Riding in the rain.

[krowl]

Hello all, so I have a trip next weekend and the forecast for the area I'm going to is calling for rain. I never had the 1150 in the rain before and would like to know how these bikes hold up in the rain. I have rain gear and would just like to know how these bikes handle in the wet weather. Little nervous I guess. Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

[sweatmark]

I've been riding R1150R for years in western Oregon rain. At least one of the members here commuted daily on R1150R in rainy UK. The bike works fine, but tires and safe riding technique are more important.

[peels]

as good or better than any bike Iv'e owned. I rode it through 7 hrs of torrential Arkansas rain in the mountains. The smooth boxer engine helps. It did much better than I did Just make sure your electronic devices are actually sealed, and you don't forget your boot covers, or you're gonna have a bad time.. trust me.

the one thing I read about often is the hall effect sensor, that can go bad if its wet and worn out. Iv'e contemplated buying one to have on spare. Think I will if I ever take a trip longer than a few days.

give cars a wider berth, its less likely that they can see you, and brake BEFORE the corners.

have fun, and ride safe!

[krowl]

Will the bike still run if the hall effect sensor gets wet? I do not have a spare one and probably would not be able to get one in time for the trip.

[peels]

Will the bike still run if the hall effect sensor gets wet? I do not have a spare one and probably would not be able to get one in time for the trip.

its a rare occasion. it will sputter and miss, and maybe die. Not something I'd be totally worried about.

do a little internet searching, theres plenty of info.

[towerworker]

If at all possible avoid riding thru what you think is fairly deep water on the roads-----several inches or so. We had one of our bashes in Pa several years ago and one rider went thru some pretty deep water and his hall sensor got fried. They are pretty expensive from BMW but there are some ideas for work-arounds on the internet.

I've done some pretty long rides in hard rains with no problems (other than my discomfort). Just use good sense and modify your riding for safety.

[jwagreen]

I have a 2002 R1150R and I live in Central Florida and it rains almost 50% of the time. I have put 47,000 miles on the bike in last three years and have traveled in the rain for half the time. The only mechanical issue I have had is the Hall Effect Sensor (HES). It had corrossion near the connector under the fuel tank and on the wires on the unit. It is located behind the alternator belt cover and it was easy to replace. The bike broke down on me on the ride home in the rain. I replaced it with an aftermarket HES from beamerboneyard. I have an inexpensive two piece rain suit made by built and waterproof riding boots by built. I keep them in the side bag and also switch to the clear lense from tinted on my helmet to increase visibility. I also have put DOT reflectors on the rear mud flap extension and I wear hi visibility reflective vest over my rain suit. My tires are Michelan Pilot Road 3 and currently I am using Michelan Pilot Road 4 GT. Both tires handle well in the rain. In the last week I put about 700 miles on the bike with 75% of it in the rain.

[krowl]

Thanks for the advise guys!

[peels]

oh. tiny last word of advice... in a sudden deluge, gravel shoulders and sideroad entrances may get soft, so if you need to pull off, try to avoid those. We stopped, I put my feet down, and SUNK....dropped mine during a storm. my buddy took off without me while I wrestled it back up in the mud. lol.

I actually enjoy the mental state I get from riding in rain, and being fully geared. Its a primal thing. people looking at me like I'm crazy. yep. I sure am.

my coworkers have mostly stopped with the "looks like you're gonna get wet" chants. after they've seen me don my rainsuit enough times, and plow right into it.


pretty much sum this all up with, "be cautious, and don't be in a hurry"

Oh. I regularly wax my visor. Haven't found a good product that does what it says for helmets yet, so a mild auto wax works fine.

[sweatmark]

I have a 2002 R1150R and I live in Central Florida and it rains almost 50% of the time. I have put 47,000 miles on the bike in last three years and have traveled in the rain for half the time. The only mechanical issue I have had is the Hall Effect Sensor (HES). It had corrossion near the connector under the fuel tank and on the wires on the unit. It is located behind the alternator belt cover and it was easy to replace. The bike broke down on me on the ride home in the rain. I replaced it with an aftermarket HES from beamerboneyard. I have an inexpensive two piece rain suit made by built and waterproof riding boots by built. I keep them in the side bag and also switch to the clear lense from tinted on my helmet to increase visibility. I also have put DOT reflectors on the rear mud flap extension and I wear hi visibility reflective vest over my rain suit. My tires are Michelan Pilot Road 3 and currently I am using Michelan Pilot Road 4 GT. Both tires handle well in the rain. In the last week I put about 700 miles on the bike with 75% of it in the rain.

