old - Fazer Owners Club - old
General => General => Topic started by: Kingy on 17 September 2013, 07:02:03 pm
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Ok so my RST trousers and jacket were pretty useless in today's rain can anyone recommend some decent kit?
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Sad to say but you get what u pay for. .
I have Goretex winter clothing but you need a lotto win fir that ;)
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Hi Kingy,
People do say that the more expensive kit is more waterproof. But I'm on a budget and I worry that I'll buy some crazy expensive stuff only to be disappointed.
And they also say don't dry your kit on a radiator or the water proof layer inside may perish, but sometimes on tour you have to do that.
And so after some experimentation the solution I've found works for me is multiple specialised layers.
For proper wet I'd recommend a one-suit:
http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/81577 (http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/81577)
(They seem way over-priced at the moment perhaps because the rain has just come, shop around and you will find a better price)
Or for lighter rain you can just do the bottom half:
http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/15950 (http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/15950)
And for the hands I use:
http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/16367 (http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/16367)
Admittedly you don't look cool, but it does keep you dry.
Similarly for the cold, if you can't afford a whole other set of kit that's super warm, then a good base layer works wonders.
And then you can mix and match your base layer, armour and waterproof layers as required. I.E. Sometimes it's warm and wet.
The one thing I haven't ever found a good solution to is the boots, mine don't seem to stay waterproof for very long, and the over boots I bought only lasted a day.
Andy
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Have a look at wolf textiles, reasonably waterproof, even then no matter how waterproof my jackets and trousers are I still always use a one piece waterproof suit if the rain is bad enough, saves u having to dry your gear out everyday if u r touring in nasty weather. Just my tuppence worth.
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Rukka for clothes and Daytona for boots.
Yes, they are stoopid money, but I'm dry and warm!
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I use these trousers over my normal biking trousers:
http://mammothworkwear.com/dickies-workwear/dickies-waterproof-clothing/dickies-yellow-vermont-waterproof-jacket-trousers-p1530.htm (http://mammothworkwear.com/dickies-workwear/dickies-waterproof-clothing/dickies-yellow-vermont-waterproof-jacket-trousers-p1530.htm)
I look a prize cob, but I'm dry. :D
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I've recently invested (taken a chance?) on Ixon waterproofs, but they haven't been put to the test yet. We don't get much of this brand back thro our returns department as "not waterproof/leaking", so I thought I'd give it a whirl.
However, just in case, I do have a Plan B!
I have some very high quality outdoor kit I took for my 2 month stint backpacking and fell walking in the Lakes region, that I've checked out to wear under the Ixon stuff. All this kit has proved it's worth in wet, freezing and windy conditions, on it's own; I figure under my bike gear it'll work just as well!
Examples are:
Rab Event waterproof pull-on top (Event is a highly breathable, lightweight, waterproof fabric).
Rab Primaloft jacket with Pertex outer. (Primaloft was developed for the U.S. armed forces as a lightweight insulating material that keeps it's insulating properties even when wet, and Pertex is a very windproof material, often treated to be water resistant).
Montane windshirt (again Pertex, weighs nothing and is super thin for use as part of a layering system).
Patagonia goose-down filled Pertex shirt (as warm as a thick fleece jacket at a fraction of the weight and bulk).
Rab merino wool and cocona base layer (very warm yet light and thin, very comfortable against the skin and anti-bacterial so doesn't get smelly!).
Thick merino wool hiking socks (double layer soles, super warm, and again anti-bacterial, a must for camping so the tent doesn't end up stinking of sweaty socks - it works!).
Montane waterproof trousers (can't remember what they're made of but it's super light, thin and very waterproof/breathable - have already tested these over jeans on the bike in rain; kept me bone dry, but can feel as if you're getting wet because very cool and breathable, so best worn in conjunction with other layers).
I,ve checked out that ALL of this can be worn TOGETHER under my Ixon gear and still have free movement and comfort, but obviously would pick and choose items to suit the conditions. As these materials are mostly synthetic, they are very easy to slip on over each other (unlike trying to pull a fleece lined jacket over a fleece pullover!).
However, it would be very expensive to kit yourself out with all this, so I would only recommend it if you're going to be on the bike a lot this winter!
Just good gloves and boots to find (although the ones I've got seem ok at the mo, but again, yet to be properly tested.
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I'm going into my 3rd winter with a Spada jacket, it's been old faithful so far and I bike every day. All I did last year was wash it with Nik Wax tech wash and fabsil it.
After that I have a pair of £20 Richa over trousers
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Yep, always thought Spada was good kit at reasonable money. Will have to source a pair of their winter gloves I think. They were excellent.
Nice to see someone who looks after their kit properly - re-waterproofing treatments are very effective these days.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003FMMDE6/ref=asc_df_B003FMMDE614961239?smid=A1NRTAHC0GK4CU&tag=shoppingmp29910-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22218&creativeASIN=B003FMMDE6 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003FMMDE6/ref=asc_df_B003FMMDE614961239?smid=A1NRTAHC0GK4CU&tag=shoppingmp29910-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22218&creativeASIN=B003FMMDE6)
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Passat estate works for me :rolleyes ;)
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I'm going into my 3rd winter with a Spada jacket, it's been old faithful so far and I bike every day. All I did last year was wash it with Nik Wax tech wash and fabsil it.
After that I have a pair of £20 Richa over trousers
Also my 3rd winter with current gear - Furygan jacket/trousers, Spada Enforcer gloves and TCX infinity boots - all totally waterproof and nice & warm for a 45-50mile each way commute (handguards & Oxford grips on Tiger = toasty).
