Motorcycle Rain Suits
- Motorcycle Gear Reviews
- Feb 13, 2024
- 5 min read
When we think of riding motorcycles, we focus on the good. We imagine riding on warm sunny days, enjoying the twisties or the scenery of the open road. We often do not put much thought into what happens when Mother Nature ruins our perfect plans. Eventually, you will be riding and see those dark clouds forming ahead. At the first sprinkle, most riders start to seek shelter under a bridge or gas station to wait out the storm. You motorcycle is perfectly capable of being ridden in the rain. You just need the proper gear to stay safe and dry.
A rain suit is a must have for anyone that spends much time on a motorcycle. I often tell people it is the single best thing I have ever bought for my motorcycle. A good rain suit will keep you dry on your morning commute or cross country adventure. You want to select a rain suit made from good quality materials. Many rain suits are not specifically designed for use on a motorcycle and will use lighter weight materials that can not withstand the wind and heat that are inherent when riding a motorcycle. Look for a suit that has flaps to cover zippers to keep moisture from sneaking in. I also suggest a suit that has either elastic or velcro closures at the wrist and ankles. This will hep prevent water from running up your boot and sleeves. Along that same line, a good pair of waterproof gloves are a must! Gauntlet style are best, as they cover your cuff and create a barrier to keep you dry. You will want to make sure you have a good pair of waterproof boots or gators. Gators go over your boots and under your rain suit to keep your feet dry. Finally, you want to make sure you find a rain suit that packs well. You should always have your rain suit with you on the bike, because you never know when the weather will turn. A rain suit that you left at home won't do you any good!
BILT Tornado Waterproof Motorcycle Rain Suit
The BILT Tornado Waterproof Rain Suit is a one piece suit. I really like a one piece suit as you do not have to worry about water entering under a jacket. The only draw back to a one piece design is that you will want to get situated on the bike so it doesn't pull uncomfortably. This rain suite hits all the key elements I mentioned earlier. It is made from 70 denier durable outer shell material that is 100% waterproof and designed to withstand the wind and heat generated from a motorcycle. There is elastic at the waist and wrist and velcro closure at the ankles. It does have straps that go under your boot, in front of the heel to keep the rain suit from riding up.
The Tornado Waterproof Rain Suit has a diagonal zipper running down the rain suit to make it easy to put on and take off. the zipper is covered to keep moisture out. I also like that it comes up high on the neck. There is also an adequate amount of hi visibility tape on the suit. Obviously, when it is raining, motorcycles are harder to see and this reflective material keeps you a little safer. The suit also has a air flow inner lining to promote air circulation. This goes a long way to keeping you cool while riding. I always suggest sizing up a little for a rain suit. Not only will that allow more air flow, but it will give added room for bulky riding gear.
The Tornado Waterproof Rain Suit is probably one of the most affordable options on the market. For the money, it is a great suit. That being said, it does have a couple of draw backs. First, it does not come with a hood. Hood's on rain suits are designed to go under the helmet to keep water from rolling down your back. You usually only see them on high end suits. I usually only use my hood when it is pouring and I am anticipating a lot of stop and go. They are not very comfortable to ride with. The second draw back is that the suit is a little difficult to get on over boots. This is true of most rain suits, but I would liked to have seen a larger opening for the boots. Overall, these are minor things, especially considering the price point for the suit.
Nelson Rigg Solo Storm Jacket and Pants
The Nelson Rigg Solo Jacket and Solo Pants are a two piece rain suit. They are sold as two separate pieces. This allows you to mix sizes to ensure the best fit. This rain suit gets great reviews and for good reason. This rain suit has all of the features I mentioned that you should look for in a rain suit, plus a few nice extras. It is made from good quality waterproof material and has taped seams to prevent water from seeping in. There is elastic at the cuff on the sleeves. The bottom of the legs velcro and have a large opening to put on over boots. The jacket is available in a variety of colors, but all colors offer reflective material. This is to make you more visible to vehicles around you. This rain suit also packs very well into a self contained pocket.
Some of the extra features you get with this suit are external pockets. Once you put on a rain suit, finding your wallet in you back jean pocket can be problematic. It is nice to be able to put needed items where they are easy to get to. This suit has a mesh lining and a back air vent on the jacket to promote air flow. The Nelson Rigg suit does have a hood that is designed to be worn under your helmet. The hood prevents water from running off your helmet and down the back of your jacket. This is very nice if you will be in stop and go traffic. The pants have heat resistant material because of their proximity to the engine and exhaust. The pants also have a reinforced seat that offers additional grip.
The Nelson Rigg Storm Rain Suit does run a little large. If you will be wearing this over winter riding gear, it is probably true to size. Otherwise, you might want to consider ordering one size down. This suit is more expensive than the BILT Tornado, but is very reasonably priced for the quality of the suit and the added features.
No rain suit is complete without keeping your hands, feet and face dry. As I mentioned earlier, gauntlet style waterproof gloves not only keep your hands dry, but they keep water from running up your sleeve. I consider it a must have with my rain suit. You can keep your feet dry wearing waterproof boots and the rain suit secured around the top of the boot. If you are not wearing quality waterproof boots, you should wear boot covers, commonly called gators. They go over your boot, but under the pants leg of the rain suit. The best protection for your face is either a full face or modular helmet.