Might seem an odd question but I've only recently started wearing leathers for riding on sunny days. Worn textiles when I had to commute 20k miles a year and couldn't be arsed waiting for them to dry out in wet weather. I am off to the TT this Thu and the weather for the whole of my visit looks lovely. So my noob question is if I wear my leathers and it does rain how long does it take for them to dry out. I'm also guessing they won't keep the rain out so will get chilly on my early o clock return journey. TIA
If it lashes down it will take approximately ages for them to dry out. If just an occasional shower you should be ok.
You mightn’t have enough time before Thursday, but I highly recommend ‘feeding’ the leather with DucksWax when you can. While your leathers won’t be waterproof, I found DucksWax adds more water-repellence than anything else. NB: It takes at least 24h for the leather food to be absorbed. So, don’t ‘feed’ them immediately before riding! Otherwise, every bit of road grime will adhere to your sticky leathers. Don’t ask me how I know
You can smear the leather with dubbing, rub it in, wave a warm air current over it so it melts/ sinks into the hide and that should give you a fair amount of rain proofing. There's also a few waterproofing leather sprays you could try too? Your leathers should dry out relatively quickly if the sun comes out. But it might not appear again until July! Definitely have plenty of aftershave with you as sopping wet leathers smell bad...
Leathers take an age to dry. you can put waxes etc on them which makes them ever so slightly more resistant. But the reality is… If it rains…. You’ll be wetter a submarines number plate
10 minutes to dry out on the bike if only a shower. But if torrential and you are soaked through to your balls then at least 24 hours. If your leathers get a “balks deep” soaking then dry they will benefit from a feed to keep them supple. But you are going to the TT so don’t stress it. Wear them, get wet, get dry. I’d be more concerned about finding your tent at the end of the night. You can sort your leathers when you get home. Enjoy yourself.
Indeed, it’s a good option because the sprays should soak into the leather quickly. And while no spray is as good as DucksWax, who could resist Dr Wack’s S100?
I used wear this over leathers.. Rukka one piece oversuit.. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=rukka+one+piece+waterproof&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&vet=1&fir=12jnSBPxXRZ_xM%2CXlyBeLRhDKBm5M%2C_%3BGY6jbSCQVtLNoM%2CXlyBeLRhDKBm5M%2C_%3BqskpHlSOhg9QVM%2CXlyBeLRhDKBm5M%2C_%3B0FLIHOAeiJVxxM%2CNI9C3DRI89ewzM%2C_%3Boo6qDm1DWUY9hM%2CNI9C3DRI89ewzM%2C_%3BvpMLct0drwHG_M%2CNI9C3DRI89ewzM%2C_%3BUMod3XWoH9wmYM%2CXlyBeLRhDKBm5M%2C_%3BRce-tVOoqIwBVM%2C4Y_HefYVn7tOWM%2C_%3Bjo4s9jCGNNenKM%2Chnxqm30x7tx-CM%2C_%3Byz79tfIGm3pe9M%2CNI9C3DRI89ewzM%2C_&usg=AI4_-kRq9eb8QrCOZdVOOTs3wgTV2PtKYA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigwPLNs4j4AhUSXMAKHaiACX0Q9QF6BAg1EAE#imgrc=oo6qDm1DWUY9hM
As has been said leathers take an age to dry. I got caught out yesterday with textile jacket but leather pants. I’ve now got the pants in the airing cupboard. A few years ago I was caught out in Scotland to the extent that I had to pour water out of my boots when I got back to the hotel. My leathers took over a fortnight to dry out in the airing cupboard when I got home!
Thanks all, think I'll just go in my textiles. Looking forward to giving the Multi a good blast over the mountain for sure. First time at that TT but have driven round when visiting the island for work. She's polished and definitely has a look about her I think. Haha
The good thing with the Multi is that you’ve got a decent amount of weather protection. Your legs shouldn’t get that wet, unless it properly cacks it down the whole time, so just take a small over jacket with you. Ducati do one for about £30 IIRC, and it says Ducati on it & everything, so you’ll look well cool.
Blimey, that’s a blast from the past!I still have my red and graphite Rukka suit buried somewhere in a cupboard - complete with Bazzer autograph emblazoned on the chest. Wore this in torrential rain quite a lot in the 80’s and stayed completely dry.
Don't forget your gloves. I wear neoprene gloves underneath my bike gloves. If you keep your hands dry they will stay a lot warmer and more comfortable if you get caught in heavy rain .
Another vote for a rainsuit something like this, will flap about a bit at *ahem higher speeds but worth it and folds up into a wallet size. Dainese Rain Antrax Waterproof Over Suit Mens Rain 1 Piece Motorcycle Black J&S | eBay
Generally it’s not the surface of the leather suit that lets in the wats. It’s the zips, seams, fabric panels and perforated areas. As others have said just take an oversuit with you.
