Somethings simply haven't changed - or have they?

John I. Stephen · Post by **John I. Stephen** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 4:22 pm

Having returned to 2 wheels after some 25+ years absence, I now have a fabulous R1150R and so much has changed! The tyres actually grip in the wet and yes, so do the disk brakes! They never used to, riding in the wet was always a dangerous time.
So, it was with some surprise that, when today I rode through the rain for the first time on my bike, I was aware that one thing had not changed - or so I presume - I still had to frequently remove a hand from the bars and wipe my visor; and the visibility was materially degraded.
Are there any easy solutions ?

Post by **scottybooj** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 1:29 am

rain-x?

Ric · Post by **Ric** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 7:26 am

Hey John !.....After 25 years. You did keep your old bike didn't you ?

This is my ride......of course you do remember what it is ?

Post by **machew01** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 8:50 am

Since I started riding in 1970, my rain-riding experience has dramatically improved. Like you mentioned, John, we now have much better brakes and tires. And back then I didn't have a face shield. Rain hurt!

mac

NachtRitter · Post by **NachtRitter** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:18 pm

machew01 wrote: ... we now have much better brakes and tires.

Dang, I thought it was me that was getting better...

Don't have much of a suggestion on keeping the rain off the face shield... I'm guessing you weren't looking for the "squeegee in the glove" solution, which kinda works better than a regular glove in cleaning the face shield, but definitely is not a leap in technology...

On the RT, raising the bike's wind screen to a certain height causes the wind to "roll" down the front of my helmet, helping my face shield stay relatively clear... At freeway speed I rarely have to wipe the shield.

Haven't tried Rain-X; the instructions seem to be clear that it should only be used on glass... Anybody actually tried it on the plastic face shields?

Post by **machew01** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 5:08 pm

A carnuba wax on the face shield has the same effect as Rain-X.

mac

Post by **socalrob** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:48 pm

John,

I agree on all counts. I got my R1150R with ABS a bit over 3 years ago. The brakes are killer compaired to the old drum brakes I had on my old 70's bikes. Tires too, of course I don't remember the old ones wearing out (they were like rocks).

Not that I have much rain experience here in LA, but I do have a pair of Held gloves that have a squeegee built in on the left index finger, it works great on the shield.

One word of advice though, about a year ago (after now riding for 2 years 15,000 miles or so re-entry wise) it dawned on me that I was about 5 times more capable on the bike (not that I'm any "great" shakes), & look back on that first 2 years glad that I didn't get myself in trouble.

Ride safe!