Rainy Day Ride Gear Review : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

hdwoman48 · 02-07-2009, 12:56 AM

Today was an endurance ride, specifically a 380-mile butt burner from Santa Barbara to Santa Rosa and it rained the entire way. Hard. I thought I'd share a review of what worked with my gear, and what didn't, 'cause it definitely got put through its paces.

FXRG pants worked as advertised and kept me warm and dry.

Harley waterproof cordura jacket with liner worked as advertised.

Harley "waterproof" boots - HAH. What a joke. I wrapped my feet in plastic bags to keep my soaking feet from turning into popsicles. Thankfully, I had on wool socks which stay warm when wet. It was pretty miserable. Note to self - buy rubber overboots. Yes they look stupid. After today, I do not care.

First Gear electric jacket - great. First Gear electric gloves that are supposed to be waterproof - totally soaked. The electric element kept my fingers warm but the gloves did not work as advertised. I kept worrying about shorting out and my hands exploding in flames, which thankfully did not happen.

HJC Symax 2 helmet with Fog City shield - no fogging, stayed warm and dry.

At the end of today, a hot shower never felt so good. I can feel my toes again. The gear is laid out in front of my cousin's fireplace. And tomorrow is supposed to be much better weather. God, I'm tired.

Sarge7 · 02-07-2009, 01:02 AM

Glad your havin fun Annie- at least your ridin; all I can do is wait for this Artic weather to go away.
Ride safe and keep dry.

Keith E. · 02-07-2009, 12:28 PM

Annie thanks for the review. I'm glad to hear about the FXRG pants staying dry as I run them in the cold weather.

My Gerbing gloves recommend waterproofing the outer leather shell before doing the rain thing, that may help with yours.

I just picked up a Tourmaster Intake jacket yesterday, trying to save room for other items by not having to pack a rainsuit. It's advertised as waterproof, we'll see.

I've got a set of rubber booties, bought them from a 75% discount bin at the local Honda Dealer, so far, so good.

Keith

mattmudlow · 03-09-2009, 11:44 PM

Hi Annie,

I know what you mean! I rode all the way home from Milwaukee to Vermont after H.D.'s 100th anniversary. It started raining in Chicago and didn't let up until Vermont! No rain-gear is going to keep you "dry-as-a-bone" for any long period (no matter what they say!).

But, it's only a matter of relativity! How miserable are you now? How miserable will you be an hour from now? I can live with the drenching rains, remembering that slow, soaking rain I put up with for 20(?) hours. DID YOU HAVE FUN???

Matt

Mavaholic · 03-10-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Harley "waterproof" boots - HAH. What a joke.

Best rain boots by far are available from Bass Pro for less than $20. I have used these on many trips in monsoons and the feet stay dry. When not needed, they fold up and pack away pretty good. Dont care what they look like, they work.

Mavaholic · 03-10-2009, 03:55 PM

Along those same lines, I bought a pair of rubber coated gloves from a restaurant supply house. They are used to remove products from steamers. A pair of cotton jersey gloves make a perfect lining and once again, no water infiltration in the worst of rain. Coast was around $14.

kruppasing · 03-16-2009, 05:09 PM

i feel for you about the boots...nothing is worse than cold, wet feet. i bought some red wind motorcycle lace-up boots a couple of years ago, right after i got caught, and soaked, in a one hour downpour wearing my doc martens. gave them their first test last fall riding up to saratoga springs. it rained for the entire 2 1/2 hour ride and my feet stayed completely dry and warm. they cost around $160 but worth every penny.

hdwoman48 · 03-16-2009, 05:31 PM

I think the fault with the boots is the eyeholes for the laces. I'm going to get some rubber overboots to carry in the saddlebags. They're cheaper than buying other boots sans eyeholes.

Mr Cujo · 03-16-2009, 05:42 PM

Good review Annie !

FWIW, Muck brand boots also work very well. Not cheap at $60 a throw, but wicked comfortable, toasty warm in the cold and wet, and 100% waterproof.

I'd also suggest a trip to Wal-mart for some Camp-Dry spray. You can find it is the boot section. I was in a torrential rain a few weeks ago and my lace up boots stayed dry on the inside after using this stuff. The overboots will be handy, but this stuff works good too..

Anyway, glad you are riding! Have a fun trip.

.

mattmudlow · 05-13-2009, 11:20 PM

One more suggestion! You're not exactly in "cold-weather country" like us poor souls in the northeast, but if your ride has engine crash-bars, you might want to look into getting "chaps" for them. Harley sells nylon covers that divert not only cold wind, but rain (!!!) from your feet! I found even better leather "engine-guard chaps" at chilhowee.com. These leather lowers kept my feet dry and from freezing this winter!!! p.s. I also found some great hand wind-deflectors at nationalcycle.com

nightrob · 05-14-2009, 01:05 AM

Frog toggs road toads(60 bucks) over my leathers, Durango harness boots (with snow seal applied) and neoprene gloves. It all keeps me warm and cozy

GJarrett · 06-01-2009, 09:54 PM

I second the $60 Frog Toggs. I've been caught twice now in hours-long downpours after I bought them, and kept dry as a bone including the crotch area.