I think I've solved the ventilation/ waterproof problem with my Matador jacket.
Full review here
I've just finished 3 months around Europe from 30+ degrees in southern France to freezing up the Swiss Alps.
I haven't tested it overland but the vents make it a genuine summer/winter jacket.
AUD$250 from the Aussie importer

Rukka (but it aint cheap!).......best kit i have found in hot or cold climates.

Seajay.

Depends on priority
 

BMW, Revit, Held, Rukka, Klim all make outstanding gear at premium prices. Alot of that gear is "one decent getoff and done". But you'll be well-protected. Nearly all of it can ventilate between very well and excellent.

I've had an Aerostich since '93. Needs updating badly but it's good quality. LOUSY ventilation.

Motoport . . . now that's another thing. That's all I wear anymore. The stretch kevlar offers excellent ventilation, better looks than the mesh (it's a low bar !), the new stuff does not absorb UV (so it doesn't show road grime and isn't an oven) and . . . a getoff is often leaves little or no sign ! You can find lots of stories about ambulance teams having considerable difficulty cutting off a motoport suit (in the case of a compound fracture - something a suit can't really protect against). Unparalleled soft tissue protection without any of the considerable drawbacks of leather.

For the price of all of this gear Motoport offers the best value. Custom made, if necessary and it lasts "forever". It lacks features and does not look great. The quad armor is bulky and heavy and I don't recommend it for travelers but the "normal" Tri-Armor really has no peer elsewhere.

Waterproof ? Motoport is better because what happens to the nylon/polyester suits is that eventually the moisture is absorbed by the outer shell and then the vapor-passing lining can't work properly. The kevlar doesn't absorb water and a Motoport dries VERY fast, even in cool, cloudy environments. Ultimately, one should carry a rain suit for endless deluges. BMW ProRain3 suit is amazing and not that expensive.

Armr Kiso riding suit for < £100
 

Check out this special deal at mad4bikes in the UK.

Jacket, trousers and even a balaclava, all for for under 100 quid posted.

Never heard of Armr but just got mine today and there's certainly a 100 quid's worth of riding suit in there. More details and impressions on my www here and a proper rain test later.

Chris S

I've had my Rukka Goretex Jacket with removable lining for nigh on 7 years, and it 's been out in all sorts. It's never leaked, ( even after 100kms in a storm) it's very comfortable, been cleaned a few times, and just keeps going. Best bit of kit I ever bought. Not expensive if you consider the wear you get out of it. I'm assuming Rukka trs are the same, but I only ever wear leather trs with a pair of waterproof over trousers if needed.

Rukka
 

I would agree with Seajay and Pongo, Rukka is the way to go even tho it is on the pricey side.
I have the Rukka Gobi jacket and Kalahari trousers, the removable gortex liners are handy for heat regulation and when its wet the are excellent at keeping the wet out provided you wear the gortex neck flap!!

They are tough ,durable and versatile with plenty of pockets on the jacket and good armor protection.

My only observation with the Gobi jacket is ,that if you do decide to purchase ,go for a size larger that you normally would. Because I find when its cold and im wearing the the gortex liner and i have to add insulating layers ,the inner liner wont zip the whole way up and also it makes the jacket a tight fit with the added clothing.

Hummm the teatsy fly agrees with you, it likes to sting black things ... including clothing.

Waterproof and cool don't usually go together. Think of temperatures over 100 F (or 30 C for the rest of us). For cool you want vents and lighter colours (kullors if you prefer :rofl:) While light colours show the dirt, I think of that like some who have those bagdes to say where they have been.
And you can always wash it in the next storm :rain: :freezing:

----------------
A separate rain suit.

If you have it on the outside ... fine until you fall off at which point you can damage the water proofness.
If you have it under the protective layer then the protective layer gets wet.

I think where you ware it depends on the probability of falling, mud means you will probably fall so you want the protection on the outside... where it will get filthy. :(

I know that, in the real world, you can't, but taking cost out of the situation, I love my Companero suit. The venting is amazing - temps of 30+ are comfortable when riding, and the Goretex outers are excellent weather protection.

Being realistic, you can replicate the same principles fairly simply. As a base garment, venting and protection; over the top, decent waterproof garment (whether it's Goretex or not). The 'realistic' way also allows for more variety in your choices.

I run with the Olympia stuff which is the poor cousin to Aerostitch.
I find it great I have ridden from 5c to 30c without problems, just remove the liners and open the vents

Interesting topic,

Me my self; I have the DIFI Rallye EDT terra east (Motoport). It's light in weight and collar since I'm riding around and try to go around with our big yellow friend. The made my custom because of my length and the price was under the €500.

I totally agree that in the end everything leaks so why spending so much money for a wet suit :thumbdown:. The vent is good and even with 49 ˙C it was okok. When I have to stop I always try to find the shadow even it's just enough to put my one boot in ;-).

Unfortunately I get some rain as well and use for that the bright Yellow Rainsuit of BMW €89.

By now they also produce the same suit with gore-tex, but men the price is sky high and heavy:nono: and it becomes even more heavy if it rains like mentioned before.

I was able to buy the really 3 for 50% of the price but I stayed with my nice relatively cheap Summer suit. And if it become cold, I start wearing my clothes in layers anyway.

Cheers