Wet weather riding?

[Stromble]

I know we get caught out in the rain.. And some use the bike as sole form of transport..

But does the rain keep the majority of bikers off the road? Or do the die hards still get out there?

[quickbuck]

I used to still get out there if I had to, as it was my only form of transport.

Never enjoyed riding in the rain though. Had a bin on a slippery patch when I was younger.

After the last HRC training day at Taupo I had to ride back through torrential rain.
Never felt so confident on my bike before.
It was a real pleasure... apart from finding I need to replace my jacket.

[PrincessBandit]

Love riding in the rain. Have never binned so a spill (particularly if it was in the rain) might change my mind! But I have no problem with wet weather, in fact I find being on the bike in the rain quite an uplifting experience. Not so great when accompanied by gusty driving frigid wind though. Brrrrrrr.:cold:

[nallac]

as its my only form of transport i ride rain hail or shine.
Not as much fun in the wet vs dry, but more fun vs a car.

Just adjust my speed to avaiable visability,traction etc.

[madbikeboy]

I'm okay about riding in the rain. kinda, sorta. I don't mind riding in the rain if I don't need to get off scoot and front up at a client site. For work, it's a little antisocial to walk dripping into someone's flash reception area, and then peel layers of gear off.

After hours - I don't mind riding in the rain, but it's hard on tires, and when Joe Average gets water on their windscreen, they suddenly lose whatever was left of their natural ability to detect the presence of motorcycles...

Plus, washing the bike down is a pain in the ass. And then drying it. Then polishing it. Then giving it a small hug before putting the cover on it, chaining it to the ground, tossing the Rottie a small chunk of the last burglar, and then closing the garage, setting the anti-personnel landmines, driving the truck across the garage...

Did I mention that I wear glasses, and the fogging products on the market do precisely that. When is someone going to invent an effective anti-fogging product. And gloves that don't leak. :crybaby:

[Maha]

Love riding in the rain. Have never binned so a spill (particularly if it was in the rain) might change my mind! But I have no problem with wet weather, in fact I find being on the bike in the rain quite an uplifting experience. Not so great when accompanied by gusty driving frigid wind though. Brrrrrrr.:cold:


I wouldn't say that I ''love it' but I dont mind at all, unless like you say, gusty winds are also part of the equation. I would not however, think, shit its raining, im off for a ride. If im out and it starts then no problem, ride to the conditions bla bla.

[Bonez]

We have a car but the motorcycle is my prefered means of transport. Have been known to go for a ride rain for the hell of it.

[woodboats]

Good question for this tie of year.
What sort of wet weather gear do folks use?

[madbikeboy]

Wet weather gear - Dainese or Teknic cordura stuff. Haven't found gloves yet that allow you to actually ride that don't leak. Boots - sigh - my Forma's seem reasonably showerproof...

Just walked the pooch (not fair to keep her in the handbag any longer), and walking up the road, noticed the incredible amount of oil on the road. Looks like the ExxonValdez ran aground here. No wonder the rear of the scoot lights up faster than a junkie with a new crack pipe...

On another note, I'm sure pooch counts the number of plastic bags I take - she always takes one more pit stop than I have bags with. I counted them out this morning, grabbing three bags - one, two, three, four. But, when she took her fourth dump, she looked at me with that "so, you think you coulda fooled me?" look.

PS. Any bitch carrying a pooch in handbag seems to be a waste of oxygen. :girlfight:

[Rob Taylor]

I dont mind riding during rain.But wont go for a leisure ride if its wet.In winter I ride to Manfield from Auckland once a month for the Vic series so bound to get wet , but not often.:cool:

[henry]

When I decided to buy a bike again (after 10 years break) I intended to be a fair weather weekend biker. Getting too old for the wet weather crap.

Well, it turns out I can't stand not to be on my bike so I ride in all weathers.

The commute on the motorway is pretty lonely on wet days though, so there are some soft cocks out there.

[banditrider]

Depends on how I'm feeling but sometimes I actually enjoy it - I definitely prefer rain to wind. It's usually better in a constant rain ie not just starting or drying roads (more slippery). Last years GC was a little over the top though...

