Although I do not like to ride in the rain, we all have to plan for the worst. I dont want to spend a fortune for Rain Gear, but I do want a set that fits and does not blow me up like a balloon when I ride.

Any Suggestsions?

 

I have HD rain gear for warmer weather and HD FXRG cold weather rain suit for the really cold. Right now I wear it most of the time. Good liner keeps you warm and it has pockets for hand warmer pads to add to the warmth. If you are going to ride in the rain, spend the money on some quality gear. I ride year round rain or shine so it is worth it to me.

 

I spent a lot of time shopping around. I basically wanted something that I could carry in one of the side bags in case of rain without spending a fortune. Believe it or not, the HD gear turned out to be the best and it won't break you.

Bill

 

I haven't tried them myself but the Froggtoggs also seem to be popular if you just want to keep something in your bags. They pack up pretty small.

 

For staying dry, my favorite is the one-piece slicker. Our gang got caught in a driving rainstorm outside Rapid City SD once, with the wind so bad that it was pushing us off the road. We dove into a gas station to take shelter, and I was the only one dry. It takes less space in the bag than any other rainsuit, and is very durable. The downside is that you have to wear it or not wear it. With the 2-piece rainsuits, you can wear the jacket alone and save yourself one other jacket perhaps. Also when you get caught in those situations where it rains, stops, rains, stops, etc, you can keep the pants on and take the jacket off.

After about 6 years of riding, I wore out my one-piece, and unfortunately the new design HD uses for these don't fit my 6'4" 350lb frame. So I'm back to a standard issue H-D two-piece and am reasonably happy with it. One of the best things about the HD rainsuits is that most if not all of them have a heat-resistant fabric on the inside of the lower legs. I took a 1000 mile ride with a buddy who had never ridden in the rain, and the very first time he pulled on his rainsuit, he rubbed against his pipe and ruined the suit.

If you think you might have to go long distances in the rain, I also recommend gaiters to protect your boots and keep rain from coming up the legs. I also carry a pair of gauntlet rain gloves.

Get some FOGTECH for the inside of your goggles or faceshield to make sure you can see. www.fogtech.com

And most importantly, always make sure you have enough tread on your tires. I watched a buddy go down on a long ride because he hadn't paid attention to his rear tire tread depth, and the bike came right out from under him. I carry the HD tire pressure gauge with the trend depth gauge, and keep a close eye on the tread depth.

PL

 

Same here. If you look at the features you get with the H-D gear, it's not a bad deal. I wanted pants with the heat shield on the leg. By the time you buy anybody's pants with a h/shield and then buy a decent jacket, you'll spend close to the same money. We bought H-D part #97028-00V for a 1500 mile trip last August, had the gear out several times since and I'm satisfied with it. Take a look and compare.

 

I have those too. My sweetie found a great deal on them. I haven't had a chance to use them yet.

 

Be careful when you do. In checking around, if my information was correct, they don't have a heat shield, so many a person was trying to find out how to get melted Froggtogg off of their pipes. One guy was pretty ingenious and sewed an ironing board cover onto the inside legs. However, I also understand that they stand behind the product and will replace them

Bill

 

how are they for tall people i am 6'5??

 

I'm not 6'5", but I also have the HD suit. My only bitch is that rain gear takes up a whole saddlebag. I like the idea of using the top for a jacket though (sounds simple, yet my stupid mind didn't think of it).

Tried using the Wally-World cheapies one time.... They flew to pieces after about 10 miles...

Good thing it was Summer... (looked cool as hell, though).