And today's commuting highlight is...

[Angrybiker]

SuddsyMcFoam said:

Biker 1 said:

Upper part of my body reasonably dry - feet are fking soaked.....

Please accept my apologies, this summer-ending weather is entirely my fault - I bought a pair of BMW lightweight mesh summer boots last Friday and doubled down by ordering a mesh jacket

so it's YOUR fault then.. grrr, you KNOW you should be ordering all this stuff in the winter... Go sit in the corner.

[Moulder]

SBDJ said:

115 miles this morning - wet and windy but arrived completely dry with the exception of my gloves which are soaked through. Again.

Since Gore-Tex isn't working (two different pairs of Gore-Tex gloves have done the same) I guess some kind of over glove would be a good idea for downpours like this?

If your hands/gloves are small enough then the petrol station filling up ones can be used as over gloves in an emergency. Glove into petrol station over glove, hand into waterproof glove combo.

[Sea Demon]

Arrived dry at work apart from the boots n gloves, change of socks sorted - amazing how the Alpinestars El Nino suit keeps you dry with it being so thin etc.

Aswell as the wind/rain there were 2 lengths of 4x2 laying on the inside lane by the exit of the quarry on the M20/A20 - I spotted them about 50 meter's away & thought sh*t - Ford Focus heading straight for them, they'll bounce across into my path - nothing I could do but luckily when the Focus hit them the car took off and the wood stayed where it was, hopefully its been cleared now (have tweeted the relevant people to check).

[sjtscott]

SteelerSE said:

Two leaks in my textiles. Buggar. This is going to be expensive.

Two leaks confirmed today in my goretex textile pants.. crotch and right hand knee. But heavy enough rain to test/prove it this morning. They are HG 2008 vintage and proper f**ked. Off shopping at the weekend - the wife has no argument now, since I'm not allowed to replace anything (we're not just talking bike gear here either) before its f**ked.. whatever it is. Pre-emptive logical purchasing just in time is not allowed either lol

The rain is fine it was just the strong wind at times which makes walking pace slow riding/filtering that bit more tricky.

[SBDJ]

2wheelsjimmy said:

If gore-tex isn't working, you've bad gloves. Return them, gore-tex is guaranteed.

Noted, thank you. They were absolutely sopping wet on the inside and it seems unlikely to have been running down since I didn't feel it and the jacket sleeve under my waterproof outer was dry.

I'd have thought it was inevitable that it would leak once the glove becomes saturated though?

Moulder said:

If your hands/gloves are small enough then the petrol station filling up ones can be used as over gloves in an emergency. Glove into petrol station over glove, hand into waterproof glove combo.

Nice thinking, I'll have to see if any fit, although it's actually not raining at the moment...

[Pothole]

Dakkon said:

Wet crotch and wet feet...must get better wet weather gear....

I am also completely baffled why you buy a GS / Tiger / big Harley / whatever, with huge panniers and then use it for commuting, but you are so wide you can't filter......I just don't understand the logic.

I bought my Tiger Sport, so equipped, for exactly that purpose. I only rode it back from the shop with the boxes fitted. Straight off, into the dining room and thence to ebay. I spent the cash on new boots and a jacket

[SteelerSE]

sjtscott said:

SteelerSE said:

Two leaks in my textiles. Buggar. This is going to be expensive.

Two leaks confirmed today in my goretex textile pants.. crotch and right hand knee. But heavy enough rain to test/prove it this morning. They are HG 2008 vintage and proper f**ked. Off shopping at the weekend - the wife has no argument now, since I'm not allowed to replace anything (we're not just talking bike gear here either) before its f**ked.. whatever it is. Pre-emptive logical purchasing just in time is not allowed either lol

The rain is fine it was just the strong wind at times which makes walking pace slow riding/filtering that bit more tricky.

Mine are HG but from about 2011. Not massively bad leaks but enough to show that it's time to replace them. The question is what with...? Not sure I can stomach the cost of the Rukka gear.

