Question for the Bikers!

[Windy Miller]

Can anyone recommend me a decent set of waterproof trousers please? Something breathable with Goretex or Sheltex or similar.

I currently have some Bering trousers that have been OK for about 5 or 6 years, but they have a ripped crotch, and my equipment is getting a bit soggy!

What I would like is something that is fairly durable (gets worn nearly every day), has good armour (or the option to fit it), and has a detatchable winter lining. Oh and I'd prefer it to be black. Budget of £100 max.

Any suggestions?

 

[Robotstar5]

I'll watch this thread as I'm looking for some as well, currently just use waterproofs over leathers. I'm sure todays ce armoured waterproofs are better than the (1980s) leathers?.

 

[stef1]

I have been using Richa waterproof trousers/jacket for the last year and a bit. No complaints so far.
I had to do my bike test in ridiculously heavy rain, also had to carry my own documents in my pocket - not a single bit of water on any of them.
Removable liner so not too warm and bulky for the summer, waterproofing seems good so far and they were about £100. Oh and black with armour.

 

[chunkolini]

Have a loo at the Hein Gericke website http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/clothing/motorcyle-clothing/pants.html
Some nice waterproof pants, suppose that is handy to chaps of a certain age when you want the damp keeping in.
There are some breathable ones in the 120-150 bracket.
Worth paying for breathability.
Armoured waterproofs are amazing compared to the junk from the 80's.
I have had my two piece from them for about 6 years, still waterproof, the jacket is getting tatty in the liner by the zips.

 

[Robotstar5]

Still got my Lewis leathers jacket with the tassles on sleeves form the 70's (admittedly it's a bit tight now ) standard riding gear then was leather jacket, oily jeans and work boots!.

 

[Angusdog]

Richa jacket just starting to reach its end of days at the age of 15 or so. Don't know if you can get DriRider gear in the UK but I'm very impressed, better than Richa and cheap.

 

[Dave Sherwood]

Been riding for 51 years now and the only true waterproof I have found are the Old Style waxed clothing. I use a 1980's waxed jacket and trousers and can honestly say I have never been wet yet. Also easier to remove and put on than leathers and only need waxing every five years with Waxol. Complete set only cost around £90 for excellent quality.

 

[Robotstar5]

I agree about waxed cotton, had a Belstaff jacket in the 80's, eventually wore it out, only downside is not much protection if sliding down the road

 

[julianthegypsy]

I have a pair of textile trousers from lewis leathers, they cost me £60 five years ago and have been all over britain and commuting through winter without fail. It's worth shopping around as you can pick up all kinds of reduced stuff out of season. My jacket came from frank thomas, it's a winter jacket so was reduced from £100 to 60 in spring, then it still didn't sell by autumn so I picked it up for £30 on the bargain rack!

 

[AndyStobbs]

Used to have texport waterproofs. They were very good.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Can't help with the question but a memory kicked in of my youth which sends shivers down my back:

Summers day, Triton 650cc café racer, blasting down country A roads and wearing jeans and T shirt and NO helmet, it was not law then, never even had one the first time I was flat on the tank and managed the magic ton.

Hell..it's painful and embarrassing at times remembering how invincible youth made you feel. and how stupid it made you look.

 

[zzr1200]

Goretex hit the bike shops now for last year stock clear out.....bargains to be had.....Good luck.

 

[Windy Miller]

Well thanks for the advice -ill do a bit of Googling, and I'll probably pay a visit to Henry Gerkin at the weekend. Good idea about end of season stuff - hopefully some bargains to be had.

Watch this space for a trouser update!

 

[julianthegypsy]

One thing to avoid is the multi-layer stuff, on some of them it's the inner warm layer that's waterproof, so in the warmer months you remove it to avoid boiling then find yourself soaked when it rains, and freezing because you are now soaked and in a howling wind. Not good!

 

[robocog]

What you want is Flexothane
(your nearest famers gaff will have em - or they are available on eBay)
completely waterproof, very flexy and durable and dont crinkle when you walk
They are pretty breathable as well and pretty inexpensive compared to "specialist" stuff
Will roll down small enough to stuff into a small bumbag/under some seats

(I tend to wear em on the outside of textile kex with padding and went with a size bigger thn I actually require)

Regards
Rob

 

[Windy Miller]

What you want is Flexothane
(your nearest famers gaff will have em - or they are available on eBay)
completely waterproof, very flexy and durable and dont crinkle when you walk
They are pretty breathable as well and pretty inexpensive compared to "specialist" stuff
Will roll down small enough to stuff into a small bumbag/under some seats

(I tend to wear em on the outside of textile kex with padding and went with a size bigger thn I actually require)

Regards
Rob

Not a bad shout actually. I have a jacket made of that and it's never let in a drop of water. Maybe I'll keep my Bering trousers and slip a pair of flexothane ones over the top?

 

[Robotstar5]

Does any one else find when they go to work on the bike, you walk in and some one is bound to say "on the bike then?" I generally answer "no, I just like wearing leather"

 

[robocog]

best bits of kit I have ever bought as far as keeping dry and clean
I wear a set at work (scrap yard) in winter and they see plenty of stuff that seems to eat its way through most other materials

The only thing that seems to kill em is snagging them on sharp stuff rendering them less and less effective as the hole counts grow :-)

Regards
Rob

 

[Windy Miller]

Does any one else find when they go to work on the bike, you walk in and some one is bound to say "on the bike then?" I generally answer "no, I just like wearing leather"

Lol yeah I get that a lot! People are very strange sometimes!

 

[Windy Miller]

Update Time!

Well I went trouser shopping today, and ended up spending more than I intended - always the way! Well as I will wear them nearly everyday I thought it was worth the extra money!

After a bit of hunting around, I finished up at Henry Gherkin, and bought a pair of these: http://http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/hein-gericke-maxwell-v-sheltexr-hose-schwarz.html
There were a few other choices, and some I preferred the look of, but these were the ones that fitted best, and the 2 year waterproof and fastening guarantee sold them to me!

If you are taller than me (5'9"), there are some really good deals on Alpine Stars stuff at the moment. I would have like some, but they are SO long in the leg. I also saw some HG ones for about £600 . What's that all about???