Good info. Thanks

[sjbmw]

Been riding in gully washers for 13 years with the R1150R. Never had an issue. One flash storm was so hard there was 2 inches of water on the road it was coming down so fast. I was close to home, and I should have gotten off the bike, but I didn't.
The bike was a stallion.

Get a rainex type product and treat your helmet shield, and get finger squeegee for your gloves. IMHO, the biggest issue with rain riding is vision. Take steps to make sure you can see in the rain.

The bike is solid as a rock as long as you have healthy tires. I recently switched from multiple sets of Metzlers to Pilot roads.
My PR tires are lasting 2x longer, and to me, appear just as sticky.

Rain is easy, but if you see lightning, even in the distance, get off the bike, and get inside, under a overpass, immediately.
Don't chance it for even a minute.
Lightning can become deadly as far as 10 miles away.

[TheMelv]

I use my 1150RS all year round in the UK.
The smooth motor make it a dream in the wet and the abs brakes are awesome.
Their surprisingly easy to ride in the snow too.
My old bird is 104000 miles old and only let me down once and that was because rain got into a broken HT lead.
Throw some waterproofs on and embrace the drizzle..

[Sunbeemer]

Get a rainex type product and treat your helmet shield, and get finger squeegee for your gloves. IMHO, the biggest issue with rain riding is vision. Take steps to make sure you can see in the rain.

Too true! Stay away from trucks throwing a lot of spray (and who knows what else ) and give yourself more room between other vehicles.
To reduce slippage, use one higher gear than you would normally use in dry conditions; this reduces torque at the rear wheel during acceleration and engine braking.
The road will be the slickest for the first twenty minutes after the rain starts before it washes the oil off. This may be a good time to take a short break.
Most quality tires have ~70% of their dry adhesion on wet pavement EXCEPT where there is oil on the road, like at intersections and toll booths.
Ride in the tire tracks, not in the center oil patch. Stay out of the far right lane as much as possible.
On a wet road use only about 70% of the acceleration, speed, and braking that you'd use in dry conditions, especially in corners.
Use the front brake, and only use the rear brake when necessary and then lightly to prevent locking up the rear wheel and low siding.
Don foul weather gear before getting wet and you'll stay comfortable longer.

I know this is too late for your trip, but maybe next time...

[peels]

Been riding in gully washers for 13 years with the R1150R. Never had an issue. One flash storm was so hard there was 2 inches of water on the road it was coming down so fast. I was close to home, and I should have gotten off the bike, but I didn't.
The bike was a stallion.

Get a rainex type product and treat your helmet shield, and get finger squeegee for your gloves. IMHO, the biggest issue with rain riding is vision. Take steps to make sure you can see in the rain.

The bike is solid as a rock as long as you have healthy tires. I recently switched from multiple sets of Metzlers to Pilot roads.
My PR tires are lasting 2x longer, and to me, appear just as sticky.

Rain is easy, but if you see lightning, even in the distance, get off the bike, and get inside, under a overpass, immediately.
Don't chance it for even a minute.
Lightning can become deadly as far as 10 miles away.

Why have I never heard of "finger squeegees" that just slip on your finger before this? I know some higher gloves have them sewn in, but after just doing a search...and seeing them as separate piece I am ordering some

little late to the party.... oh well.

[carl1957]

My turn signals give out if the bike get really wet.

[riceburner]

At least one of the members here commuted daily on R1150R in rainy UK.

Guilty as charged m'lud.


No probs whatsoever with the bike.

Wear decent rain gear.

NEVER touch your visor with your glove - I use furniture polish (Pledge) on my visor (Arai), and give it a good polish daily. Rain will bead up and slide off at anything over about 50mph. however NOTHING can stop your visor getting road dirt on it, which is why you shouldn't use your glove to wipe the visor - you do not want to add any tiny scratches to the outer surface.

My bike is weather protected using ACF-50 for winter.

[R100CS]

no problem for the bike, riding in the rain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52ngpSYASz4

[EasyBee]

And what ever you do on your bike in the rain : stay away from white lines and manhole covers and go around them.