Hi-Way Surface differences

[K9]

O, man some of you guys have been through the ringer with different rideing conditions. sapaul has the right idea, get that beautyful machine out of the rain, LOL. I would to. I know rain will not hurt it but you know, new bike- well you guys understand I'm sure. So what is it about leather, will rain hurt it or not ? Now I;m confused, especially with the thought of " cows" out in the rain. Hey you know I'm looking at those Joe Rocket Perforated Speedmaster leathers, can ya emagine what ones legs would look like being caught in the rain on the highway. Holy crapies, what a mess...... Especially if ya ran into any road resurfacing work.!!!!!!!!!!

[zarakand]

A lot of leather stores have some sort of spray that you can spray over your leathers, that make it more resistant to water. I've never really cared enough to look into it, but just go to google and type "in leather care" or "leather and water" and you'll find all the information you need.

[K9]

I will have to look into that, thanks. I always thought you ride with leathers on and it rains so what- just keep rideing. But I admit I really do not know. That would be nice if that was all there was to it, not a care in the world rain or shine just ride. I guess nothing it that simple now a days.

[DustyJacket]

The rain is not that bad
.....
As long as you can stop for hot chocolate

Yup!

In my rack bag is a rainsuit and waterproof gloves.
That and a full face (flip up) helmet make rain OK, but I prefer not to.

[Kal]

I always wear my Leather, even when I am not on my bike its rare for me not to wear my leather.
(We have a picture of us both at Discovery Cove, Orlando. We are both wearing Leathers and I've got a fleece on under mine)

My Bike Leather will be 6 years old at Rock and Blues this year. It's been sunheated, rained on, snowed on, sleeted on, rained on, soaked through, had beer poured on it, been rained on, had the cat p*** on it, been rained on, done more than 38,000 bike miles, been rained on and endured my habit of not moving for street furniture when on foot, been down the road twice and did I mention its been rained on???

It dosnt look like new anymore. The elbows and shoulders are scuffed, there is a great dark stain on the back from the cat, the top of the jacket is all torn up from where the cat used it as a scratching post when she was a kitten* and the lining in the pockets is going.

That said. I have never treated it with anything, and apart from some er 'added character' it still looks good.

Don't stress about your leathers.


*No, I don't know how the cat made it through kittenhood either...

[blues2cruise]

I always wear my Leather, even when I am not on my bike its rare for me not to wear my leather.
(We have a picture of us both at Discovery Cove, Orlando. We are both wearing Leathers and I've got a fleece on under mine)

My Bike Leather will be 6 years old at Rock and Blues this year. It's been sunheated, rained on, snowed on, sleeted on, rained on, soaked through, had beer poured on it, been rained on, had the cat p*** on it, been rained on, done more than 38,000 bike miles, been rained on and endured my habit of not moving for street furniture when on foot, been down the road twice and did I mention its been rained on???

It dosnt look like new anymore. The elbows and shoulders are scuffed, there is a great dark stain on the back from the cat, the top of the jacket is all torn up from where the cat used it as a scratching post when she was a kitten* and the lining in the pockets is going.

That said. I have never treated it with anything, and apart from some er 'added character' it still looks good.

Don't stress about your leathers.


*No, I don't know how the cat made it through kittenhood either...

After that description I think we should have a picture.

[danial_1970]

Well when you buy you jacket or any leathers they are treatedand they recommend you treat them every so often. As far as the weather I have ridden through almost every kind of weather known to man kind. And yes you leathers do get dirty when riding in the rain but they have kept me dry for the most part and have kept me safe on the road. I to have also had a dealing with animals and my leather it was my wifes dog and the only reason it is still alive is my wife won't let me kill him. And plus my wife took my leather out and got it dried cleaned before I got home and found out (thanks for my daughter telling on the dog). And along with the question what does the rain do to the leather well depends on the quality of the leather.

[Shorts]

Rawhide/veg tanned leather will shrink after it is wet. That's what I (and many many others) use to make holsters. This leather will also stretch over time. Leather holsters without retention straps are normally snug enough to hold the gun securely, yet draw smooth. After a while the holster must be replaced when it no longer secures the gun.

Fashion leather, chrome tanned, suede and that sorta prepped stuff will not shrink. But they can dry and crack. So it's important to keep that moisturized. Always know what kind of leather you have and what moisturizers and oils you use. The same oil you slather over a baseball mit is NOT the same oil you put on a holster. You would end up with a floppy hunk of useless hide. Many oils breakdown leather fibers, which is how they keep leather 'supple'.

[JCS]

You can ride in the rain in your leather. Eventually the leather will soak it in and you will be very wet. And the leather gets very heavy. Get a rain suit.

With the right gear you can ride for hundreds of miles in the rain and stay completely dry and warm.

You do need to treat your leather periodically. I use a product called Lexol. They have a cleaner and a conditioner. Works great. I have one set of leathers that is 20 years old and look almost new. Leather is a big investment. Take care of them and they will last for years.

[DRam]

I use an el-cheapo plastic rain suit that keeps me dry and warm in the rain and takes very little space to store. Next purchase is booties. No amount of waterproofing has kept my fee dry. My guaranteed waterproof gloves have the same problem. As for riding in the rain, slow down, forget about dragging your knee and give yourself extra braking room. I don't mind riding in the rain, but then I'm not driving multi-lane speedways. Riding those in the rain would be a different story.