Riding in the rain....what I learned....

[TreeMuncher]

Re: problems with Sidi Rain Adv boot - mine got wet for the first time this year. They were just over 1 year old so I contacted warranty claims. They issued an RMA number and I shipped the boots in for inspection. Surprisingly, 1 week later, I had a brand new pair of the same boots at the door!

It sucked that my feet got wet during a cold weather event in early May but it sure was nice to have the company stand behind their product. My Sidi On Roads have never leaked yet, but those are true Gore-tex where the Rains are a no name type of Gore-tex.


For absolute waterproofness, check out http://www.neverwet.com/ for serious waterproofing. Currently, the only place I know to get it is via online sales at the Home Depot. I've coated my Icon rain pants that leak at the seams (should not be so for $120) but I have yet to ride in long term rain since they were treated. I'll likely treat my boots and gloves with what's left over.

The only drawback to the coating is the frosted appearance. Treated areas shed water better than a duck's back!


RE: Rain-X - I've been using it on the ST1300's windshield and on my helmet visors for years without any problems. I always keep a saturated paper towel in a zip lock bag within my travel kit for on the road applications. The Tenere's shield is low enough that I don't need any treatment on that.

 

[cosmic]

Recently I bought a new pair of boots and I was unlucky enough to test them immediately on my last trip.
TCX Desert GTX
Hours of pouring rain at highway speeds and my feet were absolutely dry.
This are by far the best piece of gear I have ever had.
For the rest, Rev'it Cyclone hi vis 2 piece rain suit, and Shark Vision-R Carbon helmet made the trip quite pleasant, despite the torrential rain.
As for the gloves, they where soaked up. No wonder there. I used Rev'it Sand summer gloves for the trip. Next time I'll just take some rain covers for them.


©

 

[Mzee]

The only time I don't ride is when the there is lots of wind and thunder. It is sweet to ride in rain.

 

[Clevermonkey]

I know this is an old topic, but As a PNW year round rider I felt I had some perspective to add.

Boots: in bad weather I us extra tuff work boots, the kind fisherman use in Alaska. 100% waterproof! fairly comfortable! sexy as a a pair of white bucket granny undies! Mine are also steel toed so I can wear them for work.

Bought a Kilamanjaro pants and jacket set up. They seep a little at the zippers in the worst weather but they have been great so far ( 2 winters.)

Gloves: I used to use the two cheap pair method. Wear one to work, the other home, dry both overnight. Two years ago I broke down and bought a nice pair from the BMW dealer ( right before they dissed my TDM, and told me I had to be prapproved for a loan to test ride F800GS before I even asked). They have been 100% waterproof. They better be they were 160$.

One problem we have here is the mix of climates and alltitudes. I usually stop riding when the temp hits 40 (Fahrenheit) because even a moderate hill or shaded bridge can start freezing in that kind of weather. I have been caught when a cold front poured down from the mountains leaving our eternally wet roads glassy frozen, but that's fairly rare. But even at 40 it can be bone chilling in the rain so I have a whole host os warm undies: REI outlet is good, and cycle gear dumps their Windproof undies in April for mad discounts. The problem with commuting to work in them is having to get completely undressed and redressed at work, but if it's more than 20 minutes it's so worth it; dry is warm and warm is alert... And the world needs more Lerts.

 

[cory1848]

I have mostly First Gear stuff and it has kept me dry. Big test for me was riding the Blueridge Parkway in steady rain and fog for two days straights 9 hours a day. First gear Jaunt 2 jacket, Kathmandu pants, First Gear Kathmandu gloves and Forma Adventure Boots. All kept me dry and I was surprised it did. The gloves soak up water but the inside was dry. If your pants leak, your boots will to as the water just runs down your leg and fills up your boots.

Rain doesn't bother me, it never really did unless I cant see. As hot as it gets down here in Florida, sometimes I hope to get rained on to cool off. I also truly think that riding in the rain makes you a better rider. I did a track day once on my old sportbike in the rain, I learned a lot that day.

 

[Madhatter]

RAIN, whats rain? we be in drought here in texas . in the past year ive been rained on twice... had to look for shelter, lightning is a scary thing... then the roads are so slippery as if some one poured soap on them...

 

[wfopete]

Texas is in a drought and Snakebitten goes out and buys a $800 waterproof jacket?

 

[racer1735]

We have had an abnormally wet summer in Texas and I've ridden hundreds (actually, over 1,000) of miles in the rain, ranging from showers to downpours.

As you mentioned, your gear is subject to failure. I've found Gaerne SG-10 are about as impervious to water as any full-protection boot. My rainsuit is a 15-year old Hein Gericke that does the job and fits over my Olympia Stealth mesh one-piece. Helmet? Bell RS-1 and close the vents. It still flows air and in conjunction with my windscreen being set at a pretty verticle angle keeps the rain off the face. Gloves are hit and miss. I've found I'd just as soon keep wearing Held Steve. Not water proof at all, but don't become slick when wet and dry quickly. I've had the same pair for over eight years.

