Membrane trust: The best motorcycle waterproofs to keep you dry whatever the weather chosen by MCN

[weeksy]

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-kit ... terproofs/

Motorcycle waterproofs can be a real life-saver – especially in the UK where even the sunniest of mornings can become torrential afternoons.

There’s plenty of purpose-made waterproof kit on the market from laminated textiles through to treated denim riding jeans, but the products listed here are designed to be worn over the top of non-waterproof kit.

If you’re heading out in your leathers or a jacket and jeans but you think it might rain later, or if the shower you’re leaving in isn’t going to last, then a waterproof set or over suit could be just the job for you.

There are two options to choose from, a one-piece, which is generally more watertight and a two-piece, which is more flexible and gives you the option of just sticking the top half on if you don’t expect a downpour to last long.

1. Richa Typhoon one-piece

2. Alpinestars Hurricane

3. Oxford Rainseal Waterproofs

4. Weise Siberian

[Dodgy69]

I've got a Richa typhoon 1 piece and 2 piece, Both leak on wet motorways.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

How do MCN choose the weather?
And if they can choose the weather why isn't it always good motorcycling weather?

[v8-powered]

Think most folk on this forum hide at the first signs of rain, so target audience is a little off?

[Rockburner]

That's got to be the worst "just phoned in from the beach" article I've ever read (even for MCN)



First time in a long time I've seen a ZXR400 in a magazine photo though!

[Supermofo]

I've got a pair of these Richa over trousers and I've worn them twice. Once shortly after a got them about 4 years ago and it barely rained. Then a second time on the way home from Yeovil when it rained about a 1/3 of the trip. The trousers leaked at the crutch which is always useful!
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... prod/33286

[formula400]

Think most folk on this forum hide at the first signs of rain, so target audience is a little off?

I just come home in the pissing rain, it was mad, constant hard rain for 25 mins, great fun

[Nordboy]

I know some people poo poo Gore tex as a product, but I've ridden some horrendous weather in my Rukka kit, thought at the time I was getting wet (temperature changes probably) then arrived back, totally bone dry.

I've never found a bike specific one or two piece that was totally dry.

When I'm on my XMax, I've got some Keela walking overtrousers that seem to do a good job, but not really sure they'd work that well in a total downpour.

We used to get some standard job issued cargo style overtrousers that were very good in all weathers. I can't get them now and can't find my old ones which is a shame. I try and stay out of the crap weather in work these days!!

[Hot_Air]

I know some people poo poo Gore tex as a product

While I've also found Gore-Tex good, I won't waste my money on clobber with Gore-Tex Stretch. The Gore Stretch material is the one Gore-Tex material I discovered that failed eventually, letting in water

[Horse]

As an aside, WhyOhWhyOhWhy do manufacturers put a seam in the crotch? Built-in point of failure, sitting in a puddle with the seam being stretched.

Instead, use a 'U' shape panel?

[Skub]

As an aside, WhyOhWhyOhWhy do manufacturers put a seam in the crotch? Built-in point of failure, sitting in a puddle with the seam being stretched.

Instead, use a 'U' shape panel?

I think they all make shitty products,so you have to keep buying more in the off chance you'll luck onto a good set. A set of DOE yellow gear is way more waterproof than any of the bike rubbish.

[Supermofo]

Has anyone tried any overtrousers that actually work?

Given the start to our 'Summer' I think the chances of me getting 4 dry days on my trip to Cornwall are pretty bloody slim! As mentioned above the SBS best seller Richa 'rain' warrior are the ones I own, worn twice and leaked in the first real rain. I know they leak so need a new pair. At this point I'm gonna order these Oxford rainseal ones as I've not tried them, no one mentions leaks in the reviews (like all the others, although bet the do eventually) and hopefully they'll last the 4 days, please .
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... rod/741635

The only ones mentioned as being best for not leaking are the Scott ones at £70 quid the cheapest I can find online.
https://www.urbanrider.co.uk/scott-ergo ... gJJWfD_BwE

But I'm a skint flint and only ridden in rain twice in about 6 years so being tight about 70 quid My fear is like the RIcha they stay in the cupboard for 4 years, get worn, leak but way to old to complain.

[gremlin]

Has anyone tried any overtrousers that actually work?

Given the start to our 'Summer' I think the chances of me getting 4 dry days on my trip to Cornwall are pretty bloody slim! As mentioned above the SBS best seller Richa 'rain' warrior are the ones I own, worn twice and leaked in the first real rain. I know they leak so need a new pair. At this point I'm gonna order these Oxford rainseal ones as I've not tried them, no one mentions leaks in the reviews (like all the others, although bet the do eventually) and hopefully they'll last the 4 days, please .
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... rod/741635

The only ones mentioned as being best for not leaking are the Scott ones at £70 quid the cheapest I can find online.
https://www.urbanrider.co.uk/scott-ergo ... gJJWfD_BwE

But I'm a skint flint and only ridden in rain twice in about 6 years so being tight about 70 quid My fear is like the RIcha they stay in the cupboard for 4 years, get worn, leak but way to old to complain.

I can do cheap better than most, so I'd go Oxford. Never been a massive fan of their stuff, but for something that gets pulled on when it rains then unceremoniously stuffed in a top box afterwards, I'd be loath to spend any more.

