Rain Riders... [Archive] - ST-Owners.com Forums

Bones

03-09-2006, 10:38 AM

I'm not sure I'd call myself a "hard core rainer" but rain happens. Just slow it down a notch, increase the distance between vehicles, and assume no one sees you (which you should assume in dry weather, too).

I treat my Cortech jacket and pants with CampDry every spring which makes those items 99% as effective as dedicated rainwear. My boots were described as 100% waterproof but I've discovered that's wishful thinking so I hit them with CampDry, too. I carry a set of Aerostich rubber overgloves if it's raining steady.

On a Nova Scotia trip I saw rain 5 of 9 days, including one day of the hardest rains I'd ever ridden in. Very windy too. I rode along St. George's Bay and it was pretty wild. Would I have preferred to do it with sunny skies? Of course, but it was still a great experience -- and traffic was light!

Sometimes rain is good. On a hot summer afternoon a rain shower can be refreshing, especially if you're in mesh so the rain works as evaporative cooling.

STony G

03-09-2006, 10:39 AM

Rain - it's just dry road that has a little water on it.

Rain I'm okay with.. It's Wind that I hate, that can really mess up your day.

I totally agree, I just can't get used to the cross winds.

Trekker

03-09-2006, 10:45 AM

Last year I set myself up with decent gear to keep me dry (mostly), and now I'll go just about anytime. :)

sherob

03-09-2006, 10:52 AM

Just rode up to Big D in the rain for TechSTOC :D Drizzle to pouring rain... not a problem ;) Was a little chilly when I got there :eek:

sherob

03-09-2006, 11:08 AM

I don't like cold... and damp :( Pete's coffee did the trick though :)

ccryder

03-09-2006, 11:27 AM

My Moma told me MANY years ago that I wasn't made of sugar, so ididn't have to worry about melting. After that she told me that shXt floats and I wouldn't drown!

Gotta love her, "she's the Mommy"

Laer
Neil S.

nurseBob

03-09-2006, 11:29 AM

A couple weeks back I crossed the SFO Bay Bridge during a down pour with 30 mph cross winds gusting to 50... It was lovely reaching the other end without an unintentional lane change.:eek::D

motomac

03-09-2006, 11:37 AM

If I let a little rain bother me I wouldn't have got my '06 home on my delivery date. speaking of which has anyone heard from that guy up in Long Island? He was concerned about picking his '06 up in nasty weather last week.

dannyk

03-09-2006, 01:43 PM

Rain, its just taking a shower with your clothes on.:biker:

Killtimer

03-09-2006, 01:51 PM

There is no better way to get a seasons worth of bugs off your gear than 300 miles of rain.

And what better way to get that hard to reach "underside" as well, not to mention your inner fenders. :)

Mellow

03-09-2006, 01:54 PM

Actually, you can freeze them off

http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58250632-M.jpg

sherob

03-09-2006, 02:00 PM

That is a cool pic Joe! ;) What is that stuff on your old ST? :D

sherob

03-09-2006, 02:07 PM

ROFLMAO!!!! Thats wrong... LOL!!!!

tricky_micky

03-09-2006, 02:14 PM

I aint got much choice!

Rain or shine, I am out there riding a bike cus that is what I do for a living. So if it rains, I just kit up in wet weather gear and away I go.

I might not be a 'Happy Bunny' but I try to remember how that old song goes........'Just singing in the rain....just singing in the rain' :mad:

Mick

sherob

03-09-2006, 02:32 PM

'Just singing in the rain....just singing in the rain' :mad:

Mick

What :confused: No The Who "Love Rain O're Me" :D

Mellow

03-09-2006, 03:17 PM

ROFLMAO!!!! Thats wrong... LOL!!!!

Actually, that was probably more right than wrong.

Marshal_Mercer

03-09-2006, 03:50 PM

What :confused: No The Who "Love Rain O're Me" :D

If you find that you're in this situation ---
you're at the wrong party!

Marshal

tricky_micky

03-09-2006, 03:52 PM

What :confused: No The Who "Love Rain O're Me" :D

Okay Sherob

Now you are talking about a 'GOOD' group. Got all of their tunes and still got me 'Parka'. Quadrophenia, one of the best films ever made in my mind. It was my era of course!