[Dakkon]

After todays down pour, my over trousers are not working - Rev-It Enterprise Trousers, they are fine in a shower, but my commute is an hour and in heavy rain it gets through the seat / crotch. My work colleagues think it is hilarious of course.

So, any recommendations, I am tempted by the Alpine Stars Express Drystar Overtrousers, does anybody have any experience of them?

I don't really have the finances for Rukka gear before it is suggested.

[sjtscott]

SteelerSE said:

Mine are HG but from about 2011. Not massively bad leaks but enough to show that it's time to replace them. The question is what with...? Not sure I can stomach the cost of the Rukka gear.

Its a good question.. I'm a little stuck and also don't wish to pay the rukka tax.

Edit looking and J & S Website they have some billy basic gortex pants for £299 couple of brands richa being one, some then again at £399 alpinestars and then the rukka/klim super pimp stuff at £600+
I can goto £400 I think.. but I'll get in the shop try the pimping Klim stuff and walkout with a seriously lighter bank account.. then I'll be back next month to get the matching jacket lol

Edited by sjtscott on Tuesday 6th June 15:05

[mitzy]

WFH today or as Fleegle call's it my Duvet Day !!

Missed all the pants weather

[Tall_Paul]

I have a pair of held racetex like the other person, normally waterproof but not when the water is streaming in from my jacket arms...

My textiles have been letting in a lot more recently, had the usual wet crotch and t-shirt this morning, got some nikwax coming to try and re-waterproof them but I may end up going to my richa rain warrior jacket and trousers, at least they're 100% waterproof.

[Lemoncurd]

I picked up some Halvarssons textile trousers from Hideout the other month. Today was their first truly wet run out and I was very impressed arriving at the office with warm dry legs.

My old Spada waterproof boots on the otherhand were anything but. As if I had jumped into a lake with my socks on.

[2wheelsjimmy]

Tall_Paul said:

I have a pair of held racetex like the other person, normally waterproof but not when the water is streaming in from my jacket arms...

You ride a sports bike? I'm on an upright, never had water run into them. Could put my jacket over gloves but never bothered.

[Tall_Paul]

2wheelsjimmy said:

Tall_Paul said:

I have a pair of held racetex like the other person, normally waterproof but not when the water is streaming in from my jacket arms...

You ride a sports bike? I'm on an upright, never had water run into them. Could put my jacket over gloves but never bothered.

VFR800, so clip ons but not as low as sportsbike, still lower than anaked though which is why the water runs into them. They won't go inside my jacket sleeves either.

They're great gloves but not ideal in a downpour, the leather tends to get sodden and takes a while to dry.

[SteelerSE]

sjtscott said:

SteelerSE said:

Mine are HG but from about 2011. Not massively bad leaks but enough to show that it's time to replace them. The question is what with...? Not sure I can stomach the cost of the Rukka gear.

Its a good question.. I'm a little stuck and also don't wish to pay the rukka tax.

Edit looking and J & S Website they have some billy basic gortex pants for £299 couple of brands richa being one, some then again at £399 alpinestars and then the rukka/klim super pimp stuff at £600+
I can goto £400 I think.. but I'll get in the shop try the pimping Klim stuff and walkout with a seriously lighter bank account.. then I'll be back next month to get the matching jacket lol

The Held stuff looks quite good. I'm just going to have to go and try on a bunch of stuff.

I hate shopping.

[underwhelmist]

I was in Clerkenwell today, walked past an upturned GSX1400 that had just come second in an encounter with an Addison Lee minicab. Rider was already in ambulance by the look of it. Hope it's not serious and GWS.

[CAPP0]

SteelerSE said:

sjtscott said:

SteelerSE said:

Mine are HG but from about 2011. Not massively bad leaks but enough to show that it's time to replace them. The question is what with...? Not sure I can stomach the cost of the Rukka gear.

Its a good question.. I'm a little stuck and also don't wish to pay the rukka tax.

