Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

...whatever you buy, make sure you have a BIT of space int he crotch area - seriously...

Repeatedly stretching a leg over the seat when mounting/dismounting, puts a lot of stress on a SEAM, and if that seam is on the tight side, it gets a stretch nearly every time, and is a potential weak point...

and that very area is susceptible to pooling of rain-water, and this fact, COUPLED with the seam-stretching explanation, is a weak area.

I own a BMW 'yellow banana' suit, and enjoy it, a lot, BUT you need to be aware that, when wearing a neck brace, going for anything other that a 'widdle' takes time, and sometimes a helper is needed to ease the one-piece off of one shoulder...! For the 'sitting-down' part!

We sell rain suits (Oxford, Bone-Dry); shout if you want advice/help.

Cheers

Chris & Team

I would not get a one-piece:

• Difficult to access crucial body parts when you need to ;-)  The same goes for pockets in your pants or jacket (like my wallet and phone and hearing aids - I keep them underneath everything, and occasionally need to hitch up the rain jacket or slip my hand into the rain pants to get to my internal pockets.
• If the crotch leaks, the whole suit is useless.  With a jacket and pants you only need to replace the pants.
• It is no more waterproof than jacket and pants - I commute come rain or shine and have never had a problem with water ingress between the pants and jacket.  The main vulnerabilities are around your neck, water running down your sleeves into your gloves, and the crotch area when the pants become old.

I'm with Charles on this one. Buy the best you can afford. There is nothing worse in this entire world than having a wet crotch area and rain seeping past the liner and being cold as a result!!!.

I have had the BM W one piece, excellent quality, try going for a pee or looking for your wallet at the petrol station.

This experience does not amuse me, I bought my 2 piece suit and schlepped it around the country and it never  rained. 

I have both a one and a two piece.

The 1 piece is the genuine BMW item. I have had it for many years (10 I guess) and it has served me extremely well and is still 100% water tight. That is keeping the water "out" and not "in".

The inner "crutch" are which so often lets water in has always kept me dry.

As Charles says there is no pocket so keeping your items lake wallets etc is problematic.

I have difficulty getting the suit on and off over my BMW Rallye jacket without assistance. It catches on the shoulder pads.

Not cheap.

During this time I have had a few 2 piece suits.

Easy to get on and off without assistance.

Has pockets. Not sure if this is good or bad as they sometimes let water in.

I have never had one that does not let water in somewhere.

Depending on which one you buy they are not very expensive.

In the event of a "side stand" incident you can replace the top or bottom separately.

NB!!!!!!!!! Do not wash either of them in normal detergent as it effects their "water proofing"!

Cape Union Mart sells a special product to wash water proof clothing in.

I have never used it but biker friends swear by it.

Thanks for the info, I will go look at a few places and see what they have. Years ago, I used to commute from Somerset West to Bellville every day by bike, rain or shine. Used to wear those old rubberised rain suits and they worked quite well, until the rubber eventually starts to flake off.

Also had a pair of 'Totes' soft overboots like a pair of flexible wellies that you pull over your shoes to keep your feet dry. These worked very well and kept the rain out - and it used to RAIN in those days!

Never found a solution for the gloves though. Tuck them in and the wind blows the rain up your sleeves. Don't tuck them in and the water runs down your sleeves at the robots, into your 'waterproof' gloves. Yuck!

And the wet crotch syndrome - don't even go there!

There is some really good kit on the market that I use for hiking in the rain, but I don't think it's robust enough to use on a bike. Very light and takes up minimal space, folds up really small, Breathes well and keeps the rain out.

Go to Flying Brick - they have few ranges of rain gear specially for bikes.

thanks, Charles,...

and we stock/sell OVERBOOTS, never know WHEN you might need overboots....in the heat of the Tankwa Karoo! 

Cheers, Chris & Team

Hi Trevor.

