Riding in the rain

ErikU · Post by **ErikU** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 5:04 pm

Even though I live in Seattle, I have somehow always managed to avoid riding in serious rain. When the day looks iffy, I make good use of animated weather radar and have always been able to see if it will be a good time to ride.

Today I really wanted to go to a dealer event about 20 miles away and the day looked dark and gloomy. The forecast called for a 50% chance of rain, and the weather radar looked totally clear. I purchased a couple quick items and returned to the bike when a woman with a flat tire on her car asked if I knew where she could get it fixed.. I didn't, but offered to change it for her. Then it started to pour down. By the time I was done I was already soaked and looking at a half hour ride on a jam packed freeway.

Now I know I probably shouldn't whine about a half hour of rain in a BMW riders forum,... but I don't find it fun, and I don't like the mess it makes of my bike. My jacket was fine, but everything else was totally soaked. I don't have any rain gear, and don't plan to buy any,... but I am curious how people deal with this. I couldn't see anything with my visor down, and it was freshly cleaned and waxed today!

I rode very slowly and carefully the whole time freaked I would slide out. How do you guys that do this regularly manage?

GJBushman · Post by **GJBushman** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 5:54 pm

Good rain gear is essential. Putting the gear on before it starts to rain is a good strategy. I also monitor the forecast and if there is any threat of rain I usually put on my rain pants but keep the jacket in the cases. When the rain starts its much easier to put on just a jacket. Know your tires, good tires are also a must. Use Pledge on your helmet visor. They make pledge wipes, these are easy to use. I keep them with my rain gear, onboard. Ride slower and increase your following distance to compensate for the wet pavement. Although ABS is not essential I feel much better when riding in the rain if the bike has ABS. I get caught in the rain quite a bit (commuter). Its not a problem.

Post by **towerworker** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 6:57 pm

Ditto on all that Jamie said. I have rain gear in the side cases all the time. I don't have abs although. Keep good tires and ride carefully. Increase your following distance and don't get in a hurry!

Riding in the rain is not my favorite pastime but it's all part of the ride. Think of it as a "character building experience"! (You could be walking)

Wayne
03 r

Post by **baltm604** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 7:13 pm

Frog Toggs are my choice in rain gear. It is great for sporadic use. not the most durable choice, but it is very light, packs very small, and fits over my jacket and pants.

Cruiserwork boots: unconditionaly waterproof even after 2000 miles of rain in 7 days last summer.

Nolan N-102 flip helmet. the fog proof inner liner really works. In the rain, the worst thing you can do is open your visor and let water in...

Bill

Post by **wncbmw** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 7:40 pm

I rode the entire Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia in driving rains with 60 mph gusts! Heck, I had ridden 1400 miles to get there, I was riding!

Seriously, good gear is essential, not only to staying reasonably dry but alive. I have an Aerostich suit, that is about to be replaced by an AST jacket and pants from Olympia, so that is taken care of. And my Sidi On-Road boots have proven to be water proof as advertised.

I find the most important thing while riding in the rain (after the right gear in put on) is vision. Preventing the faceshield from fogging, so it can stay down is neccessary. Either a Fog City shield or some chemical application to keep the fog away combined with either a squeegee on the gloves (like in the 'stich catalog) or a glove with one built in. I am currently using a light application of dishwashing liquid inside the shield to prevent fogging but have found it doesn't last but about a day.

Other than that, just ride a little slower, eliminating the sudden moves if possible and watch the slick areas - center of the lanes, painted lines, etc.

Riding in the rain will make you a real rider!

And when you are far from home, you have not choice anyway.

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 7:56 pm

ErikU wrote:but I am curious how people deal with this.

Buy rain gear. You can pickup an inexpensive rain suit and throw it in a side case or tankbag. Riding in the rain isn't that bad if you can stay dry and see where you're going. As for the visor, get some Rain-X and some antifog solution. Those two items with a rainsuit can make a good ride out of a bad day. As for sitting in traffic while wet - it sucks. Like I said, if you can stay dry then it's not too bad. I'll take my express lane commute in the rain on a bike ANY DAY over a car in traffic (and have been for over 8 years now!)

Airman · Post by **Airman** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 8:39 pm

ErikU

I'm commuting to Seattle now, so I know how you feel. I decided early on to ride to work rain or shine. You'll get tricked half the time anyway. If you don't want to buy the Goretex gear, do like the guys said and buy an inexpensive rainsuit and carry it with you. I use FogTech on the inside of the visor and it works well. I have used RainEx on the outside with mixed results. My worst experience is when there's just kicked up spray but no real rain. Speed and water will clear the screen pretty well with nothing on it. Ride in the rain on purpose a bit. I kind of enjoy flying along with the rain streaming off my helmet.

Post by **hotzuk** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 9:01 pm

I really dislike when it rains but I have to agree that good raingear is the key. I got caught in a 2 hour downpour on my way to West Virginia. My jacket (Rukka APR3) had a Gortex liner and it did okay but good rain gear would have probably made the ride better.

I am now using the raingear in the link below thanks to the people at http://www.newenough.com :

http://www.newenough.com/firstgear_rain ... t_page.htm

http://www.newenough.com/firstgear_rain ... t_page.htm

Great gear and it folds up pretty small. I also picked up some boot covers from aerostich the fold up into a pouch although I just switched boots to Sidi Discovery.

rearro · Post by **rearro** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 9:38 pm

Erik, I have to admit I also don't care for riding in the rain I commute from Kingston To Seattle every morning and starting in May I will start riding every day. I have a couple of different type of pants 1 is a tourtech overpant great in the cold and also waterproof, I also bought some rain pants from Ride West BMW they are rain pants made of gor-tex keeps the rain out and breathable ( Kinda expensive $100.00 ) and as far as the jacket I have the BMW Commuter 3, it has a gor-tex liner and it works well in light rain but I did get cought up in a down pour one time and I still got home wet!! I found that rain was running down my arms and into my gloves! this was during the colder months talk about Burrrrrrrrrrr!

