Dose anyone else love .....

[ninermatt]

Riding in the rain?

I have been on two wheels for about twenty years now. And although the weather has never been a huge factor to me while on my bike I have been known to alter plans or (Gasp!) cage it from time to time due to rain in the forecast. That is until recently, a trip this summer left the wife and I out in pretty substantial wet stuff for the better part of the day (mostly interstate travel).

I can not begin to tell you how much confidence I have in my machine (R1100RT) and my own ability to navigate safely aboard it.

So now I find myself almost looking forward to the rain, that and the looks that I get from the general population in their warm dry cages!

[Francois_Dumas]

We have quite a lot of rain in our neck of the woods, and hence associated rain riding/driving is normal. I still prefer dry conditions.... no matter how 'good' you are, wet surfaces are more dangerous than dry ones.

Besides we find it more comfortable too, not having to don all the wet stuff on breaks, and get it all back on again when continuing the trip.

 

YMMV

[10ovr]

Rideing in AZ in the summer time,( 115 deg's + ) You look for rain,,Feels Great ,I know a lot of riders that see a dark cloud,,and the day is over,,Just starting for me

[Jimbo RT]

The best thing I've heard on the subject was from my friend Bill, "Screw the rain, let's ride."

[OoPEZoO]

I can't say I'm thrilled when I encounter rain on my daily commute (just because it screws up traffic). While traveling though......thats a different story. I have had a few days of constant rain in my travels, and I have to honestly say that I really enjoyed them. Especially when I was out west in the middle of nowhere. I hit one hell of a storm coming down out of Bighorn National Forest in WY a few years ago. I passed a large group of cruiser riders doing the rain gear shuffle at the base of the mountains. I stopped long enough to snap a pic, zip up the vents in my jacket, and tuck my MP3 player into my pocket, then headed off into the storm. There was quite a bit of thunder and lighting, heavy rain, and VERY strong winds. Most of the vehicles I passed were pulled over on the sides of the road staring at me like I was nuts. I spent most of the storm laughing like a bastard and singing along to my MP3 player. I thought it was rather therapeudic. Ever since then, I have always kind of enjoyed riding in the rain. Unless I'm stuck in bumper to bumper traffic on my way to work, but I guess thats not considered "riding" in the rain .

 

The pic doesn't do it justice, but this is the edge of the storm right before I started getting wet that day.

[JerryMather]

I'm spoiled, living on the left coast without much rain and would rather not ride in it unless I have too. There are so many days out here that are perfect for riding that when it rains, I usually find something else to do.

[GoGo Gadget]

 

Kinda looks like my WY pic.

 

 

Right now I dread rain. Only because I have 15,000 miles on my front tire. My front tire tread is a mere wisp of what it once was. Once I put my new tire on that finally came in yesterday, I will not care one way or another. My Nova Scotia trip last year was 1 week of riding in the rain, 1 day on the Cabot Trail with beautiful sunshine, then 1 week of rain riding back.

[Silver Surfer/AKAButters]

Love it!

[xbubblehead]

I like the short showers on the hotter days but the downpours on the longer rides take some of the fun out of it for me. However, rain has not stopped me from leaving the garage to hit the road. Since I am planning a trip to Nova Scotia I now know what to expect:

My Nova Scotia trip last year was 1 week of riding in the rain, 1 day on the Cabot Trail with beautiful sunshine, then 1 week of rain riding back.

Good times!

[tobyzusa]

Guess I'll be the dissenter then. I don't like wet roads one bit. While you still have boatloads of traction in most instances, you can't count on it, because a little wet and a little oily makes for a lot of slippery.

 

I pass on riding in rain if it can be avoided.

[Tank]

The RT is built for the rain...It has taken a bit, but through trial and error, I have found what works for me as far as gear,

Right now the rain is blasting my bedroom window and if I didn't have to work today i'd ride. Tonite I gotta be in CoosBay(100 miles) and sunday i'll do a loop somewhere... rain or shine.

[Tank]

//heavy handed HIJACK//

 

Just noticed that that was my 1150th post and I ride a 04' 1150 rt

Coinsdance???? I think not

 

Just turned over 100,000 miles, many of which were in the rain, ice, shush and snow

[bvaughan]

Riding in the rain?

in socal at least the motors have to switch to cages when rain is forecast. i remember one motor officer bitchin' about riding to work on his bike and then having to switch to a unit when clocking in. the first hour or so after no rain for 6 months the roads are way slippery, especially in the freeway cloverleafs. and the bots dots and striping paint are slippery. other than that it's a doddle, and the cagers are less likely to make quick jerky unpredictable moves. i had to split for 20 miles a couple of winters ago on a goldwing in a constant downpour. that was a little wierd. but yeah, riding in the rain is great.

