Loved the stormy weather - heaven!

[mozzee]

Of course the one time I have a night free the weather turns to shit!!

Went to Coromandel during the heavy wind and rain warnings on Thursday & Friday....BUT it was aweome!! It's a whole new side to riding I didn't know existed. I've previously done about 10-20mins in the rain getting to or from the city for work. But this was a whole new experience...

You have to concentrate to stay up on two wheels and to stay in your lane with the wind pummelling you all over the place. Trucks splash water every where, you can hardly see what the road texture is, you can't see a thing, your basically having to ride by feel. It was so much fun!! Especially after Thames through to Coromandel township. The windy coast road was brilliant.

However, I'm please it happened to me while the weather was still warm though. Because I've sadly discovered that all the "waterproof" gear I have (which I paid extra for) is definitely not waterproof afterall. After about an hour I was soaked to the bone. Actually not every - just most places. My right boot was dripping wet (funny the brand is "bone dry") my gloves were dripping (very hard to get back on when wet - actually I discovered its easier to get them back on when they are dripping wet, rather then when you have tried to wring the water out of them - then they get a bit clingy on the inside), the seat of my pants and the front of my jacket were soaked right through. All my undergarments were stained black from the dye running...argh!! I'm glad I upgraded my helmet recently, the visor was really clear and it didn't fog up once! Needless to say I enjoyed a hot shower when I got home and all my gear is still drying in the hot water cupboard - thank god it wasn't winter or I would've been freezing and pretty pissed!!

Anyway, just writing this to see if I'm the only one who loves to ride in the stormy conditions.....Don't get me wrong - hot sunny days where you can let out the throttle and are free to pass whenever you want or also awesome. But the wind and rain is like a whole different experience. The adrenalin is just constantly pumping. Normally when your riding you feel like your in your own little world, but when its raining you feel it even more. Its hard to explain... Dont know how I lived without a bike until now.

:niceone:

[PirateJafa]

Tip for staying dry - wear a rain jacket/pants (decent ones) over the top of your riding gear. Plastic shopping bags over your hands/feet before you put them into your gloves/boots respectively take care of that too, and then you can stay bone dry for hours.

And with that taken care of you can enjoy the ride no matter what the weather. :niceone:

[Supermac Jr]

Yip - own little world. Quite a few posts about riding in the weather earlier this week. My commute on thurday and friday was the first in weather like we had and looking back it was quite a steep learning curve and getting to actually feel the difference that all the 'tips' makes...

Glad you enjoyed the trip!

[Slyer]

I can't say I share your enthusiasm, I ride because it is relaxing and fun. Crap weather provides for neither.
I guess if you get your jollies from being scared shitless you might enjoy it. :bleh:

[LBD]

!! I'm glad I upgraded my helmet recently, the visor was really clear and it didn't fog up once!
:niceone:

What make and model helmet?

Love all and any weather riding myself....well no not ice and snow. Staying warm and dry is crucial. I have pretty good wet weather gear, but have learnt another little trick to stay firstly warmer and also drier, although that is not much of a problem.

At outdoors shops, you can buy light water proof breathables under many different brand names. When cool or wet, I use a very light anorak under my jacket and over polar fleece. It has an elastic waist....works wonders to keep the draughts out. The added bonus was in wet weather when I would get the odd damp patch, now I stay dry.

Same below, fleece pants and light breathable water proofs, warm and toasty. Fingers still get cool but goretex gloves keep them dry.

Wet weather riding is one of the best "escapes" and the hot shower, warm feed and beer at the end of the ride is one of lifes little pleasures.

[Pixie]

The only thing I don't like about wet riding is having to clean the filth of the bike afterwards.

[mozzee]

What make and model helmet?

I've got the new Shark RSX total vision carbon fibre helmet - its very light and comfortable. Also the visors are easily switched. So I use a mirror tinted polycarbonate visor during the day and switch to the clear polycarbonate visor at night. The visors have had a whole bunch of extra antifog treatment done to them - have a 5 year guarantee. The helmet also has 2 vents. I got a really good deal from the guys at cycletreads.

I thought all my gear was waterproof - well thats what the saleman said - lol - maybe I'm just a gullible female. Nevermind, have learnt my lesson. Will be heading out to purchase some more rain gear to wear under my kit before winter gets here. Bit gutted about the gloves though - was struggling to find any small enough for me. Only found the one pair that fit correctly and they were way over my budget - but I thought bugger it they're gonna last me a while so I'll bite the buck. Turns out they weren't quite what they were advertised to be...nevermind!

[Slyer]

What gear did you buy?

[Grizzo]

Of course the one time I have a night free the weather turns to shit!!

Went to Coromandel during the heavy wind and rain warnings on Thursday & Friday....BUT it was aweome!! It's a whole new side to riding I didn't know existed. I've previously done about 10-20mins in the rain getting to or from the city for work. But this was a whole new experience...

You have to concentrate to stay up on two wheels and to stay in your lane with the wind pummelling you all over the place. Trucks splash water every where, you can hardly see what the road texture is, you can't see a thing, your basically having to ride by feel. It was so much fun!! Especially after Thames through to Coromandel township. The windy coast road was brilliant.

