Rain Gear

May have missed it in my search, but I just got caught in a cold rain with no rain suit. Any suggestions on an inexpensive rain suit that will keep you dry. Should you use a two piece or 1 piece?

 

Hmmm... can't say as I remember a rain suit thread before - good call!

Lets do the easy question first - 1 or 2 piece?
1 piece are a PITA to put on, but generally will keep you drier through more weather conditions.
2 piece are easier to put on and you don't have to wear the whole thing if you decide not to. A little more chance of getting damp though.
Comes down to your choice really.

As for an inexpensive rain suit that will keep you dry -- well, some have had good luck with a $15 suit from Wal-Mart, others not. Some spend $150 on a top-end nylon/poly lined super-suit. I personally went halfway -- a dealer locally carries Frogg Toggs suits for $85, so I bought a 2-piece suit. Fantastic - packs REALLY small, lightweight, easy to put on, and really really waterproof. Flaps a little in the wind, and sometimes get some leaks at the openings (sleeves, neck, etc) - but will keep you 99% dry even in a downpour.

 

I spent about $25.00 for a two-peice suit at Wal Mart last year, and I still have it. Lightweight, packs small, keeps water out well. It got me home from work pretty dry today.

 

I just picked up frogg toggs at Cabelas a couple of weeks ago for 56 bucks for both peices. Very dry a it's been very rainy out this way.

I've ridden 560 miles in the past 3 days mostly in the rain. many miles to go with lots of rain in the forecast. 75 miles away they were having snow flurries. Joy!

The Buff

 

I picked up one of the un-insulated 2 piece cheapies for like $30 because it stows in the small tail light compartment. The heavier, insulated ones looked nicer (& warmer) but probably wouldn't have fit in the small storage space.

 

Check Sierratradingpost.com for some FroggTogg suits or other pieces ranging in prices. I am trying to decide on some rain pants, having trouble finding acceptable ones that are inexpensive, sized right for me, but won't make me soaking wet by virtue of sweating me to death ... My coat already is waterproof.

 

I've had three pairs of the 2-piece. One really nice pair, and two cheapos. They all seem to be built the same... the crotch is about three feet long, so I can either hike the waist up to my armpits and have it be too short, or put the waist where it should be, have the legs be long enough, and then the crotch tears out the instant I get on the bike. After getting to work soaked a few times, i finally just got a pair of Dickies, coated them with scotch-guard, and carry a spare pair of pants if I'm going to ride in the rain.

 

I have one of those STERNS suits that I got really cheaply at WalMart and it has worked fine. My only problem with it or with any motorcycle clothing is finding something that fits. I'm 6'5" and the STERNS suit is too short. However, the sleeves do make it to the gauntlets of my gloves, and the pants legs do (barely) make it to the tops of my motorcycle boots when I'm seated.

So, to modify this thread, can anyone recommend a good source for reasonably priced motorcycle jackets and motorcycle rain suits that fit tall (but not heavy) riders? I have a 16" neck, a 35" sleeve, and normally wear a 42 X-Tall sport coat.

Thanks,

Rich

 

Richroszel,
I suggest checking the web sites of the various gear mfgs and seeing if they show that they make such things - you may have to call - once you know who makes such sizes you can find out from them who their retailers are ...

Mike

 

Might try Cabela's or Sierra Trading Post. Leatherup or Roadgear has a good line of motorcycle clothes for reasonable prices.

 

What about www.newenough.com they have a HARD TO FIT section....its where I got my jacket...in the Fatboys section.....fairly cheap too.

 

Thanks for the tips, Mike and Deadulus.

I've been doing some searching for tall sizes and find that manufactures are inconsistent across their lines. It seems as soon as I find a particular jacket that is available in TALL, they've replaced it with a newer line that ISN'T. I will try calling, though, to see what I can find.

Also, as for the New Enough site, I've looked around there, but hadn't seen the HARD TO FIT area. I'll look again. I did find a few jackets in tall sizes that I might be interested in. Not surprisingly, they're only available in black. I'd prefer to find something a bit more conspicuous, but I guess you can't have everything .

Rich

 

Rich,
Here are a couple at Newenough that are nice and colorful and in the Tall section. There are more. Realize that some of them have multiple colors so you have to click to the product page to see if they have other colors. The Hard to Fit link is over in the panel on the Left, under the search box.

http://www.newenough.com/protective_app ... acket.html
http://www.newenough.com/protective_app ... acket.html

 

In an emergency, trash-bags(aka cheap parka) and duct tape are your friend. If you're caught out in something and don't have gear, pulling trash-bags out of your emergency pack can keep you somewhat dry.