Rain and riding

[stevethelondoner]

Ok, Today I rode for the first time in heavy rain. i have done spinkles or light rain but this started coming down on me. I was on a highway called the 417 and got about half way across the bridge when it started to get a bit more heavy. Well by the time I got home I was drenched right through....had no wets as ya can tell. If I every have to do this again I am taking a clean pair of underpants. If I said I was not affraid i would be telling porkies. On one turn my rear tire slipped a little on a man hole cover. The rain felt like needles hitting me in the face and the bloody glasses I had on...well all i can say is I wish they came with wind shield wipers. So, yep I crapped myself, had what felt like pins hitting me in the face and was fully wet to say the least.

Ride Safe

 

[CarlS]

Steve, I do not enjoy riding in the rain. But if you ride in Florida in the summer time, you will ride in the rain sooner or later. You do have to be very careful when the roads are wet - especially if the rain has just started. The oil and grease on the road floats to the surface of the water. Also you have to watch the lines and crosswalks painted on the road. They are slick anyway. Riding in the rain is one reason I went to a full face helmet. At the very least, you need a face shield. I use Frogg Toggs for my rain gear; they are light roll up small and breath pretty well. I always have them with me in the summer and on trips.

 

[The Seeker]

In addition to Carl's excellent comments on staying away from manhole covers and the painted lines, I always have a strip of leather like chamois on the back of my gloves to wipe the water from my face shield.

Braking distances increase a LOT in the wet and you obviously don't make any sudden moves if at all possible.

I actually enjoy riding in the rain, but having a heavy bike and good Avon tires builds confidence too. Trust that the centrifugal force of your turning wheels WILL keep you upright much more than you THINK it does. It's just a matter of getting comfortable with wet weather and building confidence.

 

[shyguy344]

As Carl mentioned, if you live in Florida and ride in the summer, you will eventually get to ride in not just rain, but torrential rain, as you did today. I carry Frogg Toggs also, and have thanked my lucky stars more times than I can count for having them. I used to enjoy riding in the rain, but that was when I lived in the North, and the rain experience in Florida is nothing like what most people elsewhere consider riding in the rain. Pay attention to what Carl and the Seeker have said. They are "spot on". Don't let the rain intimidate you, but be sure to be extra careful, especially right at the beginning of a storm when the oil is rising to the surface. It can make the asphalt feel like ice.

 

[stevethelondoner]

Once again, Cheers guys :y18:

I am gonna look for these frog toggs now. I guess because it was the first downpour I have been in it got my nurve a bit. i waited at my mates office in Sanford until it calmed down and stopped, but I must of rode right into it. Was moving slow too...

Ride safe

 

[dazco]

i went down once on one of those drain grates that stuck out a long ways from the curb. it wasn't raining but had recently spinkled a little and was wet. I'm different than most riders in that i will NOT ride in rain under any circumstances unless it unexpectedly happens while i'm riding and i can make it home before it starts pouring. I feel bikes simply shouldn't be ridden in wet. Unlike a car, bikes don't just fishtail when the tire slips, they go down a lot of the time. When i was younger i went down due to water one too many times not to be gun shy now. If it even seems like theres a slight chance of sprinkles even i take the car. It's just too easy to not see a manhole cover till it's too late or some such thing. For me, bikes are dry weather vehicles, period.

 

[Rocky]

I have never liked riding in the rain. If there is any threat of rain I stay home.
I've been caught in the rain many times out on the road with no rain suit and have been drenched to the skin more than once.
Of course if I'm on a road trip I pack accordingly and accept rain as part of the trip.
I'm not sure if it's the rain I hate so much or the job of cleaning the bike later

 

[CarlS]

[quote author=Rocky link=topic=1942.msg13364#msg13364 date=1222863425]
I'm not sure if it's the rain I hate so much or the job of cleaning the bike later
[/quote]

I hear you, Rocky! That is my grip, too. It's just a hassle to ride in the rain all the way around; but I do it - a couple of times a week.

 

[stevethelondoner]

[quote author=Rocky link=topic=1942.msg13364#msg13364 date=1222863425]
I'm not sure if it's the rain I hate so much or the job of cleaning the bike later
[/quote]

I hear ya on this one.....i went out in the garage and started to wipe the bike down. After drying off....blimey was I wet....hahaha

Ride safe

 

[The Seeker]

The fairing on my Trophy keeps me completely dry as long as I keep moving. The only thing that gets wet are the very tips of my toes. Then invariably, I have to stop for a red light or stop sign and I get soaked.

 

[CarlS]

There is no doubt that fairings are great. But they are way too hot down here in the summer. I will put up with what little cold we have and with rain on an unfaired bike to get the wind in the summer.

 

[Geoff587]

Every post reflects my sentiments on riding in the rain, hate it, will not go out in it but being in UK I get caught out more often than not. Manholecovers, whitelines , treat with caution and smooth braking, steering and gear changes . And think of those great waterproofs I have in the garage at home :blush:

 

[gumpt1oo]

I don't really mind riding in the rain, I hate getting caught out without my waterproofs though!
Like others have said, slow down, watch the manholes, paint, and the road surface, and avoid the 'death grip'. h:
I used to do this all the time, what I mean by 'death grip' is hang on tight to the bars and tense up into corners. Just slow down and relax on the bike and be as smooth as possible. I found that the more I tensed up and hung on, the worse my riding got!

 

[fuzzy]

I agree with all of the above.

I prefer not to ride in rain, but in SOFLO one has to accept realities. It is treacherous, but, if I'm caught in it, I just make the proper adjustments and move along.

I use Scotchgard on my nylon jacket and that, with Stearns rain pants usually does the trick. If its really bad, I'll put on the Stearns top. Full face helmet is a must at all times.

Frogg Toggs are priced out of my league..

 

[Doug]

I'm with Dazco on this one,I did too many miles in the rain when I didn't have a choice to do it now when I do have one! Besides,it's a hell of a job to get the bike clean afterwards.
Having said that,back in the dark ages when I was racing,I was reckoned to be pretty good in the wet-the trick is to be as smooth as possible,dont make any sudden moves.
Of course the fact that I wasn't all that fast in the dry so I didn't have to slow down that much must have helped.

 

[DaveM]

For many years I only had the bike as transport so I would just ride no matter what. I have ridden in rain, snow, hail, fog you name it. However with this said I still do not enjoy riding in the rain to this day and also try and avoid it as much as possible. The funny thing is only since I have had the Speedmaster do I own rain gear, before it was just the leather jacket jeans and boots.