Just took my first trip on a Harley...
#1
Just took my first trip on a Harley...
Recently got a 2008 Street Bob. Could not travel with the wife (our schedules did not match), so I said that I would ride out with the bike & meet her where she was at. It was a 350 mile trip. My bike is bone stock and not set up for touring (or even day trips). I checked the weather the night before, but we all know how weather reports go. Long story short, I had rain for 200 of 350 miles on the way down. She was having car trouble, so I was on a mission to get down to where she was at. I had no rain gear, so it was not fun, but I managed. Stepped every hour to get coffee & pump some of the water out of my boots. Hell, even my riding jacket was soaked. Seems like you hit a point where you are uncomfortable and after that it just does not get much worse. Anyway, eventually I made it through the rain, and, I cannot begin to describe how elated I felt when the sun came out & I was beginning to dry our & warm up.
The trip back was much nicer. Sunny and 80F. Cruised back home running at a nice smooth 80.
Overall, it was a good trip. The mileage was good, getting low 52 mpg (running at 60 mph) or so on the way down and 45 mpg (running 80 mph) back home. I felt a sense of accomplishment knowing that I could suffer through the rain if I have to, knowing that down the road I will have the proper gear. Was very pleased in how well the bike ran & how stable it was. Obviously, I need to get it set up for day trips, get rain gear, etc. Nonetheless, I'm glad that I took it for this trip.
The trip back was much nicer. Sunny and 80F. Cruised back home running at a nice smooth 80.
Overall, it was a good trip. The mileage was good, getting low 52 mpg (running at 60 mph) or so on the way down and 45 mpg (running 80 mph) back home. I felt a sense of accomplishment knowing that I could suffer through the rain if I have to, knowing that down the road I will have the proper gear. Was very pleased in how well the bike ran & how stable it was. Obviously, I need to get it set up for day trips, get rain gear, etc. Nonetheless, I'm glad that I took it for this trip.
The following 2 users liked this post by MMH:
02603SEC (08-02-2018),
fullautomike (07-30-2018)
#3
#4
Funny, I am willing to bet a lot of us here had, at some point, encountered rain woefully unprepared.
My first REAL rain storm was only a couple years ago. I rode to work, it was gorgeous. I rode the 25 miles home in a thunderstorm, in the dark, in HEAVY rain.
Half helmet, crappy safety glasses.
Leather jacket
Jeans
Boots.
That was the WORST. It took almost a week for the leather to dry....I couldnt see 20 feet in front of me at any time. I pulled over to wait the storm out for a half hour, and it never let up. So, I just endured.
Now, my rain gear resides in a saddle bag.
All.
The.
Time.
My first REAL rain storm was only a couple years ago. I rode to work, it was gorgeous. I rode the 25 miles home in a thunderstorm, in the dark, in HEAVY rain.
Half helmet, crappy safety glasses.
Leather jacket
Jeans
Boots.
That was the WORST. It took almost a week for the leather to dry....I couldnt see 20 feet in front of me at any time. I pulled over to wait the storm out for a half hour, and it never let up. So, I just endured.
Now, my rain gear resides in a saddle bag.
All.
The.
Time.
#7
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: in a cave at the foothills
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Yeah man, riding in rain is rarely enjoyable but much less so not being prepared while on a long run. Learned long ago to keep the gear with me when I do take a long ride. Local runs no, but I don't even take local rides without a helmet that doesn't have a shield as I wear glasses and not being able to see is dangerous at best. Hey, sounds like you got your cherry busted!!! ?
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#8
Adventure isn't always fun while you're having it. I still remember my first motorcycle road trip 34 years ago. 400 miles each direction to visit a friend of mine, no rain gear. The ride back was interrupted by me sitting on the covered porch of a little country store in the mountains, watching the rain come down for a few hours. Sucked at the time, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
#9
Thats a long ride in the rain for sure! The day I got my license last spring it rained so it was a good start for me haha. Was on a ride last summer about 100 miles from home and got caught in the rain for about 70 miles of it, no fun. Had a Yamaha Bolt with no saddle bags, no windshield and no rain gear. As Colorado Mac said, at least it was warm! Next road trip will be better for you!
#10