Riding Suit

[NITRO]

Looks like I'll have a 120 mile round-trip commute starting in the fall. I plan to ride every day to work until the snow flies in Nov/Dec regardless of rain.

Does anyone have experience with a full riding suit that holds up well to rain? The suit would obviously need to be easy to get into and out of.

[BuzzKill]

We use Frogg Toggs.  The ones we got are the Leep Froggs.  Theres also a Road Togg.  Not many color options, but we were able to kinda match the bike.    Theres some reflective piping on both types.  Great for cold too.

[keepinon]

another vote for the Frog Togs. They're even available at WalMart now....

[RLD]

Aerostich Roadcrafter. Wouldn't ride without it from teens to 90's. Elec liner in the cold, open the vents in the heat. Seconds to put on, seconds to take off. Rain proof. You can spend less, but you will get what you pay for. They're located (and made) in Duluth, 10% off plus free shipping if you get sized in their store. Made to order so don't expect to take it home with you, unless they happen to have your size and color choice on hand. No affiliattion, just love the suit. I went with the hi-viz yellow, but there are several toned down colors as well. I just like being seen.
http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-suits/roadcrafter-one-piece-suit.html

[NITRO]

Aerostich Roadcrafter. Wouldn't ride without it from teens to 90's. Elec liner in the cold, open the vents in the heat. Seconds to put on, seconds to take off. Rain proof. You can spend less, but you will get what you pay for. They're located (and made) in Duluth, 10% off plus free shipping if you get sized in their store. Made to order so don't expect to take it home with you, unless they happen to have your size and color choice on hand. No affiliattion, just love the suit. I went with the hi-viz yellow, but there are several toned down colors as well. I just like being seen.
http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-suits/roadcrafter-one-piece-suit.html

I've been looking at the Aerostich goods for a while, especially since they're relatively close by. Thanks for the recommendation.

Also, did you ever ride with a guy named David in Eden Prairie? I bought my blue and silver IS from him in April.

[Jack]

Caution on Frogg Toggs or anything with a like material:  They will melt on your pipes and will leak after a few years.  I've owned 2 pairs but not a third.

[..]

Caution on Frogg Toggs or anything with a like material:  They will melt on your pipes and will leak after a few years.  I've owned 2 pairs but not a third.

Agree. I ended up with duct tape on the shina rea of my two pairs due to exhaust proximity.

I found that the material flapping in the wind increased the likelyhood of leaking.

Here's a cheaper 1 piece alternative
http://www.nelsonrigg.com/store/product.aspx?pid=1566

[Black Dog]

I've had my Frogg Toggs for about 5 years now, and they still work great.  Took a 1100 mile (rt) ride up and over the UP, last fall, and it rained almost all weekend.  I was mostly dry, with my jeans cuffs, and a bit around the neck getting wet, but all in all they work very well.

Before I even tried them on a trip, I did the 'Heat Shield' fix, found at this link...  http://www.gadgetjq.com/froggtognomelt.htm  Pretty easy to do, and no melting on the pipes yet.

YMMV

Black Dog

[asfltdncr]

If it is a riding suit and not specifically a rain suit you're looking for, I can't imagine a cheaper alternative than the Fieldsheer riding suit.  I purchased one from motorcyclecloseouts.com and am pleased with it.  It appears heavy but is very comfortable and breaths really well.   Has a lot of vents, reviews report a 4-hr rain resistance, and is very warm with the provided insulation zipped in.  It also has all the armor necessary.  Oh-they cost $199 now.  If you order, Fieldsheer is a little tight on their sizing so add a couple inches onto waist size when determining suit size.  Their gloves run a full size small also but their stuff is quality.

[Garland]

Frog Toggs work well, but I have found them to be very billowy, at least in the xl size I wear. I recently picked up a barely-used Aerostich Darien jacket and pants, but have not tried them yet.

[NITRO]

I already have a rain suit, I am looking for a riding suit.

[RLD]

Also, did you ever ride with a guy named David in Eden Prairie? I bought my blue and silver IS from him in April.

Never heard of him. Sad to say, but I rarely see an I/S around here.

[Hoser]

Carhardt insulated coveralls,  full length leg zippers, tough as nails and warm, cover your clothes, less than a hunnert bux.  Why get Fancy?  You aint't gonna need waterproof with the protection of that Interstate, besides, frozen precip bounces off.     Just an ol farm boy that used to hunt deer in December.     Hoser

[asfltdncr]

Carhardt insulated coveralls,  full length leg zippers, tough as nails and warm, cover your clothes, less than a hunnert bux.  Why get Fancy?  You aint't gonna need waterproof with the protection of that Interstate, besides, frozen precip bounces off.     Just an ol farm boy that used to hunt deer in December.     Hoser

You will get wet on an interstate-rain falls from above.Sometimes, it pays to use clothing that matches the purpose.  Spend a hundred more and you get knee,elbow,hip and back protection (abrasion and blunt force).

