| Author | Message | ||
     Fltwistygirl |
So, after reading mostly favorable reviews on it, Santa got me a tourmaster defender 2 piece rain suit for Christmas 2010. After having some 2 way zipper misalignment issues with the jacket, and working thru them, I wore the suit thru a four hour rainstorm on my ride back from MN last summer only to have seemingly unrelated leaky pant issues. I wrote it off as "well, any gear would have leaked in those conditions". Given the frequent hot humid Florida conditions, I'm primarily a frogg togger. This is fine for daily shower and warm weather drizzle riding/coaching. However, as of late, I've had a handful of classes where its been either a) "cold", b)raining for 4 or more hours, or c) raining sideways with tornado watches/intermittant thunderstorm conditions. With coaching, unless it's really ugly, the show goes on. I've gotta have gear that keeps me dry so I can keep my focus on what matters: the students. I had yet another round of leaky pants yesterday and am ready to fire them. I'm sure I've had them too long for any warranty (if it existed), and am looking at one piece suits to supplement my frogg toggs. There is a good price on the tourmaster Elite one piece suit right now, and I am tempted to place an order. Never had a one piece suit, but it makes sense that it would be less prone to leak than a two piece suit. As a kid, I remember one piece snowmobile suits being very warm and great for protecting you from snow that rides up your back when you are wearing just snow pants + jacket, but inconvenient when nature calls (and calls loudly). Same as the one piece vs. two piece swimsuit dilemna we of the female species have. Pros and cons of the one piece design? Anyone here have said rainsuit? Feedback appreciated. Thx. BeLinda. | ||
| Hangetsu |
Fltwistgirl, Can you tell where the water is leaking from. One thing about Gortex is, it is not breathable once it is wet and your own perspiration will soak you if it's a warm, muggy rain. Secondly, if the water you're experiencing is in the seat area, the pressure of your butt will also force water through a Gortex membrane. However, overall I'd stay away from Tourmaster clothing. For the price, it's OK, but for performance and longevity, there are better products out there. Olympia makes a high quality line of garments that last and perform exceptionally well. And of course, since motorcycling is your profession, a Roadcrafter might be a good investment. Things to consider, anyway. Cheers. | ||
| Crusty |
First, I've never had good luck with Tourmaster products. Others have, but not me. I've used one piece and two piece suits over the years, and both have their drawbacks. A one piece suit that leaks is no better than a two piece suit that leaks. And, eventually, they all will leak. A friend was using professional fisherman's gear. It worked great, but it was as heavy as a high end suit. My feeling is that if I'm going to wear something that serious, I'll get something that's purpose built for motorcycling. My next piece of riding gear is going to be from Aerostich. Why spend a lot of money in small doses buying several cheaper suits, when I can just buy the one that does it right and will last? In the long run, it will be cheaper. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Thanks for the replies Hangestu and Crusty. It is indeed leaking from the seat area and then proceeds to wick into my jeans into all sorts of other inconvenient areas. Perhaps I need to place a higher priority on putting my walking shoes to use more and less priority on having always having ice cream in the freezer in an attempt to shrink the seat area. The desired end result is having less pressure coming from a more concise seat area. As far as a 'stitch, I think I would love one of those but need to sell the city-x and also want to get panniers on the X before I take that financial plunge. I realize people from all climates own and use them on a regular basis, but I have a couple concerns, maybe unfounded. They are: 1) Would a stitch be too hot to wear while riding in 95 degree temps with 95% humidity? I'm an ATGATT person, would rather sweat than bleed but currently wear a mesh jacket and breathable riding pants during our bloody hot summers. 2) Would a stitch be too heavy to wear in a warm rain walking around for 4 hours at a pop? Crusty I think you are right, I am just postponing the inevitable and throwin $$ at the problem. It is adding up. Kinda like the hubby and my earlier plans to add bags and higher windscreen to the city-x. All in all it made sense to just take the plunge and get a Uly, that is what we really wanted anyway. I actually dig the spaceman appearance of a stitch, it would emphasize my commitment to wearing good gear to my students (do as I do, not as I say) and as a bonus, it'd go just fine with my "star wars" boots (another coaches description of my oxtars). Advice appreciated and thanks!! B. | ||
| Hughlysses |
As a 'Stich owner, IMHO: 1) hell yes 2) maybe not, but it will not remain waterproof in a continuous rain like that If you really want one, keep an eye out for used ones on ebay and ADVrider. I bought a lightly used one for about 1/2 of new. If the Frogs Toggs seem to work pretty well, one thing that may help- I bought a set that has "overall" type pants. They seem to be very waterproof, even when riding in a driving rain. Having the "waist" much higher than regular pants helps a lot. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Hughlysses- Great idea, used would be an awesome way to start. Thanks for your input. If I bought it used and needed it altered, would the fine folks at Aerostitch alter it? Without doing my research, my guess is yes. As far as the frogg toggs, My old smelly yellow ones that make me look like a giant yellow/highly visible peep have the suspenders and they work way better than the non-suspender version. Plus I can usually find a place on them to carribeener my range pouch to. Thx again. B. | ||
