How to stay dry on a motorcycle

In this review, the Chap in the Cap at Motolegends talks through how best to stay dry on a motorbike. And keeping the rain out is a big ask if you are riding long distances, at motorway speeds for any period of time. He talks through how to look after your gear, what accessories work best and how to try to minimise the chance of the water getting in.
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[@zeus-98]

Chris, I saw a video where you praised the Revzilla presenters, don't sell yourself short, you do a great job with these videos!

[@Motolegends]

Glad you like them!

[@wingandhog]

This is an excellent mini-course in staying dry. Getting wet and subsequently cold is a fact of life while riding. Even while wearing rain gear. It’s part of the fun challenge…..

[@Motolegends]

Thank you for watching the video. Yes is part of the experience but why not being comfortable if you can.

[@nocomment238]

I needed to hear this 2 years ago!

[@martinowl]

Excellent point regarding trouser length. Having really long legs, this is a problem I have encountered many times over my years of riding.

[@sarge2665]

Another great and informative video with some good common sense attitudes and advice. Brilliant 👍🏻

[@vwt6wanderlust307]

So informative, especially for a newbie late to motorcycling, keep up the great work! 👏🏻

[@Motolegends]

Thank you for your kind words, keep an eye on our videos and maybe you will find more useful information!

[@ShortyTW867]

That was so well done! The information, as usual is spot on. I'm in Southern California and do not have such an issue with rain, but will be mentally ready when the time come...hehe. Not to mention have the correct gear in the pannier. Something I would like to mention is that you have become very good at speaking in front of the camera. I so enjoy listening to your talks on these subjects. Bet you never thought you would become a KZbin personality. Well, you have. Thank you so much for your input.

[@Motolegends]

Thank you for the kind words and for watching us!

[@rottieman347]

Great advice chap. Thanks

[@Motolegends]

Thank you for watching!

[@andrewmorgan4394]

Really great info, which is why I recommend you guys to my students. Keep it up.

[@Motolegends]

Thank you for doing that and for your message!

[@EssexCountyPhoto]

Will wear my brand new Badlands Pro A3 suit tomorrow for my commute... (THANK YOU!) Can't wait. Hope it rains.

[@damiene9563]

I used to ride to work to Leeds from Manchester pretty much year round (ish). I remember getting back home and my back was all wet. I had an excellent Heine Gericke Goretex suit at the time. Turned out it wasn’t the suit it was the driving rain / sleet and wind blowing water down the back of my neck and through the rear vents on my lid. Never had a problem with any Goretex stuff I’ve owned tbh.

[@vincentdorsey8545]

I love the last "Sometimes, you just have to suck it up". That says it all! If you dont ride or havent ridden in the rain you cannot logically, legally say that you are a biker. I have been in many positions where sucking it up was all I could do. 1979 Northern Virginia, November, at night and rain all the way home and not your average rain just plain pouring buckets constantly from start to finish. And riding thru downtown Washington DC to start with. A 35 mile ride, after dark on a Friday night, a Harley XLCH 1000 Sportster with NO windshield, NO rain gear and an open helmet. Now that was a memorable ride! I peeled my gear off and had water all the way to the top of my 15" boots.

[@MaxFromSydney1]

I can vouch for Alpinestars full length Goretex touring boots. As long as I prevent water getting into the top of the boot, they never let a drop of rain water in. Waterproof boots are a must when I tour on the bike.

[@FREE_PUREBLOOD333]

I use silicone oil on the zips and the water resistant rubber zip strips. It's helped keep the zips working great and protects the rubber strips.

[@mawloudhamdokh4492]

You’re unbelievable Chris, you should get into the manufacturing segment of the market.

[@stephanegodts9052]

Excellent, merci beaucoup pour ces rappels sur l'utilisation de nos équipements. Klim Badlands Pro by the way ✌✌✌

[@erabaca]

What a school!! Hope you keep the teaching, 6 stars!!

[@Motolegends]

Thank you for watching!

[@motogusnz]

Excellent video thank you, and has reminded me to wash my Klim Carlsbad gear. I do wash it but not very regularly - as I find the process of using the dryer (with its potential to destroy the garment) for the Goretex quite stressful

[@Motolegends]

Thank you! Don't forget to use a special detergent for motorcycle gear (Rukka Storm Ultimate Wash and Proof Kit, Storm Wash and Proof)

[@motogusnz]

@@Motolegends Thank you for that. And all the best for the festive season.

[@andyaptc2907]

no problem with trouser ruckle myself!

