Caught in first thunderstorm...

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May 29, 2012 | 06:03 AM

#11

flht_db

Novice

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 18

Likes: 0

From: NJ

I commute on the bike everyday and have for years. Used to be if it was raining when I left I took the truck. If it was forecast for storms in the afternoon I'd get the rain gear out of the bike and put it on before I left. I had an HD set and it kept me reasonably dry. Couple years ago I got an Aerostich Darien and it is waterproof. Now I'll put it on and ride to work in the rain. Thunderstorms don't bother me either, I've ridden in some pretty bad ones.

May 29, 2012 | 07:35 AM

#12

BassCatcher

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 4,626

Likes: 98

From: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

I think the OP is on the right track.

I avoid rain like that the plague. That said, I've been caught in two thunderstorms and each of them was a PITA. Drenched, soaking wet from head to toe and I bet I spent two hours getting dry myself and then cleaning up the bike. The bags took the most work. After you get them dry I rubbed in a leather conditioner. If you don't do that they will look like crap after a year or so. Oh, and yeah, lightning is scary.

May 29, 2012 | 08:22 AM

#13

jmorganroadglide

Big Kahuna HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 20,530

Likes: 2,305

From: texas panhandle

Don't ride close to tall people in a lightning storm.

May 29, 2012 | 08:22 AM

#14

NDBadlands4-2

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 14,778

Likes: 69

From: Badlands of ND

Tourmaster makes great rain gear. I have survived several thunderstorms thanks to them. A ful face helmet really helps a lot as well

May 29, 2012 | 09:38 AM

#15

oct1949

Club Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 145,895

Likes: 821

From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..

In U take trips on Ur bike U usually get caught in a rain storm somewhere.

I bought the middle HD rainsuit, it works really good and wear a 3/4 with shield, Feet is the only thing that ends up wet.

.

May 29, 2012 | 09:50 AM

#16

AnotherBlackSG

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 2,979

Likes: 57

From: PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95th 1200

6. Go through this once and you'll be looking for rain gear like I am now

Hmmm, I got rain gear BEFORE this ever happened to me. Since then, I've gotten caught out in it 3 times and actually left the house one day while it was raining because I wanted to ride. With my 3/4 helmet, I stayed dry as a bone. I love my rain gear & ABS.

BTW: you definitely need to keep your boots done with water proofing spray.

IMO, the worst part about riding in the rain is having to completely clean the bike afterwards.

May 29, 2012 | 09:56 AM

#17

oldairboater

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 7,476

Likes: 5

From: Republic of Texas

I never get on the motorcycle when it is raining but I will ride in the rain if I get caught. We get pop up thunderstorms on the coast. Usually you can see them coming and you always look for the back side of them to know how long they will last. Keep dry socks in a zip-lock in the bottom of my bag at all times. I will not ride any further than necessary to find temporary shelter from lightning. We have actually had lightning knock someone off a motorcycle here and kill them. Same thing applies when I am fishing. I will fish in the rain but I will not fish when it is lightning. There are even way to reduce your risk from lightning when out fishing. Rain doesn't bother me if it is a passing storm. I am smart enough to look at radar and predict if the rain will set in for a day. Even though our local weather persons seem to suck at it. I own rain gear and don't carry it. I would rather use my leathers if I have to ride in the rain. They do just fine if you know how to clean them and dry them afterwards.