Ponchos or raincoats: which is better for riding?

The rainy season is upon us, and for most motorcycle owners who either need to ply their trade or simply go on rides regardless of the weather, two of the more popular go-to solutions are either ponchos (kapote) or raincoats. 

Sure, various waterproof gear that is purpose-built for riding two-wheelers exists, but they are definitely more expensive than your run-of-the-mill plastic poncho or two-piece raincoat. 

But the question now is: which is better for riding motorcycles? Should you get a poncho or a raincoat? Let’s find out here. 

Poncho: the versatile choice

One of the two options many local riders consider is the poncho. For one thing, the aforementioned is quite versatile, as it can fit many body types while allowing for more freedom of movement. The said quality is due to its loose fit that practically drapes over the wearer’s body. 

Additionally, ponchos are wide enough to accommodate a backpack, which means you can keep the stuff in your bag dry as well. Ponchos are also noted to be easier to stow away compared to raincoats, as they are made from a single piece. Additionally, most ponchos are more affordable than typical raincoats. 

The one big reason to avoid ponchos is safety. Due to their loose nature, ponchos can get caught in any of your motorcycle’s moving parts, especially the chain or even the wheels. It may even get caught in the parts of other motorcycles during the tight, shoulder-to-shoulder traffic common in places such as Metro Manila. 

The chance of your poncho getting caught in your bike’s rear chain is also massively amplified if worn by a pillion, or back rider. The passenger of a motorcycle, after all, is positioned rearwards, practically on top of the rear chain, sprocket, and rear wheel. 

Lastly, ponchos, by their very design, weren’t made for motorcycle riding in the first place. In fact, they are better suited for hiking and other activities that require walking. In its home continent of South America, where it originated, ponchos were also utilized by horse riders, but as far as we know, four-legged domesticated Equines don’t have wheels or chains, right?

Raincoat: full coverage

Contrary to ponchos, raincoats often come in body-wrapping jacket and pants designs. They seldom have loose components and are less likely to get caught on a motorcycle’s moving parts. 

Several motorcycle gear brands have even released raincoats, typically in a two-piece design. Examples include the following: 

• Ixon
• Givi
• LS2
• Dainese
• Hevik

Other more premium brands with motorcycle riding raincoats include Spidi, Alpinestars, Nelson-Rigg, and Klim - among others. 

One of the few downsides of raincoats, however, is that buyers will need to spend time finding the right one that fits properly. Fitment for a motorcycle-rated raincoat is more like fitting a jacket, as it is more form-fitting compared to a poncho. Moreover, most two-piece raincoats require more storage space. The aforementioned, of course, won’t be an issue with most scooter riders, but owners of motorized two-wheelers that don’t come with built-in storage will have to figure something out. 

Additionally, raincoats can be pricey. Sure, there are some that can cost as low as P250 on online stores, but those marketed for use on motorcycles in the rain can fetch heftier price tags. The cheapest motorcycle raincoat we could find on the internet is the Givi RRS06 AX G Rider Tech, which starts at around P2,600. 

But if you’re the type to cheap out, please avoid dark colored ones that will make you practically invisible in the dark. Go for high-visibility road coats with bright colors. Additionally, raincoats designed for motorcycle riding often come with reflective strips, which is a huge benefit. 

Final thoughts

So, which is better for motorcycle riding in the rain? Well, it is raincoats by a mile. And yes, even the cheap ones you can pick up from the grocery store are much safer compared to loose-fitting ponchos. 

To reiterate, ponchos can get caught in your motorcycle’s moving parts, and that’s a recipe for disaster, especially if you’re travelling at speed. Sure, ponchos feel great and are less stuffy than raincoats, but anyone would rather get sweaty inside a raincoat rather than have their poncho get eaten by a motorcycle’s chain. 

On the one hand, if you really have to use a poncho for some reason, just make sure that it doesn’t have loose parts flapping around. 

Also read:

Pedal peddlers: Auto brands that sold bikes

Check out these pre-ride prep tips from Liqui Moly distributor

Customize your motorcycles the ‘proper’ way

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