ride in the rain

[oldandslow]

Used to be strictly a sunny-day rider.  Was terrified the day I got caught in a freak thunderstorm.  Made it home safely with smooth riding, gentle braking, and longer following distances (it was during rush hour) and realized the rain wasn't so bad.

Now I commute rain or shine (SF winters, and recently Seattle).  I won't claim to enjoy riding in the rain, but I enjoy riding!

Rob

[gsxr400 racer]

. Fog can be a problem though. I thought I heard or read something about Rain X possibly being harmfull to some visors. Anybody have any information about this? I think I read something on a bottle of Rain X about it not being recommended for either acrylic or lexan. (I can't remember wich one.)[/i]

 Thats what works for me, and ive always used it and many racer do to! doesnt seem to hurt my 500.00 agv or the one before that and the shield is a anti fog agv to but still needs fog x when it rains!

[chippi]

ZOOKE anti-fog wax     This $h!t RULES http://www.zooke.com/shop/detail.php?id=12

It work wounders on anything BUT SHOE face shields   found that out after I spent 30 min trying to make it work on my brand new RF-1000. Zooke rep told me Shoe called them to work on it. Something about the plastic formula used to harded prevents a good anti-fog coating. Probably why Shoe put a shield pop up lever to vent the shield.

I do use it for all my glasses though What the good in having a clear shield if you cann't see past your nose. Dispite it's Shoe shortcoming I still hype it!

[Jicima]

So I live in Olympia, WA and I ride to Redmond, WA (75 miles each way) 5 days a week on my B12.  Rain or Shine I take the bike for lots of great reasons like carpool lanes and gas milage among others.  I ride in the rain every day that it does, which here is very often.  I have total agreement with many of the technical aspects mentioned before.

Without having anything new to add to the tech tips from the other Banditos, I will say the things I think are most important.  

BEWARE OF METAL.  Any metal in the road, including going into parking garages.  If your tires are wet metal will throw you most unmercifully.  Be especially careful of Railroad crossings and bridge grates.

Slow and smooth through turns, gingerly even.  I don't push it in the wet as I have learned my lessons.

One thing I didn't see mentioned here, from my experience, cars do not see you as readily.  They are wrapped up in their cacoons and not thinking bikes are even out there.  Careful.

As for rain gear it depends what you are doing as far as milage and speeds.  If you only occasionaly ride in the wet stuff, plastic is probably fine.  If you are going to be riding regardless, investing in some quality made for motorcycling gear is worth the money.

Hope this helps.

[B6mick]

RainX rules.
Riding in the rain is the best, learning you can do.
Smooth movement and actions, are  the secrets, of good fast dry weather riding. To cut a very long story short, a few years back I hurt my back real bad. The muscles where torn, from middle back down to my butt. The Doc taped me back together so at least I could sit up, and was told to stay on my back and only do small amounts of gentle movements. And he would see me in 5 days for some rehab. Well after 2 days on my back, im going like stir crazy. So off to the bike, gear up and hit the road, 2 days and a night in pouring rain. Got back and headed off to see the Doc, and walked in with hardly a limp,( considering when he taped me up I needed a walking frame and 2 friends to help me). The doc couldn't believe what he was seeing, and asked what the hell id done. When I told him he went off his nut  I'd done everything he told me not to do, especially riding the bike. But when I explained gentle smooth movement in the wet, he kinda saw what I was getting at. See riding is not only good for the mind it can be good for the old bod too Did I mention the pain removing the tape from my back, bastard doc, got a wicked sense of humour, would be fine if one didnt have as much hair on ones back as one has on thier head. What would one expect from a sick BMW riding quack

The one thing I do hate about riding in the rain, it makes my bike all dirty