Mick

Mongo

03-09-2006, 05:22 PM

If it is a 100 mile evening ride I might not go. If I have a trip I am gone. I don't think I have been on a multi day trip without hitting rain.

Coop

03-09-2006, 08:18 PM

[QUOTE=sherob]Just rode up to Big D in the rain for TechSTOC :D Drizzle to pouring rain... not a problem ;) Was a little chilly when I got there :eek:[/QUOT

I knew it was an easy ride because Napolean didn't even have on his rain jacket. LOL!! You surely broke the drought in Dallas.

jnsgardner

03-09-2006, 09:11 PM

Riding west on I 70 (not far from Golden) up toward the Eisenhower tunnels one November day, there were a few snow flurries blowing across the road, nothing sticking, chilly, of course, a totally dry road....!!!

Through the tunnels on the west, it was 6 inches deep, mostly unplowed, traffic moving slowly, but moving.

I didn't want to use the front brake for fear of locking up on some ice, and I'd have to have a foot up to use the rear. I killed the motor, put it in second or third gear, and rode the clutch against the compression. I watched the car in front of me do one of those slow slides into the ditch as the lady locked her brakes.

Getting lower, the snow stopped....and it was now 32 1/2 degrees and raining. I actually preferred the snow.

Vail pass had been plowed and wasn't too bad...but Glenwood Canyon before the current freeway was the pits. More chilling rain, darkness, no visor, and my glasses were a mass of raindrop sparkles in the oncoming headlights. Sticking my head out sideways to the slipstream blew some of the droplets away, but that was on heck of a ride to my friends in Aspen...who had a hot tub and Scotch waiting.

My main point is to be creative. I had never read of riding the compression in slick conditions...it just seemed like the think to do going down hill when I wanted both feet sliding on the ground (ice).

John

videolester

03-09-2006, 11:17 PM

If I'm heading off for a planned long ride, there's no way a little stinkin' rain is gonna hold me back! :rain1: :rain1: :D

EASt

03-10-2006, 08:58 AM

1) I'm in total agreement with everyone on this board so far. I don't love riding in the rain, but it doesn't make me cancel trips either. Every storm has an endpoint, and you just need to punch through it.

2) Two things made me get over my fear of wet roads: A good riding suit that kept me dry and protected, and forcing myself to loosen up and not be so tense on the handlebars. Go with the flow that Mother Nature pushes at you.

3) I love breaking out of a heavy rain storm. It makes me feel like I overcame a significant challenge on my trip. A good feeling of accomplishment.

4) I love this thread.

5) Lists are fun, don't you think?

6) Warm coffee, sunrise, and a good list to make are nice.

7) I really need to get the ST out of storage and go riding. Winter's too long. I love lists too much. At least it's a motorcycle related list.

8) Time for my medication. The lists are talking to me again.

videolester

03-10-2006, 09:17 AM

3) I love breaking out of a heavy rain storm. It makes me feel like I overcame a significant challenge on my trip. A good feeling of accomplishment.

:plane1: INDEED!!

Jim C-G

03-10-2006, 10:49 AM

I don't like the rain, but it's never stopped me from starting a trip or continuing one. I did once and only once actually get off the Trans Canada because of a really hard rain - was really surprised that the parking lot was so full of 18 wheelers who didn't want to drive in the rain.
Does everyone else have a rainsuit that works fine for 1/2 hr. and then dumps a gallon of water into their crouch area?
Am I the only one who didn't stop to get raingear on because it was just a sprinkle and ended up with everything soaked through due to the 3 hr. rain storm?
I will admit, I do not like tearing tent down in rain and packing up!
And WINDS?
We have "Wreck House" winds here just 30 k from the ferry terminal. Try a 130 kph i.e. 80 mph cross wind. That is an adrenilin starter!
And then there is the snow.... of which there is still too much of here.
Jim

beatlejuice

03-10-2006, 06:06 PM

If i lived somewhere other than Los Angeles i might consider it. just tooo many idiots driving 75+ in the rain here. no room for error at all. that being said i have left for a ride in the rain a couple of times and it was ok but not something i need to do. :04biker:

ligito

03-10-2006, 06:49 PM

And my hair. I'm in a bad mood once my hair gets messed up.

