Raingear over leathers OR waterproof textile for winter?

[scorpi0]

Hi,

I intend to continue to commute by motorcycle this winter. I have a relatively short commute, 6 miles one-way about 10-20 mins depending on traffic. In Seattle area the weather doesn't get too cold, but it's usually wet, as you probably know. I need to get some gear for winter, but can't quite decide what to buy.    I'd appreciate your comments on this.

I currently have a Tourmaster Cortech Coaster leather jacket. It's quite warm with the insulated liner, and if gets colder I can always wear some more thermal layers underneath. I have my eyes on a matching Cortech Decker leather overpants for a while now. Together they would provide good protection and they look good too. However as we know, leather is not a good under rain. So my first option is to buy the Decker overpants and a pair of raingear for rainy days, which is quite often. But I'm worried that it wouldn't be practical to take on/off three layers that often.

My second option is to get waterproof textile 3/4 winter jacket and overpants. I think it would be warmer, more comfortable and practical. But it will cost a little more (about 100-150 bucks), and I won't have the leather pants.

Which way would you go?  :dunno: Thanks!

[Roadstergal]

I've just been biking in the rain and then hanging the leathers up to dry at work, but I wouldn't mind being drier.  What about waterproofing the leathers with rattlecan waterproofing crap?  Does that adversely affect the leather?

[scratch]

Your best bet is to get the rainsuit that you can pull over your leathers. I suggest the TourMaster two-piece rainsuits; and the reason I suggest two-piece is, if the pants tear, you'll still have a light rainjacket and/or you can mix/match it with the next two-piece you get. Be sure to get a size that is big enough to get over your leathers (a tight rainsuit is really, really hard to drag over leather) and wont restrict your movement.

Rain Totes rubber boots to keep the toesies dry.

[Hi-T]

+1 on Scratch.

You can find a cheap 2 piece for 15 bones.  You may want to find one with a detachable hood ( it really sucks having the hood pull loose and snap your head back when it inflates like a parachute...)

[Flash]

I too was in a similar dilemma.

If you purchase waterproof textile pants, then be sure to buy ones with an independant waterproof layer (PVC?) or gore-tex. I originally purchased ones made of Cordura nylon with a waterproof coating (bad idea). The crotch leaked after my first use & the material was soaking wet on the outside.

Here is my current setup for each condition:

Cold Weather
-- Belstaff Zodiac jacket (textile / not waterproof) + lots of layers
-- Belstaff Frontier pants (insulated textile / waterproof)

Wet Weather
-- Teknic Tornado (1 pc) or Teknic Otisca (2 pc) rainsuit --> I haven't decided which one to buy yet

Cold/Wet weather
-- Rain jacket + Zodiac jacket + lots of layers  
-- Frontier pants

Word of advice on shoes & gloves:
- buy rubber overshoes ($25) if you want inexpensive protection, but they are a pain in the butt to get on by the side of the road when you get caught in a rainstorm. Otherwise, buy yourself a decent pair of waterproof hiking boots or some dedicated waterproof motorcycle boots. As far as gloves are concerned, you can either buy a separate pair of waterproof gloves or you can buy waterproof liners for your existing gloves.



I really like gear from Teknic and there are a few really good deals at www.mawonline.com for waterproof gear from Teknic. If your interested, then click here & either...

click on "Jackets textile" from the menu & search for
- Teknic Chicane Cordura 2002 Jacket $33.95 (closeout/no return)
- Teknic Lightning Cordura Jacket 2002 $49.95 (closeout/no return)

OR

click on "Rain Gear" from the menu & scroll down to see the complete list


If I had the money & could do it over again I would buy the Teknic Spider Textile Jacket ($249.95) + waterproof overpants. The jacket is pricey, but I really like its "all-weather" versatility, styling, and features.


Other websites that might help:
http://www.motorcyclegearreview.com/
http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/RainSuits.html
http://www.ebay.com
http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/
http://www.newenough.com
http://www.bmw-riders-gear.com/Index.asp (for those w/ an unlimited bank account)

[scratch]

Since, you already have leather for protection, it would be less expensive to just buy the rainsuit, than it would be to purchase a whole new textile riding suit.

[cay]

+1 on Scratch.

You can find a cheap 2 piece for 15 bones.  You may want to find one with a detachable hood ( it really sucks having the hood pull loose and snap your head back when it inflates like a parachute...)

I can't quite remember who deserves the credit for this (Kerry? Cal?) but a few months ago someone mentioned that they performed surgery on the hood of their raingear, creating a tall collar to fit under their helmet.  Wonderful idea -- two minutes and a pair of scissors really can do a world of difference.

C

[rjsjr]

Synthetic suit will provide more comfort (feels less clammy, ventilates better, less restrictive in movement when wet), but rainsuit over leathers provides a bit better protection.  I have an aerostich darien that works fantastic in the rain, i can be out in a downpour and stay perfectly dry.  Pricey, but it provides great protection, decent ventilation, and useful pockets/features.  I know several people with cortech gear that have been happy with it and haven't heard much in the way of negative accident reports.