Motorcyclist

Motorcycle Rain Gear

By Mitch Boehm

March 11, 2011

We know...it's a miserable March for most of you in the nation's upper tier, and the thought of liquid precipitation is about as far away as an Alaskan igloo. But spring showers are on their way, so we figured a short overview of some of the latest rain gear would be apropos. The coolest part is there's a lot more available these days than the obligatory PVC-coated plastic suit. You've got waterproof textile jackets, leather gloves and boots, and much more. On we go, then...

BMW KlimaKomfort SuitConstructed of tear-resistant Taslan made waterproof by a Gore-Tex liner and comfortable by a mesh inner lining, BMW's KlimaKomfort jacket ($225) and pants ($150) take a high-end approach to wet-weather riding. Features include welded seams, oil and fuel resistance, reflective piping, rubber- coated buttons, two pockets (one waterproof), Velcroadjustable wrist and leg enclosures and an adjustable waist belt on the jacket. Both the jacket and pants come in men's sizes S-XXL. www.bmw-riders-gear.com

Aerostich Emergency Boot And Glove RaincoversDon't you just hate it when a supposedly clear day turns dark and wet? You won't despise that quite as much if you've got these two items stashed in your tankbag or under your saddle. Aerostich's Emergency Boot ($57) and Glove ($47) Raincovers are just the ticket when things turn wet unexpectedly. Constructed of waterproof ripstop nylon with sealed seams, these booties and mitts pack small and go on right over your regular riding hand- and footwear. They come in men's sizes M-XL. www.aerostich.com

Tour Master Sentinel Jacket And PantsHere's the maximum example of that obligatory PVC-coated rainsuit we mentioned earlier. Tour Master's Sentinel zip-together jacket and pants feature a waterproof and breathable nylon shell with sealed seams and an oversized fit for use over riding gear. The jacket sports Tour Master's under-the-helmet Aqua-Barrier, which helps eliminate seepage in the neck area, while waterproof zippers and underarm vents keep your torso dry. There's also a self-contained storage pouch and plenty of waterproof pockets, plus 3M Scotchlite piping for conspicuity. It's available in men's sizes XXS-XXXL for $64.95. The pants incorporate strategically placed Nomex that protects the inner legs from engine and exhaust heat. They come in men's sizes XS-XXXXL for $69.99. Both the jacket and pants are also available in women's sizes.www.tourmaster.com

Alpinestars RJ5 Rain Jacket And PantsThink Alpinestars, and you typically picture snazzy roadrace duds. But the company also offers a budget-oriented rain combo that's easy to don and comfortable aboard your bike. The RJ-5 Rain Jacket ($49.95) and Pants ($39.95) feature rip-stop nylon construction and an oversize design. The inner mesh liner on both pieces is comfortable and helps keep perspiration at bay, while neck, wrist and waist adjustments allow a snug fit once donned. They come in black only, in men's sizes S-XXXL and kids' sizes S-L.www.alpinestars.com

Joe Rocket Ballistic 7.0 JacketThe Rocketmen's latest all-weather, 100 percent waterproof technical jacket is the Ballistic 7.0, a nylon-skinned garment fitted with CE-rated armor (including removable spine protection), full venting, a removable liner, an adjustable waistband, reflective piping for conspicuity and a zipper to connect it to Joe Rocket pants. Several two-tone color combos are offered, including black/black, red/black and gray/black. It's offered in sizes S-XXL (up to 4XL in black/black) for $249.95.www.joerocket.com

Fieldsheer Cobra Gloves And Rain GatorYou don't normally think of leather as being waterproof, but Fieldsheer's new Cobra gloves ($109.95) are just that. They feature drum-dyed leather construction, Kangaroo-leather palms with Kevlar and gel reinforcement, Thinsulate insulation, soft Bemberg inner liners, Velcroadjustable wrists and cuffs and what Fieldsheer calls its "Rainguard waterproofing/breathable membrane." Sizing runs from XS-3XL. The company's Rain Gator ($19.95) is also unique: a Nomex-treated, three-strap gauntlet that can be worn on either leg to prevent the pipe and engine from burning your rainsuit.www.fieldsheer.com

Firstgear Rainier TPG JacketFirstgear's new Rainier jacket is part of an entirely new line of technical performance gear (thus the TPG moniker) that features a three-part system of protection, temperature control and waterproofness. The Basegear layer is designed to act as a "second skin" of sorts, and to keep you dry. Layer two is the Tech layer, a temperature "control valve" designed to keep you warm or cool, depending on the weather. The outer shell offers a multitude of features, including pockets, reflective panels, Knox shoulder and elbow armor, and a cord-controlled vent system. It's available in men's sizes S-4XL for $399.95. www.firstgear-usa.com