Tag Archives: motorcycle rain suits

Motorcycle Rain Suit Options

Choose Your Motorcycle Rain Suit

One of the most common disadvantages of motorcycling is that you are at the whim of the weather. Since you are riding without a roof over your head, you are likely to face rain and even snow (for us northern riders) during spring and winter riding seasons. Riding through the rain is risky and will challenge your riding skills and endurance. Don’t underestimate how serious riding in the rain is.

To protect you against the rain and the cold wind, wear a motorcycle rain suit.

What are the things you need to consider in choosing a motorcycle rain suit?

When looking for a rain suit, you can choose:

Leather

Most riders prefer leather motorcycle gear because they can be snug, form fitting and, honestly, on some people can look cool. Leather motorcycle suits come with different fit, style and will suit different riding seasons. However, in a downpour, leather may not be the best protection. During light rain, leather suits will be fine to help block the cold wind and can keep you dry. If the suit has thermal lining, you’ll get extra protection. Aside from that, leather motorcycle rain suits offer perhaps the best protection from abrasions and cuts during accidents.

Most leather suits are water resistant (be careful here). However, some suits are not as resistant to weather as you may think. Only those suits that are enhanced with Gore-Tex® materials are said to be really effective in the rain.

In fact, one of the hottest trends are these enhanced leather motorcycle rain suits. A leather motorcycle rain suit that is made from Gore-Tex is a combination of the best leather and waterproofing materials allowing you to wear a tear and water resistant suit. If you can’t find a leather suit made from Gore-Tex material, then your next option is to find a motorcycle rain suit that is specially treated to make it waterproof or weather resistant.

Synthetics

Another option is to purchase one of the motorcycle rain suits that are made from high-tech synthetic materials such as nylon, polyester, and Kevlar. Suits made from these materials are thinner, cooler and lighter. However, they may not provide the same protection as your leather motorcycle rain suits in a spill. Suits that are made from synthetic materials are best on warm weather or during the summer. Unlike leather, basic nylon suits made will not protect your body against abrasions and other injuries on a crash or collision and will require that you wear a second layer of crash protection under a nylon rain suit.

You can choose the right motorcycle rain suit to purchase, knowing some of this new info above. Always remember that your primary concern is your safety, convenience and comfort.

Can Leather Motorcycle Rain Suits Really Protect?

Leather motorcycle rain suits

Every motorcycle rider understands the importance of wearing motorcycle safety apparel for protection. One of the most common and perhaps the most important motorcycle pieces of rider gear are the motorcycle rain suits. The chance of getting caught riding in the rain is very high for the regular rider and the best way to protect your body against the wind and other elements is by wearing a motorcycle rain suit.

Aside from giving you shield against the bad weather, motorcycle rain suits can also offer protection in case of an unexpected fall. The most common rain suits are made from leather, a material that can provide substantial protection to your knees, elbows, shins, shoulders, hips and back when you hit the road on a fall.

Motorcycle rain suits made from leather materials might be cool looking, but the purpose of the suit is not for fashion but foremost protection, safety, convenience and comfort.

For best protection, riders can either choose a one piece or two piece motorcycle rain suit.

If you are going to purchase a leather motorcycle rain suit, what are the things you need to consider?

 The following are the best qualities of leather motorcycle rain suits:

  1. Leather suits (cowhide or kangaroo skin) are the best material to offer you protection. It is the best type of fabric to use for motorcycle safety apparel.
  2. Look for a “thickness” that is difficult to tear in case of a crash or fall.
  3. Leather suits are stretchable, and have inner liners for comfort and cooling purposes and can maintain heat during cold weather.

During a crash, leather motorcycle rain gear will protect your body against the impact and abrasions. Without a leather suit, you can easily scrape your skin or acquire cuts and abrasions.

There are two kinds of leather suits – high-end and low-end leather suits. Both offer different features, quality, elasticity and comfort. The high end leather suits are much thinner, soft, lighter and more comfortable to use than a low end leather suit that is heavy and bulky.

However, a thin leather suit has a disadvantage also. Thin leather motorcycle rain suits may offer less protection during a crash. Therefore, it is expected that thin leather suits may not last longer than thick leather garments. But despite this, leather, whether thick or thin, it is still the number one fabric used by many manufacturers of motorcycle rain suits and safety apparel.

Now that you understand the different qualities and features that a leather motorcycle rain suit can offer, buying your own suit should be a little easier. Just stick to the purpose or reason why you are going to buy a rain suit. Remember fashion is the least of the factors to consider when buying a motorcycle rain suit.