| Hughlysses |
BeLinda- I think they will do alterations. They also have an on-line fitting guide where you enter your measurements and it tells you what size suit you should buy. One big question is do you want one-piece or two-piece. I got a one-piece suit, but I think I'd rather have had a two-piece suit. I bought the size per their recommendations, but mine seems a little short in the body. It's an effort to get it over my shoulders (without making myself sing soprano) if I layer up under it for cold weather riding. If it were easier to get into and out of, I'd probably be OK with the one-piece. Maybe I should look into getting mine altered. Of course, the weather here in coastal SC isn't very different from yours, so I only consider wearing the Aerostich in colder weather. I wear mesh gear at least 6 months out of the year. | ||
| Jsg4dfan |
I have and often use an Aerostich myself. I bought mine on Ebay at less than 1/2 price, and sent it in for alterations. I don't regret it a bit. To address your questions: 1)Too hot for 90's? I second Hughlysses -- hell yes! Personal tolerances apply of course, but I live near San Antonio and my commute involves stop and go. The 'Stich hangs on a hook when the 90's come calling. Olympia Stealth is my weapon of choice then. 2)I cannot report on the water-logged weight issue. The heaviest rain I've seen in years while riding around here did little more than make my gloves damp. I'll follow this thread with interest because I have zero rain gear. | ||
| Jphish |
Hmmm - yeah, have similar experience with tourmaster "waterproof" gear. Where I live, 'wet' is normal. So I have a very cynical response whenever I see 'waterproof' used as defining term for gear performance. However - (as I equivocate here)I have FirstGear Raineer jacket & TPG pants that have not leaked in 2 years & 30,000 mi. I do take care of 'em by using Nikwax TX direct for final rinse in wash process. FirstGear ain't cheap - but perhaps worth it - hate being cold & wet. AND...at 40*F it can be as dangerous, as as it is uncomfortable. | ||
| Hughlysses |
My one bad experience with rain and the 'stich was riding ~7 hours in hard rain from Augusta, GA to Suches, GA to March Badness a couple of years ago. The suit did fine for about 3 hours, and then the water started to come through. I initially thought that it just needed to be re-waterproofed (which I did), but I think that's just about the limit one will keep water out. While the stuff will bead a lot of water, eventually the fibers become saturated and then you start to get wet. I believe there's even something about this on Aerostich's website. As long as you're riding in rain that's not so hard, or not continuous, it works fine, but it is not "waterproof" like plastic rain gear. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
are the frogg toggs you have the ones designed for motorcycle riding? I bought a new set of the froggs for the ride to Daytona this year. We left in the rain from Columbus, Ohio and didn't get out of the rain then sleet then snow back to sleet back to rain until we got to southern TN and they kept me very dry. I even had a pair of throw away jeans on because I knew I was gonna get wet.... I was dry as a bone and the jeans avoided the hotel trash can the first night... | ||
| Judotrip |
I think any gear will eventually leak due to water finding any nook and cranny to get into. I had a bad experience with Speed and Strength Hell and Back which ended up blowing the zipper out on a wet wet ride around Mt. Saint Helens. I was cruzin up I-5 with only the top buttoned looking like a Vato. Too bad my phone got soaked and that was that. I have since went with the A' Stitch Transit Suit. I know it would be too hot for 90+ degrees, but I must say my mesh was not good either because your sweat evaporates and you get dehydrated in minutes. The water proof leather repels water and stays within a half pound of what the dry weight is.. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I wear inexpensive thick PVC overall style rain pants when it is raining. They have a fly for easy access but this lets rain through so I wear them backwards and this works well for me and keeps my pants dry. They are bright yellow so are seen pretty easily by other riders and drives. No way would I spend big bucks on goretex. I do have a nice rain jacket though because cheap jackets can't hold up to the wind and usually aren't made for a motorcycle riding position. | ||
| Tiltcylinder |
I've been wearing the same brandless (cheap) suit I bought more than ten years ago. It's a rubberized nylon of some sort with a mesh liner, elastic cuffs and waist with suspenders on the pants and velcro at the wrists and covering the zipper. It's neither lightweight nor breathable and I usually leave the zipper open to the mid chest area. It's not as heavy as fishing gear, but still quite heavy. Was definitely designed for the rider as it has reflective panels and huge legs (no boot removal required) with stirrups, bright yellow top black pants with heat panels on the inside of the lower legs. Rained so hard last fall it puddled up between my crotch and the airbox, went over the waist, ran down the back of my thighs and calves, filling my boots. Didn't notice 'till I got off the bike. Was a torrential downpour at about 45 degrees. I've never found any of the gortex or other "breathable" waterproof fabrics to be as waterproof as rubberized goods. Probably why fishing gear is still that way. It's also my backup for really cold weather when I find my self unprepared. Put that stuff over riding gear and it blocks all wind penetration. "If it doesn't look/feel like it'll be waterproof... it probably won't be." I'm actually looking for a new one as cracks are appearing in the outer (rubber) layer. Undoubtably due to age and being rolled up in the saddle bags for a decade. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
