Modern Vespa

Okay, here's the scoop. I bought my vespa about two months ago, and in a fit of frugality (so I could afford the dang thing), I skimped a bit on my accessorizing. I bought a cheapie helmet and a cheapie armor jacket. The helmet (a plain old 3/4) is now relegated to my "around town" pile, for speeds under 30 MPH, since one or two trips on my regular commute (speeds up to 60 MPH) put me in the mind to get a FF helmet.

This past weekend, I was forced to ride in the rain (I was 60 miles from home, at a MSF safety course, and it started to rain on the way home). After nearly 90 minutes of riding through the rain, I discovered that my jacket is not waterproof. Or even water resistant. Not even a little bit. The jacket is a cordura textile thingy with CE armor in the shoulders, elbows and spine, and I was soaked through in a matter of minutes. Luckily the air temperature stayed in the mid-60s, I wasn't cold. Just wet.

So I'm thinking about either (a) getting a new jacket or (b) treating my existing jacket. The jacket itself is fine, it's reflective, reasonably stylish, and fits okay except that the elbow/forearm armor is about an inch too low - I have to shift it up manually and cinch down my velcro straps to hold the armor over my elbows. I've got very short arms. Option (c) would be riding with layers - putting a poncho or windbreaker over the armor jacket. I've got a nice paclite shell that's very lightweight and weatherproof (I use it for backpacking), and that fits on top, but it's not all that satisfying, frankly.

Anyway, I've read a lot of reviews about jackets from a comfort / fit / style / safety perspective. What I'm interested in is hearing about weatherproofing and sealing options. I'm hoping to ride my scooter in as many weather conditions as reasonable, since the alternative is riding the bus, and there are at least three days a week that I can't work from home.

So - anybody have any ideas? The Corazzo jackets with the 1000 cordura shell report that they're "water resistant", which is a start.

I tend to layer if it is raining and bought rain gear to wear over my riding gear.

Yeah, more research is starting to indicate that this is the common approach. I guess it makes sense - to make something really waterproof it probably can't "breathe" all that well (no matter what the goretex people say). Layers probably makes sense. I'll just start tossing my shell in the pet carrier (I already carry around rain pants).

First, you can't "treat" your jacket to make it waterproof. Ain't happ'nin'.

There are several manufacturers of good waterproof armor. Try Aerostich ($$$) or First Gear. I have the first gear "Kenya" model which is a short jacket and my wife has their Kilimanjiro which is a longer parka length. They are both "proof" not just resistant. They are good stuff and can be found at reduced prices if you search.

The First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket works for me. Waterproof, breathable, has zippered vents for hot days, and a warm liner jacket for cold days. Plus, it is parka length, with a belt, unlike most motorcycle jackets.

<--- That's it in my avatar. It comes in several colors.

I tried to waterproof my Corazzo with no real success. Now, if it does happen to be raining, I wear my Armadillo Cityrider. Armadillo stuff is designed specifically for rain. Very warm as well. If you live in a colder area, their parkas are warmer still!

My Tourmaster Transition jacket is pretty water tight - and breathable. I like it for wetter or cooler riding.

I agree if a jacket is waterproof it isn't going to be breatheable or ventelated. I've always wondered how people don't suffocate in Aerostitch!

BMW makes several jackets that have Gortex liners. That way they keep YOU dry, and Gortex is the most windproof, waterproof, and breatheable of the waterproof products out there. The less expensive products don't do quite as good of a job.

Not inexpensive, but the whole apparel line is exellent quality with exellent features. The Dynatech in partcular is very abrasion resistent, more-so than any Cordura will be.
Since you are in Delaware, there isn't a BMW Dealer, but If you ever make it to the DC area, ... stop by Bob's BMW in Jessup, MD (just south of Baltimore), they have the whole line (plus Revit, another great line of Apparel), and excellent Apparel people who will help you find gear to do the job!

(They used to be a Vespa dealer too!)

If I am only going a short distance (< 5 miles) I might chance some rain with my textile jacket (as long as its not too heavy, anyway). However, with pouring rain or more than a few miles to go, separate rain gear is the way to go. I personally use Frogg Toggs. They don't compress quite as well as some of the cheaper rain suits, but they are breatheable and are extremely effective at keeping you and your other laters dry.

Plus, mine are bright yellow which helps keep me visibile in poor weather.

I know you are looking for an armoured rain jacket, but an over jacket makes a lot of sense. Something like this, for instance:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/41/1434/ITEM/Tour-Master-Elite-II-Rain-Jacket.aspx

I have an Olympia AST that keeps me dry in he rain and warm in the cold, especially with the liner added. The exterior shell of the Olympia is what keeps you dry and it's not the interior liner like some of the other "waterproof" mesh jackets. I got mine on the the clearance rack at my BMW dealer. They were clearing it out to make room for the new model year jackets and an increase in the number of hi-viz they stock.

ditto. i tried both it and the FirstGear Kilimanjaro and found them to be pretty close functionally. i liked the looks of the FirstGear better but preferred the Tourmaster's fit, so when the Tourmaster came out to be $100 cheaper it was a no-brainer.