The perils of "Ponchos" for motorbike riders. (may save your life).

[dotpoom]

Now that the rainy season has arrived I decided to get myself one of those decent looking Ponchos to protect myself from the weather rather than those flimsy plastic coats you can buy for about 30 Bt. After purchasing it (250 Bt.) I took it out of it's wrapping to check it out, I noticed that along each side it had about 3 fasteners that you push together to open and close, "strange" I thought, as there seemed to be no need for them as it was plenty big enough to slip over one's head without having to open these. Anyway I put it in my motorbike for use when needed. That day came yesterday when it teamed out of the heavens here in Jomtien as I was about to go collect "she who must be obeyed" from work. Quickly I threw on my poncho (after nearly strangling myself trying to get my head into the hood) and headed off. I was trundling down Thappraya Rd. at a fair pace on my Phantom, cars either side of me when suddenly a gust of wind caught my poncho and whipped it open from it's fasteners......THUS SENDING IT SHOOTING RIGHT OVER MY HEAD..... I was left motoring down Thappraya Rd completely blindfolded as if under a tent. I brought my bike to a halt in the middle of the road, all the while waiting for a possible impact on my rear as visibility was poor due to the rain and drivers would hardly be expecting to come across a stopped motorbike in the middle of Thappraya Rd not knowing what had happened.

If I do decide to keep it I may duck tape up each side or sow it up or something....anyway, I hope this post may avoid some similar event happening to someone else. GB.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Bit of string tied round your waist solves the problem.

Or a luggage bungee.

[robblok]

Or spend more then that on real decent rain-gear. I got mine from back home so much more selection so much better. Sure it will make a dent in your beer money but it will last a long time too.

[WitawatWatawit]

Do a Pancho Villa and ride a donkey. You're less likely to have that problem

[CanInBKK]

When you sit on the seat, isn't the rear of your poncho underneath you (i.e. held in place by sitting on it)? Maybe I'm having trouble picturing what you've described but I've never had a problem with visibility being blocked by the poncho itself.

[dotpoom]

When you sit on the seat, isn't the rear of your poncho underneath you (i.e. held in place by sitting on it)? Maybe I'm having trouble picturing what you've described but I've never had a problem with visibility being blocked by the poncho itself.

I read my post again and thought I described it clearly but I'll try again....The vivibility was poor for all road users due to the heavy rain and I was particularly worried (all in a few split seconds that seemed like an hour) about motorists not seeing that I had stopped suddenly (I drive a pick up too and know how this can happen) and slam into the back of me. The reason I had to stop suddenly was as follows.......the poncho I bought was split from the armpits all the way down on both sides that would enable one to open it out flat almost (maybe designed this way for that purpose, to tie to posts as a sort of roof, there are holes at the bottom of each corner) You can fasten the sides together with flimsy fasteners to use as a ponco, not sure the correct name for them....you just push them together, they are plastic so not strong like those metal ones in jeanjackets etc., If one did as you say and sat on the back portion that would keep the back section in place for sure but not the front... the sudden gust of wind got beneath the loose front and side sections and seperated it from from the back as easy as aanything ...with the result that the front section blew straight over and on top of my head leaving me with a sort of sack covering the top portion of my body, as I say, like being inside a tent, there may as well have been no fasteners holding the front and back together. If it was a normal poncho like we used in the army there would have been no problem....they were all one piece.

I hope I have explained it better this time and thank you for your queary, I'm happy that you have seen the seriousness of this problem and hope it my avoid something similar happening to even one other person. If I can be of further assistance pleas ask again. GB.

[CanInBKK]

dotpoom, I get it now. I had never imagined such a scenario as my rain gear is like you described, one piece. I suppose the unfastened poncho could be used as a rain collector if you were ever stranded somewhere and used your helmet to collect rain water through the neck hole as I can't imagine a "roof" would be very effective for the exact same reason.

Thanks for the post, though. This is one of those things where it's better to have learned from reading than experiencing.

[WitawatWatawit]

My apologies for being a bit frivolous before. I'm an ass. Many years ago I used to wear the excellent Line 7 rain gear from NZ on my bike. When I was back there recently, I was a bit shocked at how pricey this stuff is these days. My budget was stretched enough by the trip, so did not buy. The cheapest they sell over the net (which would actually be better for the local conditions, being more lightweight) would cost almost 4k baht to have sent here (not allowing for K. Nop's tax cut, of course). Guess it's time to check out the local gear - any pointers to get me started?

dotpoom, how did you eventually solve your poncho problem?

