Harleys and rain
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 8
From: Milwaukee, WI
I've ridden in the rain plenty of times in my Sporty. Whether it be a light drizzle or a downpour. Riding in the rain is not fun! If I don't have to ride in the rain, I won't, but if I'm on a trip or far away from home I just have to deal with it and get wet.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I started riding bikes in the 60s before riding bikes became a leisure activity and chrome got under everyone's skin! I use my Harleys for transport, pleasure and touring. While I might chose not to ride to work if it is raining these days (I've done my time in all weathers) I am not put off by it. None of my bikes is a dry-weather queen.
So riding in the rain is all about why you own a bike. My 1990 Glide has been all over Europe and the British Isles and still looks fine - not concours, but then it wasn't that when new! If you enjoy riding you are likely to get wet before long, just be well prepared and you'll be fine.
So riding in the rain is all about why you own a bike. My 1990 Glide has been all over Europe and the British Isles and still looks fine - not concours, but then it wasn't that when new! If you enjoy riding you are likely to get wet before long, just be well prepared and you'll be fine.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
I get caught all the time & following is why I hate riding in the rain:
1) Choking for air after the bandanna coving my face gets soaked.
2) The wasp stinging feeling from the rain drops once the bandanna gets soaked.
3) Wet feet, hands and underwear once the rain makes it's way inside my rainsuit.
4) Cleaning the bike, me & rainsuit off afterwards....There's too much damn construction going on around here so it's not road mist, but getting hit by mud/sand ***** that dump trucks leave on the road!!!!
But as I said, I get caught in it all the time.....And come to think of it, the OL has been waiting on me to pick out a new rainsuit, because mine lets in so much water, as a gift to me for our anniversary.
1) Choking for air after the bandanna coving my face gets soaked.
2) The wasp stinging feeling from the rain drops once the bandanna gets soaked.
3) Wet feet, hands and underwear once the rain makes it's way inside my rainsuit.
4) Cleaning the bike, me & rainsuit off afterwards....There's too much damn construction going on around here so it's not road mist, but getting hit by mud/sand ***** that dump trucks leave on the road!!!!
But as I said, I get caught in it all the time.....And come to think of it, the OL has been waiting on me to pick out a new rainsuit, because mine lets in so much water, as a gift to me for our anniversary.
Last edited by WVHogRider; May 11, 2012 at 10:19 AM.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 416
Likes: 3
Riding in the rain is a lot more tolerable (cold too) if you've got a set of the rain guards on your crash bar: http://www.leadermotorcycle.com/harl...n-rain-guards/
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 7
From: Chicago Area
Nothing wrong with riding so long as you adjust for it. One thing to keep in mind, over 40mph rain stings when it hits you.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: Syracuse, NY
I ride in the rain when I'm on road trip or get caught in it. I don't mind the riding so much as the fact that my glasses get covered and I can't see. I guess I could where a full face helmet, but I'm much more comfortable in a half helmet. I have a rain suit and all other gear for rain and I'm not afraid of it. I just don't enjoy it, and I don't need to prove how tough I am to anyone by riding in it.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool UK
dont get me wrong guys, iv been riding in the rain for 4-5 years.
just my first time on a harley.
i hear a lot of guys riding without fullface helmets n the right rain gear.
well living in the UK you get a LOT of rain, its can also go from sunny to full on rain in 20 seconds, so i always wear good rain gear n ride a full face helmet.
my harley is my only form of transport and i work 6 days in a row, so i ride if its sunny n i ride if its raining.
i used to ride in snow, but i love my harley too much, i dont think i could take that risk
just my first time on a harley.
i hear a lot of guys riding without fullface helmets n the right rain gear.
well living in the UK you get a LOT of rain, its can also go from sunny to full on rain in 20 seconds, so i always wear good rain gear n ride a full face helmet.
my harley is my only form of transport and i work 6 days in a row, so i ride if its sunny n i ride if its raining.
i used to ride in snow, but i love my harley too much, i dont think i could take that risk
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
I don't ride in the rain if it is going to be a downpour all day. But I have ridden in plenty of rain, and this is why I don't like it:
1. Even with a windshield, and full face it can be hard to see. And you know you are even less visible to the cagers than usual.
2.Traction is OK in rural areas. Urban areas, especially poor neighborhoods can be real slick. I had to go through ghetto Chicago, and there was so much oil and transmission fluid on the road that you could barely stop even hours after the downpour started.
3.Wet road paint scary slippery.
4. I finally got some rain pants long enough for tall people,
from Blauer, so hopefully I am done getting wet feet, but being wet sucks.
1. Even with a windshield, and full face it can be hard to see. And you know you are even less visible to the cagers than usual.
2.Traction is OK in rural areas. Urban areas, especially poor neighborhoods can be real slick. I had to go through ghetto Chicago, and there was so much oil and transmission fluid on the road that you could barely stop even hours after the downpour started.
3.Wet road paint scary slippery.
4. I finally got some rain pants long enough for tall people,
from Blauer, so hopefully I am done getting wet feet, but being wet sucks.