Touring in the rain
#21
10-24-2007 | 10:16 AM
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 195
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From:
RE: Touring in the rain
You have up to 80% of availble traction in the rain versus the dry. My goal when riding in the rain is to keep dry, so gear is most important to me. When it rains and I'm dry and protected, it's not only not bad, but kind of enjoyable - similar to driving in a car when it rains.
#22
10-24-2007 | 10:23 AM
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 24
From: Greenfield, WI
RE: Touring in the rain
A fullface helmet is nice but can fog, I got a snap on face shield that I carry in the bags that snaps on my 3/4 helmet and comes down below my chin. Since it is open at the bottom, fogging isn't a problem.
An indy by me sells waterproof gloves, hood and boot covers that cost about $10 for a set and work great. All of this plus my rainsuit easily fitsin one of the boot covers which Ithen carryin my saddlebag.
An indy by me sells waterproof gloves, hood and boot covers that cost about $10 for a set and work great. All of this plus my rainsuit easily fitsin one of the boot covers which Ithen carryin my saddlebag.
#24
10-24-2007 | 12:28 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,867
Likes: 674
From: Illinois
#25
10-24-2007 | 02:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Alaska
#26
10-24-2007 | 02:11 PM
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 238
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From: South Austin Texas
RE: Touring in the rain
ORIGINAL: Buddha96
Alright, I gotta tell this story.
Two years ago, my buddy and I are somewhere in Utah. It's 4:00 in the afternoon and we are in the town where we were going to stay. However, this small problem I have with coloring outside the lines causes me to look down the interstate and utter the phrase, "ya know, it's only 125 miles to the next town". My buddy says, "what about that big assed rain cloud?" To which I respond, "Oh, I'm pretty sure we ride around that". I'm grinning, my buddy is rubbing his forehead and emitting that small sigh that he always sighs when he knows full well that he should just say no...but doesn't. So, off we go.
That part about riding around the rain cloud? Yep, just one more time when I didn't know my *** from third base. We get about 20 miles from town and it starts to rain. Not sprinkle, not drizzle. Raining like a cow peeing on a flat rock. Plus, the wind is blowing so hard that the water has formed a white froth on the roadway. No more stripes, no more visable lanes, just an occasional reflector post. Now, apparently, God really doeshave a sense of humorbecause it began to lightning, which provided a real interesting contrast to the otherwise pitch black conditions. So dark, in fact, that on two occasions, the only way I stayed on the roadway was I ran over those funky little rumble strips they cut into the shoulder. Now, the bright spot in all of this is the fact that this only lasted about.......75 miles. 75 miles at 25 mph.....just waiting to get grilled from behind by a blue hair in a Buick.....and laughing like a maniac. Laughing because it felt like a more manly response than screaming like a 10 year old girl.
Anyway, this storm suddenly lets up about a mile from the next town. We pull off the interstate and find a nice motel, and I am able to convince my buddy that there really is a reason, even if it isn't apparent at the time, to let me live.
And I wouldn't trade that wholeexperience for anything.
Moral of the story? If you are going to see this beautiful country from a bike, you are going to get wet. Prepare, buy good gear, and embrace the experience. It's all a part of doing what we love. Oh yeah, and if your riding partner ever mutters the phrase "ya know, it really doesn't look that bad.....", just say "NO".
Alright, I gotta tell this story.
Two years ago, my buddy and I are somewhere in Utah. It's 4:00 in the afternoon and we are in the town where we were going to stay. However, this small problem I have with coloring outside the lines causes me to look down the interstate and utter the phrase, "ya know, it's only 125 miles to the next town". My buddy says, "what about that big assed rain cloud?" To which I respond, "Oh, I'm pretty sure we ride around that". I'm grinning, my buddy is rubbing his forehead and emitting that small sigh that he always sighs when he knows full well that he should just say no...but doesn't. So, off we go.
That part about riding around the rain cloud? Yep, just one more time when I didn't know my *** from third base. We get about 20 miles from town and it starts to rain. Not sprinkle, not drizzle. Raining like a cow peeing on a flat rock. Plus, the wind is blowing so hard that the water has formed a white froth on the roadway. No more stripes, no more visable lanes, just an occasional reflector post. Now, apparently, God really doeshave a sense of humorbecause it began to lightning, which provided a real interesting contrast to the otherwise pitch black conditions. So dark, in fact, that on two occasions, the only way I stayed on the roadway was I ran over those funky little rumble strips they cut into the shoulder. Now, the bright spot in all of this is the fact that this only lasted about.......75 miles. 75 miles at 25 mph.....just waiting to get grilled from behind by a blue hair in a Buick.....and laughing like a maniac. Laughing because it felt like a more manly response than screaming like a 10 year old girl.
Anyway, this storm suddenly lets up about a mile from the next town. We pull off the interstate and find a nice motel, and I am able to convince my buddy that there really is a reason, even if it isn't apparent at the time, to let me live.
And I wouldn't trade that wholeexperience for anything.
Moral of the story? If you are going to see this beautiful country from a bike, you are going to get wet. Prepare, buy good gear, and embrace the experience. It's all a part of doing what we love. Oh yeah, and if your riding partner ever mutters the phrase "ya know, it really doesn't look that bad.....", just say "NO".
