Rain Gear Tips for a Smart Purchase! Rain Gear 101
Here
in the Pacific Northwest, where it rains nearly every day, we depend on
our rain gear. Riders who shop at Eagle Leather don’t think twice about
a little rain, and that’s what makes us your rain gear experts. We’ve
compiled this introduction to rain gear for riders who have never
purchased it before. We call it Rain Gear 101.
Obviously riding
in the rain means you’re going to get wet, if not soaked. It’s like
running through the sprinklers in your backyard at 40+ mph. So if you’re
planning on riding for years to come, you’ll want to invest in rain
gear. Some top brands include: First Gear, Frogg Toggs, and Nelson-Rigg.
To cover yourself from head to toe, you would be looking to spend
between $100 and $300.
When selecting your body covering, you
will want to determine whether you want a one piece rain suit or two
pieces (a jacket and pants). One piece rain suits are often insulated
and may even come with built-in armor. Because it’s one covering, the
likelihood of water seeping through any openings is minimal. A two piece
suit is easier to put on and can be more convenient for many riders,
but there is the risk that the pants could ride down or the jacket ride
up if the fit isn’t right. You can usually purchase the two pieces as
one suit or each as separates.
Jackets come in an assortment of
colors with reflective material to improve visibility, and they are most
commonly made of nylon or PVC. Like any good jacket, they are usually
made with venting or some kind of breathable material to help keep the
rider from sweating. You’ll want to make sure you find a jacket with an
adjustable waist that will keep it from ballooning up while you ride.
Rain pants are usually nylon or PVC. Many come with boot straps or
suspenders, and because the material is so heat-sensitive, you will want
to look for rain pants that have a heat-resistant shield built on to
the lower leg.
Don’t forget your hands and feet! Waterproof
gloves are a must for riding in wet weather. Both men’s and women’s
gloves are usually insulated and constructed with three layers—the
middle layer being the waterproof one. Some gloves even come with a
squeegee! When it comes to your feet, over-boots are essential to
keeping your feet dry in the rain. They are actually intended to cover
your existing riding boots and are made of rubber or nylon with a
slip-resistant sole.
Rain Gear Tips: - Make sure the
protective qualities of your rain suit are good. The material of the
suit should be waterproof and keep you dry. - The suit should have
high visibility, with either bright colors or reflective tape that will
help you stand out on a dark, hazy day. - The entire suit does not
need to be heat resistant, but the legs should be. Any rider who has had
to get melted plastic off his or her motorcycle exhaust pipes knows
that. - Good quality rain gear will be breathable—meaning the suit lets moisture out without letting moisture in. - A good suit should pack in to a small storage space, such as a pouch or saddle bag. -
Two words: butt grippers. When it’s raining and you have to stop
quickly, you don’t want to be sliding around on your seat. A gripping
material on the butt portion of the pants is essential to keeping you in
one place when it’s raining.
18 Years of Helmet Laws In
honor of Eagle Leather's 18th anniversary, we're taking a look back. 18
years ago, Congress repealed ISTEA--a major transportation bill that
affected everything from highways to helmets. It gave states financial
incentives for writing and enforcing laws requiring the use of helmets
while riding. By repealing ISTEA, Congress put helmet laws back into
each state's hands, which subsequently resulted in many states doing
away with the controversial laws. However, research has proven time and
time again that helmet wear significantly reduces brain injuries and
fatalities in motorcycle crashes, which is why many states maintained
their helmet laws and still do to this day.
Anniversary Event - Sneak Peek We're excited to announce our anniversary events next week. Check your email and the Eagle Leather Facebook Page for updates. But we're giving you--our most loyal subscribers--a sneak peek at what we have planned.
- Guest speakers - Pet day! - In-store fashion show - A custom cake - ... and much more!
Yet, there’s no denying it: Unless you plan to ride exclusively around the Southern United States, you’ll face some chilly winters. And even before it...
