No, it's not a kinky question but a genuine enquiry!
Riding home tonight with the first gale of the season doing its best to unseat me and the rain coming in horizontal my mind turned to riding gear and to what is the ideal waterproof clothing to wear on the bike. I have been messing about with bikes on and off the road for about 40 years now. When I first got on a bike then, as a keen 10 year old I wasn't too bothered about getting wet or muddy. Over the years I have gone through a variety of clothing, some good, some bad.
Having gone through several sets in the last 10 years I found that the Alpinestars RP-4 top and trousers were by far the best, in fact I am still using the same top after 3 years and it is still 100% waterproof. The trousers got ripped a couple of years ago so I picked up a pair of Weiss over trousers which, for £17.00 were a bargin and the worked!.
They got shredded so I got another another pair and I put a standard pair of Workman's over trousers over the top of them to protect them from damage. But not they too are letting water through. On site today people were suggesting that incontinence pads may be of use to me now, so you can guess where the water is coming through
As for my helmet I splashed out for my 50th and got a Shoei Hornet that was gathering dust in the only local bike shop and fitted it with a Pinloc insert. I am not over keen on goggles I find that hail stones hitting my nose is rather painful and in the summer the midges are a killer. The visor stops these problems and with the Pinloc I have no problems with misting.
So.... What is your ideal kit??
Peter
-- Edited by Haggis Hunter on Thursday 13th of September 2012 09:55:51 PM
-- Edited by Haggis Hunter on Friday 14th of September 2012 07:10:24 AM
-- Edited by Haggis Hunter on Saturday 15th of September 2012 02:41:52 PM
+1 on the Shoei Hornet - I have an oversize noggin and was struggling to find a lid that fitted comfortably and the Hornet won - got a great deal here.
It may seem expensive but I use it for road work as well as laning so I am getting my monies worth out of it.
I tried using sunglasses under the visor but that's not a good idea if your lanes take you under trees coz you suddenyly can't see what's ahead
I have since bought a light sensitive insert that fits around the Pinlock mounts - seems to work great and no misting up
I have never found the ideal combination of riding jacket and trousers so wil be interested to hear from others.
Thanks for moving this thread Brian. Brain fade last night
I just had a look at a neighbours weather station [url=http://www.easter-badbea.co.uk/]HERE[/url] and I see we have had 312.8mm of rain in the last 24Hrs with the highest rain rate at 10mm/min at 06:16 this morning!
That's a good test of any waterproofs!
-- Edited by Haggis Hunter on Friday 14th of September 2012 07:19:13 AM
-- Edited by Haggis Hunter on Saturday 15th of September 2012 02:42:15 PM
-- Edited by Haggis Hunter on Monday 17th of September 2012 09:14:15 PM
I only really use my TTR on green lanes so I go out looking a moto x drop out.
Big crosser boots, thor kneeguards, fox mx pants, bionic body armour suit, mx jersey on nice days, mx helmet and goggles. Rainy cold days a fleece jacket with a berghaus waterproof.
I do however ride my scooter with a top grade Hein Gericke TRG jacket, Australian bikers textile trouses, Nolan flip front Ncom lid, Buffalo boots and Gericke kangaroo gloves. All topped off with a Hi Viz vest.
When Im playing out on the Daytona, its RST Leathers, sidi boots, agv horizon lid.
I think I would be a bit reluctant to spend big money on good gear for green laning days as inevitably I will end up on my arse at some point!