[robblok]

My apologies for being a bit frivolous before. I'm an ass. Many years ago I used to wear the excellent Line 7 rain gear from NZ on my bike. When I was back there recently, I was a bit shocked at how pricey this stuff is these days. My budget was stretched enough by the trip, so did not buy. The cheapest they sell over the net (which would actually be better for the local conditions, being more lightweight) would cost almost 4k baht to have sent here (not allowing for K. Nop's tax cut, of course). Guess it's time to check out the local gear - any pointers to get me started?

dotpoom, how did you eventually solve your poncho problem?

Actually the local gear is even more expensive if you want good stuff because its all import. In general for quality stuff your often better of buying it on ebay and when its not shipped by DHL or Fed Ex you got a reasonable chance to avoid customs charges.

I got some good rain-suits from the Netherlands works like a charm, we are used to rain over there.

[WitawatWatawit]

You Dutchies do have a problem with water, don't you. I heard that when you flush your toilet, your house rises a centimetre. Anyway, will do a recce of the bike shops and other places over the next week and see what I can find and report back any good deals.

Cheers,

Wit

[chickenslegs]

The problem is easily resolved by using a golfers umbrella whilst riding your bike - as I have seen many locals do.

Also effective in keeping the sun off your face.

Or, try looking in the golf shops for 2-piece rain gear.

[JusMe]

I tried one of those fastener ponchos, and found they flapped so much that I couldn't see my rear view mirrors, and ripped easily.

Decided to buy the cheap Big-C plastic jacket, with arms and a pullover body, with annoying hood. It was very cheap and will probably self-destroy before too long, but being cheap, no problem. At least it rolls up into the seat, doesn't interfere with my vision, and can easily be replaced.

[OldChinaHam]

PLEASE GET YOURSELVES some of that foul weather gear for fishing that costs about 1000Baht. This has pants and coat with hood.

But also you must verify and check to see that it is not permeable to water.

Since I come from the Motorbike Capital of the world, which is also one of the almost constant rain capitals of the world,

Then I know this is a subject which gets a lot of attention in Taiwan, especially north Taipei.

I do not want to break the rules here so I will not link to the thread in a Taiwan site which is talking about this very subject and is very informative.

But I will just copy out a few words:

Remember that ponchos are not designed to be used with motorbikes, or motorcycles

Neither are umbrellas

GET yourselves coat with pants and keep it in a plastic bag under your seat.

Stay dry, stay safe.

You need to buy gore-tex stuff if you want to keep dry. Jacket and pants from europe cost me around 400e, dont know how much those are in here. Tested those in typhoon few years ago.. I was dry after 17km of riding still

[dotpoom]

My apologies for being a bit frivolous before. I'm an ass. Many years ago I used to wear the excellent Line 7 rain gear from NZ on my bike. When I was back there recently, I was a bit shocked at how pricey this stuff is these days. My budget was stretched enough by the trip, so did not buy. The cheapest they sell over the net (which would actually be better for the local conditions, being more lightweight) would cost almost 4k baht to have sent here (not allowing for K. Nop's tax cut, of course). Guess it's time to check out the local gear - any pointers to get me started?

dotpoom, how did you eventually solve your poncho problem?

Didn't get round to sorting out the problem yet WitawatWatawit ..... going back to the 7Eleven 30 Bt. stuff for the immediate future but there are some very good tips and ideas been offered already here. I will be traveling to Chiang Mai soon and the first time I was ever there I remember seeing a shop somewhere around the old center square that had loads and loads of rain gear of all descriptions hanging outside and inside the shop....will check that out again while I'm up there. GB..

[JSixpack]

Vietnam makes a superior cheap rain poncho. Pick one up when you're over escaping Songran or whenever.

I use that or a rainsuit, sometimes just the top of the rainsuit. One thing about a poncho, it's easy to throw on when you're suddenly caught out and there's no shelter anywhere.

Haven't had a poncho fly up and blind me, but I do agree that the snaps are <deleted>. I've glued or taped them. Preemptive gluing or taping is a good idea.

[HeijoshinCool]

Driving blind around here would just make me fit right in.

[Benmart]

Dotpoom, thanks sharing your experience. I'm moving to LOS in August after 20 years of visiting. I was debating on bringing my high end rain suit that I use here in the US when it rains. It's lightweight, breathable and waterproof top and bottoms. After reading your post, I have packed it in my suitcase. Thanks again.

[robblok]

Dotpoom, thanks sharing your experience. I'm moving to LOS in August after 20 years of visiting. I was debating on bringing my high end rain suit that I use here in the US when it rains. It's lightweight, breathable and waterproof top and bottoms. After reading your post, I have packed it in my suitcase. Thanks again.

Just curious why it is you never experienced the need of it in Thailand, probably that you have only visited it during the dry season. Get ready for a shock then.

[dotpoom]

Thanks Benmart,

I'm glad it was of assistance to you.

