Riding on rainy days is such a beautiful experience as you taste the pure essence of your motorcycle, the freedom, and the feeling of being surrounded by nature. In addition, thanks to new technologies travelling has never been so safe: sophisticated electronic functions will keep an eye on riders, like ABS and stability and traction controls, with latest generation tyres that have been designed with both carvings and blends guaranteeing an excellent grip on wet roads.
Feeling the rain that spots on their own shoulders is thrilling, as long as riders are well equipped; otherwise riding with wet clothes is such a nightmare, with the impact of cold increasing exponentially, amplified by the cold wind they face. Hence, whatever season they are going through, it is necessary to choose the right outfit that would protect them from the rain; let's take a look at it in details.
1. Purchasing waterproof material clothes
Though it may seem a banal advice, it is fundamental to purchase technical textiles like jackets, trousers, gloves, and waterproof boots. Nowadays, there are both excellent fibers and membranes that allow riders to get dressed against water, whether they are facing either winter or summer seasons. Since it is not as easy to distinguish as it may seem, watch out for tags with the item's main features.
Rainproof clothes bring with them important pros: in addition to a structured item's inner qualities, namely wearability, comfortable pockets, and above all the protection equipment, rain will not force riders to stop along the road to wear raincoats, well known to be uncomfortable and bulky, though not in a massive way.
Each item is supposed to be rainproof from head to toe: jacket, the trousers, the gloves, and the boots. Main companies offer a wide range of choices, so that it is important to opt for high quality products that will guarantee the “real” waterproofness. A high-quality waterproof item may be expensive, but keep in mind that riders should also think of spending money on rainproof equipment that would protect them on rainy days, together with feeling comfortable on their motorcycle. And it is well known that high-quality products are expensive.
2. Choosing rainproof items that let your skin breathe
The easiest way of preventing rain from soaking riders is to get a plastic cloth: being 100% waterproof and cheap, it may seem to be the best solution ever, but it also blocks the transpiration of their own skin. Indeed, our body emanates steam (namely we sweat) that high-quality clothes – beginning with underwear – is supposed to pull out of our skin in order to keep it dry. On the other hand, a plastic layer it would keep it inside totally, and as a result clothes would be soaked with sweat, causing the same consequence as being soaked with rain; rather, it would be worst because if riders keep on wearing the plastic cloth, they will stay wet even when rain is done. Nowadays, special membranes with a micro-hole texture have been calibrated to allow sweat to come out of the skin, but they also prevent water drops to come in: they are employed to make jackets, trousers, gloves, and shoes rainproof.
3. Choosing a high-quality item and reading the tags carefully
When it comes to choose their own clothes, people should prefer high-quality companies, so that they could trust the tags that well describe all the features. It's good to choose clothes that combine both waterproofness and transpiration, not only for jackets, trousers, gloves, and shoes, but also for light suits to be worn whenever it's raining.
4. How to choose the perfect rainproof suit
Every time riders travel with a non-rainproof suit, or with the traditional leather jacket, it's possible to get a rainproof suit that usually is not much bulky. Yet, since it's not a protective item, riders should choose the right size that fits best on their own motorcycle clothing. If the two-piece suit is easier both to wear and to take off during pit stops, it is also important to choose high waist trousers (possibly with suspenders) that usually are more protective.
The best items to get are those that allow transpiration, even though the nylon ones are cheaper, yet they prevent skin from transpiring. It's not a huge mistake to purchase such a suit, but better keep in mind that they only protect during short spots. If you have scheduled an intensive travel – just think of visiting a rainy country – the best thing to do is to get a high-quality product that allows transpiration, otherwise you will go through bad times.
5. Gloves are the weak point
Gloves are the hardest item to protect from water as not only are they exposed to air, but also they are rich in seams. For this reason, even the best waterproof gloves are often damaged by a long travel in the rain. In order to improve things, riders can get either glove covers (though they are bulky but, at the same time, useful) or handle covers – these ones are made for protecting from cold winters.
When it comes to choose the perfect pair of gloves, riders should think of combining them with the jacket because usually gloves overlap sleeves. Yet, some jackets are made for wearing gloves under the cuff – with a specific system that make the junction waterproof; better follow the manufacturer's advice anyway.
6. Choosing the perfect boots
Often greased leather boots are believed to be rainproof, but so they are only for a while; rather, if they are both equipped with a waterproof membrane, and they are a high-quality product, riders can travel peacefully.
Boots covers are conceived to protect non-waterproof shoes, but it's important to choose the most adherent ones, otherwise they would get caught on either the platform or the foot controls – this may cause the riders fall from their own motorcycle.
7. The importance of the helmet in the rain
Although a good helmet always offers a good protection in the rain, at most riders should follow manufacturer's advice regarding the adjustment of air vents. As a matter of fact, full-face helmets always offer the best protection ever, and riding with a jet is uncomfortable. With the visor fogging up, riders might have troubles, even though either an anti-fog treatment or keeping the visor slightly open may help them.
However, the best solution is to install extra lens that would prevent the visor from fogging up. This is a special system adopted by the main helmet manufacturers that would fix the lens in the inner part of the visors throughout two small screws.
8. Super cheap emergency solutions
How to behave when riding without an adequate rainproof clothing? Riders may opt for some makeshift means like wearing garbage bags – not exactly the most elegant outfit you have ever worn, but the easiest one to get in any supermarket.
Bigger bags can be worn as gilet by simply cutting out three openings for the arms and the head. Shopping bags can also protect both wet and frozen feet efficiently: it suffices that riders wear dry socks, put their foot into the bag, and then into the boot. Comfort is guaranteed.
On the other hand, the best solution to protect their own hands is to wear latex gloves – either for surgery or for the washing up – under the technical ones.
