Do you consider riding in the rain and wind dangerous?

[swbarnett]

It's dangerous to my nuts. I've never been able to find a pair of wet weather pants that don't leak thru the crotch area.

Kaiwaka PVC

http://www.kaiwakaclothing.co.nz/Com...erproofs-WT661

I've worn mine through the atrocious weather Auckland and surrounds had a couple of weeks ago. Got to work bone dry. I also have one of their parkas with the hood cut off. Bloody good stuff.

http://www.kaiwakaclothing.co.nz/Com...erproofs-WT660

[Berries]

http://www.kaiwakaclothing.co.nz/Com...erproofs-WT661

I've worn mine through the atrocious weather Auckland and surrounds had a couple of weeks ago. Got to work bone dry. I also have one of their parkas with the hood cut off. Bloody good stuff.

Cheers for posting the link. I have been using a pair of Marmot overtrousers from R&R Sport for several years now - highly recommended, but they have finally started leaking after quite a bit of rough use off the bike. Might try them although I like leg zips so you can get them on over your boots and they don't flap around.

[superjackal]

A lot of people seem to pack their bikes up for the winter because of the wind, rain and cold, got to admit it's not very fun riding in either of these conditions let alone all three combined. I usually use my car to commute but due to wanting to get a dirt bike and needing to save my pennies I've started commuting on my wee ginny. The weather hasn't been that great this week but I actually think it's not been that bad (at least it's not snowing!). I told my Aunt (who is like a surrogate mother to me) that I was using my bike to commute at the moment and she absolutely SPEWED at me (not literally), it's dangerous, it's unsafe etc. I must admit of course I am a lot more cautious on the wet road(s) but it hadn't crossed my mind that I would be in any more danger than if it were nice and sunny and dry outside. I've only had a few of instances this week where I possibly could have got myself hurt but I wouldn't even call them "close calls" because I was paying attention and that's nothing to do with the weather, just idiots in cars. Do you consider riding in the wet, rain and cold in traffic etc. a little risky?

I found when I went from a gn to my Er-5 the new bike is a lot more stable all round. Not to mention better-braked. The gn used to get blown around a lot. I ride all weathers, no probs. Just take everything easier...

[bosslady]

I found when I went from a gn to my Er-5 the new bike is a lot more stable all round. Not to mention better-braked. The gn used to get blown around a lot. I ride all weathers, no probs. Just take everything easier...

Really? I don't know why but somehow I figured my shitty little bike must surely be easier to handle then a bigger machine in pooey weather. Guess not?

[Subike]

Really? I don't know why but somehow I figured my shitty little bike must surely be easier to handle then a bigger machine in pooey weather. Guess not?

My little Keeway 2fiddy wanders around in the wind, but my XS1100 ignores the wind , both are naked style , I think sport bikes are different

[swbarnett]

Really? I don't know why but somehow I figured my shitty little bike must surely be easier to handle then a bigger machine in pooey weather. Guess not?

Bigger bikes have more inertia becuase of the extra mass. Also, the fairing on some bikes, like mine for instance, help the wind go around instead of trying to go through.

[Gremlin]

Also, the fairing on some bikes, like mine for instance, help the wind go around instead of trying to go through.

On the other hand, the fairing can act like a sail, most noticeable in side winds.

[swbarnett]

On the other hand, the fairing can act like a sail, most noticeable in side winds.

Indeed. Depends on the fairing. My CBX550 was exactly that. I go blown across two lanes of the motoway. Thankfully the car beside had already noticed I was having trouble and backed off.

On the other hand my current bike pretty much stays bolt upright in all but the strongest gusts.

[superjackal]

Really? I don't know why but somehow I figured my shitty little bike must surely be easier to handle then a bigger machine in pooey weather. Guess not?

GNs aren't shitty. I had a blast on mine and miss it heaps. It's the extra weight, bigger tyres, better handling that help stability. GNs are zippy little critters. Enjoy yours while you have it.

[ktm84mxc]

Being a Dirt biker I love getting out there in the rain/wind/mud it's the most fun you can have on a bike and a great learning curve , line selection/ throttle control/ braking all becomes critical.

[bosslady]

Being a Dirt biker I love getting out there in the rain/wind/mud it's the most fun you can have on a bike and a great learning curve , line selection/ throttle control/ braking all becomes critical.

can't wait till I can get out on my dirt bike!

[bluninja]

Being a Dirt biker I love getting out there in the rain/wind/mud it's the most fun you can have on a bike and a great learning curve , line selection/ throttle control/ braking all becomes critical.

Being a pussy road rider I hate gravel. Yesterday on the gravel(less) road past Whangamomona in the wet the clay mud was sucking at my wheels and making it feel like I was riding on lubricated jelly. I went hunting for every spot of gravel I could find because it felt so much more stable. Go figure.

[DMNTD:Me]

On the other hand, the fairing can act like a sail, most noticeable in side winds.

Indeed, we got rid of our RSVR due to the 'sail effect'.
Oddly enough the ZX14 was 10 times better

[skinman]

I went from a C50 to my current BMW 1150RT & the beemer is way less affected by wind even though it has a huge side profile. Think it has more to do with the aerodynamics of the fairing keeping the bike stable.
Would rather ride in full on rain than a light drizzle as the road is less slippery with constant rain washing the crud off than just being damp.
Apart from ice I think the worst conditions are damp & foggy as low grip combined with poor visibility = plenty of smidsy opportunities.

[BMWST?]

i dont like riding in light ish rain at night...makes visibility very much a work in progress.Car drivers should know that the best use of air con is in winter...keeps the windows fog free,as long as you have it on fresh and not recirculate.You can use recirculate but you have to open it up to fresh air now and then.
Only the strongest /gusty ish winds bother me.