The most basic riding gear question .....

[Lannis]

Fay and I need to overhaul our riding gear; it's getting worn out.

Helmets, we can do ... our local shop will order two or three of the sort we like in different sizes and let us try them on.   Although we're looking at wireless intercoms for our really long trips these days, I suppose I'll have to learn to speak Sena or something.

Boots, we got good ones, waterproof, comfortable.

So the big question - Do we buy gear (jacket and pants) that's already waterproof (Rukka, Klim, Aerostich, etc) so we dont have to always stop and put it on and off if rain threatens and quits,  but therefore by definition is heavier, warmer, and less ventilated ... or do we buy gear that is comfortable, layerable, light and cool but then have to be always stopping on inconvenient road shoulders and fighting our boots in and out of rain gear?  And after a change or two (usually after a cloudburst comes a period of intense heat and sunlight and you'd steam inside your rainsuit like a broccoli stalk if you didn't shed it), the suit is wet inside and out and getting YOU wet, I guess you know the tune.

We've got a couple of long trips planned including much of the US West, and want to be able to handle 90+ degree days on the road behind a fairing.   We can do that in our current gear (ventilated and mesh), but it's not waterproof.    We've never ridden in Aerostich or Rukka gear, so don't know how we'd handle hot weather all day.

Not worried about cost, this stuff is important and will probably last us at least half of the rest of our riding lives .... or more, you never know .... What's the best waterproof/ventilation compromise ... ?

Lannis

[Tom]

Good conundrum!  The Aerostitch guys love them.  You just wear less underneath them for hotter weather.  I have the other problem going hot to cold/wet.  I have a pile of cold weather stuff that I have but rarely use. 

When I come over for my Summer ride, it's a "crap shoot" on gear.  I have to lug everything on a plane first so that limits me.  I did leave my rain gear with the bike.  I use that as a outer layer over everything else.

[guzzisteve]

Got to get w/the Jet Set Lannis, everyone knows it's a thong & flip-flops!!!

[Lannis]

Got to get w/the Jet Set Lannis, everyone knows it's a thong & flip-flops!!!

With a thong, the flip-flop would come along with that ...      

It's not amazingly critical, the gear, people used to ride everywhere in the most basic of stuff and just suffered if it were too hot or cold or wet, but we're getting to the age where if comfort is available, we're willing to pay a little extra for it.   

I HATE facing a long day's tour if I know I'm going to be miserably wet or hot or cold all day, I want to enjoy the ride, not be wishing it were over and I can peel out of miserable clothes.   A couple ways to go, obviously.

The rain thing is tough ... is it going to be just a little light rain, no need in changing just for this, I can see the other side of the storm, we'll be dry again in 3 minutes ... then WHOOSH, a monsoon, and it's too late to put the wet gear on and now you'll never dry out until the jacket and pants are hanging from the TV set in the motel room ....

We're not camping on these trips, and I also carry a few tools and a small compressor, so the space and weight isn't TOO much of an issue, although you always have to be aware of that on a bike; the load seems to expand and get harder to pack every single day on a long trip ....

Lannis   

[mjptexas]

...I have found tour master to be my friend for the most part with a textile (Rincon,10 years old and still good but I don't think that is made anymore) jacket that has a linner (don't ride much when real cold (-25 deg F) ...

I've been wearing a TourMaster Transition 4 for a little over a year.  I've been pleasantly surprised as to how well it works.  It's primary use is cold weather riding.  I have worn it in temperatures from 32 f up to 90.  The jacket has lots of vents, but most have velcro flaps so it can take a bit of work to keep them open.  I usually don't use it at temperatures above 70 degrees, so my hot weather riding experience with it is limited.  It is in the current TourMaster catalog.

[drw916]

Aerostich all the way.  I prefer the Darien Jacket and pants.  For summer use the light weight may be the way to go, but the standard weight has worked for me for many years.

[fotoguzzi]

you can't beat the crash protection of an Aerostich Roadcrafter. the armor is superior.
it's pretty well vented but on real hot days I soak my t-shirt and open the vents, it's almost air conditioned then..
new suits have flaps that can cover your boots too.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I've "retired" my old MotoPort suit to SoCal. It served me well for uhh, a few miles..  but.
I hate the gortex inner liners. Yes, it works, but the outer jacket and pants get wet and stay wet for a long time.
Honestly, any more I'd just as soon have overpants. My Olympia jacket has a gortex waterproof membrane that can be worn inside or outside the jacket. I prefer to wear it outside if it looks like rain.
There is no perfect riding gear.

