GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

OK...  It took about an hour and a half of rush hour traffic plus a 45 minute return trip at 70 mph in POURING rain...  But...

Every single piece of my gear has failed the rain test...  The 100% waterproof jacket...  Only 100% waterproof where there isn't a huge friggen zipper with an untreated "rain flap" keeping water at bay...  :roll:

The Cat boots, they did well until the return trip...  Then FAIL FAIL FAIL.

The Gore-Tex snowboarding pants...  (What?  :oops: )  Yeah...  They did pretty well, and failed only around the edges...  and the ass.  :roll:  But, COLD COLD COLD!!!  

The gloves...  They were never waterproof to begin with, so... No surprise there.  :dunno:  Did I mention I can finally feel my fingers again 4 hours later?  

The visor...  I guess it needs some Rain-X...  Wish I'd thought about that before I was risking my life flying along on a road I couldn't see.  :oops:




So, why you ask me?  I was going to try on the pants I ordered and check out some rain gloves...  The pants didn't fit and they had ZERO good choices for rain gloves.   :dunno:

Oh well...  Just thought I'd vent a little.  I think I'm gonna be looking up some hand guards and a windscreen of some kind...  Hopefully I'll get pants that fit and find some gloves someday.   :(

Good days riding then.

I haven't had any luck with any gear that claims to be 100% water-proof. I gave up on all of that and was not at all comfortable with a rain suit. I felt very unsafe and could not move very well with my gear under my rain suit.....so now I just drive the cage till I can ride again.....sucks but I would rather be safe. :)

Wow...I read the title of the post (All Gear Has FAILED) and initially thought you might be posting from the hospital.   :o  Sucks about the rain, but relieved it was only that.

If it was 100% rain proof, you would still get wet from sweat cuz your skin couldnt breath (even in cold)  as to rain X on visor? Dont do it, there are Chemicals in it that attack the plastic and make it more brittle and less scratch resistant, it wont take long before the visor cracks.

best bet is to use a Wax that doesnt harm plastics/fiberglass.

Sucks about the gear. Have you ever tried a snowmobile helmet?

I use a DOT approved AVG snowmobile helmet and have never had a problem with it in the rain. It has a bit of a different visor than motorcycle helmets.  :dunno:

Quote from: RVertigoOh well...  Just thought I'd vent a little.  I think I'm gonna be looking up some hand guards and a windscreen of some kind...  Hopefully I'll get pants that fit and find some gloves someday.   :(

Ride nekkid.  :P

Quote from: RVertigoThe 100% waterproof jacket...  Only 100% waterproof where there isn't a huge friggen zipper with an untreated "rain flap" keeping water at bay.

I wear my rainsuit over my 100% waterproof textile jacket (Fieldsheer Monza II)

Quote from: RVertigoThe Cat boots, they did well until the return trip...  Then FAIL FAIL FAIL.

How did they fail?

Quote from: RVertigoThe visor...  I guess it needs some Rain-X...  Wish I'd thought about that before I was risking my life flying along on a road I couldn't see [at 70mph (yes, I saw that)].

FogCity ProShield, dude.

I have been very impressed with the waterproofness of this jacket from tourmaster.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/tourmaster-jacket/tourmaster-advanced-jacket.htm

It has very substantial zipper covers on the front and only lets in a few trickles of water  around my neck in a downpour.

Quote from: pandyRide nekkid.  :P

this is a recurring theme with you, Pandy...I like it.

Dude, get yourself a one peice rain suit. goes over your gear and keeps you dry AND warm.
I rode home in this (1.5-2 hr trip) from my first trackday.

That Tourmaster suit I have kept me completely warm and dry. My Sidi champion tepor boots survived almost to the end but were just a little damp at the end of the ride.

here's the suit:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=4058&department=161&Division=1

My gear is waterproof so far (and that's including the run to Portland and back in the rain, as well as commuting).  The Alpine pants are great.  The Alpinestars Roam boots, in combination with the pants, keep the feet dry.  The Diva jacket would fail by letting water seep into the collar, but I got a Turtle Fur neck warmer, and that solved that.

My Scorpion fog-free visor is working fine.  But you have to keep it clean; I wash the back of the visor with water and a soft cloth every few weeks.  Also, never crack the visor in the rain; it'll fog until you dry it out.

The Cold Front gloves are waterproof, but even when I was caught out in the rain with my regular gloves on, the handguards kept the rain off.  But the wiper blade on the Cold Front gloves is a blessing sent from on high.

Quote from: RoadstergalMy Scorpion fog-free visor is working fine.  But you have to keep it clean; I wash the back of the visor with water and a soft cloth every few weeks.

Hrm.  I take the visor off every few days to clean it with a soft cloth with a little dish soap and water.  Otherwise I think the view would be obscured with bug bits and goo.  Since I have to clean the front anyway, it only takes a few seconds to pop off the visor and clean the back at the same time.