[bakerzdosen]

When I'm well prepared, I don't typically mind riding in the rain. However, coming over Donner's Pass in the dark and in the rain/fog the other night was definitely NOT my favorite thing to do.

 

Rain in and of itself will not ruin a ride for me. However, if it's added to other things that I don't like (cold, bad road, fog, night, etc), it's just one more bad thing that takes away from a ride.

[milbrua]

I thought it was just me! I enjoy riding in a light rain.

 

Heavy rain: not so much.

[russell_bynum]

Riding in the rain?

I have been on two wheels for about twenty years now. And although the weather has never been a huge factor to me while on my bike I have been known to alter plans or (Gasp!) cage it from time to time due to rain in the forecast. That is until recently, a trip this summer left the wife and I out in pretty substantial wet stuff for the better part of the day (mostly interstate travel).

I can not begin to tell you how much confidence I have in my machine (R1100RT) and my own ability to navigate safely aboard it.

So now I find myself almost looking forward to the rain, that and the looks that I get from the general population in their warm dry cages!

 

I never enjoyed commuting in the rain, and I generally don't enjoy being out all day in the rain, but being out there on the road and going through a rain storm can be a great experience.

 

And every now an then, a full day in the rain, with the right riding partner can be lots of fun

[MotorinLA]

Riding in the rain?

in socal at least the motors have to switch to cages when rain is forecast. i remember one motor officer bitchin' about riding to work on his bike and then having to switch to a unit when clocking in. the first hour or so after no rain for 6 months the roads are way slippery, especially in the freeway cloverleafs. and the bots dots and striping paint are slippery. other than that it's a doddle, and the cagers are less likely to make quick jerky unpredictable moves. i had to split for 20 miles a couple of winters ago on a goldwing in a constant downpour. that was a little wierd. but yeah, riding in the rain is great.

 

[slight hijack]

Obviously, your observations are a little different than mine, as I have found that LA drivers drive even more stupid than normal when it rains. Traffic on rainy days tends to be twice as bad as usual, causing drivers to become even more rushed and "creative" in their driving. Rather than slowing down, they speed up. Rather than changing direction slowly they swerve wildly. Apparently the effects of sudden changes in speed and direction and their relationship to friction is lost on most LA drivers.

[/hijack/rant]

 

On another note, it rained about half the time I spent in motor school. This was a great learning experience, as all of us found that you can do pretty much the same things on wet asphalt as you do on dry asphalt. The first day of rain everybody floundered for the first half of the day, then we realized that going wide on the u-turn and putting the rear tire in the dirt outside the asphalt hurt a lot more than keeping the radius just as tight as when it was dry.

 

As long as I have a windscreen that is tall enough to keep my face from being beaten into a pulp by the rain at high speed, I actually enjoy a bit of rain when riding.

[russell_bynum]

Riding in the rain?

in socal at least the motors have to switch to cages when rain is forecast. i remember one motor officer bitchin' about riding to work on his bike and then having to switch to a unit when clocking in. the first hour or so after no rain for 6 months the roads are way slippery, especially in the freeway cloverleafs. and the bots dots and striping paint are slippery. other than that it's a doddle, and the cagers are less likely to make quick jerky unpredictable moves. i had to split for 20 miles a couple of winters ago on a goldwing in a constant downpour. that was a little wierd. but yeah, riding in the rain is great.

 

[slight hi-jack]

Obviously, your observations are a little different than mine, as I have found that LA drivers drive even more stupid than normal when it rains. Traffic on rainy days tends to be twice as bad as usual, causing drivers to become even more rushed and "creative" in their driving. Rather than slowing down, they speed up. Rather than changing direction slowly they swerve wildly. Apparently the effects of sudden changes in speed and direction and their relationship to friction is lost on most LA drivers.

[/hi-jack/rant]

 

That's about what I experienced as well, and that's why I said I didn't like to commute in the rain. You've got your "I have an SUV/BMW/Expensive car, so I have infinte traction" crowd, then the "It is raining so I will do everything incredibly slowly" crowd". And...since it doesn't rain much here, when it does rain, people are scared. And a scared driver is a scary driver.

[MotorinLA]

And a scared driver is a scary driver.

 

+1 on that...

[Linz]

Strangely, I don't mind riding in the rain one little bit. I had a 300 mile trip in a wild night storm (thunder, lightning and lashing rain) only the weekend before last with the last part at night. Felt completely at home.

 

I get the tightened butt cheeks on damp roads when I'm riding through the mountains and it's starting to dry out. Dry in the sun, wet in the shade. Freaks me out...

 

I know it's a state of mind but after 41 years on road, I still haven't been able to overcome it.

 

Have ridden through horrific storms though when I have had little choice but to do so.

