Finding the Best Motorcycle Rain Suits: Don't Let the Weather Ruin Your Ride

By eliminating the waist gap of a jacket and trouser combo, a one-piece suit offers unbeatable protection against heavy rain. The best motorcycle rain suits feature fully taped seams and a long, asymmetrical zip that makes it easy to get in and out. Top recommendations include the Alpinestars Hurricane V2 and the Ixon Compact Suit for an emergency option.

The best motorcycle rain suits for:

• Track days: Alpinestars Hurricane V2 Rain Suit
• Visibility: Dririder Hurricane 3 Fluro One Piece Suit
• Touring: Dririder Hurricane Flex One Piece Suit
• Cruising: RST Waterproof One Piece Suit
• Emergencies: Ixon Compact Suit

It's natural to reach for the car keys the moment the sky turns grey. Sure, riding is better than driving, but staying dry is far better than arriving damp.

Water is sneaky. Even when you're wearing a waterproof jacket and rain pants, there's still the gap between the two where drizzle and road spray inevitably creeps in, leaving you feeling damp and defeated.

But if the fatal flaw is the waist gap, there's a simple solution: get rid of it. That's precisely what motorcycle rain suits do, forming a truly impenetrable barrier that keeps you bone dry.

At Bikebiz, we've spent 25 years testing motorcycle wet weather gear in Sydney's unique conditions, from torrential summer downpours to frosty winter morning drizzle. In this guide, we'll help you navigate the world of motorcycle rain suits, so you can stay dry on the road and ride whenever you want, no matter the weather.

Why a one-piece rain suit is the ultimate wet weather defence

If a storm stands between you and your destination, a waterproof motorcycle over suit is the only way to guarantee a dry arrival.

Two-piece wet weather gear, even long jackets and perfectly fitted pants, will always have some form of waist gap. With rain coming down from above and road spray coming up from below, your mid-section can get soaked.

A one-piece suit, meanwhile, acts as a seamless shield, wicking off every single drop. Key features to look for in a heavy duty motorcycle rain suit include:

• Asymmetrical zips: Modern step-in motorcycle rain suit designs feature long, diagonal zips that run from the neck to the knee, making them incredibly easy to pull over bulky boots and armoured jackets, even when you're on the curb.
• Taped seams: Taped seam motorcycle rain suits see every internal stitch heat-sealed with waterproof tape, preventing water from seeping through, particularly when the wind is buffeting you at highway speeds.
• Heat resistant panels: Waterproof fabrics are very rarely heatproof, so the best motorcycle rain suits will feature additional protective panels on the inner legs to prevent the gear from melting against your exhaust.

5 best motorcycle rain suits for every riding occasion

Beyond features and size (which we'll get to soon), there are a few key considerations you should make when selecting a waterproof motorcycle over suit: your riding position, your riding style and the duration of your journeys.

To help you identify the right option, here are our picks for the best one piece in a few different riding situations.

Occasion 1: The high-speed track star

You ride a sportsbike or naked bike, so you spend a lot of your time in a tuck. You need an aerodynamic fit that won't flap violently at highway speeds, stick to your expensive leathers, or create drag that hurts your time on track days.

Our recommendation: Alpinestars Hurricane V2 Rain Suit

Constructed from 100% waterproof, ultra-lightweight, PU-coated poly-nylon, this Alpinestars one piece rain suit features an inner mesh lining to stop it clinging against your leathers, while an ergonomic cut minimises drag and flapping at high speeds.

Occasion 2: The high-vis urban commuter

You travel to and from work, through heavy traffic where you can become almost invisible in the greyness and spray of a rainy day. Waterproofing is critical in these conditions, but visibility can be even more important.

Our recommendation: Dririder Hurricane 3 Fluro One Piece Suit

Pairing a retina-burning neon yellow tint with reflective detailing for low light conditions, the Dririder Hurricane 3 is a piece of hi-vis motorcycle rain gear that will catch the eye of even the most distracted driver. A diagonal zip and large leg cuffs simplify entry and exit, while elasticised velcro closures maintain the waterproof integrity of the suit for every commute.