[edit]of course, I neglect to clean my glasses for weeks on end...[/edit]

Quote from: BadgerHrm.  I take the visor off every few days to clean it with a soft cloth with a little dish soap and water.  Otherwise I think the view would be obscured with bug bits and goo.

I clean the outside every few days, but I don't take off the visor - just wipe it down with a damp soft cloth.

Quote from: ukchickenloverGood days riding then.

Yup.  :thumb:  Cold, but still good.

Quote from: BlueknytWax that doesnt harm plastics/fiberglass.

:? Any suggestions?  I saw about 30 posts of people using Rain-X...  I figured it would be ok...

Quote from: PhaedrusI use a DOT approved AVG snowmobile helmet

Can't afford another helmet...  When I got the helmet, the rain wasn't a problem...  Just beaded up and ran right off...  Not last night though... It was a horrid mist of death.

Quote from: scratchHow did they fail?

FogCity ProShield, dude.

The boots failed by letting water in...  They're just leather work boots...  They only thing between my feet and the rain is the Mink Oil I put on the outside...  I think it's time to re-apply...

And...  I didn't have problems with the visor fogging up, it was just covered with deadly mist...  It didn't used to do that.  I figured it was a Rain-X style coating that just wore off...  Maybe I just need to clean it better.   :dunno:


I think I'm going to try coating the stupid ass "rain-flap" on my jacket and see if that handles the problem...  It's fine for 45+ minutes in the rain, but around an hour it seems to give up.  :roll:

Quote from: RoadstergalThe Cold Front gloves are waterproof, but even when I was caught out in the rain with my regular gloves on, the handguards kept the rain off.

The gloves are on my list but no one has them and ASuki can't seem to pull their heads out of their asses...  I guess I'll have to go down there AGAIN and get them to order the damn glove.

Handguards are NOW on the list as well...

The wiper blade takes care of that fine mist.

Thomas moved from AS to Bellevue Kawasaki.  Although the pegs I ordered from him on Saturday still aren't in.  :P

a non abrasive car wax, pic one. ive used turtle wax and its ok, but i also use my helmet on th XL250 so i got dings and chips in my visor too..

in truth i may be screwed outa a helmet for awhile, when wilma came through i was in such a hurry to get things done i fogot about putting my helmet way, it got soaked for 2 days.   now looks like the lining is coming apart as its drying im gonna try restiching it back to the form foam  (its a vega) but unless i can fix this one, its gonna be awhile before i can afford new one

Have you tried the Aerostich suits? I have been contemplating getting the Roadcrafter suit or even possibly the Darian Jacket. Everyone that has the Aerostich jackets swears by them in all sorts of weather.

You guys mentioned hand guards. Does anyone have a brand/style they recommend? Pictures of a set of hand guards installed would be nice too. I live in Minnesota and the mornings are really cold and I think the added wind protection will save my hands.

Quote from: MinnGSHave you tried the Aerostich suits? I have been contemplating getting the Roadcrafter suit or even possibly the Darian Jacket. Everyone that has the Aerostich jackets swears by them in all sorts of weather.

You guys mentioned hand guards. Does anyone have a brand/style they recommend? Pictures of a set of hand guards installed would be nice too. I live in Minnesota and the mornings are really cold and I think the added wind protection will save my hands.

Aerostich stuff is expensive.

Hand guards: http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22110

Thanks for the quick reply. I just did a deeper search into the forums and was just reading that exact post. Thanks!  It answers my questions and I am off to the shop to see if I can order up some DL650 handguards for my GS. It will be my first modification.

Quote from: MinnGSHave you tried the Aerostich suits?

Dave's is the only one I've seen, and it isn't waterproof.

Your gear doesn't need to be 100% waterproof...  Just not totally fail in one or more areas.

I'm still friggen cold today...  (http://www.funender.com/phpBB2/images/smiles/cold.gif)  I think I'm just gonna have some other place order the gloves...  I'm pretty fed up with AS...

I wonder how long it would take them to get the hand-guards in.   :roll:

When I went there, Ryan said they had just gotten in a shipment of V-Strom hand guards.  Ian said they didn't have any, and if Ryan hadn't told me they were there, I wouldn't have told him to go back and check anyway. :P  They should still have some...

Why not get the gloves from Newenough?  Size the gloves on the Cortech gloves AS or Seattle Cycle has in stock...

no regular is waterproof....its all BS....you need a true rainsuit if you dont want to get wet. I have an alpinestar jacket that they claim is "waterproof"...yeah right....for about the first minute maybe, then its like wearing a wet rag.

that's because mine is about as old as i am, and it hasn't been washed in years. let alone sprayed down with scotch gaurd.  and it's still good for about three hours before it soaks through (seattle is a 4 hour drive though)

OK...  Now I know why the gloves aren't in...  CJ doesn't work at AurZuki any more. :roll:

Ducati Seattle here I come.

