Rain and a new bike questions
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,709
Likes: 7,850
From: New York
Says the woman evidently from the U.K. (where it nevers stops raining) and now residing in Florida (where it rains just about every day sometime between 10:47am and 4:11pm)! 
I find it rather ironic that you are worried about the potential damage caused by rainwater, yet you would have no hesitation using something as caustic as S100 on your bike. Not to mention, how crazy do you get when, after riding in perfectly beautiful weather, you discover that a rock has been kicked up and nicked your paint job?
Hey all,
Of all of the Harleys I have owned, I never rode them in the rain. I was never caught in the rain either.
With that said, I am going 5 hours away to pick up a new bike (Softail Standard) that hasn't been in the rain. That worries me from a cosmetic standpoint. It is going to rain and I have no way to get it back home without riding it.
After riding in the rain, will there be a problem getting all of the grime off to where you won't be able to tell it was ever
in the rain? S100 comes to mind, but I am OCD on bike cleanliness and want to be able to have it looking brand new again I despise water spots and dirt on the crankcase, lol. .
Thoughts?
Of all of the Harleys I have owned, I never rode them in the rain. I was never caught in the rain either.
With that said, I am going 5 hours away to pick up a new bike (Softail Standard) that hasn't been in the rain. That worries me from a cosmetic standpoint. It is going to rain and I have no way to get it back home without riding it.
After riding in the rain, will there be a problem getting all of the grime off to where you won't be able to tell it was ever
in the rain? S100 comes to mind, but I am OCD on bike cleanliness and want to be able to have it looking brand new again I despise water spots and dirt on the crankcase, lol. .
Thoughts?
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Feb 23, 2017 at 03:28 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 425
From: Right Here
I find it rather ironic that you are worried about the potential damage caused by rainwater, yet you would have no hesitation using something as caustic as S100 on your bike. Not to mention, how crazy do you get when, after riding in perfectly beautiful weather, you discover that a rock has been kicked up and nicked your paint job?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 317
From: CA
With rain - the biggest concern is and should be control. Then staying dry and/or warm enough to maintain core temperature and safety while on the road.
If you don't have much rain experience, then when you get into the rain, go to a side street and practice some stops and turns including quick stops.
In California, I don't ride in the rain often but with rain - traction is better after it's been raining a while, not when it just starts. You can rinse off the bike when you get back to remove the mud while it's still wet.
If you don't have much rain experience, then when you get into the rain, go to a side street and practice some stops and turns including quick stops.
In California, I don't ride in the rain often but with rain - traction is better after it's been raining a while, not when it just starts. You can rinse off the bike when you get back to remove the mud while it's still wet.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,708
Likes: 17,550
From: Driftless Area
Get a big tarp, some bungee cords and some duct tape. Cover the bike and cut a slit in the tarp right where the seat is. Bungee everything down, and wiggle into the slit, then duct tape the tarp around your waist. No one here believes what a genius I am, so get some footage of this rig in action and post it here to prove it. We'll show 'em.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
I love guys like the OP. There has to be a supply of extremely low mileage garage queens so I can buy them.
Does the OP know what exhaust fumes from the outside world will do to his bike? Not to mention what bugs will do?
Please change all your fluids every 1000 miles or once a year. Whichever comes first.
Does the OP know what exhaust fumes from the outside world will do to his bike? Not to mention what bugs will do?
Please change all your fluids every 1000 miles or once a year. Whichever comes first.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 345
From: Ohio
Just carry an umbrella in one hand. I suggest your left hand. Also, get one of those really big four person golf umbrellas.
With that, just the bottom of the bike will get wet. Near home ride really slow through the cleanest puddle you can find... everything will be squeaky clean!
trust me
With that, just the bottom of the bike will get wet. Near home ride really slow through the cleanest puddle you can find... everything will be squeaky clean!
trust me
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 716
From: Pennsyleffinvania
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 425
From: Right Here
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
The day after a rain, I just wash it down and dry it off with a lint free cloth. I have some stuff...can't remember the name but S100 seem right...and spray the black parts of the engine.
I don't go out if it's raining or go riding if there's a good chance of rain. But if I get caught in it, I just keep on going on.
I don't go out if it's raining or go riding if there's a good chance of rain. But if I get caught in it, I just keep on going on.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Feb 22, 2017 at 05:46 PM. Reason: Words corrected and proofread