Rain Rider
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Ireland
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 8,218
Likes: 827
From: Reston, Va
In my 20's when my bike was my only transportation, I had to ride in the rain even in winter. It wasn't much fun, but it had to be done. The big thing for me was leaving as much following distance as I thought I safely could.
Now, I have the luxury of riding when I want, which is most of the time. Still, if I can avoid rain, I will. However, if I have to ride in the rain, so be it. I'd just prefer not to.
Now, I have the luxury of riding when I want, which is most of the time. Still, if I can avoid rain, I will. However, if I have to ride in the rain, so be it. I'd just prefer not to.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
did 500 miles down to tennasee in driving downpoor this past june and caught the same on the way back.
It was just incredable for me. I hate riding in the rain but that ride 1000 miles out of 1400 broke my cherry.
Me and my buddy had a hell of a time coming home. Saw many serious accidents on the way up. One had a white arm hanging out his car window that was flipped over and his body burned to charcoal. Very sobering to ride past him.
Eventually all our creature comforts went out from the rain. Our headsets, our GPS's, my brakelight (watered out) it was a real suck ride home. Go slow no sudden moves, no agressive braking or downshifting, easy does it. Have faith in your tires. Dont be affraid to lean a little.
It was just incredable for me. I hate riding in the rain but that ride 1000 miles out of 1400 broke my cherry.
Me and my buddy had a hell of a time coming home. Saw many serious accidents on the way up. One had a white arm hanging out his car window that was flipped over and his body burned to charcoal. Very sobering to ride past him.
Eventually all our creature comforts went out from the rain. Our headsets, our GPS's, my brakelight (watered out) it was a real suck ride home. Go slow no sudden moves, no agressive braking or downshifting, easy does it. Have faith in your tires. Dont be affraid to lean a little.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: East Texas
Dig it
Riding in the rain for me is challenging, which I like. Started riding a panhead chop in the seventies with no front fender an tall ape hangers. It was a trip to be sure, but a good challenge and you learned a lot about riding in adverse conditions. These days I sometimes pull a trailer behind the ol FLT and found that in heavy rain the extra weight on the rear really helps with sticksion to the road. The look of the cagers faces is fu-king priceless when ya pass them in the driving rain, ye ha!! But you really have to stay on your toes, "so to speak", in bad weather. Seperates the Men from the boys. Killer Ride on!!!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
My experience, too. Another thing is simply spinning the back tire so easy, not necessarily hydroplaning, just less traction; never was that easy to spin them with cars. Car spinning one wheel doesn't usually go sideways in the rain, bike sure does. Running around 6500 rpm and suddenly it's 11,000 rpm and you're sideways is soooo butt puckering.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 85
From: Florida
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
I ride in the rain all the time... Heavy rain most of the winter... The right gear keeps you dry. The bike tracks fine and as long as your not pushing the envelope the tires will hold just fine... Not really much difference between riding in the rain and in the dry....
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
I was taking my daughter back to college, we were passing lexington on
I-75. The sunny day turned into a severe downpour.
There was this guy on what I thought was a street glide, but after thinking about it later, he had the brake light strips running up each side between the fender and bags, they were on hazard
He had a batwing, so other bikes have that brakelight strips other than EVO's?
Anyway he was on a newer tourer.
It was a flood and I was running around 55. He was beside me, wiping his goggles off and humming along.
My wife said look at this crazy fool.
I thought WOW...He is one tough son of a bitc#, and he must be one seriously experienced rider.
I cant believe his tires could hold there grip like that?
He took off from me going 60+, 65+ and it was amazing.
In my 56 years of life, I have never seen anything like this.
How did that bike hold its ground like that. I never rode in rain like that so I am at a loss.
Straightleg
I-75. The sunny day turned into a severe downpour.
There was this guy on what I thought was a street glide, but after thinking about it later, he had the brake light strips running up each side between the fender and bags, they were on hazard
He had a batwing, so other bikes have that brakelight strips other than EVO's?
Anyway he was on a newer tourer.
It was a flood and I was running around 55. He was beside me, wiping his goggles off and humming along.
My wife said look at this crazy fool.
I thought WOW...He is one tough son of a bitc#, and he must be one seriously experienced rider.
I cant believe his tires could hold there grip like that?
He took off from me going 60+, 65+ and it was amazing.
In my 56 years of life, I have never seen anything like this.
How did that bike hold its ground like that. I never rode in rain like that so I am at a loss.
Straightleg
The exact same thing happened to me. Except it wasn't raining, it was snowing, blizzarding actually. And I was the crazy SOB riding the bike.
