So you're a biker huh?

[sweetp]

I have a no lighting rule. Thought being on a big metal thing might tempt fate, but then I see a guy was hit by lighting on a horse today so might have to revise my rule.

But bike all the way, it is a pain and gearing up takes twice as long but I do a 35km commute and in the rain at least 15 of it is lane splitting. So bugger the cage! And who wants to be jammed into a train full of wet people....

[Bonez]

My 240 rear tire didn't notice it was wet this morning.

You big boy you. Neither did my Cheng Shin 110/90/18 this arvo.

[wharfy]

I don't own a car so its bike every day, but only 10 - 12 min. You get used to the wind and rain in Wellywood.

[inlinefour]

OK boys and girls.

Its pissing with rain outside. Heavy, cold, wet (duh), miserable rain.

Now normally I see a number of bikes on my way to work - but this morning - none.

So my poll question to you is:

How many of you normally commute to work on a bike, but cage it when its raining.

And if you cage it - whats your excuse.

I cage it now, just because I can't friggin ride anymore. But back in the day I had the one piece wet weather suit that wend over my codura and most of my boots. hands got wet, but they was only mx gloves anyway, so harden up and would ride my DRZ400 especially in the rain on mossy back roads to do a bit of motard type riding (according to some that followed). Anyone who cries at the sight of rain either has a well set up sportsbike (my CBR600RR would have been lethal in the rain with the M1 tyres and killed me) or is a pansy... (IMO)...

[Rockbuddy]

ive used my cage 3 times this year for work once cause it was raining

[swbarnett]

I rode in yesterday morning in torrential rain. Got to work with wet feet and hands and a little bit of water on the underside of the arms. Good gear is invaluable in that kind of weather.

I would've ridden in this morning but the puddle of front fork oil on the garage floor said otherwise.

[blossomsowner]

when i only had a bike in the past used to ride all weathers.........obviously duh. now i have a company vehicle so only ditch that in favour of the bike on special good weather riding days or when I need another fix.........

[HornetBoy]

I ride a 70km stint everyday so its rain,hail or shine for me ,if i had an alternative i would take the car for sure but since i haven't for the last 3 years ive ridden in all types of downpours and the like.
meh! you get used to it after a while.

[Big Dog]

Can't be bothered reading all the banter but, given the availablity and standard of gear in this age I find it surprising how many are too scared to ride in the rain let alone those who are too chicken to get wet.

16 years ago I rode to work on a bike that would be best described as handling like a comb on Kojacks head.
The tires sucked worse than shinko's even thought they were top of the line at the time I had to miss match them to get a good set because the gun brands generally could only make a good front or a good rear.

Your best wet weather gear option was Line 7 or if you were a bum arse student snow seal and several hours with your leather jacket and boots and put spare undies and jeans in your school bag.

Silk scarves rock, rain resistant, wind proof and warm like you would not believe.

Keep in mind if your genitals or armpits get wet they will not dry throughout the day.
I used to have a ziplock bag under my seat with cotton socks, underwear and a sleeveless tee (because its smaller silly). That was my wet weather gear.

Now? even my summer jacket only leaks when I don't do something up right (go Technics!) it has held up to 4 hours of tropical rain before.
My only gear that leaks (short of a user malfunction) is my Fieldsheer pants (Fantastic kit with a really inappropriately located drain hole).

On the balance? It is not that difficult, not that uncomfortable and can be rewarding in a way dry riding never will be if you just let yourself go and enjoy the ride.
If you can get into the right place mentally riding in the rain can be more fun because of the level of focus and the mental place that takes you. Also this will as a side affect improve your traction control in the dry. The whole if you can do it in the wet you can do in the dry.

[fireball]

i ride rain or shine, one or both hands in casts, with one eye and to top it off a dodgy helmet (cant afford a new one)

but the best piece of gear i own is my rain condom..... wet weather suit its a bitch to put on but ohhhh is it toasty on those late night winter rides and in the pissing rain today in thunder and lightining storms it didnt leak but my helmet did

but i only own a bike so on the bike it is!

