Rain – Page 2 – Not Your Average Engineer

December 16, 2009June 21, 2020

Frogg Toggs for Motorcycling

A few weeks back I ordered a couple of inexpensive pairs (clearance rack!) of Frogg Toggs. My buddy Carl informs me that these are some of the best rain suits one can get for motorcycling. I haven’t worn them in the rain yet but I thought I’d show a couple photos of me looking silly in them.

The two rain suits in their packaging.

A 2XL one piece rain suit that was on sale for $2. It fits when I am only in street clothes but would not fit over motorcycle apparel. I will use this as a passenger rain suit for those unexpected nasty days.

The two piece suit that should actually fit over my riding gear. The integrated hood will be nice for really bad days. The pants are just pants though so not the best for day upon day of torrential downpour.

December 15, 2009

Riding in the Rain for the First Time

On Thanksgiving day I had to brave the rain to get back to Corvallis. I finally got around to getting the photos off of my camera of my outfit. Since these photos were taken I got a proper set of waterproof riding gear. At the time though I was wearing jeans, a pair of cheap rain pants, a pair of plastic rain bibs, a fleece jacket, a leather jacket, a cheap raincoat, and a plastic jacket. For shoes I had a pair of rubber farm boots. While I was quite warm and very visible, I also looked a little funny going down the road.

The bright reflective vest is courtesy of a company I used to work for. The yellow plastic rain gear is from the farm as are the rubber boots. I used to harvest Christmas trees in that very pair of plastics.

I was warm and happy but a little soggy.

November 27, 2009July 1, 2020

Motorcycle Rain Dance

Yesterday I had the distinct pleasure to ride my motorcycle in the rain for the very first time. After putting on two layers of undergarments to keep me warm, my riding gear, a layer of goretex rain gear, and a layer of plastic rain gear I mounted my bike in a downpour. It was touch and go heading down my parents steep and twisty driveway. On the highway I ran into a big traffic jam going into Dundee. I stalled my bike about halfway through it but it fired right back up again. The clutch was being a bit touchy. Perhaps that’s the benefit of premium gasoline?

I discovered that I can keep my visor from fogging if I leave it open one click to allow air (and rain) to flow along the inside. Otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to see on the way down. Even with my visor clear, it was still difficult with all the fog and water flying everywhere. When I got to Corvallis I was very happy to be off the bike but also a little sad. It was fun riding in the rain!

Route Map