1. Hair, you have hair?
2. Keep your jacket zipped.:rolleyes:

FatherTedFan

03-10-2006, 11:58 PM

Actually, I enjoy riding in the wet more than I do in the dry.
Rain on the helmet has a very calming effect on the mind...sort of like rain on a tin roof...

SSFox

03-11-2006, 09:15 PM

You know, I like riding in the rain, assuming your gear is working as expected. I like to hear the sound of the raindrops on the helmet. When I had a travel trailer, I used to go sleep in it in the back yard if it was raining because it was soothing hearing the rain on the roof.

I don't particularly care to be on the interstate when it's raining if there's lots of traffic and road spray. No visibility = no good.

Elmo

03-11-2006, 10:28 PM

I appreciate everyone's participation in this thread. I think it's been fun and informative... even if I do say so myself! :headbang:

By the way, my new ST got :rain1: on today, so it's now offically "broke in"!

Elmo

Putt

03-12-2006, 01:18 PM

Don't mind riding in the rain at all.. Kind of calming if you slow down
and just enjoy it... Now, hail, thats another story..

Putt..

Lonerider

03-15-2006, 04:15 AM

I love riding in the rain with with proper gear.

Blue STreak

03-15-2006, 07:37 PM

It depends. If I'm actually going somewhere, the rain wouldn't stop me at all. If it was just a pleasure ride, with no destination (other than back home), I might bag it.

sirepair

10-12-2007, 03:06 PM

I'm seeing rain as another challenge to overcome. Not that being invisible while cell-phone-yappin'/textin'/kids-screamin'/big-truck-w-flat-tire-launchin' cages EVERYWHERE riding isn't challenging enough!

I don't have that much experience at it, but I have decided that I WILL ride whether it's raining or not! So thanks for the input/tips! Duly noted!

scootac

10-12-2007, 03:07 PM

Last year my wife and I had a 2 week trip planned to Nova Scotia. Hurricane Ernesto came thru here on Saturday morning when we left. He kept us company for 3 days straight, wind and rain the whole time. My wife, (on her ST1100) was a trooper, she wanted to go as bad as I did, and we kept right at it. When we got across the bridge to PEI, the sun broke out and made it all worthwhile! If I've got vacation and a trip planned, I'm going!
George

RideCoach

10-12-2007, 03:16 PM

:th1:

Charlie, I've been looking at Camelbaks and their imitators lately. What would you recommend? I dry out real easy and seems like even easier when I'm on the bike.

I use a 100 oz camel back, I love it and with ice it lasts all day on a ride. I usually fill it full of ice and a little water a day or two before a long ride, then fill it the morning of the ride with cold water. I stll have ice when the sun goes down.
Lynn

Gonzo

10-12-2007, 03:39 PM

I might talk myself out of it if is was a spur of the moment, casual ride. Else I will go.

The Chicken Little people have been talking lately about category 6 and 7 hurricanes expected in the forseeable future. Sounds grim.

gonzo

George

10-12-2007, 03:51 PM

:th1:

Charlie, I've been looking at Camelbaks and their imitators lately. What would you recommend? I dry out real easy and seems like even easier when I'm on the bike.

Fred :03biker:

I have a Camelbak (expensive, relatively speaking) and a Wally World clone (bladder only, relatively cheap.) The Camelbak works great but is hard to dry out as the hose doesn't come off the bladder without extra work. The bite valve works great. The Wally World only cost ~$10 so if it gets moldy or whatever just toss it and buy new. The bite valve sucks but the hose is threaded at both ends making the whole thing easy to disassmble and air dry. So far, no mold.

My Camelbak is in a back pack, the Wally world bladder I carry in the right brast pocket of the Aerostich. Never leave home without one or the other.

As far as rain, my Frog Toggs are virgin, too. Carried on the last two long trips but didn't feel the need as the Aerostich works great in all but the worst frog stranlers. I still carry'em with, tho, as they are the stuffing in my tank bag. :D

If it has just starting raining at take-off time I might wait an hour. If it really rains, it'll wash the accumulated crud off the road. If it stops (more likely around here) then it's time to...