Dotpoom, thanks sharing your experience. I'm moving to LOS in August after 20 years of visiting. I was debating on bringing my high end rain suit that I use here in the US when it rains. It's lightweight, breathable and waterproof top and bottoms. After reading your post, I have packed it in my suitcase. Thanks again.

[impulse]

Always appreciate personal stories that give me a heads up on safety issues here. Things I would have never consider (until it's too late, perhaps) because they're out of my range of experiences.

Thanks!

[impulse]

Always appreciate personal stories that give me a heads up on safety issues here. Things I would have never consider (until it's too late, perhaps) because they're out of my range of experiences.

Thanks!

[robblok]

I went to pandariders in bkk for the first time ever lots of nice gear and also rainsuits for on the bike

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Benmart]

Dotpoom, thanks sharing your experience. I'm moving to LOS in August after 20 years of visiting. I was debating on bringing my high end rain suit that I use here in the US when it rains. It's lightweight, breathable and waterproof top and bottoms. After reading your post, I have packed it in my suitcase. Thanks again.

Just curious why it is you never experienced the need of it in Thailand, probably that you have only visited it during the dry season. Get ready for a shock then.

Thanks for reminding me of my first shock during a rainstorm of near typhoon proportions in Bangkok years ago. Since I'll be here long term, I've decided to forego being drenched and give the rain suit a try since I'm not as concerned about packing light on this venture back to the LOS.

After 20 years service in the Army and serving from Korea, to Alaska, to the Mohave Desert to Panama (and points in between), staying dry these days isn't a bad thing for these grey hairs.

[Wilma Fingadoo]

Do what the Indians do just stick a giant plastic bag over your head.

[robblok]

Dotpoom, thanks sharing your experience. I'm moving to LOS in August after 20 years of visiting. I was debating on bringing my high end rain suit that I use here in the US when it rains. It's lightweight, breathable and waterproof top and bottoms. After reading your post, I have packed it in my suitcase. Thanks again.

Just curious why it is you never experienced the need of it in Thailand, probably that you have only visited it during the dry season. Get ready for a shock then.

Thanks for reminding me of my first shock during a rainstorm of near typhoon proportions in Bangkok years ago. Since I'll be here long term, I've decided to forego being drenched and give the rain suit a try since I'm not as concerned about packing light on this venture back to the LOS.

After 20 years service in the Army and serving from Korea, to Alaska, to the Mohave Desert to Panama (and points in between), staying dry these days isn't a bad thing for these grey hairs.

Have fun, I have no grey hairs and often I have driven through a rainstorm but its much better to have a quality rain-suit and stay relatively dry. Since I have been out looking for quality motorbike gear I have seen rain suits advertised in those shops, They are more expensive then in the west but at least they are available.

I just found it strange that someone had never experienced the need for a rainsuit in a country like Thailand.

[TomTao]

Now that the rainy season has arrived I decided to get myself one of those decent looking Ponchos to protect myself from the weather rather than those flimsy plastic coats you can buy for about 30 Bt. After purchasing it  (250 Bt.) I took it out of it's wrapping to check it out, I noticed that along each side it had about 3 fasteners that you push together to open and close, "strange" I thought, as there seemed to be no need for them as it was plenty big enough to slip over one's head without having to open these. Anyway I put it in my motorbike for use when needed. That day came yesterday when it teamed out of the heavens here in Jomtien as I was about to go collect "she who must be obeyed" from work. Quickly I threw on my poncho (after nearly strangling myself trying to get my head into the hood) and headed off. I was trundling down Thappraya Rd. at a fair pace on my Phantom, cars either side of me when suddenly a gust of wind caught my poncho and whipped it open from it's fasteners......THUS SENDING IT SHOOTING RIGHT OVER MY HEAD..... I was left motoring down Thappraya Rd completely blindfolded as if under a tent. I brought my bike to a halt in the middle of the road, all the while waiting for a possible impact on my rear as visibility was poor due to the rain and drivers would hardly be expecting to come across a stopped motorbike in the middle of Thappraya Rd not knowing what had happened.

    If I do decide to keep it I may duck tape up each side or sow it up or something....anyway, I hope this post may avoid some similar event happening to someone else. GB.

When I was riding my pcx I had similar ponchos, as already suggested I used to sit on the back portion of the poncho, problem is that once you sit on it, the back acts a bit like a parachute until it works its way loose. I eventually purchased one of the parents ponchos, it has a short back and a long front with a clear panel in it, it also has a couple of zippers next to the clear panel for little arms to go through, the front goes all the way down to your ankles when you are sitting down, I don't recall having any problem with the front flipping up, and the length of the front keeps you dry, except for a little bit of the upper outer leg. I also tried a poncho with only arm holes in the side, no other opening on the side, but I found the sides flapped too much.

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