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Here in Washington State, If we had to wait for the rain to stop nothing would ever get done. Riding in the rain, no problem. I stop when it starts to turn white!!
There is a lot in one question. Let us try it one line at a time.
If I was just going to the store, I would take the car.
Trips are time and destination particular. Most likely gear up and roll. Try to run 300-600 miles a day and If it was a shorter day maybe Wait a little if it really is coming down. Only been caught twice where it was so hard I couldn't see.
If it is cold, find shelter and put on rain gear. If it is nice, ride until we need gas or visibility causes us to reduce speed until it is unsafe. There are variables in this, highway, secondary, back road, night or day. Riding back roads at 40 at night with a good rain is safer than running 40 on the highway during the day. Someone doing 65 is going to run your a$$ over.
If I'm taking a trip and it's raining, I would probably still go, unless there is hail too. I also don't mind riding in the rain, if I have the proper rain gear. Its the several hours spent cleaning the bike that I don't like.
Exactly! Why would I screw up a perfectly clean bike just to go run some errands in the rain? Doesn't make sense to me. On the other hand, if I had a trip planned, it's already a forgone conclusion that the bike is going to need a bath when I return, so I'd just ride in the ran.
Depends on what the local weather forecast calls for ... if it's going to clear up and I can wait then I will. On the other hand, if I'm covering lots of miles on that day and the weather won't cooperate then it's time to get out the ol' Frogg Toggs.
And it's not weird ... one of the best rides I had on a long trip was in the rain heading across central Arizona a few years ago. The temperature was hot and the rain was welcome.
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I was feeling proud of myself for riding 2000 miles, even though it was over 100 degrees for a day.
Then I met a guy here who rode a 20-year-old sportbike 1100 miles to here from the other direction, and half of it was in the rain.
Yeah, maybe sportbikes are easier to clean. THAT must be it. I can't give props to a guy on a crotch-rocket when I ride an Harley-Davidson, can I ?
Actually, I'd rather have ridden in the rain than the 100 degree heat. Between the bugs and a gas nozzle mishap, the bike was going to get dirty anyway.
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