[Panthera]

Greetings,

I am looking for some rain gear for riding. I suspect there is a wide range of quality on the products out there. Any suggestions as to a good brand, or a brand to be avoided?

Thanks,

[steveb]

I picked up a rainsuit at the Harley dealer.They had a sale so it was 20% off.I would buy the better one and spend about $120 at the dealer. I had a cheap one and at 65 mph the velcro would not stay closed and it blew up like a balloon. I looked like the Michlon man going down the road. The better one has better stuff for keeping it together but it is in a bigger package. The cheaper one was 6" dia. and 3" thick . Thick better one is 6"x6" x10". So storage space is also a consideration.

[Lucifer]

I use the Austrailian Outback full lenght "Drover" coat and leggings/chaps. The best raingear I've worn, it's been raining here for 23 straight days,then 2 sunny days and now 3 more rainy. But a least its warm.
They keep me bone dry and warm,2 days last week the rain was so heavy I could barely see where I was going but I was dry.
100% wind and water proof
Great for cold weather and crappy late fall rainy weather too.

[Hot01]

I bought my first one at a Harley dealer. It was around $100 and the cheapest one they had. I still have the jacket, but the pants went a long time time ago. When I worked at a dealership I bought their top of the line Gortex suit for my ex. I think it would have cost around $300 if I'd paid full price. He loves it and will probably have it forever.

You can get something cheaper from Drag Specialties (order at the dealer), but you get what you pay for. I wasn't allowed to wear anything brand specific when teaching, so I got a $30 rain suit from Drag. I think the jacket lasted one day before coming apart at the seams, and that was riding one hour up, one hour back, and about 3 miles around in the parking lot all day. I fixed it up with black duct tape, but it was in the trash shortly. Same thing with the pants.

I ended up ordering a pair of pants from Whitehorse Gear for around $50. They keep the rain out, but they feel like wearing rubber. I take them off as quickly as I can. I think the Tourmaster series there is pretty good, and you'll probably get a better value for your money than at the dealership.

I also got a pair of Harley rain pants on clearance at the dealership. I like the pants that have the zippers that work from both the bottom and the top. They make it a lot easier to get the pants on and off. These also have built in boot covers. Those are OK, but they only cover the front and are bulky in the pants when either not being used or when trying to pack them.

A really good purchase for around $25 is the Choko rain boots. They store flat and completely cover your boots. I wouldn't wear them on a day trip, but if you're going on a long trip, it really sucks to get your boots wet.

Look for reflective stuff on the suit as well. I was told that my Harley jacket lights up substantially when hit with headlights. All of the Harley products have good reflective qualities.

[hotroadking]

If you are cheap frugal or whatever Frog Togs do the trick.

Thing about rainsuits, if you live in an area where you might use it once in a while cheap is fine.

However the bottom level are pretty much heavy/thick plastic, so if you wear it for a while and the temps are up or sun comes out it's like a rolling sauna you'll be just as wet from inside as on the outside

The mid level suits are a bit better, breath some, have hoods, more velcro, sides of pants open all the way down easier to put on have pockets that velcro etc.

The above jmo are good for those that occasionally get caught in the rain.

But if you are in FL the mid level is the bottom level you should get, Gortex is best, you'll use it alot down here if you ride anytime from say July to Late Sept early Oct.

So you'll get your use out of it and therefore the money.

Just wait and buy it when they have a sale, the dealers always make deals on rain wear during the non rainy season.

JMO.

[mwelych]

I don't use any rain gear. I/we (depending if my wife is with me) get to our destination eventually and then i/we dry up. Road to work in a rain storm and was dry in an hour. No big deal...

[chucktx]

the rain and getting wet doesnt bother me...when it is warm out, but if it drops temps a bit, the chill that is associated with the rain is killer.......that is why i wear a suit if caught in the rain.....i use a frogtogg, it packs very small and i dont use it very often...

[FLHTbiker]

When it rains here in the Pacific Northwest you better not wear plastic or rubber as, as said earlier you will sweat to death and be wetter than had you not worn one at all. I where a first gear bib overall in cold rain and a first gear jacket that is rain proof but breaths (very important). On trips I carry a set of HD rain gear, works good.

[WildWindwalker]

I picked up a rainsuit at the Harley dealer.They had a sale so it was 20% off.

Why would you buy one that is 20% off? Don't you want to stay 100% dry? I would like my wife to buy some 60% off clothes from Victoria secret.

[chucktx]

[FlynDutchman]

We had a thread on this before....bought mine from Menards for $14...Its a good set for as cheap as they are, but I don't ride in the rain that often. (try not to)

[Panthera]

Thanks for the help. I checked out the Frog Togg site, and that looks like the way to go. I have been caught is some 'surprise' thunderstorms that had me emptying my boots when it was over. Days when the weatherman says, sunny and dry all day, but then whoops, clouds rolling in and you are 100 miles from home!

I should have been a weatherman. Where else can you get a job where you can be wrong so often, and not get fired!