Waterproof over-suit?

[Gonzo]

Can anyone recommend an effective, good-value waterproof over-suit? I will be mostly wearing leather this summer for my commute and will clearly need the obligatory stashed-in-the-topbox gear for our summer weather.

I'm not too fussy, but my requirements are:

- doesn't have to be one-piece, although that's what I've mostly seen. If anyone knows of a good 2-piece combo, I'm all ears.
- breathable would be good although as this will only be for rainy british days high-tech temperature management is not essential
- I don't want to have to invest in expensive fabric/textile stuff - this is for over-the-leathers use only
- I don't want to look like either a power ranger or a nerd
- easy to get on and off would be rather useful too!

Cheers

G

 

[jimbo]

Ride mag has a review of a load this month. If you want I can email you a scan of the group test.
pm me a email if you want me to

 

[Gonzo]

Cheers Jimbo, much appreciated, PM on its way.

 

[wildernessrob]

From memory, the one piece oversuit sold by "Spada" has won the best buy in MCN for the last couple of years. Its costs about £50.00, and folds into its own bum bag, so it can be worn around your waist. Colours are reasonably subtle.

Ive used a Frank Thomas one piece for European summer trips, where I want to wear leathers instead of fabric, but it has leaked from quite early on, so I cant recommend it.

Hein Gerike sell a couple of cheapish oversuits, and their warranty/attitude to faults, is normally good in my experiance.(as long as you keep your receipts)

 

[Gas'd Off]

Don't get a one piece. Royal pain in the arse to get on. You want cheap, get some hi viz workmans trowsers and a jacket, although I expect that might be too nerdy for you Don't bother with breathable either, in proper rain it WILL leak when you apply a 60mph gale to the crutch area Just my 2p.

 

[oblertone]

HG Suits available

What size are you ? I've two virtually unused H-G oversuits, one Large (Son's) and the other Double Fat Bastard (Mine); live in Woodford so you can even try before you buy at a very resonable £30 per.

 

[trotsky]

What size are you ? I've two virtually unused H-G oversuits, one Large (Son's) and the other Double Fat Bastard (Mine); live in Woodford so you can even try before you buy at a very resonable £30 per.

And you are unloading them because..?

 

[oblertone]

And you are unloading them because..?

They've sat in the wardrobe for 2 years doing feck all. I bought and carried them to go over my leathers, now i wear a waterproof textile jacket and carry over-trousers

 

[Geeza]

Check this out.....http://www.held-biker-fashion.de/index.php?id=6110&lg=e&lg=e

GLF Accessories....01525717009
www.mjkleathers.com

 

[wessie]

I would buy a 2 piece suit that stuffs into a bumbag. I have a Belstaff one: the bumbag is actually a pocket in the jacket. Unfortunately, as Belstaff is no longer making utilitarian bike gear for the European market you will be lucky to find a shop with some old stock.

2 piece for the following reasons:

1. separate trousers can be used with a full winter cordura jacket if you prefer leather jeans in winter/autumn.

2. the first seam to leak on any waterproofs in my experience is in the crotch of the trousers. You can buy replacement trousers very cheaply from farm supplies etc. I'm on my 3rd pair of trousers after buying the original rain suit about 12 years ago. The jacket is still going strong as it only gets worn a few times in the year, as I would wear cordura if it was raining at the start of a journey.

3. Buy a sensible colour e.g. black and you can wear the jacket as an anorak to walk from your accommodation to a pub should it rain whilst on holiday

The Held stuff Geezer links to is top notch. Graham at GLF won't stock crap. Although you can find other dealers via the Held website that might be closer to you: Johns of Romford & California m/c Southend maybe.

 

[jimbo]

By kind permission of ride magazine* I have scanned in their recent review of waterproofs Here

* Not actually true

 

[Rob Farmer]

I've got a BMW oversuit sitting around doing nothing. Yours for £35 if you want it. It's XL but looks more like a gimp suit on me

 

[Gonzo]

Thanks to you all, some great advice.

I'll have a gander at the Ride report (cheers Jimbo) before bothering any of you other kind gents that have surplus kit.

 

[Mzokk]

I've got a HG one £50 and a Cheap £14 one from Lidl. Both do the job. All of these types of suit eventually leak as the inner proofing wears off. I reckon they last longer if you store them on a hanger rather than rolled up as you would have them on a bike. Don't know why though!!

 

[Arthurwg]

I just did 300 miles in heavy rain. Alpinestars 2-piece worked perfectly, stores easily. Has good seal at the neck and large velcro side tabs to make a great fit.