As for the bike itself, the electronics make things a lot easier. Yes, you will have some 'pucker' moments when you hydroplane...but its just brief and as long as you don't pull a bonehead move and overreact, the TC will kick in and you are suddenly going straight again (just don't grab the brakes while the bike is sorting itself out. ABS is wonderful, too.

All in all, I love this bike (mine's a 2012) and now I don't have to look at the sky before heading out on a ride or trip (not that I did before, just now I have one less concern).

 

[Snooze]

Gloves have been the biggest problem for me when riding in the rain. I use disposable rubber gloves on the inside of my gloves. The gloves are wet but the hands are dry. A friend of mine found some black dishwashing gloves that were big enough to fit over his gloves. Check at the supermarket or a Home Depot or Ace Hardware for rubber gloves to go over your regular gloves. Heated grips work great in the rain for warmth.

 

[Ramseybella]

Gloves have been the biggest problem for me when riding in the rain. I use disposable rubber gloves on the inside of my gloves. The gloves are wet but the hands are dry. A friend of mine found some black dishwashing gloves that were big enough to fit over his gloves. Check at the supermarket or a Home Depot or Ace Hardware for rubber gloves to go over your regular gloves. Heated grips work great in the rain for warmth.

Large chemical rubber gloves with liners or heated liners.
I used the latex gloves under my riding gloves once they just sweat and get cold.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Harbor Freight has the big chemical gloves.
Cycle Gear has some water-proof lined gloves that look cheap as heck but work surprisingly well. The downside with them is that you sweat when it is warm weather.

 

[Nimbus]

As for the bike itself, the electronics make things a lot easier. Yes, you will have some 'pucker' moments when you hydroplane...but its just brief and as long as you don't pull a bonehead move and overreact, the TC will kick in and you are suddenly going straight again (just don't grab the brakes while the bike is sorting itself out. ABS is wonderful, too.

I've ridden an awful lot in the rain and have never hydroplaned on a bike. What type of situations would lead to hydroplaning? I always assumed that it had to do with the quantity of water on the road not being evacuated by nearly bald tires at a relatively high speed. I've just assumed with good quality PR4 tires, it would be a non-issue entirely as long as I'm not excessively speeding (which would be very hard to do in a downpour where you'd have to slow down just to see).

 

[ace50]

It's amazing how tires grip. I'd never try this in the rain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4gvuCJZQMc

 

[Ramseybella]

It's amazing how tires grip. I'd never try this in the rain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4gvuCJZQMc

That's the standard Japanese Motorcycle endorsement course. ::008::

The guy on the Motard was solid and confident, good riding.

 

[racer1735]

I've ridden an awful lot in the rain and have never hydroplaned on a bike. What type of situations would lead to hydroplaning? I always assumed that it had to do with the quantity of water on the road not being evacuated by nearly bald tires at a relatively high speed. I've just assumed with good quality PR4 tires, it would be a non-issue entirely as long as I'm not excessively speeding (which would be very hard to do in a downpour where you'd have to slow down just to see).

In my case its water that is standing (ponding seems to be the newest term to describe this) in the road where heavy vehicles have formed small depressions in the lane. I do lower my speed when the roadway is wet, but you have to be mindful of other traffic and the fact they may or may not slow down as well (or be able to see you). The case that I was referring to was a US highway (not interstate) in moderate rain. Went to change lanes and crossed over the depressed area mentioned....did so at a shallow angle. As soon the back wheel hit the water, it felt as if the bike jumped out 6 inches! (in reality it didn't and probably not more than 1 inch or so). Tires were virtuallyl new (less than 1,000 miles) great tread, and actually are my favorite wet-weather tires (Avon Distanzia).

 

[Snooze]

TreeMuncher,
You said you have been using Rain X for years on your windshield and visor with no problems. I just picked up a small bottle and didn't pay much attention to directions. Once at home the box says to not use it on plastics, don't let it touch painted surfaces or surfaces treated with anti reflective. Anybody else using Rain X with no problems? I don't want to have to buy a new visor.

 

[Xt1200zsupertenere]

RUKKA goretex jacket and trousers , Rukka vision gloves , Alpinestars goretex Touring boots ....
NEVER been wet inside ....

Car-wax outside helmet visor ::008::

 

[Dogdaze]

Car-wax outside helmet visor ::008::

What he ^^^^ said ::026:: Car wax with microfibre cloth

 

[Andylaser]

You should come to the UK.
We can give you a master class on rain.

 

[Squibb]

You should come to the UK.
We can give you a master class on rain.

::026:: to that - the last few months have broken records.

racer1735 makes me think of the rain we endured this summer, mainly in Belgium/Holland; HGV ruts & much standing water - the Super 10 coped extremely well.

I am also reminded of several trips to the Czech Republic - we were warned early on to avoid areas of standing water, as there had been a spate of drain/manhole cover thefts. Certainly witnessed a few around Prague & Brno - never follow another vehicle too closely, so you have time to avoid the gaping hole in the road.

Ride Safe ........................ KEN