[Lannis]

There is no perfect riding gear.

I know.   I'm just searching data for the best compromise if we're going to be on the road for a month in the USA in September, which will include high passes in Montana, and possibly HOT weather down in the plains, like it can be that time of year ....

It's tempting to get an all-weather outfit and quit toting rain gear .... and maybe if you carry enough water to pour down inside it if the land you have to cross between breakfast and dinner is 96 degrees and sunny ... it wouldn't be too bad?

I've sounded out Fay and she doesn't want a one-piece suit, so possibly the Roadcrafter two-piece or the Darien outfit or ... leather is nice and comfortable and protective, if Aerostich still made that "Transit" waterproof leather that might be good ... wonder why they quit making it?

Lannis

[cloudbase]

I like the Aerostich gear.  I still have to stop when it rains, though, but it's only to change gloves.

[bad Chad]

I'm with Chuck, mostly.  The textile stuff works well, but it gets all soggy on the outside, just feels wrong.  And in my experience, some of them give up their waterproofness after a few years use.

[Guzzistajohn]

I rode all day in my 'stitch one piece. it is comfy but a hot s----mb---tch  in the summer and a bitch to get in and out of. If I had it to do over, I'd get a two piece.

[LowRyter]

You might shop around.  The new textile stuff is very good.  I picked up no brand jacket (Speed & Steel brand) at  close out rack at an outdoor booth at COTA.    The weather changed when I was riding back to OKC from MotoGP Austin.  Rain, wind and cold. I am talking 30s, 45 mph north head wind, flurries and rain.  This jacket is much better than my leather so far as warmth and rain.  It's ventilated and armored.  I wear it 8+ months, and slip into the mesh for summer.

Shop around.  You might be surprised. 

I wouldn't be shocked if you could find a good one at Cycle Gear.

[daytonars97]

you can't beat the crash protection of an Aerostich Roadcrafter. the armor is superior.
it's pretty well vented but on real hot days I soak my t-shirt and open the vents, it's almost air conditioned then..
new suits have flaps that can cover your boots too.

+100.  Roadcrafter and soaked long sleeved cotton Tshirt. Only downside is the need to shed suit fast when not moving if hot. so keep moving....

[Ncdan]

Simple for me. 80 degrees F and up, mesh jacket and layer to comfort. 75 degrees and down to 50 degrees leather or textile with a liner or not as well as layers as needed. 45 down to 32ish degrees a cold suit and layers as needed. Below 32 degrees, keep my ass at home😂
Oh and frog toggs, water proof boot covers and glove covers in a nylon bag in the right bag with the Jack Daniels for the cold wet conditions.

[Lannis]

You might shop around.  The new textile stuff is very good.  I picked up no brand jacket (Speed & Steel brand) at a close out rack at a booth ar COTA.    The weather changed when I was riding back to OKC from MotoGP Austin.  Rain, wind and cold. I am talking 30s, 45 mph north head wind, flurries and rain.  This jacket is much better than my leather so far as warmth and rain.  It's ventilated and armored.  I wear it 8 months, and slip into the mesh for summer.

Shop around.  You might be surprised. 

I wouldn't be shocked if you could find a good one like it at Cycle Gear.

I'm shopping everywhere I can find ...  I've had a Street and Steel "Brighton" jacket similar to what you describe, and my "Bilt" mesh jacket from Cycle Gear is reaching the end of its life.

I wore out a FirstGear Kilimanjaro jacket 2000-2010, and my Tourmaster Rincon has lasted about 8 years but is about done.   I have a heavy AGV armored leather jacket but (unlike most leather, which people find shrinks badly over the years) this one expanded over the last couple years and doesn't fit me any more.

Fay is at the end-of-life of her second Joe Rocket jacket/pants outfit, and also has a Bilt mesh jacket which needs replacing. 

Very little to our credit is the fact that normally we ride in jeans; helmet, boots, gloves, and jacket are all good, but our legs are protected only by cotton denim, which isn't good.   We're not going on our next long tour in jeans.   Kevlar jeans maybe, if we go the rainsuit route.

None of the gear above, however, is waterproof; all of it requires a rain suit if water starts coming down (or up from the highway; you get wetter from truck and pavement spray than from rain) ....

No place I'm aware of within 200 miles besides the Cycle Gear in Springfield VA has an extensive line of gear where you can try things on for size ... so it's the guess-try-return-try again on line cycle ...

Lannis

[Guzzistajohn]

+100.  Roadcrafter and soaked long sleeved cotton Tshirt. Only downside is the need to shed suit fast when not moving if hot. so keep moving....

