Driving in the rain

[JimL]

First of all I must confess that I am for the most part what Smokin Joe refers to as a "fair weather biker".  That having been said, like most everyone else here I have unintentionally run into some bad snow and rain storms when riding cross country.

On the way to Inzane last summer, I ran into one of those rain storms that lasted for about 300 miles.  The biggest problem I have is that the water droplets get on my glasses (or on my visor) and obstruct my vision.  I resolved after that experience that I was going to do some research to find out what others have done to solve this problem...however to my surprise there doesn't seem to be any common solutions that I have found on the web.

I found one company (Motosolutions) that sells a product called "RainCoat" that can be applied to your visor and it is supposed to cause the water to bead and runoff your visor.  Following is their website....has anyone had any experience with this product?

http://www.motosolutions.com/raincoat.html

[POPS 57]

I have a 57 Chev. that the wipers are not the best on. What i use is RainX. You can find it at almost any car parts store or even walmart. It works real well in the rain.

[Joe Hummer]

I use a spray quick detailer...sorry, I don't remember which one right now...or Plexus Shield Cleaner on my faceshield. 



Water beads up well but unless you are "in the wind", the water will not blow off.  It will bead and once the drops are big enough or you hit a decent bump...they move. 

Joe

[Joe Hummer]

I have a 57 Chev. that the wipers are not the best on. What i use is RainX. You can find it at almost any car parts store or even walmart. It works real well in the rain.

Rain-X is not good on plastics. 

Joe

[Black Pearl's Captain]

If you're going to ride in rain.

Apply Plexus and wipe it off.

Apply another light spray coat of plexus, don't wipe it off, let the rain, mist wipe it around/away. This makes it like RainX was applied.

Works for me better than anything else I've tried.

Raymond

[fudgie]

Usually the wind blows mine off and I never have to wipe it off. Same with my windshield. Rarely does the rain hit my eyewear when I ride helmetless in the rain. I used rainx on my oem bike shield before and had positive resualts, that was before VRCC told me different.

[Bob E.]

My problem is more of the visor fogging up than the water droplets...at least until I have to crack the visor to let air in...then my glasses get all wet and I really cannot see.  That really sucks!!

[Joe Hummer]

My problem is more of the visor fogging up than the water droplets...at least until I have to crack the visor to let air in...then my glasses get all wet and I really cannot see.  That really sucks!!

Take a look at the FogCity inserts.  http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Fog-City-Fog-Shield,2516.html

I have a Nolan N-103 helmet that has a fog insert in it (nolan's...not FogCity's) and it does a really good job of keeping my shield clear in any conditions. 

Joe

[themenz]

I found one company (Motosolutions) that sells a product called "RainCoat" that can be applied to your visor and it is supposed to cause the water to bead and runoff your visor.  Following is their website....has anyone had any experience with this product?

http://www.motosolutions.com/raincoat.html

Full disclosure.  I make Raincoat Water Repellant Coating and Fogtech One-Step Anti-fog.  Just joined to see why my website was getting so many hits from the Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club forum.  I ride too and invented these products because I have experience the same problems.  Drops on the faceshield are annoying in the daytime.  At night, with all of the reflections, those drops turned my rides into an excercise in pucker power.


If you have any questions, feel free to ask here or to gene (at) motosolutions (dot) com.

[Garland]

I am using a Scorpion EXO 100 half helmet with an integrated drop down visor. I normally just wear sunglasses, but they are terrible when they get wet-I can't see because the water droplets are too close to my eyes. The drop down visor cures that problem as it sheds water quickly. Because it does not cover my mouth I don't have a fogging problem. When in the 40's or colder I pull a neck gaiter over my lower face for warmth and try to avoid rain.

The Helmet Harbor talks about the Scorpion EXO-100	powered by Aeva

[JimL]

I am using a Scorpion EXO 100 half helmet with an integrated drop down visor. I normally just wear sunglasses, but they are terrible when they get wet-I can't see because the water droplets are too close to my eyes. The drop down visor cures that problem as it sheds water quickly. Because it does not cover my mouth I don't have a fogging problem. When in the 40's or colder I pull a neck gaiter over my lower face for warmth and try to avoid rain.

That's really interesting.  The problem I described occurred when I was in the rain wearing my Scorpion EXO-100 half helmet.  I deployed the visor, but unlike your experience...mine did not shed the water...I simply could not see at times due to the water staying on the visor.

[themenz]

I am using a Scorpion EXO 100 half helmet with an integrated drop down visor. I normally just wear sunglasses, but they are terrible when they get wet-I can't see because the water droplets are too close to my eyes. The drop down visor cures that problem as it sheds water quickly. Because it does not cover my mouth I don't have a fogging problem. When in the 40's or colder I pull a neck gaiter over my lower face for warmth and try to avoid rain.

