Riding Gear. Whats good?

**oneway** · 07-13-2010, 07:54 AM

Hello, with this trip coming up to Interlochen, I thought it would be a good time to get a rainsuit and a or a waterproof jacket.
I was checking out Joe Rocket's stuff on the web. I got confused, way too many options, I had no idea what the material is or which is better. Too many material and options.

What are the good materials?
Waterproof?
Any suggestions? Rainsuit?

It is difficult because there are no places around here to check out the jackets in person. I would like to get one jacket and pants that will work in our cold climate and during summer. I am lost, my leather soaks up the water now and water gets in my boots etc. It is cold in the spring and fall.
I didnt want to spend the money and find out that I bought the wrong thing.
Thanks

**shadetree** · 07-13-2010, 08:53 AM

Try frogg toggs they have worked pretty good for me. Just keep in mind the sizes are big so they fit over your leathers.

**kmag5** · 07-13-2010, 10:08 AM

I have the Alter Ego pants and jacket. They work very well for my temperature range, upper 40s to low 90s. Have worn the jacket for 3 yrs, pants for 2, they are holding up well for my use - mostly commuting, 2-4 rides/week from March-October. Cant say from experience how they work in the rain, I do my best to avoid it. From what I have read they are pretty good in rain with the rain liners installed - these go under the jacket and pants.

**flitecontrol** · 07-13-2010, 10:24 AM

I have the Tourmaster Pivot II jacket in high visibility yellow. Amazon.com had it for the cheapest price, around $95, and they knocked off an additional $50 for opening an Amazon Visa account. So I got it for less than $50. Haven't ridden it in the rain, but it gets good reviews by those who have. It's a three season jacket and has a liner, vents and some other neat features. But it's too hot for our 100 degree, 98% humidity summers. Then I wear mesh jacket and pants. Depending on the temp, I either wear mesh or insulated pants with the Tourmaster. Joe Rocket is a good brand, but certainly is pricey.

The best abrasion resistance is good thick leather, then Kevlar, Cordura and Carbolex in that order.

I've heard good things about Frogg Toggs, and believe they hold up much better to sitting in saddlebags for months at a time than cheaper gear does. And they really aren't expensive.

**Blueberry** · 07-13-2010, 10:42 AM

Frog Togs are great. I have a Tourmaster Intake jacket with zip in rain and a zip in insulated liner. I rode 50 miles yesterday. Sunny and 93. As long as there is a breeze or you are moving you are cooler with the jacket on than off. At a standstill its no worse than not having the jacket on. Heavy blue jeans and steel toe boots. Plus of course a good helmet and eye protection.

**DeeG** · 07-13-2010, 01:05 PM

Two words: Aerostich Roadcrafter.

You pick the color you want, they are made in the USA to YOUR measurements. You can get it in a one piece or a two piece. Lots of pockets, lots of vents, and best of all, it'll keep you dry in the rain.

If you crash and it rips, they can fix it. Bust a zipper? They can fix it. Don't feel like washing it yourself? They can do that too.

Friend of mine just had a new one made two years ago. He rides about 60-65,000 miles a year. His first suit lasted for 18 years.

I've got numerous offerings from Joe Rocket, Field Sheer, First Gear, etc, hanging in the closet (winter gear, mesh, etc) I won't even bother with those any more.

JunkyardDog · 07-13-2010, 03:00 PM

The only rainsuit I've ever owned was a bright yellow PVC ducksuit, not made for motorcycle use. I usually just get wet, but then I don't ride in the rain very much. Where I live the issue is heat, as in 115 degrees. I have ridden all over the country, including heavy rain, and the yellow suit was all I had. It protected you from the stinging impact of huge raindrops, but leaked really bad, so you still got wet. I have a Joe Rocket Phoenix 4.0 mesh jacket with a water resistant liner, but I wouldn't call that rain gear. The liner is mainly designed to be windproof. I have noticed that most motorcycle specific rain suits tend to be on the expensive side. I have no doubt the Roadcrafter is a great suit, but at nearly $900, it cost half what my Rebel did. I'll just stick to the $40 yellow ducksuit (they're heavy, and last forever), and carry dry clothes in a plastic bag. Jerry.

**DeeG** · 07-13-2010, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JunkyardDog

I have no doubt the Roadcrafter is a great suit, but at nearly $900, it cost half what my Rebel did.

Since I got fitted at the factory in MN, I got 10% off and there's no sales tax on clothing in MN (yup, its considered clothing). So, when all was said and done, I think mine came out to $940. Part of it was paid for with my Economic Stimulus Check

I had already spent close to $600 on several JR, Fieldsheer, First Gear, etc jackets and pants. None of them met my expectations as to what m/c gear should do. None of them fit right, everything was either gray or black, the pockets were useless, not one of them could be worn in the rain without another layer over it. But I kept buying them, hoping that the next one would do the job. They were all made in China or Taiwan, and when the zipper on my FS pants broke after ONE wearing, I had had enough.

I am beyond pleased with my 'stich. My only regret is that I WISH I had bought it sooner, and I would have not wasted time and money on the other crap that I bought. And if I wear the thing for 20 years, that's about $50 a year. And I don't have carry rain gear around, either.

**Blueberry** · 07-13-2010, 09:03 PM

I paid $160.00 ($20.00 off) for my Tourmaster Intake with the two liners. $25.00 for my Frog Toggs on sale at Bass Pro. It works for me.

**oneway** · 07-13-2010, 09:29 PM

Lots of good info. I am glad to hear of the brands out there. I will be checking them out. Right now my rain gear consists of a tee shirt and jeans. As long as I am within a couple hours of home I am fine. I want to go on longer trips now. Aero stitch sounds cool I may have to save up for that one!

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