True, can't stop and chew the fat in a 'stitch. air cool baby!

[Lannis]

Simple for me. 80 degrees F and up, mesh jacket and layer to comfort. 75 degrees and down to 50 degrees leather or textile with a liner or not as well as layers as needed. 45 down to 32ish degrees a cold suit and layers as needed. Below 32 degrees, keep my ass at home😂
Oh and frog toggs, water proof boot covers and glove covers in a nylon bag in the right bag with the Jack Daniels for the cold wet conditions.

That's exactly my current plan when I'm at home.   

Problem is, on a long tour, packed full, I can't carry two different riding outfits for two of us; as big as proper protective gear packs, I'd fill two saddlebags with just mesh, rainsuits, pants, etc ..... 

Lannis

[normzone]

You get rain? I'm envious ....

[Ncdan]

That's exactly my current plan when I'm at home.   

Problem is, on a long tour, packed full, I can't carry two different riding outfits for two of us; as big as proper protective gear packs, I'd fill two saddlebags with just mesh, rainsuits, pants, etc ..... 

Lannis

Ok, just keep the Jack Daniels and leave the wife’s heavy jacket out, LOL, I crack me up sometimes 😂

[Lannis]

You get rain? I'm envious ....

On a five or six thousand mile tour, we expect to come across whatever part of the country is getting the rain that you're not getting .... 

Lannis

[LowRyter]

I'm shopping everywhere I can find ...  I've had a Street and Steel "Brighton" jacket similar to what you describe, and my "Bilt" mesh jacket from Cycle Gear is reaching the end of its life.

I wore out a FirstGear Kilimanjaro jacket 2000-2010, and my Tourmaster Rincon has lasted about 8 years but is about done.   I have a heavy armored leather jacket but (unlike most leather, which people find shrinks badly over the years) this one expanded over the last couple years and doesn't fit me any more.

Fay is at the end-of-life of her second Joe Rocket jacket/pants outfit, and also has a Bilt mesh jacket which needs replacing. 

Very little to our credit is the fact that normally we ride in jeans; helmet, boots, gloves, and jacket are all good, but our legs are protected only by cotton denim, which isn't good.   We're not going on our next long tour in jeans.   Kevlar jeans maybe, if we go the rainsuit route.

None of the gear above, however, is waterproof; all of it requires a rain suit if water starts coming down (or up from the highway; you get wetter from truck and pavement spray than from rain) ....

No place I'm aware of within 200 miles besides the Cycle Gear in Springfield VA has an extensive line of gear where you can try things on for size ... so it's the guess-try-return-try again on line cycle ...

Lannis

I have a couple of pair of textile over pants.  One is Joe Rocket mesh.  In the summer you can wear shorts or swim trunks under them.  But they are still hot in the summer.  Neither is rain proof (obvious for the mesh).  I keep Frog Togg britches for that- which BTW have muffler induced ventilation holes at both ankles. 

I normally wear jeans.  I was looking at kevlar jeans at CG.  I think they all have about 5 inched of reach from belt buckle to crotch.  Still looking.

[Gliderjohn]

Oh man! This is a relevent post for me. I am in my early 60s and I bruise really easily and my skin on my hands cuts easily. Been trying to decide how to go concerning riding apparel and armor.
GliderJohn

[Lannis]

Oh man! This is a relevent post for me. I am in my early 60s and I bruise really easily and my skin on my hands cuts easily. Been trying to decide how to go concerning riding apparel and armor.
GliderJohn

Yup, things change as you get older, physically change and so do your needs.   I'm in the same boat.

I think for me, this is being driven a little bit by realizing that whatever we buy is probably going to last us a significant percentage of our remaining riding life so we ought to get what's best for us.   We've always just bought a hodge-podge of riding gear, whatever felt good and was on sale and seemed to have the features we wanted at the time.

Sometimes cheap-but-functional $79.95 stuff (Cycle Gear "Bilt"), sometimes $200 - $400 (TourMaster, FirstGear, Joe Rocket, AGV) ... and they've done pretty well.   Never even considered Klim or Rukka or Aerostich stuff at $1500 - $2000 per outfit, but maybe it's time?   

I know how different it feels to bruise up a knee or twist an ankle or abrade myself NOW than it did 30 years ago, before years of borderline Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid dysfunction, arthritis, neuropathy, and all that other Old Man/Old Woman stuff took its toll.   All of that's under control or gone now (therapy, diet, weight, medication, etc) but the upshot is that neither one of us heals up like a young dog any more if we go down, and a lick that I used to just shake off will have me hurting bad the next couple mornings or longer ....