 

Linz

[W8NONU]

I don't mind the rain at all. Have been on many different surfaces and the only ones I don't like in the rain are the excessive tar covered roads, like the Texas Hill Country. Three bikes went down this past spring at the Hill Country ride in light showers. The roads were pretty slick.

 

Have been in storms and even did a couple of passes in the Rockies in a few inches of snow.......now, that will put a pucker mark in the middle of your seat.

 

As others have said, in the west where it can get pretty warm in the summer a nice shower is a nice relief from the heat.

[bvaughan]

. . . and the bots dots and striping paint are slippery. other than that it's a doddle, and the cagers are less likely to make quick jerky unpredictable moves.

[slight hi-jack]

Obviously, your observations are a little different than mine, as I have found that LA drivers drive even more stupid than normal when it rains. Traffic on rainy days tends to be twice as bad as usual, causing drivers to become even more rushed and "creative" in their driving. Rather than slowing down, they speed up. Rather than changing direction slowly they swerve wildly. . . .[/hi-jack/rant]

That's about what I experienced as well, and that's why I said I didn't like to commute in the rain. . . .

come to think of it, all my rain riding has been on the freeway at commuter hour. i've seen lotsa crashes during rainstorms, from the "safety" of my cage during saturday and sunday mornings,.e.g., three separate spinouts last jan 1 at 9:00 a.m. in the three miles between mulholland and sunset on the 405. why? hydroplaning. and i try to be off the roads before the bars open. maybe that has something to do with the difference in our raintraffic experience. i'll watch more carefully this winter.

[bakerzdosen]

And...since it doesn't rain much here, when it does rain, people are scared. And a scared driver is a scary driver.

Huh... so learning to drive in Idaho (lots of snow) and Portland, OR (lots of rain) has it's advantages I suppose.

[Motorrad4fun]

Love the rain.

Now If I could only get all those pesky cars off the road

[GoGo Gadget]

On another note, it rained about half the time I spent in motor school.

 

I have video of my 2nd day of motor school. It was 32deg and snowing with a 40mph wind. Loads of fun I tell ya.

[Sidmariner]

The rain is unavoidable where I live, since the weather can go through three seasons in a single day, and sometimes in the same hour. I am always prepared for rain and don't mind it at all on a roadtrip. Commuting becomes an obstacle course though, with every manhole cover, crosswalk and tar-snake becoming a potential spill point. Worst ever near-crash occurred when a guy blew the contents of his radiator along 50 yards of wet city street (a Beemer does brake when going sideways). On a dark winter morning it's tough to spot the spills on wet road.

 

While I don't mind the rain, my poor bike takes a beating in the winter and the front end looks like it's been peppered with bird-shot thanks to the wet grit kicked up by cars and trucks. Looks like a paint-job might be needed next spring.

[Knifemaker]

Rain in Florida is just something that has to be delt with. It can come light or in blinding sheets in minutes and stop as soon as it starts. Winter rains in Florida can be down right bone chilling.

 

The ability to ride year around is great but it's a good idea to keep your rain gear close by and enjoy the ride.

[MrHondamatic]

The rain has little effect on me, if it did, I would not ride a motorcycle.

 

I have a fond memory of that one hot sultry afternoon when it started raining. I had a very clean and shiny Electra Glide sitting in the garage, so the wife and I hopped on and went for a ride in the pouring rain. It felt good, and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute. All the folks in cars looked at us like we were crazy, but they didn't understand.

[Lone_RT_rider]

My favorite riding condition? 55 degrees F with a slight mist in the air. Yes, I am a sick man...LOL.

 

Shawn

[stevej]

Let's see it's rained 21 of the last 23 days in MN. 18.9" of rain since Aug 1st. Ride to work everyday. Don't care for the down pours where the cars have their wipers on high - but a nice light drizzle during the summer or early fall is ok. Saw somewhere "Rain trained and ready"

[litigator]

I don't really mind it, and after a recent track day in the rain, my comfort level rose dramatically.

 

A few years ago, I rode all day in rain and fog, from Sicily, on the ferry across the Messina Strait, and over the mountains in Calabria, rarely out of first gear, but plugging along all day. At the end of the day, I said that it was the most miserable day of riding in my life, ... and I loved very minute of it.

[TyTass]

My favorite riding condition? 55 degrees F with a slight mist in the air. Yes, I am a sick man...LOL.

 

Shawn

<start short hijack for fun!>I can see why ... it's the only way to be comfortable in one of these!

I know, I know ... lots of people swear by these but I sweat in a cold shower so Stiches won't work for me except in the winter.<end: fun!>

 

As for riding in the rain, yeah I'm fine with it as long as the temp doesn't drop 20-30 in the cooler months, and there are few cagers, few tarsnakes, and few stop lights (esp. those with oil, diesel fuel, and/or antifreeze spills that make the day too exciting). Other than that, I'm good with riding in the rain.