That's really interesting.  The problem I described occurred when I was in the rain wearing my Scorpion EXO-100 half helmet.  I deployed the visor, but unlike your experience...mine did not shed the water...I simply could not see at times due to the water staying on the visor.

If OK with the mods I could offer you a free sample of Raincoat to see if it works on your Scorpion.

[JimL]

I am using a Scorpion EXO 100 half helmet with an integrated drop down visor. I normally just wear sunglasses, but they are terrible when they get wet-I can't see because the water droplets are too close to my eyes. The drop down visor cures that problem as it sheds water quickly. Because it does not cover my mouth I don't have a fogging problem. When in the 40's or colder I pull a neck gaiter over my lower face for warmth and try to avoid rain.

That's really interesting.  The problem I described occurred when I was in the rain wearing my Scorpion EXO-100 half helmet.  I deployed the visor, but unlike your experience...mine did not shed the water...I simply could not see at times due to the water staying on the visor.

If OK with the mods I could offer you a free sample of Raincoat to see if it works on your Scorpion.

Thanks for the offer, but I went ahead a bought your "Raincoat" product last week...just haven't had an opportunity to test it yet.  I will give a full report on it's effectiveness at that time!

HOWEVER...as you might have read on this forum we are having our yearly INZANE meet in July of this year.  I would imagine that the VRCC staff would dispense any samples that might be made available to them at our INZANE meet in July.  This would give the Valkyrie community an opportunity to sample your product.

[Garland]

[/quote]

That's really interesting.  The problem I described occurred when I was in the rain wearing my Scorpion EXO-100 half helmet.  I deployed the visor, but unlike your experience...mine did not shed the water...I simply could not see at times due to the water staying on the visor.
[/quote]

I don't know if it makes a difference, but I am using the optional clear visor rather than the tinted one the helmet comes with. When I put the visor down, I take off my sunglasses because if they get even a little wet I can't see anymore. I do use the Plexus cleaner on the visor when I clean my windshield, and both shed water pretty quickly.

[JimL]

I don't know if it makes a difference, but I am using the optional clear visor rather than the tinted one the helmet comes with. When I put the visor down, I take off my sunglasses because if they get even a little wet I can't see anymore. I do use the Plexus cleaner on the visor when I clean my windshield, and both shed water pretty quickly.

Garland, one thing I know for sure from having lived a great deal of my adult life in south Florida...you certainly have had ample opportunity to deal with this problem!!

[Willow]

If OK with the mods I could offer you a free sample of Raincoat to see if it works on your Scorpion.

We're treading a fine line here.  Mention of products by satisfied customers is good message board conversation.  Promoting of products by the actual vendor amounts to free advertising.

I'll let the conversation stand so far as it seems to be beneficial to our members.  If you need more exposure, feel free to contact the staff for how we might work together to advertise your product.      

[Spirited-6]

If OK with the mods I could offer you a free sample of Raincoat to see if it works on your Scorpion.

We're treading a fine line here.  Mention of products by satisfied customers is good message board conversation.  Promoting of products by the actual vendor amounts to free advertising.

I'll let the conversation stand so far as it seems to be beneficial to our members.  If you need more exposure, feel free to contact the staff for how we might work together to advertise your product.      

Damn, every way we turn. !!!!  The damn Dollar seems to prevail !

[Willow]

Damn, every way we turn. !!!!   The damn Dollar seems to prevail !  

Someone has to pay the bills.  From where would you imagine the money comes?  The "free" is in what you receive, not what it costs.

I really thought I was being more than reasonably lenient for your benefit.   ???

I guess Abe was right.  

Incidentally, if you thought I stopped you from getting a free sample, you can always go to his website and ask for one.

Motosolutions  

[czuch]

 ^^^^^^^^^^Do you give your "work time" away for free?

[JimL]

Damn, every way we turn. !!!!   The damn Dollar seems to prevail !  

Someone has to pay the bills.  From where would you imagine the money comes?  The "free" is in what you receive, not what it costs.

I really thought I was being more than reasonably lenient for your benefit.   ???

I guess Abe was right.  

Incidentally, if you thought I stopped you from getting a free sample, you can always go to his website and ask for one.

Motosolutions  

I suspect that Spirited-6 (Don) was just kidding.  To be clear, I feel that you and the rest of the VRCC staff are more than reasonable when it comes to managing this site.  I sure as hell wouldn't want the headache of having to mediate this bunch (of great folks)!!

[Willow]

I suspect that Spirited-6 (Don) was just kidding.  To be clear, I feel that you and the rest of the VRCC staff are more than reasonable when it comes to managing this site.  I sure as hell wouldn't want the headache of having to mediate this bunch (of great folks)!!

Thanks, Jim.  I really don't want the headache either, but it's part of the package that comes with the smiles.    

Sorry for getting your thread off-topic.