Gear: I've got a decent Spidi suit but when it's properly wet I put on a Dri-rider oversuit - especailly on tour when you need to look after your gear for the long haul. Still have been wet through all layers - 3 hours of West Coast rain. Currently got a set of Alpine-star boots which seem very good (my previous pair of Sidi boots were completely waterproof). Have given up on thick winter gloves - they just stay wet longer. I wear thinner summer gloves and turn the toasters on.

Can't let a little weather put you off...

[Cr1MiNaL]

I love the rain. My bike is my only means of transport anywhere. I have 3 sets of gear which I adon depending on the conditions. If its raining (very heavily) I'll wear a pair of shorts and an old t shirt with no helmet and pootle up and down our street. I love the feeling !!

[DUCATI*HARD]

as long as you have a good set off tyres,the rains a laugh,,,cant say i love it tho:buggerd:

[sels1]

I dont mind riding in the rain, still better than driving a cage. Putting all the gear on for a short trip can get a bit annoying tho - often I just wear my jacket and let the jeans get damp and dry again

[23226]

I was riding every day until last friday morning, when a u-turner cut me off .. in the wet.

That bike is probably just parts now for someone elses dead honda that doesn't mind the tweaked front end and dents.

The incident was definitely influenced by wet conditions with regards me trying not to mate directly with the side of the car and how much I could slow before the inevitable comedy catapult launch over the hood.
:doctor:
luckily for me I took the full force umm between my legs on the way through on some dull object that left me with the impression of a mallet or hammer being applied to said area.

Won't put me off from wet weather riding though.

[howdamnhard]

I use my bike for commuting no matter what the weather.The rain is actually quite fun if you have the right gear.

[HornetBoy]

Well i wouldnt purposely go out to ride in the rain,but i dont really have a choice during the week as its my only transport ,if it rains on the weekend i useually keep the bike in the shed tho :argh:

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

My only form of transport. Ridden in Civil Defence conditions as well. Not by choice I can assure you. As long as you have good tyres and good wet weather gear. However riding back in the rain from Hawkes Bay last week I forgot my cellphone was in my new wet weather jacket - but of course pockets are not waterproof. I was dry. Phone was definitely drowned and very dead - no amount of time in hot water cupboard has revived it.

[Oakie]

Rain doen't really worry me. I just adjust my riding style a bit. (From 'nana' to 'super-nana').
My wet weather gear keeps me dry so it's all good. The only thing that worries me is the lack of visibility in heavy misty rain.
Incidentally, you don't need expensive stuff to keep you dry. I scored a PVC jacket from 'Cash Converters' four years ago for $15 and it hasn't let a drop of moisture through yet. Even folds up and fits under my seat. The only problem is it's brand. 'Xena Warrior Princess' is probably not a good look in amongst a group of hairy bikers. Fortunately it's a very small logo.

[vifferman]

I've ridden in all weathers, including gale-force winds mutitudinous times, hail and thunderstorms, torrential rain (road was about 150mm deep in water) and snow. However, I'd rather not ride in the rain, as I don't enjoy it as much as I used to: the roads are very shitty and slippery, and visibility isn't as good. I used to just ride anyway, regardless of weather, but now that I have a couple of cars sitting at home, if I don't feel like riding, I don't. Why should I? :spudwhat:
I've more'n proved I'm no softcock, so I don't have to prove I'm a RealMan by riding if I don't feel like it. :Pokey:

[GaZBur]

I have to ride in all weathers. I won't ride in the wet just for fun although I have raced in the wet for fun and hated it!!! Make logic of that one. This time of year gets onto riding in ICE! I don't mind riding on frost at all (thats the white stuff) as you get surprisingly good traction, but the black ice you cant see is slipperyer than a greased and polished slippery thing. Sometimes you can ride fine all though town without problems but get to within 2 blocks of the University and its like a skating rink! It's damn difficult even just walking on it. Not what I consider fun riding.

[Ragingrob]

Any other way of transport for me will cost a lot more and result in getting wet anyway, so biking it is! My gear keeps me completely dry, and I just ride like a nana especially round town with the white lines and tar snakes! I try to ride keeping the bike as upright as possible and not lean.

