riding in rain
#22
05-08-2008 | 10:50 AM
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 7
RE: riding in rain
Either gas isn't high enough yet or I don't need to be anywhere bad enough to take any "planned" rides in the rain. I rode all the way to Myrtle Beach last year in the fall. 6 hour ride and rained all the way. It was miserable, bike looked like it had been dredged up out of a swamp somewhere and my 2 buddies that were riding with me, behind me, tried to brake at a yellow light and skidded all the way through the intersection. We all had on rain gear but there are parts of you that will always get wet if it's raining bad enough or you ride long enough. Looking back, we all agreeit was a foolish and dangerous thing to do, especially since we had access to a trailer and the women followed us all the way in a Suburban that could have been pulling that trailer. One of my buddies WAS just so hard core he wouldn't let himself show up at a bike rally with a trailer. He's softened that view now. 
Riding to work and back should be fine if you can stand it. But you'll find yourself constantly cleaning your bike unless you just absolutely don't care. Sorry, call me a wuss too, but if I can't enjoy the ride, I'll take the cage.
Riding to work and back should be fine if you can stand it. But you'll find yourself constantly cleaning your bike unless you just absolutely don't care. Sorry, call me a wuss too, but if I can't enjoy the ride, I'll take the cage.
#23
05-08-2008 | 10:55 AM
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, Texas
#24
05-08-2008 | 10:57 AM
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 931
Likes: 3
From: England
RE: riding in rain
ORIGINAL: 2007fxdc
Either gas isn't high enough yet or I don't need to be anywhere bad enough to take any "planned" rides in the rain. I rode all the way to Myrtle Beach last year in the fall. 6 hour ride and rained all the way. It was miserable, bike looked like it had been dredged up out of a swamp somewhere and my 2 buddies that were riding with me, behind me, tried to brake at a yellow light and skidded all the way through the intersection. We all had on rain gear but there are parts of you that will always get wet if it's raining bad enough or you ride long enough. Looking back, we all agreeit was a foolish and dangerous thing to do, especially since we had access to a trailer and the women followed us all the way in a Suburban that could have been pulling that trailer. One of my buddies WAS just so hard core he wouldn't let himself show up at a bike rally with a trailer. He's softened that view now.
Riding to work and back should be fine if you can stand it. But you'll find yourself constantly cleaning your bike unless you just absolutely don't care. Sorry, call me a wuss too, but if I can't enjoy the ride, I'll take the cage.
Either gas isn't high enough yet or I don't need to be anywhere bad enough to take any "planned" rides in the rain. I rode all the way to Myrtle Beach last year in the fall. 6 hour ride and rained all the way. It was miserable, bike looked like it had been dredged up out of a swamp somewhere and my 2 buddies that were riding with me, behind me, tried to brake at a yellow light and skidded all the way through the intersection. We all had on rain gear but there are parts of you that will always get wet if it's raining bad enough or you ride long enough. Looking back, we all agreeit was a foolish and dangerous thing to do, especially since we had access to a trailer and the women followed us all the way in a Suburban that could have been pulling that trailer. One of my buddies WAS just so hard core he wouldn't let himself show up at a bike rally with a trailer. He's softened that view now.
Riding to work and back should be fine if you can stand it. But you'll find yourself constantly cleaning your bike unless you just absolutely don't care. Sorry, call me a wuss too, but if I can't enjoy the ride, I'll take the cage.
#25
05-08-2008 | 02:19 PM
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,435
Likes: 23
From: Living in open carry state :D
RE: riding in rain
ORIGINAL: SpeedMK
I with you on this. Why ride a $20k+ bike in the rain when you don't have to?
ORIGINAL: Gaffy52
Don't do the rain thing here in the UK- strictly a fair weather biker, too much chrome to clean. Also when you get to my age and you go to the garage on a nasty day you go car / bike - nope car! The other really good reason is that in the winter if even threatens to be midly icy the local councils grit the roads which contains salt which is death to a Harley - its garaged in the Winter and turnedloose on fine Spring, Summer and Autumn days. Just call me wuss
Don't do the rain thing here in the UK- strictly a fair weather biker, too much chrome to clean. Also when you get to my age and you go to the garage on a nasty day you go car / bike - nope car! The other really good reason is that in the winter if even threatens to be midly icy the local councils grit the roads which contains salt which is death to a Harley - its garaged in the Winter and turnedloose on fine Spring, Summer and Autumn days. Just call me wuss
#26
05-08-2008 | 02:38 PM
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 57
RE: riding in rain
ORIGINAL: grumpa
I wear out back clothes, Got into it when I seen a cowboy in Wyoming ride up to a bike show in Casper WY in a snow storm.He was on a Chopper, wearing a Freckn cowboy hat with ear muffs.Then in my horse days I found they are the best wind and weather breaker , So I wear down under OUTBACK , We have a Outlet storein OXFORD PA, $150 jacket for $75 I wear the PAC-a-roo parka oil skin #2407, just add extra layers if riding under 30 degrees. WWW.OUTBACKTRADING.COMIt has a hood and its folds into it self and makes a nice back pack. i paid $70, been wearing it for 5 years. Riding the bike or driving a team, when it get dirty hang it out and hit it with a garden hose.
This way you still look cool in the rain, I have been thinking on a pair of oil skin pants to have in the saddle bags. and I'm going to start riding with the model wearing #2401.
I wear out back clothes, Got into it when I seen a cowboy in Wyoming ride up to a bike show in Casper WY in a snow storm.He was on a Chopper, wearing a Freckn cowboy hat with ear muffs.Then in my horse days I found they are the best wind and weather breaker , So I wear down under OUTBACK , We have a Outlet storein OXFORD PA, $150 jacket for $75 I wear the PAC-a-roo parka oil skin #2407, just add extra layers if riding under 30 degrees. WWW.OUTBACKTRADING.COMIt has a hood and its folds into it self and makes a nice back pack. i paid $70, been wearing it for 5 years. Riding the bike or driving a team, when it get dirty hang it out and hit it with a garden hose.
This way you still look cool in the rain, I have been thinking on a pair of oil skin pants to have in the saddle bags. and I'm going to start riding with the model wearing #2401.
#28
05-08-2008 | 03:35 PM
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 588
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
#29
05-08-2008 | 03:38 PM
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 931
Likes: 3
From: England
RE: riding in rain
ORIGINAL: grumpa
$20K motorcycle???? who rides a $20k Bike ?????? Damn must be nice to be in the UK, Hay a friend of mine is selling his house north of Donigel, Ireland. 4 bedrooms.Plus over looking a bay.(?)
$20K motorcycle???? who rides a $20k Bike ?????? Damn must be nice to be in the UK, Hay a friend of mine is selling his house north of Donigel, Ireland. 4 bedrooms.Plus over looking a bay.(?)
#30
05-08-2008 | 05:03 PM
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 967
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Massachusetts
RE: riding in rain
ORIGINAL: toecat2000
Any thing I have to worry about maintenance wise with the bike?
thanks
Any thing I have to worry about maintenance wise with the bike?
thanks
I actually think my bike runs better in the rain.
The only really important advice I can give is when you see a puddle keep in mind that you don't know how deep it is.