On the cheaper side. I have bought 2 x 2piece suites for wife and I in 2011 from Pienaar Brothers in Paarden Island. Normal commercial suits being used by outdoor workers. 2011 it was R120 per suit. Packs away in my crashbar bags on the sides of my GS. Have used it during a snow and serious hail storm way back in 2011 in the USA Route 66 trip. Used mine several occasions during unexpected rain afterwards on trips and it is still worth every sent. Similar suits are available at the AGRI Shops around Cape Town. This was definitely worth my money not using it daily. If it goes bad, throw away and buy a new set. Using mine since 2011. Different colors available for high visibility. Your choice.

Good luck in finding what you like.

Jacques

Hi Jacques

I tried those type but they do let in water in the seat area

Also have 2 - two pieces and 1 BMW 1 piece.

If it's really raining hard or I know I'm going to hit rain I take the one piece. It's 1 size bigger so It fits over everything. It doesnt have pockets so You need to zip the front down and fiddle in your jacket pockets when stopped and need stuff. A pain yeah but this thing stays bone dry.

I've ridden in serious serious downpours with this. Not one leak.

Then I have a nice one from Flying Brick. I think it's called Oxford.

They are mostly fine as well but on heavy downpours I've had a few drops get in here and there creating a wt patch or 2. Nothing major.
This is my everyday packed rainsuit in winter since it's more convienient than the full on suit, or I'll ride with my Richa Waterproof summer pants over a jean and take the Oxford top.

Now if I can only find a solution I like for my MX boots. :-/ These things always lets some water in somewhere as it is breathable. Might have to look at those overboots. Or use checkers packet like the good old days

I have some trials boots that I ride in - Gaerne Oiled.  They are waterproof (I walk in rivers with them during trials).  And they breathe (i.e. my feet are comfortable even in hot weather).  Truly marvellous boots.  Cost me about 5k.  The other plus about them is they are comfortable for walking/hiking/climbing/pushing bikes in thick sand...

So the name is of the boot is Gearne Oiled? I'll look at them when I need to get new boots. WHo stocked them when you bought if I may ask?

I tried on the Oxford suit at Flying Brick but it didn't fit me nicely. I'm quite lanky and the arms were too short. If I'd taken the next size up to get the arm length it would have hung on me like a tent! On some of the other forums and sites they make reference to the arm length in the Oxford suit.

Also, why do these suits have a lining? You don't need one, your bike jacket and pants is the lining. The lining makes it heavier and bulkier and it's not necessary. If you go down, lining or not, you'll still tear it so it seems superfluous to me. All you need is a waterproof shell and if it's also breathable, so much the better.

I was at Donford in town, looking for riding pants for my wife, when I stumbled upon the BMW two-piece suit. I tried it on and it fit like a glove, with plenty of room all around. The arms are nice and long and the legs long, to fit my lanky frame. So I shelled out the money and bought it. Not cheap, but sometimes it's better to pay a bit more and get what works best for you.

Took it on our trip up the Garden Route and back down Route 62, but didn't get to test it. I don't expect any problems though.

My next challenge is to find a pair of proper bike boots that fit me correctly. 

"Gaerne Balance Oiled"

Got them online from a German bike website.  Turns out they are made in Italy.  I was expecting to pay about R3k at the time (with exchange rate being a lot better in those days), but after the ANC taxed them I spent about 5k.

Still, worth the money - they are supremely comfortable, and look good to boot.

Dang...nice looking boots! Thanks.

I need to look into the riding funds....I think I know what my next boots could be :)

I have the same issue. Need to alwasy buy a size up cause the stuff is too short.. I'm not that tall but it seems the lankyness is the issue :)

I currently ride with Thor MX boots. They have been amazing for everything from enduro to adventure riding to commuting. Even carried a friend with a broken leg up hectic passes and rocks... I did have some blisters but considering....it has held up really well for at the time being R999 boots.

They are however not waterproof and if it rains hard I get wet patches on my socks. Not ideal. I also cannot walk through the water like Charles -  mine will be drenches inside.