However, I'm please it happened to me while the weather was still warm though. Because I've sadly discovered that all the "waterproof" gear I have (which I paid extra for) is definitely not waterproof afterall. After about an hour I was soaked to the bone. Actually not every - just most places. My right boot was dripping wet (funny the brand is "bone dry") my gloves were dripping (very hard to get back on when wet - actually I discovered its easier to get them back on when they are dripping wet, rather then when you have tried to wring the water out of them - then they get a bit clingy on the inside), the seat of my pants and the front of my jacket were soaked right through. All my undergarments were stained black from the dye running...argh!! I'm glad I upgraded my helmet recently, the visor was really clear and it didn't fog up once! Needless to say I enjoyed a hot shower when I got home and all my gear is still drying in the hot water cupboard - thank god it wasn't winter or I would've been freezing and pretty pissed!!

Anyway, just writing this to see if I'm the only one who loves to ride in the stormy conditions.....Don't get me wrong - hot sunny days where you can let out the throttle and are free to pass whenever you want or also awesome. But the wind and rain is like a whole different experience. The adrenalin is just constantly pumping. Normally when your riding you feel like your in your own little world, but when its raining you feel it even more. Its hard to explain... Dont know how I lived without a bike until now.

:niceone:
You are a sick, sick man.....and welcome to KB

[yungatart]

You are a sick, sick man.....and welcome to KB

Could it be because she is a woman?????

[Tubbsy]

I bought my bike off another member on here, 'Radar', and rode it up from Masterton to Auckland in weather that ranged from sunny, to belting wind and rain. Given that it was my first time on a bike in 15 years, can't say I enjoyed the Taraweras outside of Taupo at 10pm in the driving wind and rain. Oh....and there was a freakish blast of cold air that weekend.

Also had to ride home along Aucklands waterfront last Thursday was it, when we had that howling NE that actually damaged house and trees. Did not enjoy that either, especially the battling not to get blown into moving cars bit......:violin:

[vifferman]

Riding at least occasionally in REALLY bad weather is really invigorating, as long as you don't get hypothermia (that's no fun at all :no:).
I've ridden in a tropical downpour twice, and although I got soaking wet on one occasion, I still enjoyed it. Riding in bad weather and staying cosy and dry is even better though!

Mozzee - your gloves may still be OK. Make sure you wear them with the sleeves over the top (even 100% waterproof gloves will get wet inside if you tuck your sleeves in the, as I learned on my first outing with my new Teknic jacket, in a very heavy downpour). Also, some waterproof overmitts (oilskin or PVC) will work with even cheap, non-waterproof summer gloves. :niceone:

[Tubbsy]

Sorta on the same note....any AKL bikers, I need to go visiting a mate who is off to the States soon and I have to cross the Akl harbour bridge tonight. Forecast is for up to 35knot gusts tonight, which is about 60km/h winds......as a noob riding in conditions like that...what's the comfort level, in your opinion, for me to be riding over the bridge in, wind speed wise?

[want-a-harley]

Sorta on the same note....any AKL bikers, I need to go visiting a mate who is off to the States soon and I have to cross the Akl harbour bridge tonight. Forecast is for up to 35knot gusts tonight, which is about 60km/h winds......as a noob riding in conditions like that...what's the comfort level, in your opinion, for me to be riding over the bridge in, wind speed wise?

Went back and forth accross bridge at 1430 on the GN 250, not sure on wind speed but was pretty gusty, coming from the shore, definately felt the wind but was fine, didn't move around in lane or anything but not especially comfortable, coming back (with the wind) sweet as, nice and cruisy. (I'm a noob too).

[Tubbsy]

Thanks mate, appreciate the response. Had a bit of a spook with being shoved about the waterfront in the wind the other day....wouldn't want the same on the top of the harbour bridge.

[Tubbsy]

Well, didn't need to worry about that at all, hardly even felt the forecast 35knots. On the way back though, did have my first wheel wobble moment. I'm guessing it was striations in the road or something?

[Snails pace]

What make and model helmet?


When cool or wet, I use a very light anorak under my jacket and over polar fleece. It has an elastic waist....works wonders to keep the draughts out. The added bonus was in wet weather when I would get the odd damp patch, now I stay dry.

Same below, fleece pants and light breathable water proofs, warm and toasty. Fingers still get cool but goretex gloves keep them dry.



I use wet weather gear over my bike gear. My thinking is when i get to where i am going, I take off my wet weather gear and the bike stuff is still suitable to wander in for a coffee etc. Have a Macna jacket and Rev it trousers and find they are pretty good for a ride without wet weather gear. If the ride is more than an hour i would put on wet gear. helps keep the chill out.

[Dean]

The only thing I don't like about wet riding is having to clean the filth of the bike afterwards.

To right, i hate it when the gunk builds up on the chrome and paint, and having to go through so many rags to chrome up and clean the bike after a day of rain.
What happened to the weather? are we still in summer?

