Slowrain, I like your reply about the 80% losing thier ability to drive in Ga. in the rain, I would have to agree with you. Same here in R.I.

 

I ride in the rain for only two reasons. It catches me while I'm on the road. I'll stop to put on my rain gear and then keep rolling. The other, I absolutely have to get from point A to point B and the bike is my only option, then I put on my rain gear and head out.

 

Rain,snow,hail,smoke from a range fire,dust storm.I'll take rain any day over the last 2.I hit a dust storm-high winds (going to the west coast from Smokey Mtn Natl. Park)last summer just outside Farmington N.M.Couldn't see past my front fender for 5mi.,hit a range fire in eastern Ore. a few summers ago,they closed the Interstate behind me,wished it would have been in front of me.

 

After 10 pages, it seems the meat of the replies are in the "I wont leave the garage if it is raining but if I get caught out, it's not the end of the world" camp. With the "I ride no matter what" and the "My bike only comes out on 70 degree Sunday afternoons" crowd representing at either end. Interesting. Thanks all

 

I commute on my bike here in the Vancouver/Portland area so there are plenty of days where I will head out in the rain even if I don't have to. It doesn't bother me to do so. I just slow down a little since even here in the PacNW 80 -90% of cagers forget how to drive in the rain and that's even with 5 minutes between showers too

 

Winter rain ain't fun ... I avoid that ... if possible. In the summer, that's a different story.

 

+1 Being able to pack my rain gear sure helps a lot too.