproof, but mostly because it's more visible for car drivers who can't be ar5ed to clear their windows before setting out in the morning.

In the summer it's two piece Hein Gericke waterproofs. If it looks like rain I'll wear the trousers from the off, and put the jacket on when it starts raining. Sometimes I'm bone dry inside, other times I'll get a damp patch where the trousers meet the jacket.

[Littlepeahead]

I have some waterproofs from Blacks that I sling in the top box if I'm wearing leathers. I also use them for walking. They do the job and fold up pretty small. My boots aren't waterproof so I've bought some sealskinz socks from the cycling shop. Yet to test them but I know others swear by them.

[Bibio]

Thanks guys.

I'll keep an eye out in Lidl/Aldi then, maybe see if I can get a cheaper set.

Although I can definitely see your point Bibio. I wouldnt chose to go out if it's going to rain, and if it starts while I'm out I'd just call it a day and go home. A couple of times a year though I go with a few mates on a 350 mile round trip to North Wales. We're going Monday if the weather holds off. And thought it may be good to have something under the seat with me, just in case. I'll look into this Nikwax you mentioned too.

Thanks again

its April its going to rain. ever heard the term 'April Showers'.

top tips: put the waterproofs in a plastic bag so when your putting them on you use the plastic bag on your feet and hands to pull them on. also carry a small towel. when you stop to put your waterproofs on your visor is going to get wet inside if your visor is up so put the towel over your head, if you take your lid off to put your suit on then your hair is going to get wet, putting hair in a wet lid is just asking for your visor to steam up like windows in a brothel. also your hands are going to get wet putting the suit on so the towel will dry them before putting your hands back into your gloves.

[NTECUK]

Pop in the camping shop and pick up one of the super absorbent mini towels When you look at the over suites

[ZER0]

Well, I didn't have time to pick any thing up so went with nothing. Not a drop of rain all day. That's two years running for this trip on this Bank Holiday Monday. I'll certainly look at getting something though, I don't expect to have it so good all the time!