I too get really concered about taking corners too tight or not being able to stop in time or my boot slipping off of the controls but I just go slower and keep my helmet clean with PLEXUS!

Good Luck To you maybe well go riding some day! Are you a menber of the Washington BMW motorcycle riders club?

ErikU · Post by **ErikU** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 9:43 pm

Not a WA BMW Rider member, but I'll check into that, it would be fun to meet up with some fellow riders. It seems that there are enough Pac NW members here that we should have a ride this summer!

-Erik
[/quote]

Post by **iowabeakster** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 5:46 am

The gear is a must.

Riding is different. Relax, Relax, Relax. Go slow. Go careful. It is in these moments you realize what an impractical vehicle a motorcycle is.

Enjoy it!

chris · Post by **chris** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 6:30 am

Here in the UK we get a fair amount of the wet stuff. I ride all year round so good gear is essential and used most days from September till May as a matter of course because the climate is so unpredicable.
The worst part is the transistion from dryish season (summer) to soggy season. Once you have adjusted to the new road surface and the lack of grip it's fine.
I use goretex and cordura gear and since I haven't found any waterproof boots I use army surplus goretex boot liners which have never let me down yet.
Perversely looking forward to cold days now when I can judge the benefits of my heated grips!

Rog(UK) - Yorkshire Dales · Sun Apr 30, 2006 8:47 am

Chris. Re. waterproof boots. Have you tried Altberg up in Richmond? I've bought walking boots from them and they are REALLY top drawer. Have a look at their website. (Google for it). There's a large range of motorcycle boots available.

I use a pair of Swiss army despatch riders boots which were bought several years ago from 'Army and Navy' for about Ã‚Â£15. They are so good that I cannot justify buying a pair from Altberg, so I am just waiting for them to wear out at which time I will hot-foot it up to Richmond.

I believe their 'All Weather Hog' boots are fully waterproof.

Were any of you around Helperby/Boroughbridge yesterday? I passed a few going the other way. (I was on my orange/black Rockster).

Safe riding.

Rog.

chris · Post by **chris** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 9:50 am

Cheers Rog. Never come across those. Well worth a look. I have goretex lined walking boots that never leak but gave up on dry boots for the bike years ago. The boot liners work a treat tho!
I wasn't up there, was down Derbyshire way again.

Post by **duke** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 12:15 pm

Avoid manhole covers at all costs (don't overdo it, better go through one rather than swerve to avoid it and then only to fall because of the sharp manoeuvre).

It is better to be pouring down rather than just drizzling. The pouring rain washes the tarmac (to a degree, industrial cleaner is not included), making for better tyre contact. Drizzling just turns the dust into slippery paste on the road.

bmerchant · Post by **bmerchant** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 3:34 pm

Chris/Rog

Altberg are the best!

I have a pair of Clubmans (I think) that must be twelve years old or more. Used to clean and wax them regularly, but gave that up a year or so back and they still don't leak!!!

The soles are still good, the fastners all good, the only sign of wear is the gear change patch.

Altberg will repair boots too, so I might just send them back, or I might just get another pair.

GeoffJ · Post by **GeoffJ** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 4:53 pm

Speaking of rain... I was supposed to take a ride from Chicago to Monroe, Wisconsin yesterday with several other BMW riders. Monroe is a small southern Wisconsin town with a large German populaton. Our plan was to stuff ourselves with sausage, kraut and German beer and then ride home before sundown. As luck would have it we awoke to rain.

Rather than miss the opporunity to ride, we decided to tour Chicago in the rain. You see, when us older guys get a rare day off from work, family and other responsibilities, we ride come rain or shine.

We got lots of stares from cagers, especially old folks in Town Cars. I could just hear their conversations..... "Look, George, those men are riding motorcycles in the rain. That's too bad, honey. Perhaps their cars wouldn't start."

We visited several Euro and custom chopper shops in Chicago. We also toured the downtown area, with stops at Navy Pier, Sears Tower and some biker bars. My waterproof, textile coat/pants kept me warm and dry all day.

geogridshorthair · Post by **geogridshorthair** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 5:16 pm

I live in Southern California.....

WHAT'S RAIN?

NK ED · Post by **NK ED** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 5:55 pm

For those chance of rain days I have BMW's light and easyriding gear. They are great summer weight riding gear and if it rains they are waterproof. No need to stop and change.
The name light and easy isnt the most appealing but the outfit is super comfortable. On super hot days I wear an airflow jacket with the light and easy pants. As far as cleaning I have found protect all spray on wax makes removing bugs and dirt much easier.

coyofmo · Post by **coyofmo** » Mon May 01, 2006 10:09 pm

Riding in the rain....Today I rode my new/used 2004 rockster to work..first bike in 20 years and sure enough..I rode home in light Missouri drizzel...it felt like a baptism. I had the foresight to pack an old milatary surplus cardura parka and that did just fine for the short 24 mile ride. My windscreen arrives this week and that's all I should need for commuting. Back in my college days I would ride from Point lookout Missoui to Marion Ind. in solid weather..a good rainsuit was a must..get a bike with a good fairing if you can and good insulated clothing. The wet never bothered me then as long as I could stay warm, and resonably dry underneath. I notice right off today the differance ABS makes when it's slick and I'm reasured It was worth spending the extra to get a bike with it, as well as the integrated brakes. Dear Lord it feels so good to be back in the saddle !!!!

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