Loved the stormy weather - heaven!

[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

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

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!!

[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?

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 Lake Tarawera Outlet 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!!

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