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Fate caught up to me yesterday and, after avoiding getting caught in the rain for so long, I was caught in a massive downpour on my Rockster in downtown SF yesterday at about 6pm.... I got soaked!!! I rolled the dice and lost, big time. I think it's time to buy some real rain gear. Got so wet I had to go home to change and pick up my car to get to my next appointment... Clothes are still drying in the shower.

Ok, who makes good & really compact rain gear?

Here are the details on the storm....

T.


"Part of the Bay Area experienced a rare cloudburst on Thursday when a thunderstorm converged with a frontal system during the early evening, the National Weather Service said.

The drenching lasted for about 30 minutes, and a spotter for the weather service recorded a half-inch of rain in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood, forecaster Diana Henderson said.

She said the isolated thunderstorm cell swooped down from the north and got caught up with a funnel system from the south to produce the downpour.

"It was a freak occurrence," Henderson said. "It probably won't happen again (today), but I wouldn't write it off completely. We seem to have had lots of freak occurrences lately."

The drenching caused flooding in some areas as storm drains were overwhelmed, and the Weather Service issued flood advisories for those living near creeks and streams.

Mike Ho, a parking-valet attendant at the Wesfield San Francisco Centre at Market and Fifth streets, said shoppers trying to drive away were caught by surprise.

"Everybody just stopped," he said. "Nobody wanted to move because it was so hard to see. They all waited, and then pulled away very slowly."

Limousine driver Radi Almasri was en route to Fisherman's Wharf at the time.

"It came down all of sudden," he said. "Such heavy rain is unusual. It happens, but only about every five years or so. It got worse as we got closer to Fisherman's Wharf."

Forecaster Henderson said it will let up a bit in the next few days. She predicted scattered showers through Saturday, and partly cloudy skies for Sunday.

"I don't expect it to clear up for a while," she said.

I bought a stuffable rain jacket and pants made by First Gear over four years ago. I've ridden with them on for 7 hours straight in pouring rain to places like Atlanta on the interstate and have never gotten wet. All for a hundred bucks. That's my recommendation. I ride rain or shine, and never found these wanting.

Thanks!

A lot of people swear by Frog Toggs. I think the whole rig is about $60. I've see the top piece and the material is a fairly pleasant looking waterproof plastic. One of the real advantages of the motorcycle specific gear is the reflective panels that they have.

What Airman said. The Frogg Togs feel like Tyvek house wrap, because that's what it is. Light and compact and seem to last a while. Don't have them myself though.

I have the Frogg Toggs suit and it was near perfect for about two seasons. Then something happened to the material. It began to bead and unravel, is the best I can describe it. It was like spider-web stuff all over it and it pulled off in clumps. No kidding! Now it is nice for foggy weather but won't repel water worth a damn anymore. The last time I tried to use it in rainy weather on the bike, the water just soaked right through.

It IS light and compact and for a while it is great. But I think what Yong has, (the FirstGear stuff) or the Tourmaster Rain suit is better in the long run. I have the Tourmaster pants which come in handy for surprises, but now I usually just ride with my Darien pants most places.

Bought a set of BMW raingear last year and am very happy with it. Not as expensive as I thought and it looks good too. Great for cold weather riding also. The wind can't cut through the material. Wore them over the continental divide on the South side of the Eisenhower tunnel in the snow. Worked like a charm.

Here's some links:

http://www.sierrabmw.bigstep.com/item.j ... ID=1526175

http://www.sierrabmw.bigstep.com/item.j ... ID=1526176

Dan

I got soaked like that once. It was summertime, and I had mesh gear on.

One thing to think about is that a lot of water may come in around your cuffs and your ankles, even if you have rain gear on. Get something that gives you a tight fit in those areas.

Bob - I got soaked last spring wearing mesh gear! I had on all microfiber undies and shirt and just kept riding. When the sun came out, I was dry in about 5 minutes!

I got caught in a summer downpour one time in my Harley riding phase.... I was in leather. I must have weighed 50 pounds more than when I was dry. What a sponge.

EEEEyyyeeechhhh!

It was nasty.
Now I always carry a first gear rain jacket and wear warerproof pants.

Carol

wncbmw wrote:Bob - I got soaked last spring wearing mesh gear! I had on all microfiber undies and shirt and just kept riding. When the sun came out, I was dry in about 5 minutes!

I wish I had a happy ending like that!

I was riding home from work. I was stuck in traffic. I had your basic button shirt and khakis on underneath my mesh gear. Wet cotton is not fun! Then the traffic cleared and I was riding the interstate in the rain at about 50 mph or so, so I was then wet and cold.

On top of all that, when I was stuck in traffic, a plastic grocery bag blew across the highway and stuck to the exhaust cross pipe in the front. It made a sticky mess.

It was not one of my better days.

first gear rain gear is great for under 90 bucks or so.

if frogg toggs was 40 bucks total, i'd go for it. but they get good money for that stuff.

OK, so I bought some First Gear Splash Pants today for $36.00. Size XXL, they fit well over my jeans and boots... While talking to the sales girl, I mentioned I had a first gear Scirocco Jacket and she said I should waterproof it and recommended I treat it with Nikwax to improve it's water repellency... Anyone used Nikwax products? I bought the Tech Wash and TX.Direct Wash-In. I hope it works and isn't snake oil...
T.

toner87 wrote:OK, so I bought some First Gear Splash Pants today for $36.00. Size XXL, they fit well over my jeans and boots... While talking to the sales girl, I mentioned I had a first gear Scirocco Jacket and she said I should waterproof it and recommended I treat it with Nikwax to improve it's water repellency... Anyone used Nikwax products? I bought the Tech Wash and TX.Direct Wash-In. I hope it works and isn't snake oil...
T.

Nikwax is good stuff. I use those products.

I also use their wax on my boots.

Well, I follwed the Nikwax directions and treated my jacket in the washing machine. I will likely get a chance to test it's effectiveness this week. Our forecast calls for rain for the next 5 days...

There were more rainy days in March than ever before in San Francisco, Oakland, San Rafael and Santa Rosa, and the monotonous pounding is likely to continue for at least two more weeks, according to forecasters.

This is getting seriously tedious... I know, no sympathy from you guys in the midwest and on the east coast, but it ain't supposed to be like this out here!




T.

I always carry my First Gear in my system cases. If I am on a trip, I usually am wearing my Gore-Tex jacket (with rain pants in the cases), but for having a back up for summer on my communte to work, it's First Gear.

toner87 wrote:

There were more rainy days in March than ever before in San Francisco, Oakland, San Rafael and Santa Rosa, and the monotonous pounding is likely to continue for at least two more weeks, according to forecasters.

This is getting seriously tedious... I know, no sympathy from you guys in the midwest and on the east coast, but it ain't supposed to be like this out here!




T.

I'm up in the Seattle area. I wear GoreTex gear year round. I decided when I bought gear that I needed serious rain protection. Now the Darien pants have never bothered me, but the jacket has been it bit hot a time or two. Since I expect it to rain it's not a problem. Trouble with your area is it being dry so much that you don't carry rain gear. I'd buy the 1st Gear rain suit and just tuck it in the bag I think.