Posted by Polar Pilot on June 24, 2000 at 14:23:09:
In Reply to: what kind of rain suits does everyone use? posted by Mike on June 24, 2000 at 09:34:14:
Best rain suit I ever discovered was a nearby motel room.
I have never spent any serious $$$ on a rain suit - because especially with an open ( minimal wind sheilds, no fairings, insignificant front fender) bike like the savage - you are going to get rain driving at you from all directions - and the rain will penetrate and wick through most clothing.
You are likely right about the water dripping off your helmet and down your neck - the wind across your helmet builds the moisture up and it has to go somewhere.
A bigger concern I have always felt was that with rain and a bit lower temperatures is the risk of getting wet and starting to set up conditions for a good brush with hypothermia- and that is a huge problem - hands refusing to work, brain sluggish - reaction times significantly delayed - you start to get cold and just keep getting colder - initially from the rain and subsequently from the moisture evaporating and drawing out the heat from your body -
I haven't done any long distance riding in the rain for a long time - but I do remember the ritual of layers of clothing and things which were sort of water proof until I looked like the michelin man - and then a cheap plastic rainsuit over everything -
I still have a plastic rain suit I bought 20 odd years ago - and I will still have it 20 years from now - because I never again will ride through miles and miles of downpour.
Last year at Sturgis we hit rain - just rode through it wet - and then stopped in the sun to dry out.
Keeping the rubber side down in the wet - hmm - adds a whole new dimension to the phrase.
Polar Pilot