Waterproof over clothing

[JonE]

Morning All,

A new job means my commute will be getting a bit longer so I will need some new waterproof gear, my current Alipinestars Andes stuff is now a bit leaky after about 8 years of service. I’ll be replacing it after Christmas but need something to see me through the next couple of months.

Is the Richa rain warrior jacket and trousers still the best option for waterproof over clothing?

Cheers

Jon

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[Ayrton]

I would recommend getting an ex police surplus waterproof jacket on ebay if you don't mind the look. They are about £25 and are gortex so it's really good for the price. I think biker specific waterproofs are super overpriced for what you get.

[MCN]

It doesn't matter WTF you wear. It needs a place to dry between riding events.
Is there a place to dry the wets at the new work place?

It could be the biggest setback/hurdle.

Whatever you do, avoid budget stuff. It doesn't perform and won't last.


Congratulations on the new job.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[stinkwheel]

The Rukka PVC jackets, trousers and 1 piece suits used to be the best out there. Not sure they still make it though.

Just checked ebay and holy fuck the prices people are charging for Used Rukka raingear!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314781282377

Aldi did a rain jacket made of very similar material. I've been using one for years now, it's just starting to leak at some of the seams which I can probably sort out with some rocktape. Found a new one on ebay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314191592505

Also found a bigger one for cheaper but no link because I just bought it.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[A100man]

[DaddyStu]

[doggone]

[Kentol750]

Yes. The Richa waterproof stuff is good. I wear it over my Atlantic goretex jacket. Trousers good too as they have a drawstring to help holding them up. Also the velcro at the bottom is better than the zips (on my old oxford ones) coz when cold and wet the zips are cunts.
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Some bikes.

[Capt Sisko]

What size are you as I've got a 3XL worn once Richa Typhoon over suit sitting unused in the cupboard.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01GQJGRBO/ref=pe_27063361_485629781_TE_item

[Mawsley]

Oxford over jacket, boots and trousers. Cheap, work, job done. Last multiple seasons.

[PotatoHead202...]

I used to wear a cheap set of throwover waterproofs when not wearing textiles.

However, due to the appalling rain at last years Dragon Rally, I now use an Oxford Rainseal throwover jacket that also covers the cuffs of my Gerbing Gloves. I found that non motorcycling throw overs weren't big enough to go over the motorcycle jacket - or at least very difficult to find and not easy to pack away. Whilst my Bering Balistik Laminated textiles were almost excellent (leaked slightly around the zip at the belly) it's no fun walking around in still damp outer clothing when you can just remove the throwovers.
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Honda VFR1200F, Honda CBF500 ABS, CZ125 now CZ175

[DaddyStu]

Have commuted to work on the bike the last 6 days as car is broken.

Re-assessing the meaning of the word 'waterproof'!

My waterproof, touring boots arent even shower proof. Gloves same.

My textiles aren't too bad but the trousers leak around my lap area after 30 mins heavy rain on the motorway.

Helmets shite. Fogs up soon as a cold raindrop hits it.

Yellow waterproof set from work though hasnt let me down yet (but not very comfortable).
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Daddystu
Zontes 125-G1 (part-ex'd). Yamaha Tracer 700.

[stinkwheel]

[Skudd]

I've never known anything to be truly waterproof, I have used plastic bags inside boots, Rubber gloves inside normal gloves or have taken a spare pair for the ride home, I've used fisherman's gear over normal bike gear for that extra layer, I use neck tubes and take spare to try and stop the water getting through the top of my jacket. I've even taken a little heater into work to help dry my gear during the day.
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Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[stinkwheel]

[DaddyStu]

[DaddyStu]

[stinkwheel]

[MCN]

Rule No. 01 when it comes to staying dry.

If you seal out water from outside you seal water on the inside too.

Water is a poor insulator when compared to air.

Sweat condenses on the cool inner surface of a waterproof layer and helps heat to escape.

It's the recipe for miserable.

Waterproof clothing must be breathable if you going g to be wearing it for an hour long commute.

It's not too noticeable when the climate is in the high singles but lower than 4°Centipede and you'll soon feel like giving up biking.

That shite was OK in the olden days when we didn't have the comfort of Goretex et al.

All my bike gear has Gortex lining. Except a short leather jacket and leather troos.

I hate cold-wet.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[stinkwheel]

Nothing is breathable when it's raining. A breathable fabric still needs a humidity gradient to work across. 100% humidity, there's nowhere for it to breathe to.

Anyway, as fortnine recently expounded and as I've suspected for a long time. Gore tex is shite. If it lets moisture out, it's going to let moisture in. If it doesn't let moisture out then what's it for? I stopped using gore tex years ago after being soaked through in it on several successive dragon rallies. I use PVC/vinyl stuff to be waterproof and I put it on/zip it up when it's raining. I use a wool base layer to remain dry and comfortable because wool needs to absorb 30% of its weight in water to feel wet.

Before anyone says "Oh, you need to tech-wash your gore-tex gear because it gets muck in the pores and that's why it leaks." I will pre-emptively riposte that that makes it useless for use on a motorcycle in the UK because if it's raining, you are also being deluged with road spray which is full of grot and diesel.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[DaddyStu]

[jeremyr62]

I have given up with expensive gear too. It simply doesn't work on long wet journeys. A drop liner textile cordura outfit (or leathers in summer) with a PVC oversuit works for me. The textile is OK for light rain and showers but when it's stair rods the PVC gear stops the textile becoming saturated.

[MCN]

I think Gortex is 100% more comfortable than a yellow oilskins and a soowester.

The fabric is more conforming than pvc, which aids mobility.

Gortex allows vapour to pass but not droplets. That's the theory.
Bodies give off vapour.

Anyway, people can wear whatever they are happy with.

I wore plastic waterproofs for years in all weathers at work.

I'm fuking done with that now.


And I did say in a previous post everything eventually gets wet.

Science based of not.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Serendipity]

I've used cheap(ish) polyurethane waterproofs for years of hour+ commuting. Separate jacket and trousers. They normally last a few years. Trousers get replaced when they leak at the crotch. Jackets last longer, but eventually crack around the shoulders and chest.

I buy them big to fit over textiles, but also wear them over leathers or civvies if necessary.

I tend to try and buy Flexothane Classic items from a Swedish company called Sioen, but any PU waterpfroofs should do the job. Tough, slightly stretchy and very effective. They don't pack down tiny, but not bad.

They do lots of fancy lined items, but I always get unlined.

Oh, I just saw they do arse-less chaps if you're that way inclined.

https://static.sioenapparel.com/img/full/4570_A41___SIR.png
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2007 CBF1000-ABS - Commuter heaven | 1994 CBR600FR - Awaiting defibrillation