My rule of thumb is typically 40% chance of rain. I've been caught a few times but I figure it's part of it.

 

I won't touch my bike is rain is in the forcast. When I younger, first rain of the year, lost control of a car unexpectedly just switching lanes on the freeway(was within speed limit as well), hit a sidewall. Learned my lesson to never take rain lightly.

 

I understand that!! I have CDO, it's like OCD but with the letters in the correct order.

 

Depends on time if year and what the radar looks like. In Piedmont area of North and South Carolina during the summer we can expect scattered showers almost without warning. I watch the weather radar in the summer to locate showers that pop up and which direction they are headed so I can dodge em. In the winter rain is easier to predict and I listen to the weather man but still watch the radar.

 

Same country here, and same habbits too...

I got two pairs of "Barbours" (jackets and trousers), a bath towel around the neck, watertight boots, and there I go...

 

 

Main reason I don't take out the Harley in the rain is it needs a lot of cleaning. I'm not so fussy about my Suzuki 1250FA. Wet roads don't bother me so much as wet clothes especially when it soaks through the seams! I carry a rain suit if it looks likely. If it's a light shower, I'll just hang up my Kevlar jeans to dry when I return. Padded, waterproof gear is useful but unpleasant in heat. Hot and wet is hard!

 

That's me. I have the app on my phone and plan my route accordingly. Sometimes you still get caught unawares.

 

It's a mental game. If you focus on the wet crotch, you'll be miserable. If you just get wet, say "what the hell" and put it out of your mind, it's not so bad. Deal with the wet togs when you get to your destination.

 

Not much riding in Seattle if you care about rain. After 2 years of daily riding I had the right gear for no leaks. 3/4 helmet with flip down shield works great without fogging.

Potential for snow and black ice is the stopper. A downpour at other places stops you too. In SoCal it's only the Santa Ana's.