Riding in the rain
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
From: NC, and a stone throw away from SC
RE: Riding in the rain
ORIGINAL: UltraGeezerGlide
Keep in mind that neither motorcycles or full face helmets have wipers. Not being able to see will also increase her risk and annxiety. I've ridden thousands of miles in the rain, and I stiil think it sucks.
Keep in mind that neither motorcycles or full face helmets have wipers. Not being able to see will also increase her risk and annxiety. I've ridden thousands of miles in the rain, and I stiil think it sucks.
Best tip I've seen, hard to clean the glass when its pouring and you feel like your on ice. Thats a long trip in the rain.
My tip would be to roll throttle when gearing down to keep the rear wheel from locking up. Almost lost mine last weekend on an off ramp, could not see, car slammed the brakes infront and I gear down and hit brakes, bike squirrells on me, but luckily I was able to straighten it back up. Lots of money tied up in these bikes, from now on, I'll pull over and wait it out or get a motel room. Good luck.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Snowflake, Arizona
RE: Riding in the rain
Never fun... my wifey and I were working our way in a huge thunderstorm downpour...I think we were doing okay until we pulled over and then really got soaked... that fairing helps. Cars were pulled over... and in the end I was glad that we did not get run over from behind, etc.... Yes, in that case I would pull over again as it is better wet than hit...
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
RE: Riding in the rain
My wife is nervous on the back of my bike in the rain much less on her own. I wouldn't do it. One bad experience and she could hold the grudge against you or worse, start to dislike riding.
Other thing not mentioned yet, accelerating off of paint stripes at lights, grease spots etc....
Sounds foolish, but everyone has probably given a little too much throttle at times on wet pavement and have caught a slick spot. It is not fun to have the tail squirell around on you.
Other thing not mentioned yet, accelerating off of paint stripes at lights, grease spots etc....
Sounds foolish, but everyone has probably given a little too much throttle at times on wet pavement and have caught a slick spot. It is not fun to have the tail squirell around on you.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 629
Likes: 3
From: Mission, Texas
RE: Riding in the rain
In south Texas a summer rain is a welcome event. When it's about 102 degrees you actually go out of the way to try and catch some rain. If it's summer we never put on rain gear since we dry up in about 10 minutes after the rain. In fall and winter we have good rain gear, and gloves w/the finger wipe to keep your face shield clear. I just go a bit slower especially at stops and takeoffs. Good tires, even when wet, have 80% grip verses dry which is very good (at least that's what I have been told). If you ride a lot, riding in the rain is part of the ride. I just try and avoid the wet and cold combination that's when the brain starts to slow down and makes riding unsafe.
Tourer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Riding in the rain
Spray the windshield and face shield with a product called Plexus...will disperse the water quite well.....Pledge works almost the same.
I myself do not riding in the rain...if you have the right equipment & than experience it's just another part of the adventure....
Slow down..keep your distance..no quirky moves..& straight corners (lessen the lean angle)..Now with all that said listen to how she is doing & ride to her comfort.....
I myself do not riding in the rain...if you have the right equipment & than experience it's just another part of the adventure....
Slow down..keep your distance..no quirky moves..& straight corners (lessen the lean angle)..Now with all that said listen to how she is doing & ride to her comfort.....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 3
From: Southeast Wisconsin
RE: Riding in the rain
I hate riding in the rain but if I have to I slow down quite a bit and I leave a large gap between myself and the vehicle in front of me. Last thing I want to do is be locking up the wheels on a wet road.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 479
Likes: 0
From: Wa-silly
RE: Riding in the rain
[color=#3300FF] Maybe leave a day earlier or a day later... or
just pull over before the rain hits and wait it out for a few hours if needed. The ride and time off should be enjoyable.
Time is on your side.
Better to get there late than not at all. Watch the weather, map your ride to where you can get some cover if needed.
Just take your time and ride careful. Take a bike cover or some towels to wipe the sled off.
just pull over before the rain hits and wait it out for a few hours if needed. The ride and time off should be enjoyable.
Time is on your side.
Better to get there late than not at all. Watch the weather, map your ride to where you can get some cover if needed.
Just take your time and ride careful. Take a bike cover or some towels to wipe the sled off.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: Riding in the rain
400 miles with no experience is going to be a long haul.
My wife and I(she rides her own) have ridden a lot of miles in the rain(5 straight days one time), but she had experience on shorter trips before she did.
If your wife is afraid of the rain, a 400 mile trip is not the place to get experience.
Just an opinion.
Regards,
Bill
My wife and I(she rides her own) have ridden a lot of miles in the rain(5 straight days one time), but she had experience on shorter trips before she did.
If your wife is afraid of the rain, a 400 mile trip is not the place to get experience.
Just an opinion.
Regards,
Bill
Banned
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Born in Brooklyn...Lived in Jersey
RE: Riding in the rain
Hey Bill...How ya doin'?? Just moved to Fla. from Jersey last year...I lived in Point Pleasant...down the shore...
Ok, about your trip....
Let me first say I've been riding since my early twenties and logged many miles on quite a few Harleys in my day...The longest was Jersey to Myrtle Beach Bike Week in 99....and back of course..and two long hauls to Nashville Tn in 2000 and 2001...and after I got home from these particular events I got to thinking...When I was younger I used to dig riding in the rain and couldn't care the less but I guess I'm gettin' to old for that **** now-a-days. When I arrive some place these days I like to be rested and dry...able to carry some tools and extra gear as well....I went out and purchased a Pace American 15 X 8 double axle two bike trailer in 2003 before moving to Fla...now when I come back up to Jersey, go to Laconia (next year..can't get away this year), or any long haul I am prepared...Like I said, I arrive dry and well rested and ready to have a good time...I used to be one of them guys who always said "trailers are for boats man"...but I must say the trailer has made these trips easy with room for extra gear and tools etc...not to mention break downs...you call the wife or a friend and they come and pick you & your bike up...something to consider Bill...
Have a safe trip...
SledgeHammer
Ok, about your trip....
Let me first say I've been riding since my early twenties and logged many miles on quite a few Harleys in my day...The longest was Jersey to Myrtle Beach Bike Week in 99....and back of course..and two long hauls to Nashville Tn in 2000 and 2001...and after I got home from these particular events I got to thinking...When I was younger I used to dig riding in the rain and couldn't care the less but I guess I'm gettin' to old for that **** now-a-days. When I arrive some place these days I like to be rested and dry...able to carry some tools and extra gear as well....I went out and purchased a Pace American 15 X 8 double axle two bike trailer in 2003 before moving to Fla...now when I come back up to Jersey, go to Laconia (next year..can't get away this year), or any long haul I am prepared...Like I said, I arrive dry and well rested and ready to have a good time...I used to be one of them guys who always said "trailers are for boats man"...but I must say the trailer has made these trips easy with room for extra gear and tools etc...not to mention break downs...you call the wife or a friend and they come and pick you & your bike up...something to consider Bill...
Have a safe trip...
SledgeHammer