[Rockburner]

I've mentioned this before - but if you go into a shop to try on a "waterproof" suit, do not buy the one you've tried on off the hanger.

Buy the one that's from the store cupboard, that has not been tried on by a fantasist who insists he can still get into gear that is 3 sizes too small for him.

If you're buying online it's obviously pot-luck, you're as likely to get the bit of kit that's been sent back 3 times by the same fantasist....

[Tricky]

Has anyone tried any overtrousers that actually work?

Given the start to our 'Summer' I think the chances of me getting 4 dry days on my trip to Cornwall are pretty bloody slim! As mentioned above the SBS best seller Richa 'rain' warrior are the ones I own, worn twice and leaked in the first real rain. I know they leak so need a new pair. At this point I'm gonna order these Oxford rainseal ones as I've not tried them, no one mentions leaks in the reviews (like all the others, although bet the do eventually) and hopefully they'll last the 4 days, please .
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... rod/741635

The only ones mentioned as being best for not leaking are the Scott ones at £70 quid the cheapest I can find online.
https://www.urbanrider.co.uk/scott-ergo ... gJJWfD_BwE

But I'm a skint flint and only ridden in rain twice in about 6 years so being tight about 70 quid My fear is like the RIcha they stay in the cupboard for 4 years, get worn, leak but way to old to complain.

I can do cheap better than most, so I'd go Oxford. Never been a massive fan of their stuff, but for something that gets pulled on when it rains then unceremoniously stuffed in a top box afterwards, I'd be loath to spend any more.

This is pretty much my view on it too- I have the basic cheapo ( £20-£25ish each end) Oxford Rainseal 2 piece, and have no leaks or complaints, has been pretty durable too, admittedly I don't commute or do anywhere near the amount of road riding that some of you do, but my current jacket is well over 5 years old and although it' s a bit grubby now, still doesn't leak as long as I make sure the velcro is over the zip.
It's just the rain down the back of the neck that can get irritating in the really heavy stuff at low speeds.

[ChrisW]

Has anyone tried any overtrousers that actually work?

Given the start to our 'Summer' I think the chances of me getting 4 dry days on my trip to Cornwall are pretty bloody slim! As mentioned above the SBS best seller Richa 'rain' warrior are the ones I own, worn twice and leaked in the first real rain. I know they leak so need a new pair. At this point I'm gonna order these Oxford rainseal ones as I've not tried them, no one mentions leaks in the reviews (like all the others, although bet the do eventually) and hopefully they'll last the 4 days, please .
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... rod/741635

The only ones mentioned as being best for not leaking are the Scott ones at £70 quid the cheapest I can find online.
https://www.urbanrider.co.uk/scott-ergo ... gJJWfD_BwE

But I'm a skint flint and only ridden in rain twice in about 6 years so being tight about 70 quid My fear is like the RIcha they stay in the cupboard for 4 years, get worn, leak but way to old to complain.

I used to have the RIcha ones that are about a fiver more than those Oxford ones on SBS - they kept me dry from Kent to Cheshire in the pouring rain.

[Count Steer]

For something that's not going to get used a lot and just gets chucked in the top-box or stuffed in a rucsac - 'just in case' and minimal £s I'd be looking at workwear like a £22 JCB suit.

If I expected to start and end long journeys in the rain I'd go 1-piece, which is what I used to carry on tours when I wore my it's-not-winter 'air-flo' kit.

(The last waterproof bike kit that I had that actually leaked was in the 80s!).

[Cousin Jack]

I have done just 1 long very wet ride where I stayed completely dry. Lots of others, with varying results, from damp at the edges through drowned.

Anyway, the secret. Decent waterproof kit, including boots and gloves. Then boil in the bag waterproof oversuit on top, followed by overboots and overgloves. Make sure everything is tight, especially neck and wrist seals.Waddle to the bike, shut the visor, and don't stop. If you stop you will overheat in seconds, and opening anything will inevitably lead to a leak.

It can be done, it is not comfortable, and not practical for most journeys. I don't bother, I tolerate minor leaks.

[Mr Moofo]

My 2 pence worth.
Whilst away I convinced that spunking up 250 GBP on some Dainese Tonale D Dry trousers was worth it. That said it was only the 6th time I have ridden in rain in about 6 years.

However my 25 GBP RAF Goretex trousers handled the rain with no leaks. (Still for sale on Ebay) The look rubbish and the cut is a like ubiquitous workwear - but they worked. And like any rainwear they come off as soon as it stops raining, so the looks issue isn't crucial.

Hence they will stay and I save myself 250 smackers

[Supermofo]

I have done just 1 long very wet ride where I stayed completely dry. Lots of others, with varying results, from damp at the edges through drowned.

Anyway, the secret. Decent waterproof kit, including boots and gloves. Then boil in the bag waterproof oversuit on top, followed by overboots and overgloves. Make sure everything is tight, especially neck and wrist seals.Waddle to the bike, shut the visor, and don't stop. If you stop you will overheat in seconds, and opening anything will inevitably lead to a leak.

It can be done, it is not comfortable, and not practical for most journeys. I don't bother, I tolerate minor leaks.

My favourite one piece oversuit moment was riding for 4 hrs in France in rain so heavy it was bouncing off the tank, up under my chin and soaked the lining of my lid! However I was dry in my suit. Right up to the point I unzipped it just that touch too at the toll both and let a load of water flood into my lap