[Billy]

Rukka. Hard to find in the States but top of the line stuff
http://www.rukka.com/lfashion/rukka/rukkawww.nsf/pagesbylevel/19295913EDB61DEFC2256F6D0044044E?opendocument&expand=1.6

[Hoser]

Carhardt insulated coveralls,  full length leg zippers, tough as nails and warm, cover your clothes, less than a hunnert bux.  Why get Fancy?  You aint't gonna need waterproof with the protection of that Interstate, besides, frozen precip bounces off.     Just an ol farm boy that used to hunt deer in December.    Hoser

You will get wet on an interstate-rain falls from above.Sometimes, it pays to use clothing that matches the purpose.  Spend a hundred more and you get knee,elbow,hip and back protection (abrasion and blunt force).

I'm thinkin you've never worn Carhart insulated coveralls,  abrasion won't be a problem, and you can put a rainsuit over it if you want.  I'm just sayin, they are tough and very warm.  And it cost a bit more than a hundred bucks. I checked on current prices. They have gone up a lot since I got mine 15 years ago. Don't be put off just cause us rednecks like em.  Hoser

[Billy]

I love Carhartt overalls, got 4 or 5 pairs, but for abrasion Resistance look somewhere else. Leather or kevlar is the best. Even most of the synthetic fibers will melt into your skin in a high speed slide. Cotton weave will disintegrate after the first few feet in a high speed slide. About the only half way decent cotton clothes are the waxed kind. The old British Belstaff company used to make these if they are still in business.






Description
This article is from the Australia Motorcycles FAQ, by Cameron Simpson cs@zip.com.au with numerous contributions by others.


47 Motorcycle Jackets: Abrasion Resistance
From Tom Cohen <thos@cia.com.au>.

Abrasion resistance is important, possibly more important than
protecting against impact - low siding off the bike only drops you
from about a metre anyway... There are a few different types of
material that you can wear:

* Leather

Leather is still the king. Has been for years and is unlikely to lose
the crown in a hurry. Lorica (an artificial leather), as used on
mostly Italian boots, is not very good at all. Leather breathes,
abrades slowly (depending on type) and is more or less showerproof.
Great against the wind, but is hot in summer. Can be dyed to almost
any colour, and there are a number of places around that make to
measure. And it never seems to wear out (except against a road) - old
jackets are just as good as new ones.

* Kevlar

Close weave kevlar is effective but doesn't slow you down (the world
is waiting for a kevlar suit with little moulded rubber lumps on it
for braking). Unfortunately, most of the kevlar used in protective
clothing is loose or open- weave type. This is not much good because
the first impact with the ground destroys the weave of the kevlar and
there is little left to protect the skin. If there are two layers then
the performance is much better because the first layer protects the
second layer which does the sliding.

* Waxed Cotton

Good for sliding on once, possibly more. Warmer than leather and more
waterproof, but gets dirty when hot. Can leave stains on other
clothes. (more detail needed)

* Nylon/Cordura

OK for strength, but the weave in the nylon can snag on rough surfaces
and tear. Is waterproof, but doesn't breathe. Good for winter,
Dri-Riders are made from this. A good range of colours too.

* Denim

Not really a protective material. If you fall at 60km/h, denim should
protect you for about 1.3m, after that you're on your
own. Interestingly enough, older jeans are better (as long as they
have no holes) because their material is smoother and slides better.
Jeans with 'fashionable' holes in the knees are no protection at all,
and if you fall off with these on you'll get no sympathy from me.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Hoser i'm not saying you are wrong but pretty much any of the new textile riding gear, Joe Rocket, Firstgear type stuff , is way warmer then Carharts. The wind proof of the textiles make them so much better with way less bulk.

Raymond

[Hoser]

I'm not saying I'm not wrong,  Usually when I wore them all day hunting there were jeans and long johns and flannel under them, and they stood up well to the brush and the brambles.  I know cycle specific gear is more suited, and I use cortech brand and first gear.  Just suggesting an economical alternative, although they now cost more than I paid in the past.  Maybe new teachers make more than they used to.  I am a bit behind the times, I admit.     Hoser

[fudgie]

I wore my carhart bibs coming home from the St Lou wrench party. Got tired of being froze to death in 40 deg rain. Made the last 100 miles dry. Had my rain gear on under it. They were soaked but not all the way thru. Not bad for a 7 yr old pair. As far as skid resistance they should be fine as long as you tuck & roll! 

[fuzzy2bucks]

Can't imagine wearing my Froggs and Toggs in really cold weather, they appear to be made for rain and frozen precipitation mainly with little insulation (in my version).  They are excellent for rain, but the fabric is really weird and like a previouis poster mentioned they melt and/or disintegrate on hot pipes.. fast.