I planned on riding Raptor down to Savannah, Georgia this weekend to spend some time with friends from Ars Technica. I’ve been planning this trip for awhile, and I hoped this would be the “shake-down” cruise for my cross-country trip in June.
The problem is that there’s a 30% chance of thunderstorms when I’m traveling from Richmond to Georgia. And it’s supposed to be bloody hot.
I have gear to handle one or the other. My textile waterproof jacket will be great if I get caught in a storm, but it won’t breathe as well as my perforated leather gear. However, leather soaks up water like a sponge if I do get caught in the rain. I think either way I am going to be uncomfortable.
There is the option on bailing on the motorcycle altogether and driving my Mazda down. Just seems like a waste of an opportunity to ride.
Would you rather be rain-soaked and cooler, or dry but burning up? It’s supposed to be 90°F over the weekend; the warmest I’ve been in textile is 84°F and it was unpleasant but tolerable. I think I may go with the leather and deal with the consequences.
Better safe than sorry. I would go with the textile. You can always use the vents and take the liner out and you would be a little cooler. It also gives you a chance to test out the textile in the rain instead of in your shower ;) Good luck on your trip and be safe.
Leather - go for the comfort over the long haul - 30% isn’t much of a chance -
I once road across Iowa and Illinois in a rainstorm and it sucked bad-
It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing, it’s gonna suck in the rain.
If you do hit thunderstorms, you really ought to be getting under an overpass or off the road anyways - the downpours can really put down a lot of water once, and hydroplaning at 70mph is bad. It’s not worth the time difference.
Trust me on that one.
Too bad I haven’t been reading the forums much lately or I would have structured my weekend differently and we may have been able to even carpool or something. Oh well. Perhaps next time.
As a side note, I’m getting a new pistol soon and may need some (read:lots) of range time… I need to head down there to the range you mentioned before and perhaps we’ll meet up or something.