Riding in the rain?

**Jizah** · 18th May 2009, 17:47

So today I just got back from taking my not-so-trusty bike from Lower Hutt to the Bay of Islands and back for a party. I left on Friday afternoon and arrived back about 1.30pm this afternoon.

I probably couldn't have chosen a worse weekend to do it, because aside from the constant rain and occasional torrential downpour, especially on the ride up, there wasn't a dry piece of road anywhere to be found. So my new tyres have chicken strips on all but about an inch in the middle!

But onto my question, how do you guys go about actually being able to see when it's pissing down? There were many a time I should have pulled over due to being nearly blind, but instead resorted to short periods of opening my visor and getting hit in the face with rain/hail.

I won't even get started on night riding, while it's pissing down, and with a stock headlight which illuminates about half as much as when I open my refrigerator door.

**Hitcher** · 18th May 2009, 18:22

There is a variety of techniques that improve the "out in the rain" experience.

1. Use Pledge to clean your visor. It helps the water to bead up and run off easier.

2. Buy gloves with a built-in squeegee on the left-hand index finger. Use that as necessary to wipe things away.

3. Head movement helps. Look left, look right, look up, look down. The wind movement past the visor moves water away.

4. If it's that wet that you can't see bugger all, resist the temptation to tailgate the vehicle immediately in front, and pull over for a while, preferably somewhere sheltered. Heavy rain generally passes through reasonably quickly.

**Arrowolf** · 18th May 2009, 18:27

@ Hitcher
there is nothing more to say.

**doc** · 18th May 2009, 18:33

Unbelievable... people ride in the rain.

Doesn't it effects the resale of your bike ?

**The Stranger:Me** · 18th May 2009, 18:44

Originally Posted by Jizah

I won't even get started on night riding, while it's pissing down, and with a stock headlight which illuminates about half as much as when I open my refrigerator door.

I'm sure someone will be along soon to suggest you install an HID kit in your bike - which incidentally is not legal.
But one very cheap and easy upgrade which is legal is to replace your existing bulb/s with Philips (or similar) +50% bulbs. The additional light output and visibility is significant.

**FJRider** · 18th May 2009, 18:47

Originally Posted by Jizah

So my new tyres have chicken strips on all but about an inch in the middle!

how do you guys go about actually being able to see when it's pissing down? There were many a time I should have pulled over due to being nearly blind

I won't even get started on night riding, while it's pissing down, and with a stock headlight which illuminates about half as much as when I open my refrigerator door.

You wont be the first 250 rider with chicken-strips after a long ride...

If you can't see .. and it feels like you are in the gravel, you probably are. You have a choice to go left, or right. With a 50/50 chance of going in the right(sorry) correct direction...

Night riding with a poor headlight, is a whole different kettle of fish... Ride by braile...

**munterk6** · 18th May 2009, 19:12

rain is your friend...unless its really really cold rain, then you get off and drink.

**Mystic13** · 18th May 2009, 19:25

I enjoy wet riding.

For rain riding I'd also add;

for better visibility

- having a helmet with a pinlock
- in addition to the brighter bulb adjust your lights so that it shines at the right height. It makes all the difference. Remembering that this height may be different two up and loaded. My bike has a crap low so I have the high adjusted down a bit and that gets me a better look. It was a matter of go for a ride one night to a nice section of dark road, parking up and adjust the light and then checking it.

Other things to keep you toasty warm

- buying a pair of rain-off over gloves. www.rain-off.com here in Auckland.
- buying a plastic two piece.

**gunnyrob** · 18th May 2009, 19:38

Lower Hutt to BOI & back on a Hyobag in the weather we just had????? Well Done!!!!

Other things that can keep you comfy are merino thermals & heated grips.

Top effort indeed.

**sunhuntin** · 18th May 2009, 19:54

i love rain riding, but not that really heavy stuff. only really had it once, and that was on desert road. it got so bad, i literally couldnt see the lines on the road, never mind anything in front. i just pulled over, slowing gradually so i could be sure of where i was, and then flicked the hazards on, and waited for it to ease up. that was with an open face lid, so had a numb face to contend with as well, lol.

strangely enough, it cleared, and i decided to have a quick day in palmy before heading home. id left from taupo, lol.

**Solly** · 18th May 2009, 19:57

Philosophically speaking - In each life a little rain must fall

Meteorologically speaking -It's raining

Theoretically speaking - those clouds look bloody dark

Biker speaking - Farkin' RAIN!!!!

**Motu** · 18th May 2009, 20:33

Gee,thanks for the tips - I wish I knew all this stuff when I used to ride 500km days in the rain in an open face helmet with no goggles or wet weather gear....without my lights on.Guess I survived to this ripe old age by luck alone....

**James Deuce** · 18th May 2009, 20:35

Jizah?

**FJRider** · 18th May 2009, 20:41

Originally Posted by Motu

Gee,thanks for the tips - I wish I knew all this stuff when I used to ride 500km days in the rain in an open face helmet with no goggles or wet weather gear....without my lights on.Guess I survived to this ripe old age by luck alone....

You forgot .. uphill all the way in the snow ... in shorts ...