Motorcycle overtrousers

What riding demands

On a motorcycle, rain is driven into you at road speed and pools where you sit. Water gets forced through zips, seams and closures that would keep out ordinary rain, and a wet crotch on a long motorway run is miserable and cold. Loose fabric flaps violently in the wind, and anything near the exhaust can melt.

Over your protective kit, not instead of it

Most motorcycle overtrousers are designed as a waterproof outer layer to wear over protective riding trousers or leathers. They typically offer little or no crash protection on their own.

Protective motorcycle garments in the UK and EU are PPE and are tested to EN 17092. Certified garments carry a CE label with a class. Classes AAA, AA and A indicate decreasing levels of protection (abrasion, seam strength and impact protectors), while classes B and C cover special cases: B for garments without impact protectors and C for garments designed only to hold protectors in place. If a pair of overtrousers is marketed as protective, look for this label and class; if there's no EN 17092 label, treat them as rain protection only.

Features that matter

• Cut to go over riding trousers or leathers, with room at the knee for armour. Always try them over the kit you'll actually wear.
• Long side zips with storm flaps to get them on over riding boots at the roadside.
• Heat-resistant inner leg panels where the calf touches hot exhaust or engine parts.
• Secure ankles and waist: adjustable cuffs, stirrups or elastic foot loops keep them from riding up and flapping at speed.
• A well-sealed seat, since you sit in pooled water for hours.
• Reflective panels for visibility, especially on the lower leg.

Roadside tips

• Stop and put them on before you're wet; once water has soaked into your base trousers they won't help much.
• Wear overtrousers over your boots so water runs off rather than into them.
• Pack them where you can reach them without unstrapping your luggage.
• Road grime, fuel and chain lube degrade water repellency; wash them regularly (see care & reproofing).