Modern Vespa

I'm curious who else is riding using a Tucano Urbano in the rain. It was really dumping coming home tonight and I stayed relatively dry, but not as dry as I was hoping. As I expected my backside got a little wet -- water running down my back and then dripping off the coat onto the seat. Where I was more disappointed was at the front where it seems that water dripped down between the bib of the skirt and my jacket and really soaked my lap. I was actually wetter on the frontside than the backside. Tucking the bib inside my jacket would help but that seems a little bit dangerous should I evacuate the scooter faster than planned. The goal was to have the skirt able to stand in for a set of rain pants but I may need to rethink that plan on the really rainy days.

In terms of other gear however the Gill Helmsman's Gloves I got at the boat store were great, keeping my hands dry and warm -- much better than the ski gloves I'd been using.

Hal

I think I need one of these as much as I need a cup holder and a cell phone perch.

I don't use one of these, but plenty if others do and i am sure can give you some ideas. You've posted in the "Not so Modern" (vintage) section - might be better suited to the General section.

You'll need rain pants to go along with the skirt. Of course you got wet, it's the Pacific NW...rain will find its way past any nook and cranny. Skirts aren't a full replacement for rain pants, but work in conjunction with very well.

I use one, mostly for winter cold protection, but I've found that it's pretty darn effective if you tuck that flap underneath your jacket, both for cold and for rain.

It lets me avoid wearing overpants until it's cold enough that I might want them if I'm outside in any case, especially on my commute, which is a Scoot->Train->Walk affair.

I have the Corazzo version so it's going to be built a little different, but it's the same concept.

I just put my (10-year-old) Tucano on my scoot yesterday for my winter riding (and because it was raining). It keeps your pants dry especially if you tuck the flap into your jacket. It's not entirely waterproof of course because eventually water will run down your back and under rear rear end. However, legs stay dry. More importantly for winter it keeps you warm.

Highly recommended as a fall/winter accessory.

Along these same lines, anyone have experience with the Tucano Hand grip covers on a shifty?

chandlerman you beat me to the question! I was thinking about the same thing riding in today. I believe zeno has the manopole mitts on a P series. I had mitts on my other scoot, but it was a clutch-less foot shifty. It was brilliant for keeping your hands warm and dry, but I don't know how well the left hand clutch shifter would work in the mitt.

Hal

One of my friends use "Hippo Hands" (same thing different brand) every rainy winter on his P2. He said he loved his and his hands never got cold or wet. He also only commuted inner-city though.

I actually find the Tucano Urbano does a very good job of keeping out the rain. On the Vespa I won't bother putting on rain pants with the skirt on. The BMW has a skirt as well but doesn't do quit as good a job of keeping me dry.

The Tucano mitts are 150 EUR, which is a little too rich for my blood, even to keep my blood warm.

I'd be willing to take an inferior option for $50 if I could find one, because I'm dealing less with rain and more with bitter cold. If it's warm enough to rain, I have gloves that are up to the job.