[MotorinLA]

On another note, it rained about half the time I spent in motor school.

 

I have video of my 2nd day of motor school. It was 32deg and snowing with a 40mph wind. Loads of fun I tell ya.

 

Hey, that sounds like one of those "When I was a kid..." lines.

[Dances_With_Wiener_Dogs]

We have quite a lot of rain in our neck of the woods, and hence associated rain riding/driving is normal. I still prefer dry conditions.... no matter how 'good' you are, wet surfaces are more dangerous than dry ones.

Yeah, us too out this direction (except these freaky last few days where it's been in the 70s )

 

In the PNW you ride in the rain or you don't ride.

[HappyMan]

I love riding in the rain. 4:30 in the morning in the countryside with cloud to cloud lightning lighting the sky and a lack of traffic is my favorite.

[ninermatt]

. All the folks in cars looked at us like we were crazy, but they didn't understand.

They seldom ever do my friend!

[AdventurePoser]

Every now and then I enjoy a ride in the rain. Especially in the summer time when you see the big thunderheads building, and you know your road is gonna ride under them! Then, the temps drop, the wind comes up, and you have a short respite from the heat....I love that kind of rain.

 

What I don't like is gearing up for a winter rain ride. Too much stuff to wear and it never dries out completely especially when you are on the road for a few days. If I add "cold" to this I am def. not enjoying myself....

 

Of course here in So Cal this is all an academic suggestion. It is scary how little rain we have received over the past two years.

 

Steve in So Cal

[K2R1150RS]

It rains all day every day here in the Puget Sound, and don't you forget it

 

I put about 10000 on my RS between Oct and May last winter. The only time it bothered me was on a ride down to California in Feb when it rained hard from Tacoma to Ashland, OR. (300 miles +) There were times when I probably should have pulled off the road due to poor visibility from the truck spray

I was really glad Jennifer down at South Sound BMW had fixed me up with an Olympia AST on the way out of town. It kept me dry and warm, even over the Siskiyous.

[wellcraft]

if i get caught in the rain i deal with it but if it's going to rain i cover the bike up and drive my truck. i take no pleasure in being soak and wet and i hate the way the rain sticks to my visor.

[velomoto]

In a word - NO!

 

Hmmm, let me count the reasons why... cold, wet - it either seeps in or build up on the inside, hypothermia, slippery conditions - gotta love wet leaves in the fall , hydroplaning, assorted hazards washed onto the roadway, diminished ability to see - especially at night, reduced ability to avoid obstacles or safely react in an emergency. Do I ride in the rain, sure if there's no choice, but there's certainly no love afair!

[WyreNut]

Rode home this weekend with the wife from an event about 30 mi. away in a steady rain... I was concerned for her comfort, and kept checking with her via the com system.

 

We were like two kids having fun in puddles! "Nope, I'm dry and feeling fine!" was her constant response...

 

We did enjoy the stares from the cages too!

 

WyreNut

[RamblinBoy]

Sorry, but this is nuts. VISIBILITY!

Nuff said.

[Wyn]

I love ridin in the rain.

[GoGo Gadget]

Sorry, but this is nuts. VISIBILITY!

Nuff said.

 

 

Which is why I don't recommend dark colored rain gear, have reflective stickers on my bags and an auxillary brake light. Of course all that applies to not riding in the rain as well.

 

[GoGo Gadget]

Ooops, sorry about the size. I did not know it was THAT big. D'oh.

[Sharif]

Absolutely. I like the sound of the pitter-patter on my helmet, and the way the RainX helps keep my shield clear.

 

Road about 100 miles from Chicago to Indiana a couple weeks ago Thursday, which those in the area might recall as being a wet and windy evening.

 

I had fun. My brother thinks I'm crazy.

 

Sharif

[RamblinBoy]

I'm not so concerned about being visible to others - though that is always an issue. When 18-wheelers are slinging crap up from the road and it gets on my glasses - yes, even with my shield down it does eventually get to my glasses, and I wind up trying to look through muddy glasses and face-shield, it is puckering to me, to say the least.

 

I can enjoy a lonely road and a light rain with a gorgeous sky - I love to be out in the weather. That's a rare and wonderful ride. All too often, what starts out that way ends up with me covered in mung and dodging nutty drivers while trying to see through glasses/shields. I can think of very little in my many years that is more frightening than some of the heavy-traffic, pouring rains, unknowns roads situations I've been in.

 

If it's just going for a ride, I'll pass on a rainy day. If I'm on the road, it's "'Nor rain, nor sleet, nor..."

 

And I can never remember being in one of those really nasty situations in my toasty car with the stereo playing, all the while thinking, "Man, I sure wish I was on my Bike!"