[swbarnett]

ill ride rain hail or shine if i have to,,,but the truth is rain suxbad traction,blurred vision,slippery surfaces,all waiting to add up to something nasty,,,wheres the fun in that

Call me mad if you like but I actually like riding in the rain. There's a different feel to a wet ride, not better than a dry ride, just different.

I also used to cycle in sub zero temperatures wearing summer gear (got mild frost-bite on the stomach once). I'm no masochist I just like the cold and can't stand hot weather.

[skidMark]

OK boys and girls.

Its pissing with rain outside. Heavy, cold, wet (duh), miserable rain.

Now normally I see a number of bikes on my way to work - but this morning - none.

So my poll question to you is:

How many of you normally commute to work on a bike, but cage it when its raining.

And if you cage it - whats your excuse.

Many need to arrive at work nice and dry and ready for work, instead of putting on all the waterproof stuff especially if running late it's just easier to jump in the car, if the car is there many are often quick to jump in it, lets face it you have to nurse it a fair bit in the wet, many who you see on motorbikes commuting only commute on them, it's the bikes you see on the rainy days that are the dedicated bikers, the guys on the sportsbikes with all the goodies and no chicken strips. the guys that 90% of the time don't own a car, or would rather take the bike out it the wet so they can do some drifts.

I used to kit up full leathers and go open road riding in the wet to practise my wet weather riding with a bit more pace.

improved my dry weather riding no end...see gravel...oh well hit it...drift....hold onto the drift, just keep going.

I seriously found wet weather riding really helped my learn to control when i would hit gravel and loose rear or front tyre grip.

But each to thier own.

[McDuck]

I have problems with keeping books dry when biking in the rain. I have been knowen to cage to tech then come home and go for a ride in the pissing rain.

[Big Dog]

I have problems with keeping books dry when biking in the rain. I have been knowen to cage to tech then come home and go for a ride in the pissing rain.

I have had several bags from Mercury Bay Luggage (http://www.mercurybayluggage.com/catalogue.php?cat=11) and none have ever leaked on me except when there has been a user failure.
I currently have a navigator that has survived 10 years of abuse including approx 50,000 kms.
I also had another "Hiker" that was more comfortable on the bike and had a high vis panel on the rear. It wore out after 120,000 kms of daily use.
This never once leaked. Including being dropped in puddles a couple of times.
I have also had some luck with my Oxford One Tank bag. In heavier or tropical rain the storm cover is mandatory, but even then ciggie papers stick and anything in map pocket gets damp but nothing else has in about 80,000 kms of hard use.

Most other back packs I have tried have leaked. Or plum been uncomfortable.

In the past I have found Mercury Bay to be cheap but very well constructed and they are of course locally made.

Otherwise have a look at your local bike shop. Nearly twice as much as a normal bag but many have reinforced panels in the back just in case you have an off, most are waterproof, most are made of Cordura, most have high vis panels and reflectorised strips and most have the plethora of specialist convenience pockets that we have come to expect of bike gear. Many also have a laptop area with extra padding and waterproofing.

[Number One]

Was thinking about this thread as I rode to work this morning in the pissing rain...again

I used to take my car to work. Had a sweet deal parking right next to my office building. Cost me an arm and a leg but given the reasons for getting this park that was all ok.

Anyway got back on a bike and decided that I didn't need to fork out the exhorbitant amount I was each month and have been riding in to work for about 2-3 months now...AND even on rainy days I have decided that I prefer riding my bike to work because when I get here I am not a zombie.

In the car you do switch off a bit and as I'm not a morning person I found that by the time I got to work I still didn't feel quite awake...

THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM ON THE BIKE I get to work feeling alive and envigorated - even when I've been stuck in the traffic or have to lane split at slow speed...get on the bike and it's instantaneous wake up call.