Rain Riding

Thats odd I swear by my Gortex Gloves, Jacket and Boots, a lot of times it's a case of you get what you pay for, the Gloves are the the high end end the time Alpinestars Tech Roadglove ( replaced by the 365 GTX ) which I've had the last 5 years and a still 100% waterproof they also have near Sports glove level of feel and as they allow water vapor out so never clammy which is a good thing to have in slippery conditions. One of the problems with my past "Waterproof" gloves eg Hipora is the rain works its way in through the Gauntlet down your arm although even taping that up with duct tape the membrane gave out after 2 - 3 hours of constant rain. ( Earlier times used to carry Belstaff wax cotton overmits )

The Alpinestars Gortex membrane even after 6-8 hours riding in continual at times torrential rain has never given out and as its gauntlet is slim it clamps down well UNDER the Tigerangel Gortex Jacket zip down cuff sleeves you don't get seepage under the membrane via the gauntlet. Mind they may be limited in Canada as the good comfort range is only between 7C/44f to 22C/71f.



What is great about having Quality Gortex Gloves, Jacket and Boots on tour is when rain hits while I only need to pull on my Rubber lined Thunderpants over the leather pants while everyone else is on the side of the road entertaining me with their Wet Weather Gear dance.

Tigerangel Jacket Linky:
Tiger Angel: Element Jacket - TA706

 

I am still not convinced on their claim. But I am in need of a new suit this coming winter anyways so I sent them a request on their warranty. If they will guarantee their product, then I have nothing to loose. If nothing else, I can always put my cheap rain suit over top one of those as easily as what I have now.

 

BTW. Average annual rainfall in Melbourne Australia is 650mm. Average annual rainfall in Chilliwack Canada 1788mm. And we have been blessed with stinky dairy cow shit too. I am not too concerned about the temps. I ride in -9 c but have the heated gear to help that way. But that is freeking cold regardless. 7 c is a balmy winter day for me. Stay tuned. I am never to proud to admit a product has proven me wrong

 

Though concede your weather extremes are far more demanding than ours so suspect they would wear earlier but not all Gortex gloves are equal, an all weather rider I work with told me much the same as yourself but when pressed he spilled out his were $20 bargain bin Gortex snow gloves not 200 dollar motorcycle gloves. The day I first tested the Alpinestars waterproofness was 05/06 during 8 hrs of all day Coastal rain was told the worst at that time in 12 years and parts of the road closed due to severe flooding soon after. This year we've had record rains around Sydney and 6 years on can still vouch for their integrity. My Gortex Jacket while good quality ( $600 ) is the 2nd since 2003 and last rain ride was only about 3 hours felt a dampness develop through one patch in in the forearm of one sleeve so time to wash with Nikwax Techwash to refresh the Gortex.

 

While I love my Australian made Tiger Angel Element jacket ( they also have and excellent Leather Goretex Jacket ) think them great for our Summers and with thermal layering ok for our Winters but too light weight for your Winters, if I really needed a high quality Gore-tex Jacket for proper cold weather and had the money I'd go for a Finnish RUKKA Jacket, their quality is supposed to be superb and the Finns like Canadians know a thing or 2 about the cold.



Rukka Range Linky:
Rukka Motorcycle Clothing Gore Tex Textile Jackets

 

Hey Randy, how did the pinlocks work out for you?

 

EXTREMELY WELL. I am very please to announce. I am quite surprised at that. A couple times they "tended" to have a little condensation build up but they were incredibly better than not having them. I am impressed. But next winter will tell the story for sure. I will re-generate the Shoei helmet post then and give this thing a final overview.

And the people at Shoei have been superb in customer service to me. Except their tech took my e-mails to Japan instead of buying me and airline ticket so I could take my own e-mails there for them. I mean what could have been better for them than to have the real author of those e-mails on hand to speak to the topic.....they didn't agree.