What to do in the rain
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 463
Likes: 2
From: Buffalo, NY
What to do in the rain
I loaded up my FXD and started on a little road trip, about 300 miles. Everything was great until I hit a few drops of rain. Prepared as I should be, I pulled over, put on my US Army Gortex jacket and some Frogg Togg pants and started back on the road
The cars and trucks were throwing up a lot of mist so I pulled into the right lane and cruised with them (going about 60 in a 65). Then I hit the thunderstorm. This is the first time I road in any significant rain and the traffic slowed to around 45.
Its raining so hard my Wileys are getting so wet I cant see the odometer (I was getting up there on miles so I knew I needed to pull over soon). I wiped them with my gloves but that only gave me temporary relief. Then I notice that my crotch is getting wet. Apparently the new, never used Frogg Toggs cant handle the water thats pooling up between my legs. (When I finally got off the interstate and pulled over, I melted the Frogg Toggs on my pipes. They werent worth a **** anyways and tossed them when I got home.)
My questions for you are:
If its raining too hard to continue, do you pull over and sit on the side of the road in the rain until it passes? (there were no bridges for miles)
What are some quality rain pants I can get? Are there any that are "exhaust pipe proof"?(the Gortex jacket was great)
Any other advise for riding in the rain would be appreciated.
The cars and trucks were throwing up a lot of mist so I pulled into the right lane and cruised with them (going about 60 in a 65). Then I hit the thunderstorm. This is the first time I road in any significant rain and the traffic slowed to around 45.
Its raining so hard my Wileys are getting so wet I cant see the odometer (I was getting up there on miles so I knew I needed to pull over soon). I wiped them with my gloves but that only gave me temporary relief. Then I notice that my crotch is getting wet. Apparently the new, never used Frogg Toggs cant handle the water thats pooling up between my legs. (When I finally got off the interstate and pulled over, I melted the Frogg Toggs on my pipes. They werent worth a **** anyways and tossed them when I got home.)
My questions for you are:
If its raining too hard to continue, do you pull over and sit on the side of the road in the rain until it passes? (there were no bridges for miles)
What are some quality rain pants I can get? Are there any that are "exhaust pipe proof"?(the Gortex jacket was great)
Any other advise for riding in the rain would be appreciated.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 3
From: Jefferson, Oregon
Been caught in some horrible storms. The last one had hail so big, it was physically painful. I kept going and my winter overpants were soaking through too.
Best advice...pull over if you can. I couldn't and just sucked it up. Some actual rain gear that goes over your riding gear works great. I don't have any as I don't normally ride when there is rain...and it's pretty reasonable and keeps you dry. You still gotta keep it off the pipes though!
Best advice...pull over if you can. I couldn't and just sucked it up. Some actual rain gear that goes over your riding gear works great. I don't have any as I don't normally ride when there is rain...and it's pretty reasonable and keeps you dry. You still gotta keep it off the pipes though!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 12
From: Out on Deranged
Gortex pants of course! But I didn't want to shell out that money so I got a HD cordura jacket which is windproof and waterproof,that was pricey, but I found some cheaper cordura pants for about 50$ that have a removeable lining which keeps me warm and dry! Of course if you want something windproof, waterproof, and fireproof , see a fireman or keep your clothes and boots and skin off the pipes!
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Pekin,IL
I have some HD rain pants that have a patch sewn in the right leg for the pipes, I have rode in fairly heavy rain and they keep me dry. Generally try to avoid it due to the fact i don't have a front fender on my street bob so i eat alot of spray when it does rain.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 5
From: Batesville Ga
Yup, Frogg Toggs aren't really designed for riding and have a lot of failure points. Got rid of mine years ago and went with Tour Master instead. I don't think they're pipe-proof but I've never burned mine and they definitely keep you dry.
Best advice - if you're not comfortable with the conditions, pull over. We get some pretty heavy thunderstorms here and once it reaches the point where I can't see or there's pooling on the roads I pull over and wait it out.
Best advice - if you're not comfortable with the conditions, pull over. We get some pretty heavy thunderstorms here and once it reaches the point where I can't see or there's pooling on the roads I pull over and wait it out.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 438
Likes: 6
From: Kamloops BC
I try and stay away from HD branded things, but I spent $100 on their rain gear, and man, most impressive. Rode for 40 miles in rain so hard it was pooling in my lap, the grooves in the highway had 3" or more of water in them, nasty stuff. Got to my buddy's house and the only place I was wet was my feet where it was coming in through the tounge on my Cat boots. Completely sold me on it so I bought the wife a set too.
G.
G.
Best comment I had was from my GF We were out and got caught caujght in a freak TS one set of rain gear, (2 now) but we shared I got the pants she got the jacket Bottom line when we got home I felt really bad, her comment "If you choose to ride a scooter you gonna get wet. Live with it"
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
I always try to find an overpass if I am on a road trip and there is not exit with a dry spot available. Usually if it starts pouring I find the nearest dry place and wait. With the way clouds open up around here and stop fairly soon, an overpass is a great place to wait.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 23
From: Seattle, WA
I had a 2-pc Himalaya rain suit ... was relatively cheap (around a C-note) ...
Top works great (except zipper finally gave out ... I still use it since the velcro keeps it closed well) ... pants not so great ...
The bottom of the pant legs had an elastic cinch that velcroed into place ... but, I would always get mist and water spray up the pant leg ... when riding for over about half hour to 45 minutes, I would always get wet feet and pants up to the knee ....
I finally broke down and bought some First Gear TPG pants ... spent about $150 as I recall ... they are great ... I would do it again in a heartbeat (or similar) ... I have a pair of rubber galoshes (over boots) that I wear over my riding boots ... that combo keeps me warm and dry ....
I was at a military surplus store recently and found myself looking at the Goretex pants ... they wanted over $100 for them (had the plain black 'tactical' pants which were same as the camo as far as I could tell, but about $25 more ...!) If I wasn't already satisfied with my First Gear, I could see trying a pair of those ....
As far as deciding when / if to pull over ... if it gets too dangerous I would be inclined to try to find a place to pull over and wait it out ... has never happened to me so far ....
R/
'Chop
Top works great (except zipper finally gave out ... I still use it since the velcro keeps it closed well) ... pants not so great ...
The bottom of the pant legs had an elastic cinch that velcroed into place ... but, I would always get mist and water spray up the pant leg ... when riding for over about half hour to 45 minutes, I would always get wet feet and pants up to the knee ....
I finally broke down and bought some First Gear TPG pants ... spent about $150 as I recall ... they are great ... I would do it again in a heartbeat (or similar) ... I have a pair of rubber galoshes (over boots) that I wear over my riding boots ... that combo keeps me warm and dry ....
I was at a military surplus store recently and found myself looking at the Goretex pants ... they wanted over $100 for them (had the plain black 'tactical' pants which were same as the camo as far as I could tell, but about $25 more ...!) If I wasn't already satisfied with my First Gear, I could see trying a pair of those ....
As far as deciding when / if to pull over ... if it gets too dangerous I would be inclined to try to find a place to pull over and wait it out ... has never happened to me so far ....
R/
'Chop