[@peterleicester4701]

Excellent as usual. I bought the Harvelson undergarments a string hole version and the same companies wet suit . The problem i have is the layer in between the two which is normally cotton which defeats the object what would you suggest from your range which isn’t too bulky and looks normal off the bike. Top and bottom

[@Motolegends]

So not sure how heavyweight the item in the middle is that you are looking for. Clearly depends on the temperature. In summer months you could wear something like the Klim Basecamp shirt over your breathable base, in spring and autumn something with outlast perhaps like the Rokker Performance range of T-shirts and then colder weather a mid-layer like the Klim Yukon or Rukka Aldrich. The Icebreaker merino range has lots of different weights so could be used in any weather but not sure if you consider the look of traditional base layers not normal enough!

[@michaelbw]

Over the years (more than 50 years licenced) I have ceased to bothering about waterproof jacket and trousers. Just dress for comfort and warmth, and carry waterproofs to pull on when it rains. Woollen base layers maintain a good bit of insulation, and don't get too clammy even after soaking up a little seepage. Have found the Scott rain jacket good. Their over-trousers are OK; good cut and pack down well, but a little flimsy. I go for over-trousers from farm supply merchants.... but avoid those with slots to access pockets. Those without are more fit for purpose on a motorcycle, and cheaper to boot.

[@vriendelijkegroet]

I did once 1000km highway in very hard rain wearing GTX + rainclothes over it. Even then I got wet. True, nothing beats a car.

[@CycleCalm]

A solution with short boots and/or trousers is to use gaiters

[@WizWise]

There are some limitations to the breathability of the laminate linings if their outer surface gets wet, from rain coming through the outer layer of the garment. This is due to the minute holes in the laminate becoming clogged by the water drops hence vapour cannot escape through the holes.

[@digger8180]

If you are a new rider or just an old git like me who rides year round in Scotland you will find, as Chris pointed out it's the crud and rock salt they put on the roads that can damage your gear. If you commute it's important to stay dry and warm; especially in the dark cold months, years ago I bought a pair of army surplus gore-tex over trousers. German army ones to be specific. When it is bad I use these over my leather bike trousers, never once have they leaked, light packable and if you don't mind looking like your going to invade Poland from the waste down the best over gear in my opinion you can get. They are also a fraction of the price of branded motorcycle gear. Just wear your protective gear underneath. 😉

[@MrCmeehan]

+1 for the Scott Ergo pro jacket and pants. This is the first winter Ive used them (80km daily commute) and they have yet to let a drop of rain in. Recommend them 100%. Excellent presentation by the way!

[@MickBla]

I can also confirm that this gear is mega! Tested in torrential rain... and no issues! Plus... these are somehow breathable too!

[@Motolegends]

Happy to hear that, we find Scott Ergo a very good product!

[@hisride]

@@MickBla what do you wear under? just normal gear? im trying to get waterproof stuff and just cant accept the prices that companies like rukka and klim charge. if there is an overlayer that basically does the same job im all for it

[@MickBla]

@@hisride Hi, when I purchased the Scott set, my jacket / trousers combo was a Held set (Gore-Tex/Cordura mix). Due to the fact that this set had some serious millage / age on the clock, the waterproof feature of it was essentially gone... Scott outer shell effectively guarantees you being dry regardless of what it is covering underneath. Currently though, I am using the Halvarssons mesh base layer and Merino wool Mid layer (also from Halvarssons), on top of this I have Klim Marrakesh and Klim Zephyr ... and for the really cold days there is a Tog24 (lol) down jacket... Regarding the lower section, I am now using Rokker chinos (water resistant version). Boots are Daytona Road Star Gtx Pro , and I have a few Rukka gloves (mesh and full leather/ Gore-Tex )... so, as you can see, my current set is more on the expensive end, but... it works really well! Recently I've been riding in +40C (full sunshine) and +5C (torrential rain) and all the above (using different components depending on the situation) performed flawlessly! I had Akito set in the past with Frank Thomas boots, later some Dainese boots and Held clothing combo... and I was happy with these for a long time. But, the current set is hands down the most comfortable one and offers amazing flexibility matching the riding weather conditions. In my view,... and for how I am using the bike now - it's a great investment. Happy shopping! :)

[@hisride]

@@MickBla that sounds really good. im going to go the same way in terms of the mesh base layer and merino mid layer. where i live temperature rarely goes below 0 celcius or above 30 so I could get away with a leather set and wear base mid layers / the scott set (which i have now purchased 😃) accordingly. of course that setup wont cover the extremes but because it happens so rarely i may just suffer on those days!