"Are the frogg toggs you have the ones designed for motorcycle riding?" Nope they are just the sport style frogg toggs. They've worked well for coaching and riding the ten minutes to work when I work at are local school. The scope of my work has changed a little, we are busier at the locations farther from home, so my gear needs have changed too. I had great luck with my Nelson Rigg rain gear for four seasons til mid-season last year when the leg ripped where the retroreflective strips were. BUT, I only wore it when it was cold, or rainy all day. Did not get much use, really. I'll probably be on the lookout for Frogg Toggs m/c specific gear as well. I was checking them out this past winter, but did not want to spend $60. Now that I have worked in real soggy conditions, that money is a drop in the bucket compared to my misery having to work when wearing crappy gear. Ahhh the learning continues... B. | ||
| Froggy |
Not true. I can be in or out of my Aerostich 1 piece before most people can even get a jacket on. | ||
| Blasterd |
BeLinda, I live in Florida and commute everyday in the same mess as you and just wanted to chime in. I have tried it seems like everything out there to keep dry during my 60+ mile commute and have determined that there is no suit one or two piece that will keep you dry alone. I have bought and borrowed some of the best and eventually they all leak to some degree, yes even Aerostitch. The Olympia suits worked the best but again eventually they leak. What I am using right now is the best combo so far, a little warm in July and August but completely dry. I have a Fieldsheer Cyclone that I wear in year round and it is plenty warm in the winter and a tad warm in summer. When it rains I throw on a Frog Togg knockoff I got from Sam's under my one piece and no matter how much it rains I stay dry. I have some Olympia waterproof gloves and my hands stay dry, again a bit warm in July and Aug but dry and some leather riding boots from Motoboss which are my weak link sometimes but I carry an extra pair of socks in case my feet get wet. Everything else is dry! I even ride through that storm Tues AM on my way in to work and I stayed dry, I didnt have power at home though, just got it back last night. | ||
| Hangetsu |
Fltwistgirl, Well, it looks like you got a whole lot of great advice here, so I'll only add one thing. The leakage you're getting in the butt area will happen with any "breathable" fabric like Gortex. It's physics and there's nothing you can do about it.... except, invest in one of those dorky looking beaded seat covers that the iron butt people use. That will insure a bit of air flow between the fabric and the seat surface, thus eliminating the blead-through. I'm also gathering that a lot of the time you are wearing your gear, you are standing around teaching in hot, wet weather as much as you are riding. For these conditions, nothing beats mesh. There is no solid-fabric suit that will keep you comfortable without a 40+ mph wind flow - I don't care how many vents the suit has. I would suggest wearing your mesh while teaching on these hot days and invest in one of those old-school, cheap coated nylon rain suits for the occasional downpour. Another angle is, as long as the temps are that warm, just get wet. I've worn my mesh suit in some pretty serious downpours and been pretty comfy as long as the temp is up there in the 90+ area. Just wear synthetic fiber undergarments and you dry off pretty quickly when the rain stops. My final .02 | ||
| Rkc00 |
Here are a few Daytona Photos for you.   | ||
| Scooter808484 |
The leakage you're getting in the butt area will happen with any "breathable" fabric like Gortex. This is not true in my experience. I had a pair of Olympia Motosports pants for 4 years in NW Washington State (it rains here, a lot) and ride to work everyday that's above freezing. Never, ever a leak in those four years until finally this fall. The Olympia are lined with a GoreTex clone, not "real" GoreTex, but still waterproof/breathable. When I tore into the pants, found that the seam tape had finally pulled away and the leaks were from the seam. In fact, IIRC, if it's actually GoreTex they have a pretty good warranty. | ||
| Scooter808484 |
http://www.gore-tex.com/remote/Satellite/content/g uaranteed-to-keep-you-dry Pretty much, if it leaks, they'll fix it. | ||
| Rotorhead |
FYI Aerostich has a new lighter one piece coming out this June. Still pricey but a better built suit for the warm/wet regions of the US. http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-suits/roadcraft er/roadcrafter-lightweight-one-piece-suit.html | ||
| Swampy |
I have some Tourmaster Venture pants, and the damn things act like a funnel in the crotch. I can't figure out where the water is coming from. It leaks in around the fly area, and I start feeling this little trickle of cold rain right on my package and just about the time I say to myself "it isn't that bad" It gets worse and my butt gets flooded from the top! When I get off I am soaked, dripping water from the top of my zipper around my crotch down the inside of my legs and into my boots. | ||