GO RIDE!!

Read somewhere a long time ago that, on a clean, wet road, ya still have about 90% of yur tires ability in hand. With Avons that would still be more than most of us use. I'm pretty cautious in the wet but I did drag pegs at the Dragon on the Viffer a few years ago as the rain pelted down. I love that road when there's no traffic. (That was on Avons, too.)

Snow: I once did a 360º spin, in traffic, on my SL-125 Honda, both feet flat on the road and bike absolutely vertical. Snow streets in Terre Haute, IN in about 1972. Prolly scared the cr*p out'a the surrounding cars but nothing bad happened. :eek: :D

Lately, all my snow and ice has been in Cal-e-4n-ya. No wonder those folks only want 8 months for the mileage contests! :D

I ride regardless.

Mark

10-12-2007, 04:13 PM

The Chicken Little people have been talking lately about category 6 and 7 hurricanes expected in the forseeable future. Sounds grim.

gonzo

Same guys that said last year and this year the U.S. was going to be hit by a monster number of storms, right?
So they are wrong 2 years in a row and have to publicly 'lower' their count but, we still think they understand global weather enough to blame mankind (and specifically N.A.)... All this just stretches my credulousness a bit... :)

I'll ride if I'm going somewhere when it starts or if its raining when I start... :)

Mark

Spencer

10-12-2007, 04:41 PM

Nope, I will not leave in the rain, or if I KNOW its going to.
If it just happens so be it.

For many years all I had was a bike for tranportation and HAD to ride in the rain, or even the snow as long as there where tire tracks to ride in.:nuts1:
I don't have to now, so I choose not to.

And yes.......I'm the guy you see waiting it out under the freeway overpass :D

Spencer

Blrfl

10-12-2007, 05:35 PM

The Chicken Little people have been talking lately about category 6 and 7 hurricanes expected in the forseeable future. Sounds grim.

If it's The Discovery Channel or any of its siblings, then according to them the mega extreme killer grass in your yard will rise up and strangle you when you go out for the paper tomorrow morning.

Either that, or Mixon is headed for town... :D

--Mark

tommy5313

10-12-2007, 05:54 PM

the STeed does'nt stop long enough for a bath, so rain works.............:)

knwr

10-12-2007, 08:11 PM

there is an old Scottish saying that comes to mind as I bundle up heading out of the driveway..."there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes".

Essteeguy

10-13-2007, 03:01 AM

I'm English - 'nuff said! :rain1:
If you're English you get the rain gear before you get the bike.

Tony

Imrubicon

10-13-2007, 04:25 PM

I dont have raingear and would still most likely go with just the liner for my joe rocket jacket .
If you are going that far down here most likely you can ride out of the rain .
If thats not goiong to happen then maybe yes maybe no

Mike

10-13-2007, 04:51 PM

I am a year round rider so rain is just part of the experience, I do try to avoid hail and those times that the rain freezes on the overpass here in elevation.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/H1018/ST1300/P6050038.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/H1018/ST1300/P6070048.jpg

fink

10-13-2007, 05:09 PM

I live in Scotland NUFF SAID:cool:

No such thing as a wet crotch just crap gear.

Bigfish

10-13-2007, 05:42 PM

I have been seen under a couple of overpasses, because of hail. But I ride in all wet weather, good gear makes it nice. I don't like cold weather much so if it is wet and cold (40 degrees or lower) I take one of the cages. I finally found great dry/warm gloves, Alpine Stars Drystars. Once I tested these out, I got rid of the other so called waterproof gloves.[/I] Oh, yeah a helmet comes in handy when those chunks of frozen water are falling.

Ride Safe!
Bigfish

drmedak

10-13-2007, 11:15 PM

Leave home in the rain for a one-day ride.....in the scenario given I'd wait and see if the clouds broke and make the call in a couple of hours.

Now on the other hand...would I leave home in the rain on day one of a two week tour...absolutely yes.