[YellowDog]

Riding in the rain is good (not heavy helmet breaching rain) and a different experience to dry riding. I just don't like how dirty the bike gets.

[Biggles2000]

Riding in the summer rain is good for the soul. Riding in the cold wet icy winter rain, when it runs down your back and into your crotch is just plain daft.

[RC1]

doesnt bother me so much anymore, good tyres good gear, and a bit more cautious, tis always good for the skills to do a bit of wet riding i think

[Big Dave]

Necessary evil. Avoid it if I can. HTFU if I can't.

Once you've got the gear on it's not much different to dry, more caution, longer braking distances required.

Propensity of motorists to do something stupid also seems to increase.

She had trouble seeing past the window pillar in good conditions but now de-mister on Enid's 120Y hasn't worked for 10 years.

Then because she's been driving to her conditions, reggie ram rocket in the twin turbo bass woofers is late picking up shazza and he's likely to do anything from a suicide left hand overtaking move to a huge lost traction 180.


But all that considered, and being aware of it before I put the keys in the ignition - putting all the gear on is the biggest PITA and then dealing with it at your destination.

[Ixion]

I like riding in really bad weather. Heavy rain and or strong wind. I'll go out for a ride if there's a storm. Not so keen on dreary drizzley rain,around town, especially at night, but wot y' gonna do? Gotta get home. Actually, it's not rdiing in rain, it's stopping in rain. Don't enjoy sitting at lights in the rain.

Wet gear's cheap enough, $95 hi vis waterproof jacket from the Safety Shop, $11 over trou from the Warewhare (the woven ones not the rubber sheet things).

[90s]

My bike IS my wet weather alternative.
If the day is good and I'm not (insert one of my many excuses here) then I might well cycle instead.

You appreciate how dry you are on a motorbike after a wet day on a cycle.

[Horse]

I purposely go out to ride in the rain.

Need to work on the visor fogging problem though.

[Big Dave]

I purposely go out to ride in the rain.

Need to work on the visor fogging problem though.

Get a Pinlock visor. Not the cheapest solution. But the best. Unfoggable.

Fog city next best - mid price.

Anti fogging agents cheapest - last shortest time.

[Ixion]

Open visor. Fogging problem sorted.

[swbarnett]

Open visor. Fogging problem sorted.
This is what I do also. With a thumb width gap you still get all the rain protection your face will ever need.

[DingoZ]

Don't mind riding in the wet. Ride to work and back if it's raining. It's kind of refreshing at times. Most times I don;t get wet on the inside of the gear, but I take a spare change of work clothes in waterproof bags, just in case. Would not be very pleasant to be sitting down and working satched...



Certainly makes things interesting. Concentrate even harder, on things like throttle control, braking and braking distances, cornering. And yeah I watch the cars with even more scrutiny, as they get worse the more it rains...


Have a good old think about taking the car if it's howling with very strong winds though. But most times will take the bike....:)

[Big Dave]

This is what I do also. With a thumb width gap you still get all the rain protection your face will ever need.

And you also get water on both sides of the visor resulting in reduced visibility.

If you have a system enabling it to be kept shut - then an outside surface wipe clears it in oncoming headlights.

[gw555]

I ride everyday no matter the weather. On rainy days it surprises me how many others are still riding sometimes, like this morning I saw around 15 others on my commute

[swbarnett]

And you also get water on both sides of the visor resulting in reduced visibility.
Not with my helmet. It's just open a little bit so the inside stays dry.

[Big Dave]

Not with my helmet. It's just open a little bit so the inside stays dry.

When you get a bike that goes fast enough you'll see err not see what I mean. :-P

[one-speed]

na dont mind the wet at all.
Had abit of experience coming home today.
Started realy thowing it down just out of papamoa heading towards te puke,roads flooding.
Car's pulling over to the side of the road and some of those that kept going driving with there hazard light's on at snail's pace,which i found abit fustrating.
Anyway's showed them the way.
As ya do got home and it stopped.
Just have remember to take my wet weather gear and my clear visor tomorrow:doh:

[rat biker 08]

Was out on the weekend and it was wet but had fun . Just had to take it easy drop back thottle.http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif

[swbarnett]

When you get a bike that goes fast enough you'll see err not see what I mean. :-P
How fast are we talking? I've done the same thing in the past in excess of legal speeds and never had water on the inside of the visor. Maybe it depends on the angle of the rain in the first place?

