Last hard rain I got caught in I lost sight of the road due to ponding of water. Never hydroplaned on a bike and don't plan to so I pulled over at the nearest overhead shelter I could find. Don't push your luck in the rain, let it pass and roll on.
Obviously not last night. Downpour and 60mph winds in Indy. Took 1 hr 10 mins , rain puddled in my frog togggs, I had to put the kickstand down at red lights so as not to fall over. Did lots of praying on that ride home all 36 miles
Good timing.
I've been riding since I was 14, so that puts me at almost 50 years, Many of those early years all I had was a bike. Rode in the rain all the time, year round. I don't need to prove anything.
Now my normal answer is I don't start a ride if it's raining, but if I get caught in it, **** happens.
Tomorrow I am suppose to meet a bunch of Forum guys from the EVO section, Meeting people from 4 hrs away and riding another 3 - 4 to get there, and there are some already on the second day of their rides to get there. We are going to meet for lunch and some handshakes and conversation. The weather is going to turn bad in a big way, about the time we are eating. I said I would be there (ride) and I'll be damned if if fall out when others are riding farther and through worse.
Did a 200 mile Funeral escort in freezing rain, escorting the remains of a Korean War POW who never made it HOME, until 50 years later. Puts things in perspective.
When I ride and why I'm riding, no absolute answer.
Want to make it more difficult, do it on a bike with no front fender. Rooster tail straight up and forward and you're riding into it the entire time.
Last edited by TSheff; 05-17-2019 at 07:21 PM.
Reason: add-on
It gets wet out now screw it I take the truck I hate cleaning rain road crap off my bikes.
Not saying I don't take truck. But I am not going to worry about crap on bike either. Years ago talking to some guy, said he couldn't ride in case it rained, cause it would take hours to clean his show bike. I just don't get it. Maybe if I had a differnt bike to ride.
I am still in my first year of riding so I have a lot to learn. I have ridden in the rain a few times. The longest for about 45 mins before it stopped. The word I am getting from coworkers, friends, and family (some who ride) is that I am absolutely out of my mind for riding in the rain. So far it doesn't seem to be a huge deal to me. I mean, much like I do in my truck, I increase following distance, I am more cautious in turns, avoid puddles. I don't feel like I am about to die the way they make it sound. Am I missing something?
JG, I agree with you 1,000%. I love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love riding in the rain. I have even been known to chase after "cells" so I can ride into them.
Mind you, I am in South Florida so if I get soaking wet I am going to dry out, in about 20 minutes. Unless the rain is very cold which is unusual for Florida.
"You could ride cold. You can ride wet. But you cannot ride cold and wet."
When I am anyplace in the USA or Canada, I carry light and heavy rain gear but typically will not put any of it on until I know the rain is cold and the air is cold which is often the case outside of South East USA.
You and I are a rare breed. Very few people I know of enjoys riding in the rain. When you get the rain smell up you knows, your body is totally soaked with nature, I become like a giddy little girl with a huge smile and sometimes laugh.
A few days ago I rode to the other side of Florida and I got wet 5 times but only twice was at a super torrential downpour. It is one of my best rides in the last 6 months probably because of the rain. I got so many love bugs on my bike at one point I was hoping I would get another torrential downpour. LOL sadly I did not.
Yes it is more dangerous. But the exhilaration to me is many times more worth it.
I will not say at what speed when I am on the highway and vehicles are getting off the highway that I travel at because that would be self-incrimination but let us just say it is a hefty number. But keep in mind as well, these tires split the the rain extremely well. That is push the rain aside or through the grooves.
Only one time did I make an error in this regard and it was 100% my fault. About 7 or 8 years ago I was in New Brunswick Canada heading east to west on Trans-Can #1 I think it was) and when I crossed over a certain speed (which is pretty high) it was raining medium to medium-high amount in the rear tire started to slide a little bit left and right left and right left and right. I backed off the throttle thinking what the hell??? I went back up to that higher speed and again the rear tire started to slide right left right left right left.
I pulled the bike over and realized I had 0, none, 0 tread left. That has never ever happen to me. I am typically very sensitive about my tread wear in to this day I do not understand what happened. Anyways I replace the rear tire and everything was well. But still it rode very well because I guess the front tire parted the water that good.
Some of the best riding ever ever ever ever ever is in the rain. In my opinion.
Having shared all that with you, I need to quickly add to make sure you learn how to ride in the rain. It is not the same as not riding in the rain. You may want to go to YouTube and check out several of them. Sure enough some of them are going to be bad but most of them will be good. Or maybe you can go to the MTII.com website and they may have a write up on how to ride safely in the rain.
If you want me to look stuff up for you (if you are unable to find some good stuff) let me know. I will not be able to do it today and tomorrow I have an all day ride. I hope to hell it rains but there is no rain in the forecast. LOL!
RIDE RIDE RIDE in the rain!! There is NOTHING like it..............LOVE IT!!!!!!!
--BuzzCap7
P.S.: Where do you draw the proverbial line? At lightening. For the 1st abt 4 yrs of riding, I rode in lightening thinking I am protected with rubber tires. THAT (I understand) WAS BONEHEAD STUPID OF STUPID!!!! So I stopped doing that. No riding in lightening anymore. :-(
I lived in Oregon if you didn’t ride in the rain you didn’t ride 9 months out of the year. I will say I prefer the sun and clear skies but a little rain has got to happen sometimes
To OP (James Gibson): The Frogg Togg rain suit you have is certainly not the best, but they work pretty well. There is a real problem, however, with it melting onto the exhaust. Ask me how I know. Frogg Togg sells a heat resistant patch kit. Available through Revzilla, which sells the brand. I have a HD rain suit now and really like it, but you can keep your Frogg Togg suit and add the heat resistant patch to make it more viable.
Not saying I don't take truck. But I am not going to worry about crap on bike either. Years ago talking to some guy, said he couldn't ride in case it rained, cause it would take hours to clean his show bike. I just don't get it. Maybe if I had a differnt bike to ride.
Spent more 2 wheeled hours in the rain than I care to remember, did a LOT of traveling in younger years. I'm older now, been there done that and choose not to anymore. Long past the need to pound out the miles rain or cold and prove something to myself like we all do at that point in our lives. Funny thing is the hate to clean them part is something that's just developed the last 10 years or so, was fun now like yard work I'd rather avoid it.
05-17-2019 | 06:50 PM