RideTN

10-13-2007, 11:28 PM

if the choice is to stay AT HOME or go out in the rain then i will try to wait it out. if the choice is to STAY AWAY FROM HOME or go out in the rain and head home then i go out in the rain. friendstoc this past june being an example, we rode home in the rain, hard rain for a couple hundred or more miles before it let up. immediately upon arriving home, we ordered two pair of the aerostitch three fingered rain overgloves. :)

saaz

10-14-2007, 02:47 AM

If I have organised a ride I go. hail is not a fun thing, as it can hurt through the jacket. One ride I went out on the old bike with a new front tyre that had not turned one revolution. Rained all weekend, and we went on some mountain roads.

UNTMatt

10-14-2007, 09:02 AM

I commute to school on the ST, rain or shine, and that's only a 60 mile round trip.

skidlid1300

10-14-2007, 10:26 AM

Rain? no problem, I just ride through it. I got excellent gear to handle it. As for the winds, that can be challenging but fun. I rode across New Mexico and the winds were 60 mph, and kicking up every tumble weed coming right at me! :eek: They were like an army of vegitation trying to take me out!

Viggo

10-15-2007, 09:25 AM

Rain won't stop me from a trip unless it's just a casual ride. I have completely changed my intended route to avoid the worst of it when I can find access to weather radar data.

High winds, hail, or snow are likely to get me off the road for at least a little while.

Wayne-05A

10-15-2007, 12:42 PM

I guess it depends on your definition of "cats & dogs". I've had lots of great rides that started in the rain. (Come to think of it, lots of great rides that ended in the rain too.) Having said that if it looks like a tropical monsoon outside and the forecast is for nothing but for the foreseable future, then a casual ride will get cancelled. A planned trip on the other hand..... it's all hands on deck and make sure the bilge pump is working.

rbs

10-15-2007, 12:46 PM

I totally agree, I just can't get used to the cross winds.

Kansas City to Denver, you never touch the center contact patch!

04ST1300TX

10-15-2007, 02:06 PM

Rain or shine... I'm ridin!

therider

10-15-2007, 02:11 PM

Rain doesn't bother me on a long trip, I will just ride a little slow and keep more gap from other vehicles. But after a rain the smell you can get is amazing, it totally rejuvenates the soul.

T.Wilson

10-15-2007, 08:40 PM

My first long distance for me (700 miles) on the ST, I ended up ridding some 340 miles in the rain. After that I figure what the heck any time is good for me.

BlaSTr

10-15-2007, 10:10 PM

I've gone on rides when the weather was questionable. In almost every case either the weather turned out to be localized or we had such a great time it didn't matter (maybe shared grief). ;)

My riding gear has rain liners that do a great job and the boots are waterproof. The only real problem I have is with gloves staying dry.

Road conditions are the biggest challenge. I have pulled over under some protection on a few occasions but prefer to ride it out. Heavy rain and the winds that accompany it are my biggest challenges. When you can't see the lines on the road or past you windshield, it's time to pull over and wait it out.

If DQ had covered parking, I'm sure I'd be in trouble. :D

I've got the CamelBak 3L model and like it. The capacity and construction mean it'll last a while. I fill it with water, stuff it with ice, and it's good until the next stop. The only downside is that the liquid in the feed tube gets warm, making that first couple of swallows interesting. It also makes for good conversation as I stuff it full of ice at the drink counter.

Doug

4INer

10-16-2007, 12:12 AM

I actually love riding in the rain. All dry and toasty inside my gear, the smell of fresh air. I don't like high winds, and lightning. But give me a nice steady rain and I'll ride all day.

gnorts

10-16-2007, 10:20 PM

I was rolling south on 395 south of Burns, OR, in September, headed for California. It was hot, pushing 100. I could see thunderheads on the southern horizon, and I stopped and changed the leather jacket for a mesh one, and rode on into the squalls forming under the towering Q's. The rain pelted me through the mesh and it felt great! Then the lightning started striking less then a mile away, right in my field of vision as I plowed through the hard, stinging rain. What a rush! One of the rides of my life.

Essteeguy

10-17-2007, 01:43 AM

I live in Scotland NUFF SAID:cool:

No such thing as a wet crotch just crap gear.

Hey Fink,
I used to camp in Scotland quite a bit on the bike. I have to agree - it is wetter than England. (At least the parts I went to were!)