[Radar]

Sorta on the same note....any AKL bikers, I need to go visiting a mate who is off to the States soon and I have to cross the Akl harbour bridge tonight. Forecast is for up to 35knot gusts tonight, which is about 60km/h winds......as a noob riding in conditions like that...what's the comfort level, in your opinion, for me to be riding over the bridge in, wind speed wise?

Hey Tubbsy, I've been through some very wicked weather on that bike of your's and managed to keep upright. The worst was in gale force wind and heavy rain, south of Eketahuna. The cars behind me were having trouble going straight and some stopped, then I saw a car that had gone off into a paddock 180 degrees around... but the GT250 and I kept going, leaned over to counter the cross wind, managed to keep at 80 kph. Crazy! Like mozzee says: "...the wind and rain is like a whole different experience. The adrenalin is just constantly pumping. Normally when your riding you feel like your in your own little world, but when its raining you feel it even more. Its hard to explain..." - yeah, I was the same. I actually laughed at myself for being in such horrendous weather and actually enjoying it!

[Tubbsy]

Ha ha, good to know Radar

Truth be told....once I'm actually out of the wild weather, it's only then I realised I enjoyed it.

[mozzee]

Yes...I knew I wasn't the only one who enjoyed it!! Good fun :niceone:

Was a bit of a mish trying to get the gloves on once they dried though..all the insides were funny..just weren't quite the same. Not sure if a plastic bag would fit underneather them though. Is there some sort of spray I can use to waterproof them?

Will have to go out and get some wet weather gears to wear over top. Must say though - I am glad to be happily single..coz I certainly wouldn't be picking anyone up in these gears...I look more and more like the michelin man everyday :doh:

Had another adventure yesterday - not quite so fun. Forgot to bring my clear visor to work. So had to ride home with the tinted visor in the dark and in the rain. Not so easy! Couldn't see a damn thing, so I had to lift the visor and peer through the gap..rain hurts the eyes!!:dodge:

[CookMySock]

Went to Coromandel during the heavy wind and rain warnings on Thursday & Friday....BUT it was aweome!! It's a whole new side to riding I didn't know existed.Yes yes yes, isn't it eerie and spectacular? :drool:

I forget about the slippery road and just slow down, and take in the scenery. I love being out in wild weather, as long as I am warm. Keywords: Cordura, polypropylene, heated grips, heated jacket.

Two weeks ago we went for a bush walk starting from <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=lake+tarawera+outlet&sll=-38.183823,176.403866&sspn=0.055862,0.108833&g=lake+tarawera&ie=UTF8&ll=-38.17937,176.518707&spn=0.11173,0.217667&t=k&z=12">Lake Tarawera Outlet</a> and down the river to the falls. It rained cats and dogs and full tins of paint, and it blew its ring out something chronic. The teenagers hurried along out in front like they had to be somewhere, and I dawdled along at the back and took it all in fully. It's the same on the bike.. like being on the moon almost.

Steve

[samgab]

Went to Coromandel during the heavy wind...

An experienced rider/mentor gave me some advice about riding in strong cross winds.
I tried it when coming back from the Coro loop in the weekend, and it works amazingly.
You swing your knee out into the side wind.
This totally stabilises the bike, and it becomes really easy to go straight.
when the wind gusts, or suddenly drops, your leg adjusts automatically.

Give it a try. looks a bit silly no doubt, but it really helps.

[samgab]

Had another adventure yesterday - not quite so fun. Forgot to bring my clear visor to work. So had to ride home with the tinted visor in the dark and in the rain. Not so easy! Couldn't see a damn thing, so I had to lift the visor and peer through the gap..rain hurts the eyes!!:dodge:

Ooh, brain wave: Photochromatic visors! Tinted in the sunshine and clear at night! How awesome would that be :)
They've been doing it for glasses for ages, why not visors?
Or even something similar to what the cool welding masks have, but not going as dark. A welding mask I used to use would be almost clear, and then when you started welding a solar panel would register the light from the weld and turn the visor dark.
It would have to activate at a lower light level than the welding version.

[motorbyclist]

while i hate wet/slippery roads, i do enjoy riding down the motorway/highway in storm conditions - when there's half an inch of water on the surface and everything it getting wet from all directions, you can't see a thing, and the bike lurches and weaves between gusts of wind...

though i once learnt out the hard way what happens if you fly an fxr150 at 70kph into a foot deep flood. suffice to say it slows very quickly and even the inside of your closed visor gets wet


After about an hour I was soaked to the bone.

damn, that's not a bad run at all for storm conditions. my codura jacket lasts for 2 minutes under a light drizzle... mind you it was pretty good when i bought it three years ago....



Was a bit of a mish trying to get the gloves on once they dried though..all the insides were funny..just weren't quite the same. Not sure if a plastic bag would fit underneather them though. Is there some sort of spray I can use to waterproof them?

there's a few products available for leather and codura to waterproof them, but they don't last forever either

a few things to help are putting pants over boots and gloves inside sleeves - this stops water running into your gear