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Got Oxford heated grips on mine, fitted by previous owner. I've never used them before, so interested to see how effective they are. I'll probably keep forgetting they're there, knowing me :rolleyes :lol
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I bought many "cheap" waterproof boots such as Oxford bone dry.
Finally after 4 pairs all being useless I stumped for Daytonas.
Happy dry warm feet now :)
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Got Oxford boots at the mo, bought just recently (cheap as I work for Oxford). I don't trust them and don't expect them to last - how's that for honesty. Like the sound of the Daytonas, but expensive and don't know where I can go to try them on - nothing near here. Don't like A/Stars, and local TCX supplier has nothing much in stock. Sidis are too narrow for my feet, and also silly money. Never had such a headache finding a decent pair of boots!
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Passat estate works for me :rolleyes ;)
Its the cage for me too, as soon as the gritters come out the bike goes away til the spring. It will get some winter maintenance and maybe a few more modifications and a serious deep clean. :)
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Passat estate works for me :rolleyes ;)
Got use of a cage at the mo, but don't know how long for. However, I do enjoy riding the bike on those cold, but sunny and dry winter days, so I'm not taking it off the road for winter.
If I get the bike ACF'd and I'm properly kitted, then I won't mind the weather so much, it's another aspect of the riding experience and can still be quite enjoyable at times. Can't be bothered kitting up, riding 3 miles to work, then de-kitting, only to repeat in the evening tho, so funnily enough, longer rides in crap conditions are more worthwhile! Did I say somewhere that on my planet we can be quite weird?! :lol
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Where you located nick ?
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Where you located nick ?
A small planet in the Alpha Centauri system...
Oh, sorry Paul! Carterton/Brize Norton, Oxfordshire. OX18
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Blade Honda Abingdon stock Daytonas
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Blade Honda Abingdon stock Daytonas
Nice one Paul, cheers.
Got a couple of days off next week, will go see. (So much to do, so little time! -perhaps if I got off my fat ass a bit more and spent less time piloting me keyboard :rolleyes )
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Got Oxford boots at the mo, bought just recently (cheap as I work for Oxford). I don't trust them and don't expect them to last - how's that for honesty. Like the sound of the Daytonas, but expensive and don't know where I can go to try them on - nothing near here. Don't like A/Stars, and local TCX supplier has nothing much in stock. Sidis are too narrow for my feet, and also silly money. Never had such a headache finding a decent pair of boots!
Same here, never been able to fit my feet into Sidis. TCX/Oxtar and Gaerne are my favs (esp the Gaerne Balance trials boots, make great touring boots). Vendremini have a online outlet store which looks good too. All fair bit cheaper than Daytona although I'm sure they're good too.
If you're after cheap base layers check out "Heattech" by Uniqlo. Very, very good for the price, far better than anything motorcycle specific in this price bracket.
+1 for ACF50
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Good thing about Daytonas is LIFETIME guarantee :)
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For the feet.. Sealskinz socks.. You will never gave wet feet again..
I tried the bowl of wster test on them and they do work.. Outside gets wet but the internal wsterproof membrane kets nothing in so dry feet..
Budgie
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+1 for Sealskinz socks, they really do what they say. Comfy too, not clammy or sweaty as one might expect.
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+1 for Sealskinz socks, they really do what they say. Comfy too, not clammy or sweaty as one might expect.
I've seen the Sealskinz recommended a lot on backpacking/hill-walking sites and a lot of that kind of kit does transfer well to bike use.
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Have a look at wolf textiles, reasonably waterproof
I have these too. After coming back from a ride out on Sunday (when it was pi$$ing down and blowing a gale) I was mostly dry because I made sure I used the extra poppers and velcro to keep the worst of it out.
I did still get some leakage around the zips, but it wasn't too bad.
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I bought TCX Infinity boots, look forward to trying them out!
I've used Alpinestar Drystar Hydrosport boots the last couple of winters,,,, yeah right!
Shower proof perhaps
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The trouble with A/Stars is they only seem to know about making boots for sports riding. Most of their designs have these huge great shin protector plates that make it awkward if not impossible to slip textile trousers over. They don't seem to understand that with touring/ normal road use boots you need a full length zip, and for the flap behind the zip to run full length too, to keep out water effectively. Plus, their touring range is very limited in the first place. I'm sure they could make good daily use boots - they just don't. But also, their quality has much reduced with farming out production to cheaper sources.
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I bought TCX Infinity boots, look forward to trying them out!
I've used Alpinestar Drystar Hydrosport boots the last couple of winters,,,, yeah right!
Shower proof perhaps
I swear by my Drystar for a touring boot. I do treat them regulary as I would gortex based equipment. I find its the fit of the equipment that is most important to ensure the use they were designed for.
Spada gloves to me are crap but others find them good and I love my A/Stars. But I will not wear A/star textiles as they do not suit my body shape (cuddly if you ask the missus, fat bastard if you talk to the mates but sexy if you ask me)
It taken me years of trial and error to find out what suits my needs but will always go for water proof and breathable.
Daz
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I tried a pair of the Hydrosports on only last week but found they were as narrow in the foot as Sidis, so I can't wear em! It seems any boot anyone can come up with, there's a reason I can't use them :'(
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I tried a pair of the Hydrosports on only last week but found they were as narrow in the foot as Sidis, so I can't wear em! It seems any boot anyone can come up with, there's a reason I can't use them :'(
Mine were tight and narrow and can only ware think socks that I like but they give and find them true to size.
Daz
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I sent the first pair back within a week but it took a while for the rain gods to smile on me on the second pair, then it was too late...