Tony

kooler2

10-17-2007, 02:06 AM

Have no choice I ride everyday, but one things for sure, since cutting the screen down level with the fairing I can see a whole lot better, and as for the wind heaps better without that screen in front as well, but I have got really good rain gear:cool:

TxStPilot

10-17-2007, 08:27 AM

yep, i've used my rain gear too.....works pretty well !
dont care to drive in heavy traffic during rain though...
tsp

hawkeyeST

10-17-2007, 08:29 AM

:biker: My greatest concern in the rain is "Tar Snakes":( . Iowa has some of the worst I have encountered. I almost cut a 6000 mile trip short in a bad storm because of those Iowa tar snakes. Otherwise if you have the right gear and some good tunes - no problem.

Dave
:biker:Funny, I've lived in Iowa all my life and ta snakes have never been an issue for me.

There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear. :)

bygdawg

10-17-2007, 10:04 AM

You guys are getting rain? :crackup Remind me again what that stuff is. If you think the tar snakes are bad in Iowa, try Mt. Lemmon in AZ.

Trekker

10-19-2007, 09:13 PM

Heres another way of looking at this issue....

My neighbor pulled in behind me at the gas pumps today, in his full size Dodge truck. He has a new Suzuki cruiser at home he rides for pleasure when the weather is nice. He commented on my tendency to ride in almost any weather (it was pouring earlier in the day and damp at the time), while we both we filling our tanks..... Of course, his comment came with a roll of the eyes.:rolleyes:

I filled the tank for $20, he kept going......and going....

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to mention there is no bad weather, only inadequate gear.... or a willingness to feed his beast $75 at the pump. :22yikes:

billxp

10-19-2007, 10:36 PM

Hell I can't remember the last time I drove a car to work.

I love the looks I get at work.

H20SKIER

10-20-2007, 05:57 AM

Love my Aerostitch!!!! What rain?

gegundez

10-21-2007, 09:10 AM

Good thread. Rain sucks, nice to have ABS.:wave1:

Mike

10-21-2007, 10:16 PM

Rode to work tonight, 41 degrees, gust to 35 and sleeting, god I love riding!

bygdawg

10-22-2007, 08:15 AM

I usually won't leave in a hurricane or huge downpour, but I will leave if the rain isn't too nasty and shows signs of clearing up. Now, if I'm already out on the road, well...that's another story all together.

Blrfl

10-22-2007, 10:55 AM

Some of the most memorable rides I've ever had have been in the rain.

--Mark

Shuey

10-22-2007, 10:31 PM

As long as I can see, it'd be a shame to not be rid'in! :D

bygdawg

10-23-2007, 08:24 AM

Seeing is a good thing. I don't mind the rain as much as I do the lightning, wind, and probability of hail. In those cases, I'm seeking some shelter.

Bayern

10-31-2007, 12:05 PM

Around town in the rain I take the truck. If I'm on a trip, I zip up and go with it. Spent 10 days on the road 3 years back from Sacramento to lake Louise and back, rained hard 7 of the ten days, besides pants, no real wet weather gear.

I got some good wet weather gear and two years later in CO I was dry the two times it rained. Not opposed to rain; what do they say about life, rain happens.

B.

gnorts

11-07-2007, 11:44 AM

...I don't mind the rain as much as I do the lightning, wind, and probability of hail. In those cases, I'm seeking some shelter.

I was riding through southeastern Oregon on US395 last summer - that part of the state is known as "thunderstorm alley' - it was hot, in the mid 90's, and I stopped and changed from my Fox Creek leather jacket to my FirstGear mesh jacket, and rode on into the deluge! I got rained on hard, and boy did it feel good! and the lightning, striking right in front of me less than a mile away, made for one of the most exciting rides of my life! A bit scary, I admit. Sure wish I had video of that day! I just have to go back next summer and chase thunderheads again, once I get my new Twenty20 video cam!

grindz145

11-23-2007, 05:50 PM

Life is too short to only ride when the weather is perfect. Ill ride in the rain and cold. Ill ride if it has been snowing as long as I have been out enough to scope out that the roads are clean enough. thunderstorms definately arent cool and if theres inches of standing water I may definately back off. But as long as its reasonably safe, Im riding, even if I get funny looks from the snowmobilers I pass in the adirondacks...:-D not that it happened or anything..