#27
10-24-2007 | 06:28 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 25
From: St George, UT
RE: Touring in the rain
I get wet, I get dry. I don't melt.
I wear a 3/4 helmet with a hinged face shield. Best all around helmet in my opinion. In the rain, no fogging. Like everyone else said, slow down (under 60 in heavy rain) and follow in the car ahead's tracks on the high side of the crown of the road. Increase braking distance by 50%, and did I say slow down?[8D]
I wear a 3/4 helmet with a hinged face shield. Best all around helmet in my opinion. In the rain, no fogging. Like everyone else said, slow down (under 60 in heavy rain) and follow in the car ahead's tracks on the high side of the crown of the road. Increase braking distance by 50%, and did I say slow down?[8D]
#28
10-24-2007 | 06:31 PM
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 749
Likes: 2
RE: Touring in the rain
A good full face helmet with a fog shield installed will only fog up in single digit weather. Proper rain gear is a must. For trips/daily commuting I now wear Aerostich Darien jacket and pants. Doubles as rain/foul weather gear when you layer. Harley overboots are TERRIFIC and will keep you dry. I adjust my riding style to ensure any medium or hard braking is done in a straight line. Be careful under acceleration, Harley backends can come loose real quick. The only gloves I've found that keep my hands dry are rubber electrician gloves (be sure the gloves are inside the sleeves).
Anytime we go out of town we both take our rain gear and wear full face helmets. Remember, if you are going to tour, you will have to ride in the rain. The right gear is everything!
[IMG]local://upfiles/18192/9E699C01DC234327BAFF854D42FFC1E5.jpg[/IMG]
Anytime we go out of town we both take our rain gear and wear full face helmets. Remember, if you are going to tour, you will have to ride in the rain. The right gear is everything!
[IMG]local://upfiles/18192/9E699C01DC234327BAFF854D42FFC1E5.jpg[/IMG]
#29
10-24-2007 | 09:51 PM
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Touring in the rain
All good advice. I slow down considerably and take more frequent breaks ... at least one break every hour so that I don't lose focus on the task at hand.
As far as riding gear, the HD rainsuit is great, but I would have to say that the best wet-weather purchase I have made is my Playtex latex gloves. There is nothing better at keeping my hands warm and dry ... plus the bright yellow color adds visibility and safety.
As far as riding gear, the HD rainsuit is great, but I would have to say that the best wet-weather purchase I have made is my Playtex latex gloves. There is nothing better at keeping my hands warm and dry ... plus the bright yellow color adds visibility and safety.
#30
10-24-2007 | 10:43 PM
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 700
Likes: 42
From: Western Washington
RE: Touring in the rain
I have ridden in the rain - alot. I can save you some money, time, and space on gear.
1). Buy Frogg Toggs... they are cheap, take up very little room, and you can ride all day in the POURING rain and they will keep you dry. If riding in the WARM wet weather such as the south, they are especially cool, because they are so light and breath so well. Best price I have seen (and have referred many people to) is goflow.net. I prefer the Pro-Action suit. It's a 2 piece suit and is easy on and off - even in a downpour. It's also a great windbreak... I use it in the mornings when it's a bit chilly, yet you don't want something heavy on. I've owned the Harley Stuff, and if you've spent much time in it, you will agree that it's a HOT and sweaty thing... hated them, still have 2 very nice sets on moth *****. Also, the hoods on these can be worn very nicely under 1/2 helmets. I've been in all day downpours with 1/2 helmet and no problems.
2). If 1/2 helmet, bring a nice pair of googles.
3). Footwear.... wear whatever you want and then top off with a pair of water proof boot covers from rainonme.com. They are $15 a pair and worth their weight in gold.
Hope what I've learned will help you as well. The nice things about these products is the fact that they work so well, yet take up so little room on the bike. I have ridden from Washington State to Tennessee and back the last 3 years in a row, plus a bunch of other trips.... so I've been in alot of rain, and at many different temps.........
Good luck..........
1). Buy Frogg Toggs... they are cheap, take up very little room, and you can ride all day in the POURING rain and they will keep you dry. If riding in the WARM wet weather such as the south, they are especially cool, because they are so light and breath so well. Best price I have seen (and have referred many people to) is goflow.net. I prefer the Pro-Action suit. It's a 2 piece suit and is easy on and off - even in a downpour. It's also a great windbreak... I use it in the mornings when it's a bit chilly, yet you don't want something heavy on. I've owned the Harley Stuff, and if you've spent much time in it, you will agree that it's a HOT and sweaty thing... hated them, still have 2 very nice sets on moth *****. Also, the hoods on these can be worn very nicely under 1/2 helmets. I've been in all day downpours with 1/2 helmet and no problems.
2). If 1/2 helmet, bring a nice pair of googles.
3). Footwear.... wear whatever you want and then top off with a pair of water proof boot covers from rainonme.com. They are $15 a pair and worth their weight in gold.
Hope what I've learned will help you as well. The nice things about these products is the fact that they work so well, yet take up so little room on the bike. I have ridden from Washington State to Tennessee and back the last 3 years in a row, plus a bunch of other trips.... so I've been in alot of rain, and at many different temps.........
Good luck..........