Edit looking and J & S Website they have some billy basic gortex pants for £299 couple of brands richa being one, some then again at £399 alpinestars and then the rukka/klim super pimp stuff at £600+
I can goto £400 I think.. but I'll get in the shop try the pimping Klim stuff and walkout with a seriously lighter bank account.. then I'll be back next month to get the matching jacket lol

The Held stuff looks quite good. I'm just going to have to go and try on a bunch of stuff.

I hate shopping.

Reminds from previous threads - don't forget to check whether it's Goretex or Goretex Pro. Difference is, "just" GTX is a separate layer of fabric in the clothing, it will keep you dry but the outer shell will get soaked and you'll feel colder (and probably feel damp even though you're not). GTX Pro is laminated to the outer shell, hence the outer shell never gets soaked and you feel much drier and warmer. Also dries much quicker so you won't be in wet gear on the way home/the following morning.

Rukka Tax notwithstanding, that is essentially why some GTX clothing is a lot more expensive than others. But worth it.

[Angrybiker]

Awesome highlight this morning, crossing the road after parking my bike. Stepped into the road while focusing on putting my ear plugs away, and into the path of a cyclist (who had to slow down a bit but not emergency stop), who said "whooa, you can't just go into the road without looking". HAHA HAHAHAHAHAA

[SteelerSE]

CAPP0 said:

Reminds from previous threads - don't forget to check whether it's Goretex or Goretex Pro. Difference is, "just" GTX is a separate layer of fabric in the clothing, it will keep you dry but the outer shell will get soaked and you'll feel colder (and probably feel damp even though you're not). GTX Pro is laminated to the outer shell, hence the outer shell never gets soaked and you feel much drier and warmer. Also dries much quicker so you won't be in wet gear on the way home/the following morning.

Rukka Tax notwithstanding, that is essentially why some GTX clothing is a lot more expensive than others. But worth it.

Thanks CAPP0. I plan to get the shell stuff but the various stores aren't good at highlighting what's what on their sites making it all the more frustrating. I guess I'll just have to sit through more Revzilla reviews to find the sort of thing that's going to work as they are at least comprehensive in their coverage.

I hate it when I go into the shop and know more about the product than the sales people. I may just live with it until later this "summer".

[sjtscott]

CAPP0 said:

SteelerSE said:

sjtscott said:

SteelerSE said:

Mine are HG but from about 2011. Not massively bad leaks but enough to show that it's time to replace them. The question is what with...? Not sure I can stomach the cost of the Rukka gear.

Its a good question.. I'm a little stuck and also don't wish to pay the rukka tax.

Edit looking and J & S Website they have some billy basic gortex pants for £299 couple of brands richa being one, some then again at £399 alpinestars and then the rukka/klim super pimp stuff at £600+
I can goto £400 I think.. but I'll get in the shop try the pimping Klim stuff and walkout with a seriously lighter bank account.. then I'll be back next month to get the matching jacket lol

The Held stuff looks quite good. I'm just going to have to go and try on a bunch of stuff.

I hate shopping.

Reminds from previous threads - don't forget to check whether it's Goretex or Goretex Pro. Difference is, "just" GTX is a separate layer of fabric in the clothing, it will keep you dry but the outer shell will get soaked and you'll feel colder (and probably feel damp even though you're not). GTX Pro is laminated to the outer shell, hence the outer shell never gets soaked and you feel much drier and warmer. Also dries much quicker so you won't be in wet gear on the way home/the following morning.

Rukka Tax notwithstanding, that is essentially why some GTX clothing is a lot more expensive than others. But worth it.

Yer I get that bit I'd love full pro kit, I just don't like it when its billy basic GTX (non pro) lining with a brand price hike but its basically the same quality cordura etc. I'll look into that and to be honest I'd pay more money to get proper pro kit all round.. my fabic/lined gtx gear absolutley soaked/minging after just a 7miles ride to work yesterday morning.

So speaking of non HG GTX pro does anyone have any recommendations?