[HungusMaximist]

I don't actively go out and seek to ride in ther rain but I don't mind riding in the wet.

Though I don't like riding in the wet with heaps and heaps of cars in the city.

[Big Dave]

How fast are we talking? I've done the same thing in the past in excess of legal speeds and never had water on the inside of the visor. Maybe it depends on the angle of the rain in the first place?

Gag - your bike goes plenty fast enough.

100Kph in the freeway spray will have water on the inside of all my helmets - even with the smallest opening.

[swbarnett]

Gag - your bike goes plenty fast enough.

100Kph in the freeway spray will have water on the inside of all my helmets - even with the smallest opening.
It just occurred to me that both bikes I'm talking about have good front spray protection. On the GN I have a windshield fitted and the CB750 I rode in the eighties was the full fairing version with a high touring screen. A sports fairing or a naked bike would probably be a different story.

[xwhatsit]

As Ixion says, I've always found my skin to be waterproof -- so what's the big deal? Just a bit less grip. Still more than gravel, and that's fun, right? Just have to remember to lube the chain more often and dry your glubs (girls don't like stinky glub-hands).

Snow looks even better though.
2EFCWKK8RzU

[Subike]

As Ixion says, I've always found my skin to be waterproof -- so what's the big deal? Just a bit less grip. Still more than gravel, and that's fun, right? Just have to remember to lube the chain more often and dry your glubs (girls don't like stinky glub-hands).

Snow looks even better though.
2EFCWKK8RzU

that guy was having a ball!
I can see that a day on the snow could improve your riding heaps
But only if you ride a 50cc
Cant see me doing that on the 1100. would fall ova!

Wet riding?
Because I live out of town on SH1, when it rains the roads are better to ride than in the dry between home and work, the roads washed clean and if it snows on the omahi saddle, the long distance trucks have cut a track overnight and there is grip.
As for the wetness? My only bugger is I get one white finger from an old injury, apart from that the fires always going at home and at work, so things dry out ok.
Would I ride deliberatly in the rain when given an option? Hell yes, can be a heap of fun with the right attitude, but lots slower than dry days, not because of the conditions, but because the cage drivers dont look .... for you in the wet.

[swbarnett]

As Ixion says, I've always found my skin to be waterproof
Actually, skin is anything but waterproof. If it was it wouldn't wrinkle when wet for too long.

[Ixion]

Gag - your bike goes plenty fast enough.

100Kph in the freeway spray will have water on the inside of all my helmets - even with the smallest opening.

Uh, so open the visor fully. Duh. Doesn't mater then if it's wet both sides.

[Big Dave]

Uh, so open the visor fully. Duh. Doesn't mater then if it's wet both sides.

At 100kph in the rain - sure.

If you have a good visor system you can keep it closed and get much better visibility and comfort.

[inlinefour]

I know we get caught out in the rain.. And some use the bike as sole form of transport..

But does the rain keep the majority of bikers off the road? Or do the die hards still get out there?

Pffffffft!!! Used to have the mikey mint one piece wet weather suit that fitted over my codura gear. Got very swaety if it was hot and I was working the bike hard. Only ever used the DRZ400 in the wet, was amusing to see the sportsbike slide in the wet. At times I would be banished to the rear of the pack as my rear tyre kicked up stones and shit and I'd drift on purpose for fun. My cbr600rr was set up with preformance tyres though and would have been on its side quickly in the wet. Had super sticky tyres for dry summer thrashings. I was just lucky to have an understand Mrs and at one time 15 bikes in the garage. :2thumbsup

[inlinefour]

At 100kph in the rain - sure.

If you have a good visor system you can keep it closed and get much better visibility and comfort.

Shoei XR100, very good in the rain, lots of other good brands/models. Cheap shit was just that, shit.

[Horse]

Uh, so open the visor fully. Duh. Doesn't mater then if it's wet both sides.

Not so effective if you wear glasses...