Hence the search for the Right Stuff!

Lannis

[yyj200]

I have had very good luck with Klim gear, hot, cold, wet. It is very well made, and good consumer support.

[fotoguzzi]

b but the upshot is that neither one of us heals up like a young dog any more if we go down, and a lick that I used to just shake off will have me hurting bad the next couple mornings or longer ....

Hence the search for the Right Stuff!

Lannis

Again, Aerostich. not shown on the web site but the catalog has details about how special the armor is..
you can get wet in them (all day soaker) but it can save your skin in a crash..



50 mph get off.

[Mr Pootle]

I envy you the conundrum. Here, we daren’t go anywhere without rain protection. Hence the stereotypical British gentleman with his neatly rolled umbrella.
My dad used to watch westerns on TV and comment that it never seemed to rain in the USA. After I’d spent a couple of summers thumbing around, I was able to tell him it did rain, but not often in the summer. So if I ever get the opportunity to ride around the States, I’ll go for comfort and be prepared to pull over to put a waterproof layer on.
(Posted while waiting for a break in the rain so I can walk out and buy a paper)

[ChuckH]

 :1: on the Aerostitch comments. 

I went with the Roadcrafter two-piece over twenty years ago.  Reasons for the two pieces -- can have different colors and sizes top to bottom.  After about ten years I bought a Darien jacket, the bike at that time was a bit sporty, the lean-over riding position left a gap at the waist on the RC jacket and my lower back got cold.  I went with the Regular Darien (not the Lite) for the added protection.  Their catalog recommended the Regular for sustained speeds above 70 MPH and I ride lots of Interstates.

I've ridden in all types of weather with the current arrangement (Darien jacket, RC pants) and am satisfied.  I carry a soakable vest in the summer to use under the Darien in really hot temps but soaking a T-shirt also works.  It was 107 degrees the last time across NE and KS.  In the cooler temps I layer up including a wool dickey around my upper torso and neck and wool arm warmers on my lower arms to keep wind from going up the sleeves of the outer jacket.

Ride safe.

[Darren Williams]

Living in Central Oklahoma and traveling multistate from April thru November, I have settled on layering and mesh gear, with heated liners and over the top rain suits. Not uncommon to see 30 to 100's sometimes in the same day and off and on rain. Tried the one suit fit all and didn't like it as I almost always felt it was a compromise and only was "right" a few hours per day. For me stopping and adjusting gear in extremes is the best choice.

[Lannis]

Only 20 hours and already tons of good experience and recommendations.

A little self-reflection too ... as I was reviewing gear that we'd bought in the past, I was looking at old photos.   And I realized that a short 25 years ago I was doing things that I would consider stupid and counter-productive today; like riding a 1000-mile round trip to Ohio on my old BSA in a T-shirt, with a light fabric jacket and a slicker strapped down on the back.   Open helmet, no gloves, street shoes.   (And at least once I almost froze in August in a 55-degree rain on top of Cheat Mountain).

Luckily, by 2004, when I was on my Centauro one December riding with Greg King on HIS Centauro, I was in full gear from head to toe when we both hit an ice-covered mountain bridge and went down at about 45 MPH.   Bruised up but nothing bloody or broken, we hammered the levers and pegs back to rideable shape and eased on home.   I had to replace the helmet, jacket, and pants, though, although I still use the Sidi boots.

Since then I've been a MOTG/ATT advocate, transitioning to ATG/ATT.

When it gets right down to it, it's the heat I'm worried about.   I have wool underlayers, Fay has electric vests and gloves, we know our limits on cold and they're low.   

The "change into rain gear or wear waterproof gear" is a comfort and convenience thing; stop and change or ride on?    Weather's funny - I've been riding in England for two weeks and never saw anything but sunshine and blue skies, but I've ridden in the US under constant rain for a week at a time.    And September in the Midwest or Southeast, you're in and out of thunderstorms all day long; change into gear, get steamed up, change out, dry off, change into gear .....

So the heat?   We've always managed that with mesh gear with armor built in.   But mesh dries you out so bad, you have to drink and pee all the time, and it's something extra to carry because it has to be changed out under 70 degrees or it'll freeze you.

It sounds like a soakable underlayer (whether a designed one or a T-shirt) with vented jackets would be a solution to the heat, although I've never really done that on a day-long ride.   We'll try that on the next really hot day and see how it does ... ?

Lannis