In prep for two wheeled commuting I'm after some waterproof armoured riding kit.

Ideally the trousers will be salopet style with built in braces and they must go over a pair of off road boots (motocross style). Need a decent jacket too.

Not sure of budget really but happy to buy stuff that's reputable, properly waterproof and is going to last.

Also, anyone got anything for sale they don't use anymore??

I recommend you some armoured, waterproof textiles.

Don't mention it. 

Quote from: whoopee on October 07, 2013, 08:26:35 AM
I recommend you some armoured, waterproof textiles.

Don't mention it. 

I won't.

Moz,

I imagine you have worked this out already, but getting one suit to cope with all 4 seasons and all conditions is a hugely tough ask. The best of the best generally seems to be Rukka or Halvarssons, and some claim these top-line (£2,000) suits can do all 4 seasons.

I have never tried them though, I am not willing to pony up that sort of money.

For summer, the best, reasonably priced stuff I have found is by Joe Rocket. It is a suit with zip covered venting, so I can tailor for most of the spring/summer/autumn. I rate this very highly indeed.

For winter, I use Gerbings heated gear under some IXS winter, lined textiles. The ability to add/remove layers is the key to surviving the wildly varying temperatures in the winter. The Gerbings is magnificent, very highly recommended. The outer textile suit could be anything warm, and lined to be honest.

After commuting for 8 years and 120,000 miles, I have not found anything that is truly, 100% waterproof. You will get damp in the worst rain, so don't wear your suit etc under the bike clothes.

My hard-earned 2p of experience.

Martin.

I've had a Spidi H2O jacket for the last 7 years which to this day seems waterproof still. Wasn't massively expensive but is very good quality.

Thanks guys.

I will have a flying suit on underneath and always have spare stuff for work in my locker at work so getting midly damp is not a massive issue.  I just want the convenience of literally pulling on the coat (I think a summer length "jacket" will be to short and I already have one) and trousers on top of my work clothes and dumping my work bag and flying boots in the luggage boxes.

To be honest, if the temps are looking sub zero or some form of deluge is forecast I will be using the car but I was hoping for a 50/50 bike car useage all year round.

Always found better to go for proper 'gore-tex' rather than shelltex etc...

Frank Thomas used to be very good kit (and at one point If i recall... the only people that had rights to using gore-tex because of they way it was stitched), I've had my frank thomas 4 seasons jacket for 18 months and thats not leaked yet, even in the worst downpour.

Trousers however, never had much success in finding a pair that doesnt leak at the groin!

In fact, this is the jacket I have: http://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/clothing/textile-jackets/ftw352-raptor-evo-jacket-black-grey.html

and has been really good a little bulky but lovely and warm!

Thanks Jonesy.

I have been watching a couple of pairs of Dainese GoreTex trousers on ebay.  Need to try some new one to confirm my size.

I do have a pair of Belstaff textile trousers and a short Arlen Ness textile jacket but the trousers don't have any armour.

Ot might be worth waiting for the BikeShow at the NEC to try and grab a bargain.

I picked up a set of HG goretex jacket and trousers in a sale a few years back, £300 all in and I have never been wet underneath once. Feet and hands are a different matter, you'll eventually get damp with goretex lined gloves or boots in really wet weather.
It can get a bit hot and sweaty unless the temps are in single -low double figures and when it's really cold a set of thermal trousers and a thermal wind blocking under jacket really keep you warm. I 0-1 degrees I can be on the verge of too hot when not moving along.

If you can afford it then Rukka but any proper gore-tex would do the trick, after that it's about the layers underneath as already stated. Heated grips or heated gloves are excellent too.

I mostly work from home now so don't ride everyday through winter but I do continue to ride when I do need to go places. Even better now I have a 125 2 stoke to play on through the crappy weather.

New bus has heated grips so that's sorted.

Looks like a bit of a search for GoreTex kit in any sale is the way froward.

Also if the jacket has a detachable storm collar then all the better. Mine doesn't but my dad has one and in the pissing rain and cold it makes a difference.

if you can still get it i've got the HG Master V jacket and trousers which were superb. You need to wash them in the winter and reapply the waterproofing special goretex stuff to make them last longer as the dirt gunks up the waterproofing.. but i used to do 120 miles a day in these without issue..

Quote from: m6rk on October 07, 2013, 11:24:16 AM
if you can still get it i've got the HG Master V jacket and trousers which were superb. You need to wash them in the winter and reapply the waterproofing special goretex stuff to make them last longer as the dirt gunks up the waterproofing.. but i used to do 120 miles a day in these without issue..

I think those were the ones I looked at not that long ago, they wanted about a grand for the jacket and weren't willing to do anything on the price even if I bought the trousers too