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Phases 1 & 2 of the mid-life crisis are complete (quit well-paying job, buy a motorbike) and phase 3 (retrain as a Gas-Safe plumber) is about to commence. The course is at a college about 30 miles away hence the motorbike for commuting. I've got proper bike clothing from a while ago, a properly thick Belstaff leather jacket and some Kevlar jeans. It's all dry weather stuff which is fine for now, but I'm conscious we'll be heading into autumn/winter before long. I aim to use the bike as much as possible and so would like something to help me stay warm and dry on my commute during the shittier weather. The bike's already got heated grips, handlebar wind deflectors, etc. so that's pretty much ready for anything. The problem is having quit my job to be a poor student I can no longer afford to be spending hundreds on clothing. I've got a cheap Oxford Rainseal over jacket thing and my Gore waterproof MTB trousers but I don't think they'll do the job day in, day out.
So, anyone have any recommendations? I've been looking at Weise, Oxford and Buffalo who all seem to have decent gear for reasonable prices, but that's as far as I've got. Do they all zip together or can you only use Weise trousers with Weise jackets, for example?
Had a Weise jacket and cheap water proof trousers (over leathers) for years in London. Along with waterproof boots kept me dry. Never found gloves that wouldn’t leak after a while.
Muffs! Say no more!
Where are you based? I've got some decent stuff cluterring up the attic.
The only thing that keeps me dry in heavy rain is a one piece oversuit.
I have Proshell Goretex, and I’m wet on the front in heavy rain. The issue isn’t the garment but wind blowing water up and in from the bottom of the jacket.
I have a brand new pair of Dainese waterproof boots size 44 or brand new RST waterproof boots also size 44 if they're any use to you. Dainese cost £160 but you can have them for £100 or the RST which cost me £110 I think which you can have for £70. If you happen to be a 44 and are interested I'll go and look at the boxes to find out the exact model of boot and if you're within an hour of Bristol I'll even deliver them.
Thanks for the offers.
Murray- I'm located in NE Fife if that helps.
s_d - I forgot to add in OP that I have waterproof boots as well. It's trousers and jacket I'm looking for. Ta for the offer though, I'm a size 44 as well so they would otherwise be perfect 😣
Screwfix waterproof trousers work well on the bike over leathers
https://www.screwfix.com/p/site-shoal-overtrousers-waterproof-black-large-36-38-w-32-l/9580v
I used a north face jacket over my Bike jacket in the rain and if it was cold a uniqlo gilet under it. For winter I also recommend a silk balaclava- very good bit of kit, keeps the drafts of your kneck and cheap
Klim goretex textiles, 4 years old, umpteen thousand miles and haven't leaked a drop. Absolutely superb kit. Pricy but much less so than Rukka.
Gloves, look at any of Halvarssons brands; them, Lindstrands or another that slips my mind. Again, same mileage and use as above and zero water's got in so far. So, so much better quality than their 60 quid ish price tag would have you believe.
For more budget end stuff, Spada is truly superb and always well worth a look.
I'm in D&G, the soggiest corner of the country and spent a few years working with Motorcycle Scotland. We tried out a lot of stuff!
I think the Klim stuff is out of reach price-wise just now. I'm more in the £100 trousers £100 jacket market. Spada look to have some decent gear though, thanks.
I opened this thread out of mere curiosity, but those Screwfix overtrousers are going to be perfect for me when it’s wet during the winter! I’ll be outdoors all day right through the week, and I’ll be supplied with a waterproof hi-viz jacket, but those trousers with the reflective bands will be ideal to keep my lower half dry.
The Oxford Montreal jacket got good reviews
Look at Wolf’s stuff.
UK made and well worth the money.
I had a slightly unhealthy relationship with my Rukka gortex trousers- they were absolutely fantastic. They bloody should be, since they were about £250, but they were just fantastic. And surprisingly crash resistant- they offered a repair service where they'd remove individual damaged panels, but I went down the road in them at about 40 one time and you can't really tell.
I had an oxford waterproof onesie.
It kinda worked, enough that the jacket/trousers underneath didn't get soaked through, nothing's completely waterproof at 60+ mph. Can't compare it to £250 trousers mind you, they were only £45.
After trying a few different trousers I ended up with a pair of royal mail surplus over trousers. I found that, whilst they were possibly the least glamorous item of clothing I've ever worn, they meant even after an hour or more of sitting in torrential rain I'd reach my destination with a dry crotch. I think they were about £15. Marvellous.
I had an Alpinestars Andes Drystar jacket which was very good as well and one I'd recommend.
I use RST textiles with thermal and waterproof liners, been ok in showers so far but for when I know I'm gonna get wet I use the car.