Quote from: RVertigoThe boots failed by letting water in...  They're just leather work boots...  They only thing between my feet and the rain is the Mink Oil I put on the outside...  I think it's time to re-apply...

I use Raintotes rubber booties that pull over your boots, I use these even over my Sidi's. Get the largest size you can, so you can pull it over your boots easier. I wear a 7.5, but I go with the XL Raintote. Rainsuit goes over the boots. They're only about $20-24.

Quote from: scratchI wear a 7.5, but I go with the XL Raintote.

Well, unless they make an XXXXXL, I don't think they'd fit...  I wear a 12.

The boots are waterproof when they have a fresh coat of mink oil on 'em...

I've been thinking about getting actual moto boots, but that's another $200 I don't really have.   :(

Quote from: RVertigoDucati Seattle here I come.

Sonny is the nicest guy ever.

I just ordered Larges over the phone...  Half down with return possibilities...

They'd better fit...   :x

Talk with the guy with all of the piercings and tattoos when you go in.  He's the sweetest guy ever; he'll work with you to get gloves that fit.

I have a rain oversuit.  Got it when i got my bike, it was raining that day.  So far i have riden in everything and it has never failed at all.  I don't have riding boots yet but where waterproof work boots and they are great.  Total it cost me $80 for the entire ensamble.  Just got new gloves and they aren't waterproof but i am going to spray them so they will at least be water resistant for a bit.  But i feel you pain, i got cought in the rain on the way to the beach and it was warm outside but i freaking froze.  The rain gear was in the car i was following  :x and when it started to drizzle they drove on :x  :x  :x .  Oh well lesson learned, i carry it in my book bag if it isn't on me.

oh yes, im waiting to get paid in order to buy a rainsuit and some boots and gloves.

my concern: how do I go about the boots thing? I don't have the $200 either for riding boots that are waterproof. im size 9

How about $100?  There were some motorcycle boots that were suppose to be waterproof for $100 at a Cycle Barn around here.

Quote from: AlphaFire X5

Quote from: MinnGSHave you tried the Aerostich suits? I have been contemplating getting the Roadcrafter suit or even possibly the Darian Jacket. Everyone that has the Aerostich jackets swears by them in all sorts of weather.

Aerostich stuff is expensive.

I wear the roadcrafter, pretty-much year-round.  I found a used one on eBay for $300 (the seller misspelled "aerostich", and didn't add "roadcrafter", so nobody else bid  :thumb: ).  I leave the back vent and the pockets unzipped all summer, and don't get wet there.

However, there is one problem with its waterproof-ness:  if you come to a stop in traffic, all the water on your chest runs down to the horn in the saddle.  Unless you put tent sealant on the fabric part of the zipper there, you will get wet at stoplights.  It's a bit funny: I have arrived at work, with a round wet spot surrounding the groin; it looked like I wet my pants.  I call it "Aerostich Crotch" (I'm sure they'd hate to hear that it has a name).  However, I have never gotten wet there when doing sustained riding on the highway (rode from Mpls to Mankato and back in a storm, without getting wet).

It is reportedly fixable by sealing the fabric part of the zipper.  I have taken to standing up when I come to a stop in heavy rain, and that seems to avoid it also.

Other than that, the Roadcrafter lets me go from bike to office and back quickly.  Oh, and the guys riding BMW R100 RSs will wave at you.

Quote from: Rema1000

Quote from: AlphaFire X5Aerostich stuff is expensive.

I wear the roadcrafter, pretty-much year-round.  I found a used one on eBay for $300

Yeah. That's expensive. I'm poor and in college, although the latter usually implies the former.

Quote from: AlphaFire X5Yeah. That's expensive. I'm poor and in college

Black plastic trash bag, cut to fit.

yeah, ive used hefty bags many times myself, ive also just packed extra cloths in a bag and changed when i got to work. often this ment riding in a windbreaker for a jacket but, one does what one must when its the only thing one has.

I just went to lunch and thought, Ryan is going to be miserable...

:mrgreen:  How thoughful you are.

hmm, just go faster then the rain!  :thumb:

It finally stopped raining around here...  Lucky for me my commute home is short...  I could do it without gear and only be half frozen.

I live in the Seattle-Tacoma area, and the rain has been terrible for a few weeks now.I need some good rain gear too, as I'm basically just hauling cheap, standard rain gear in my tank bag.I think a trip to Cycle Gear is in order.

Quote from: BadgerWow...I read the title of the post (All Gear Has FAILED) and initially thought you might be posting from the hospital.   :o  Sucks about the rain, but relieved it was only that.

:lol: So did I.

Maybe I should change that...   :oops: