Down here in DFW Texas it doesn't rain here a whole lot, but when it does it is no fun riding home cold and wet. I commute to work and would love nothing more than to ride by motorcycle all year round. Problem is I need to find rain gear that will foremost keep me completely dry, is easy to put over my clothes, and is fashionable (won't make me look like an astronaut or clown at the supermarket). I plan on buying a 2005 SV650s or GSX-R1000 in the near future, so I would like to buy some quality gear to go with it.

I've tried to save money in the past, but ended up buying inferior products that leaked or did not fit. My original plan was to buy a 1 or 2pc rainsuit I could quickly put on if it were to rain, but I don't think I want to pull underneath an overpass and go through the whole ordeal. Besides, I would have to carry it around with me and it would be difficult to fit over leathers.

Feel free to chime in on what you specifically use/have used, what brands you do/don't trust (qaulity and/or service), and any recommendations you might have.

Here is what I have so far:

1) WATERPROOF BOOTS:
-- I've tried rubber overboots, but they were a pain to get on/off; I wear a size 6.5 in men's and my feet would be slightly wide w/large calves; want something I can commute with everyday, but be able to take it to the occasional track day (not too flashy; wear underneath my jeans)

My picks:
SIDI Vertebra 2 Tepor OR Alpinestars S-MX Gore-Tex Boot



2) WATERPROOF JACKET:
-- To me, I've put a lot of thought into this and I would be hard pressed to buy anything other than a Teknic Spider. A review I read (click here) convinced me this was the jacket for me.
Although it is not made from Gore-Tex, I've always liked the "all-weather" functionality it will offer during the hot Texas heat and the cold, rainy months.

My picks:
Teknic Spider (if you can make a case for another jacket, I'm open to suggestions)



3) WATERPROOF OVERPANTS:
-- Must have actual H20 barrier, not coating; obviously, I want something that is more or less incognito and does not make me look funny. I have a 30" waist, 28" inseam, and large quads, so the combination might be hard to fit; removable H20 proof liner a bonus; I would like to have some knee protection

My picks:
Alpinestars ST-5 Drystar OR Alpinestars Jet Road Gore-Tex OR Aerostich Darien (Light?) Pant



4) WATERPROOF GLOVES:
-- Must have actual H20 barrier, not coating; knuckle guards a necessity; I have small hands, so if anyone knows a particular brand that has shorter than normal finger lengths please let me know; cold/winter weather protection a bonus

My picks:
Alpinestars Tech Road Gore-Tex OR Alpinestars Jet Road Gore-Tex OR Teknic Cyclone Waterpoof Glove


P.S.
Is anyone familiar with the Respro Waterproof Slick Wet Suit or Slick Two-Tone Half Jacket?

Thanks for all your help in advance

im going to have to reccomend the joe rocket alter ego jacket and pants, both of which strip down to mesh for warm weather riding and both of which zip up tight for wet/cold weather riding, then have 2 pairs of gloves one for warm weather one for wet

for serious rain anything with a helly hanson logo will do, normally though I just wear a set of mil issue gortex. they take a good couple of hours to soak through.

i just get wet

My vote would be some sort of one piece jumpsuit. I found one at Goodwill for $5 made by REI  (well, probably was $100 new. Gotta love thrift stores).

I tried all sorts of two piece sets before, including a pricey boating foul weather gear set, but it seemed that with the 2 pieces it felt, after awhile, like I was sittiing in water. Haven't gotten that with the one piece.

And yes, it was rainwater I was sitting in......

If you really want to stay dry get pullover raingear. When it comes to raingear that you pull over your regular riding gear, you really want to get one or two sizes larger than what you wear. Same thing with pull over boots. This is for ease of putting on as well as freedom of movement.

I have Firstgear overpants from Newenough.com and have been very pleased with their waterproofness. I was recently caught in a downpour where I couldn't ride faster than 20mph. The only wet spots were above my boots from riding through deep puddles and water splashing up my legs.
On the same ride my tourmaster jacket let in a little water around the neck but still did well.

I had an old JR Meteor and it leaked around the zippers badly.

for some reason the forum will not let me post my reply in one piece (too long?), so i'm doing it in 2 parts


i have the Teknic Spider, and i would recommend that you not get it.  it is very versatile, yes, but at the cost that it does "everything ok", instead of "one thing great"

since you are in texas, i assume that you will mostly use it in mesh mode.  the problem is that the mesh sleeves are way too loose, with the result of the elbow pads rotating pretty far away from the elbows at times.  i would consider this the jacket's weakest point.  when you put on the shell, the sleeves are more rigid, and you can tighten them up, so the elbow pads stay in place.

also, the outer water/wind-proof shell is pretty bulky.  so if you plan to ride in mesh mode and carry the outer shell, i think it would take up more space than a rain suit.

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don't get me wrong, there are plenty of good thing about the jacket, like the armor that is part of the jacket in either mode (the shoulder and back armor doesn't share the elbows' problem), and the fact that in mesh mode it is blissfully cool, but in shell mode with the collar it is very warm.  i just think the jacket works better in shell mode, so if you're primarily going to use the mesh mode, look at other jackets.

also, find one locally and try it on, while sitting on the bike.  i made the mistake of trying mine on while standing up, and it fit great.  but when i get on the bike, my thighs push the bottom of the jacket up a bit, so that it bulges at my stomach.

I've tested the Vert-2 Tepor on freeway in freezing sleet/snow mix; they did just fine.  My old Alpinestars Web boots do just fine too, and I can wear them at work.  The S-MX3 Gore-Tex were less comfortable to me, both sitting on the bike and walking around the store, so I got the Vert2.

For a suit, I wear an Aerostich; the beauty is that you just put it on everyday, so there is no need to pull-over due to unexpected rain.  But it's probably too hot for Texas.  

I can't imagine a 2-piece keeping the water out.  When you come to a stop, all the water runs down your chest, makes a puddle at the groin, and when you get up to speed, it will push up and back, and get inside.  There was a good comparison of Frog Togs, Kilimanjaro, BMW, etc rainsuits.

For gloves, I have tourmaster waterproof Cold Fronts, which do well in freezing rain.

I was hoping to get more insight into the gear I did "pick", but thanks anyways to everyone for their posts:

Remma1000
- based on your comments I am most likely going to get the Vertebra 2 Tepor boots. Oh yeah, I forgot about the Waterproof Cold Front gloves from Tour Master. They received good reviews as well.

crash
- As far as the Teknic Spider jacket is concerned I would mainly use it for rain/cold weather, not for its mesh. I wish I could try one on, but nobody seems to carry Teknic locally. You did put doubt in my mind though. I may just end up buying a cold weather/gore-tex jacket and wear it only when the weather is questionable.

'04gs500f
- when the Alter Ego first came out I was psyched about getting one. However, the jacket does not seem to fit my body type. In fact, most of the Joe Rocket line does not fit me very well at all :dunno:

callmelenny
- I looked up the Firstgear overpants you suggested. I believe the thermal liner is removable! Nice touch. The pants will be the hardest to decide because most pants tend to be too long for me.

William M
- I've already tried the one-piece jumpsuit option, but because I am stocky and short they are either going to be to long or too tight. Thanks anyways.

Mat
- what is "wer"? Did you mean wet? I've been wet a few times coming home. I wasn't too concerned because I could hang my gear up to dry. However, the wet clothes does start to wreak havoc on the internal body tempeature, causing uncontrollable shivering. Problem is I can't afford to get wet going to work.

davipu
- I thought about getting some Mil-Spec Gore-Tex pants from Ebay, but I decided against it because I wanted the armor protection.


One other avenue I have not anticipated is buying some gear from BMW Motorrad. I realize they are super expensive, but they have jackets, pants, and suits for every occasion! I don't think anyone has gear comparable to BMW's. I will have to check with my local BMW dealer this weekend.

A Trash bag works great and looks good too!

i use an umbrella...

Quote from: Flash- based on your comments I am most likely going to get the Vertebra 2 Tepor boots.

After a few weeks commuting, the only thing that bugs me is that they squeak when the "armadillo armor" plates move against each other.  I sometimes wear them  into an office (pant legs pulled down over the tops), and hope nobody notices.  But when they squeak, they're kind-of obvious.  I've read that you can put grease on the plastic to stop squeaking; I think I'll try saddlesoap on the plastic.

They passed the "comfort test" enough that I wear them through the grocery store, Home Depot, K-Mart, etc.  But I admit that I wore my old Alpinestars Web boots the other day (customer sales call), and boy are those comfy.  

The Cold Front gloves would be way too warm for Texas.  I wore them today, at 60F (because it was raining), and they were a little on the toasty side.

QuoteI've already tried the one-piece jumpsuit option, but because I am stocky and short they are either going to be to long or too tight.

I have an Aerostich 2-piece, but I never unzip it.  Being a 2-piece, I can get different sizes, top and bottom, then zip them together.  They make a lighter Darien jacket that may be OK in Texas.