Occasion 3: The long-distance tourer

Facing the prospect of riding in a downpour for six hours straight? You need a heavy duty motorcycle rain suit that acts as a fortress against water, while feeling comfortable for long stints over a bulky touring jacket.

Our recommendation: Dririder Hurricane Flex One Piece Suit

Waterproof motorcycle touring gear doesn't come much more protective than the Hurricane Flex, which features Dri-Tex, a 4-way stretch material that offers excellent freedom of movement and slips over your road gear with ease. The minor features – a waterproof internal pocket, grip panels on the seat – make a big difference to the riding experience too.

Occasion 4: The highway cruiser

Riding in an upright position on a cruiser or adventure bike can create a bucket in your lap, and when water pools in your groin it can slowly seep through traditional road gear. You need something to stop the rot.

Our recommendation: RST Waterproof One Piece Suit

Built to combat what we'll questionably call crotch-pooling, this motorcycle rain suit features an asymmetrical front opening that runs off-centre down the leg, so there's no zipper directly in the lap area where water typically collects. Add in taped seams, and you'll enjoy a bone-dry ride no matter what you're cruising through.

Occasion 5: The just-in-case option

You're a fair-weather rider – and who can blame you – but you're looking for a break-glass suit; an emergency option that doesn't take up too much space, but that can get you out of a wet weather jam.

Our recommendation: Ixon Compact Suit

The name says it all: if you're looking for packable motorcycle rain gear, this little number folds down as small as any, into a space-saving pouch that will squeeze into even the most compact panniers and pillion compartments. It's packed with features too, including reflective panels, back vents and a large zipped opening.

Sizing your rain suit: the golden rules

The single most common mistake that riders make is stepping up a size so everything fits in. But your best bet is to stick to your standard size.

Manufacturers are fully aware that you'll be wearing often bulky road gear beneath your motorcycle rain suit, and design them to account for that fact. So if you wear XL, buy XL, even if you need it to fit over leathers with bulky race humps or winter touring jackets lined with thermal layers.

That's not to say that you won't ever need to size up, but your standard size should always be your starting point. This is why we always recommend heading in store to get fitted by our experts, but for those shopping online, our brand-by-brand size guides might help.

Motorcycle rain suit FAQs

Is it hard to put on a one-piece motorcycle rain suit over boots?

Not if you choose the right design. Most modern suits feature an extra-long diagonal zip that extends down the leg, and extra wide leg gussets, so you get a big gap to step in without removing your boots: a lifesaver when you're caught in a sudden downpour and need to suit up roadside.

Will a motorcycle rain suit melt against my exhaust pipe?

It can if it lacks heat protection. Standard nylon or polyester melts when it touches a hot header pipe or muffler, which is why high-quality suits from the likes of Dririder and Alpinestars often feature heat-resistant panels on the inner calves. If your exhaust is exposed, choose a suit with these panels.

Can I wash my motorcycle rain suit in a washing machine?

It isn't usually recommended. Washing machines can delaminate waterproof membranes and damage taped seams. The safest approach is to just wipe it down with a damp cloth and mild soap then air dry it in the shade, but the care label on the suit will tell you exactly what you can safely get away with.

Outmanoeuvre Mother Nature with Bikebiz

Don't let bad weather change your plans, limit your riding season or compromise your safety. A high-quality wet weather one-piece is an essential investment for any serious rider, offering a level of protection that two-piece gear just can't match. The best motorcycle rain suits do it all, upping your visibility, dealing with downpours and ensuring you are dry on arrival.

At Bikebiz, we pride ourselves on exclusively stocking the most trusted brands in road wet weather gear and protective apparel. Browse our market-leading range of road wet weather one piece suits online, or visit our in-store experts at Parramatta or Granville to find a suit that suits today.