Touring in the rain
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 714
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From: Western,NC
Touring in the rain
Looking for advice for long rides in rainy weather. I'm new at this my, previous bikes and rides didn't involve long trips in the rain. Now I have the right bike and more time for longer trips and so mother nature has her way with me on occaision. I ride a RG, what's the best solution to keeping the rain out of your eyes? What other adjustments do you make to your riding style during wet weather? All sugestions are appreciated.
[IMG]local://upfiles/43876/C50368B2AAD24B62BEA41425C9A707E9.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/43876/C50368B2AAD24B62BEA41425C9A707E9.jpg[/IMG]
Banned
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
RE: Touring in the rain
Took a lot of trips that ended up in the rain. My advice to you would be, if you could avoid having to ride in the rain, do it. but if you have to be very careful. Stay away from cars dont ride to close. Avoid heavy traffic. Use high beams. turn your flashers on. Buy you a good rain suit. Full face helmets are super in the rain. If your prepared the right way, its ok. But if your not, it can be mrizable. Just take the time to be careful and also take the time to pick out a good rain suit and get something to cover your boots. Good luck.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 317
Likes: 11
From: Arizona
RE: Touring in the rain
Danner Acadia boots - waterproof, or very darn nearly so. Good rainsuit, as others have said. Don't go cheap. Gloves - look for waterproof, maybe ballistic nylon with a treatment and Kevlar, and a full face helmet (better than a 3/4 or half, for sure...). Maybe polypropolene skivvies if in a cold rain.
Good tires with plenty of tread, keep it slower to avoid hydroplaning. Brake ahead of time and with caution. Be visible - bright colors and lights.
Use your head andtake a coffee break ifit gets too heavy. Knowyour limits.
Use plastic bags inside your saddlebags or sissy bar bag to keep your stuff dry.
Good luck. It can be miserable, but somehow a triumph and exhilarating(sp?).
Seek shelter if there'slightning.
Good tires with plenty of tread, keep it slower to avoid hydroplaning. Brake ahead of time and with caution. Be visible - bright colors and lights.
Use your head andtake a coffee break ifit gets too heavy. Knowyour limits.
Use plastic bags inside your saddlebags or sissy bar bag to keep your stuff dry.
Good luck. It can be miserable, but somehow a triumph and exhilarating(sp?).
Seek shelter if there'slightning.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
RE: Touring in the rain
First, dont be afraid of the rain. I have been in the rain several times on my Ultra with good results. I have a Tourmaster rain suit, but find myself not using it much unless it is really coming down. The lowers on my bike do a great job of keeping my feet dry, but I also have boot covers made by Tourmaster. I dont recommend them, if I had it to do over again I would buy the HD boo/lower leg covers.
I will second the thought on not following too close, if you make a braking mistake it is nice to have a cushion to recover and still get stopped.
I have worn both a full face helmet and my regular 1/2 helmet in the rain. I preferred the full face, butI have ridden with my 1/2 helmet and plain oldclear safety glasses with pledge on them with decent results. The biggest thing with the fairing is that there isn't alwaysenough wind to blow the water off, but you can just poke your head out from behind the fairing every few miles to clear the water drops off.
I had no water get in my side bags or tour pack, but I still zip lock anything that absolutely cant get wet.
I will second the thought on not following too close, if you make a braking mistake it is nice to have a cushion to recover and still get stopped.
I have worn both a full face helmet and my regular 1/2 helmet in the rain. I preferred the full face, butI have ridden with my 1/2 helmet and plain oldclear safety glasses with pledge on them with decent results. The biggest thing with the fairing is that there isn't alwaysenough wind to blow the water off, but you can just poke your head out from behind the fairing every few miles to clear the water drops off.
I had no water get in my side bags or tour pack, but I still zip lock anything that absolutely cant get wet.
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Joined: May 2006
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RE: Touring in the rain
I don't mind riding in the rain, at all. It is the wind I hate. Someday I am going to break down and buy some rain gear, but for now, I throw an old pair of jeans on, or just keep riding. I have a half helmet, but a 3/4 or full works best, and keeps those small needle rain from hurting your face to bad. Also, I have seen gloves that have a wiper built in to the index finger of both gloves. Seems this would work well to keep your glasses, or shield clearer. I have also seen just the wipers only for sale at j and p cycles.
Most important, keep you distance, and I ride with my hazzards on. Good luck.
Most important, keep you distance, and I ride with my hazzards on. Good luck.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Omaha Nebraska
RE: Touring in the rain
ORIGINAL: mhud
Looking for advice for long rides in rainy weather. I'm new at this my, previous bikes and rides didn't involve long trips in the rain. Now I have the right bike and more time for longer trips and so mother nature has her way with me on occaision. I ride a RG, what's the best solution to keeping the rain out of your eyes? What other adjustments do you make to your riding style during wet weather? All sugestions are appreciated.
[IMG]local://upfiles/43876/C50368B2AAD24B62BEA41425C9A707E9.jpg[/IMG]
Looking for advice for long rides in rainy weather. I'm new at this my, previous bikes and rides didn't involve long trips in the rain. Now I have the right bike and more time for longer trips and so mother nature has her way with me on occaision. I ride a RG, what's the best solution to keeping the rain out of your eyes? What other adjustments do you make to your riding style during wet weather? All sugestions are appreciated.
[IMG]local://upfiles/43876/C50368B2AAD24B62BEA41425C9A707E9.jpg[/IMG]