[@beer3029]

If you live in a humid climate then Gore-Tex or any other semi permeable membrane will not work very well. Here in the South they do not work on hot days.

[@robertadams4415]

My very first rain suit was a plastic one and I found it more of a pain to wear then getting wet because of the sweat

[@Motolegends]

You can always choose a Scott Ergo rain jacket and trousers. Featuring a stretchable and breathable outer material with laminated DRYOsphere membrane for perfect fit and comfortable wind/weather protection, it also delivers minimum packing volume

[@xnodet]

I would have very much welcome timing links to the different sections of the video. But thanks anyway!

[@snatr]

No demonstrations this time around- I'm disappointed 😋 Thanks for the info all the same 👍

[@Motolegends]

Much appreciated!

[@Fee.1]

I would like to fly out to your shop and spend the day getting entirely cut it out and it may be before or until then I would like to speak to Chris and see about getting a few necessities and I’m hoping that I can speak to him via email to coordinate a phone call or something and get a few suggestions for my needs and discuss everything. Where do I reach out

[@Motolegends]

If you have some serious questions, and want some serious answers, ask the Chap in the Cap! Link here where you can click and write to Chris: mailchi.mp/motolegends.com/ask-the-chap?e=74777539dd

[@michaelkostiuk1009]

After years of riding, the best rain suit I have found, is some kind of an automobile.

[@Motolegends]

That is always an option!

[@grahammawdsley4864]

Is there such a thing as a gortex balaclava that goes over the neck opening or half gortex balaclava to direct the rain down the jacket??

[@Motolegends]

Yes, they do exist. Klim has one. Rukka also has one, but they seem to be discontinuing a lot of their neckwear. CP

[@grahammawdsley4864]

@@Motolegends do you have them in stock??

[@Motolegends]

Yes, we do. Comes in S, M or L. Cost is £59.99. www.motolegends.com/accessories/rws-winter-neck-warmer.html

[@domster200]

Sealskinz make a balaclava and Halvarrsons a neck tube.

[@grahammawdsley4864]

@@Motolegends thank you

[@jasonduncanscott9565]

I thought that the Stadler zips were waterproof? At least that's what I was told in the shop.

[@Motolegends]

Jason, let me check that out, but every brand talks about waterproof zips until they aren’t. And I have in mind the first time I was told by Rukka that Rukka zips were waterproof but not guaranteed to be so! The zips on the Stadler do look the business, but I will write to Mr. Stadler tomorrow to get the bottom line. Guarantee or not, I cannot recall a single instance of a Stadler zip leaking. I will respond on KZbin as soon as I get an answer. CP

[@jasonduncanscott9565]

@@Motolegends I'm pretty sure the suit does what it says on the tin! I've not experienced anything concerning in it yet, top quality and I love your ethos of only selling products you are satisfied with 100% and happy to stand behind their claims! 👍

[@Motolegends]

Jason, i have now heard back from Mr. Stadler, and he has confirmed to me that the Aquaseal zips he uses are waterproof, and guaranteed to be so, although the Stadler warranty on zips is limited in duration. But my point is that waterproof zip does not inevitably mean ‘guaranteed’ waterproof any more than a waterproof membrane means the membrane is guaranteed to withstand ingress. I am not wanting to sound tricky, but these things are rarely absolute. CP

[@patrickwatters7555]

I bought a one piece rukka never leaked.

[@patrickwatters7555]

Be a fair weather rider..😎

[@drewbale]

What about klim

[@Motolegends]

Not sure what the question is? This piece was about staying dry. Klim makes waterproof gear, as do most manufacturers. CP

[@drewbale]

@@Motolegends hi Chris my point was you say a 5 year guarantee when I got my klim kit it was a lifetime warranty yes agree with you that it’s not cheap but you get what you pay for and after 7 years it’s still going strong keep up the good work with the videos not only entertaining but very informative

[@davidmain3]

Quote ;- less than 25% of cases the membrane has failed?!!!! That's huge!!!! I'd have expected much fewer failures

[@Motolegends]

No, that’s 25% of the people who return their gear for a claim. But it’s a tiny, tiny proportion of buyers who have a problem or believe they have a problem. Top of head, I would suggest that less than 0.1% of garments have a water-ingress related issue. CP.

[@davidmain3]

@@Motolegends Doh! That sure makes better sense. Thanks

[@fasthracing]

Take the car

[@thomasskinner240]

First comment woooop