| Froggy |
Sounds like you are living up to your username | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
"Sounds like you are living up to your username"  Thanks for all the info here. Quite clear that most manufacturers have not yet found truly waterproof solutions, but definitely some good ideas here. On "normal" rainy days where we have our 1 - 3 hour rains due to a front moving thru, it is not generally an issue. It's those freaky all day systems -tropical storms, slow moving fronts- that throw me and my rain gear for a loop, but those are also the days that I can use as opportunity to put my gear to the test in an environment where I can keep a spare pair of dry gear/clothes in a nice dry classroom in the event of rain gear failure. Some people would be complaining about having to be out in that stuff, I tend to look at it as an opportunity to test my stuff out and weed out the stuff that does not work before I'm four hours from my hotel room in the middle of Kentucky on the interstate with rain soaked jeans and cold hands. I'm going to be on the lookout for a 'stitch. I plan to be back in MN this summer and teach five minutes away from their Duluth location so will get fitted and take it from there(Hope the city-x sells by then). After my first all day rain class in Jan. when I started giving all my gear the hairy eyeball ("waterproof" gloves failed, liner pulled out when I was taking them off to ring them out), we ordered waterproof glove covers from Aerostitch for about $50. Odd three finger design but they work over any gloves you are wearing. We are going to order a second set for me. I'm going to try the beads on the seat method so see if that helps. And more walking/less ice cream  . My gore tex oxtars are truly waterproof, just need to avoid puddles so water does not come in over the top of boots. Tested during three back to back tropical systems in '08. Was working in sideways rain in 6 inches of standing water for 5 hours and feet were bone dry. Thanks for posting the pics, Michael. That was an awesome day and once again, badwebbers rock! | ||
| Sayitaintso |
FYI Aerostich has a new lighter one piece coming out this June. Still pricey but a better built suit for the warm/wet regions of the US. http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-suits/roadcraft er/roadcrafter-lightweight-one-piece-suit.html Now thats awesome to hear. Heat is the #1 reason why I dont have a 'stitch. The Uly is already a hot bike (for FL riding) imo so I stay away from anything thats remotely heavy and/or not mesh. Thanks for the heads up. | ||
| Crusty |
BeLinda; you know that Aerostich gives you 10% off if you go to the Factory in Duluth? That's part of the reason I'm going to go there to get my suit. The other, and more important, reason is to have them do all the measuring, so that I know the suit will fit right. | ||
| Tootal |
I have been through all the bogus "waterproof" claims and have bought my share of crap over the years. Best suit ever was a BMW one piece made back in the eighties. I had that thing for 10 years until I wore the seat out. By then they didn't make them anymore. I also have learned that heat tape is crap. It loosens with wear and then you're done. In my search for a lightweight compact one piece I finally found a Triumph Chevron suit. It goes on like a "Duster" from the old west. Then it has a tail that comes up between your legs and you start zipping at your neck and go all the way to your ankles. Then there is some folding and velcroing your way back up. It takes some time to put on until you get use to it but so far it has worked. On my Harley a 2 piece is usually fine but the Buell has too much air blowing up from below and water blows right up the jacket and then flows down to your keester! I hate that! So far the Chevron one piece has made me happy. I have not seen a 4 hour rain yet and hopefully I never will but odds are someday it will get a thorough test!! | ||
| Uly_man |
Fltwistygirl you have a bit of a problem with that one. Keeping the rain/air of the body with the right bike is the first one. A naked bike, like an XB, is the worst kind for weather. A one piece suit will give the best weather protection, no joints. Gore-Tex is the best but given the way it works, and your location, I would do some research on it. With a bike there is no perfect solution for all weather situations. I have tried and spent much money on the problem. In all weather cases start with the bike. Then with a suit that is water/wind proof and then a layer that wicks water away from the skin. This one is very effective and more so in humid places like yours. | ||
| Babired |
Hi Belinda, I used to wear the fieldsheer one piece for a while then got into a one piece BMW rain suit. Here is what I liked and disliked about them. When teaching MSF classes I loved the extra layer on cold rainey days but during hot an humid days I would pull of the top and tie it around my waist then stick range cards in small of back run around the range that way. No access to pockets! The lower part of the body getting warm. One pieces are good if you zip them up with the rain gutter in the right position, if you don't have it on the right position your gonna get soaked It happened to me while riding the Blue Ridge one day! I got the small 2 piece Buell rain gear now. I use it interchangebly for teaching most of the time. the 2 piece Buell gear is the same as the 2 piece HD gear very simple and thin and packs good on a bike. |
