Anyone not ride in the rain?

[fudgie]

Went to a church benefit poker run/dinner yesterday. Made 4 out of the last 5 since it started. Good time, good prizes, good cause. We had to meet a few people so we put on the rain gear and headed into town. Light drizzle. At the start of the run it down poured. The kind where you can drink the rain water off your face as you ride, well we could since we were lidless. Still good visability to, we had our sunglasses on yet. People started dropping out of formation like flies! It was a obstacle course getting around all the drop outs. Made it to the 1st stop and those without rain gear were soaked. A crotch rocket co worker said he is going home.  :'(  I'm surprised he made it anyway since we will leave a bike parked if the road is damp. I said why your wet anyway and your gonna have to go back thru it. Its not raining now and you will dry in a few hours. So he left but was a good thing cause Kit was gonna punch him in the face before the ride was over. Long story. Even my friend on a VLX 600 he bought 3 months ago continued and did the whole ride. His 1st time in the rain. Most of the folks that dropped out had rain gear on women on the back. I wonder if this was the reason? Then again alot without rg on staid and did the whole 150 mile run. Drizzled for 6 hours then the sun came out after we were leaving to go home. 
Whats your reasons not to ride in the rain? I dont mind it but try to avoid it. If I had plans to ride somewhere, I go. I like rain out west where in 15 min its gone unlike here where it rains for days.

[Jabba]

I'll ride in the rain.  I don't like rain and NIGHT at the same time.  I can't see when that happens. But I'll ride in the rain.

I try not to get wet on my way INTO the office.  It just sucks to sit in my office wet.  It takes forever to dry out.

Jabba

[HayHauler]

I'll ride in the rain.  I don't like rain and NIGHT at the same time.  I can't see when that happens. But I'll ride in the rain.

I try not to get wet on my way INTO the office.  It just sucks to sit in my office wet.  It takes forever to dry out.

Jabba

Exactly!  Don't mind getting wet on the way home, but not on the way in.  Freeze to death trying to dry out.. 

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I can't count the number of times I've pulled my beautiful detailed Valkyrie out of the garage into pourin' rain    Like you Brian if a ride has been planned I go rain or shine 

[Oss]

Jabba are we related or something?

I dont see well at night and if its raining too then I am FUBAR

Out of the last eight trips to Americade it must have been Pouring most every time when my shiny clean Valkyrie leaves the garage. If you dont like the weather in NY in June just wait a few minutes and you will get something different.  Ya'll have to do Americade some day if you havent

After I left Gig's riding to get the ferry in Muskeegon I went thru a thunderstorn that I swear someone was droppin bathtub full of water on my head continuously, had no rain gear on, so what I got wet lol  I will admit lightning scares the heck out of me but with no overpasses you just carry on

The worst part tho is the fog on the glasses.  Was wearing a half helmet so no shield, rain needles in the eyes aint fun at highway speed once you take off the glasses

Waterproof boots !!!  Dont leave home without em. If your feet are happy then your day is happy

I wont take either bike to work if its raining however. 

[Tundra]

I prefer early morning Sunrise rides, or late afternoon Sunset rides at this time of year. To beat the heat of course.




We always incorporate rest/eat stops along the way, don't care either breakfsat/lunch/dinner.
I try to avoid riding in the rain because I just plain don't enjoy it do to hightend awareness and visability. I like to keep my bike spotless and the rain and road grime really F-that up for me. I will always continue my ride rain or shine, not a p_ssy.
I just won't start a ride in the rain. If I get caught in it, oh well. press on, clean later. Sometimes it's unavoidable


A little tip...this does work, (four wheelers)


   GOOD VISION IN A DOWNPOUR

 How to achieve good vision while driving during a heavy downpour.
 
  We are not sure why it is so effective; just try this method when it rains heavily.
  This method was told by a Police friend who had experienced and confirmed it.
 
   It is useful...even driving at night.
  Most of the motorists would turn on HIGH or FASTEST SPEED
  Of the wipers during heavy downpour, yet the visibility in
  Front of the windshield is still bad......
 
  In the event you face such a situation,
  Just try your SUN GLASSES (any model will do), and miracle!
  All of a sudden, your visibility in front of your
  Windshield is perfectly  clear, as if there is no rain.
 
  Make sure you always
  Have a pair of SUN GLASSES in your car, as you are not only helping yourself to drive
  Safely with good vision, but also might save your friend's life by giving him this idea..

[fuzzy2bucks]

I always try not to ride in the rain, hail, drizzle, snow, sleet, shnizzle, freezing rain or drizzle. Any type of precipitation gives me and "Lena" the willies.  Have ridden my Kaw Vulcan on ice for a mile or two and hope to never do that again.

Before I take "Lena" on a trip I always check the weather radar to see what is going on weatherwise. A thermometer on the handle bars is a big help in the winter to help with the possibility of ice on the roadway.

[Gear Jammer]

I wear my sunglasses in the rain, it cuts down on the glare coming off the road spray ahead

[Pete]

Yes I ride in the rain, do I like it? NO.
Do not like a dirty bike, do not like the safety issues and just plain dis-comfort.
Have made way to many wet or cold and wet rides, it is no longer worth it.
I am just not in that big a hurry to get there, anymore.

Concur with you folks, getting to work wet - bad, riding home in the rain ok.

Will not start a ride in the rain unless there is a good chance of running out of it.
If it sets in to rain all day, I usually just delay and set it out.

[R J]

I've ridden many many miles in the rain.

No need to stop now.

Hated to start my ride in a rain from home, but always did...

[big turkey]

When Smokin Joe plans a ride 6 months or a year in advance and I plan to ride with a group at

these rides.

It does not matter what the weather is, save Ice or snow on the road, we all ride the ride.

So if it rains on a planned ride, put the gear on and go for it.

You may find it will clear up and be a great day or not.

Adventure is always a good thing, long as you live through it.

BIG AL

[sugerbear]

the first few minutes are not fun, the GETTING wet is no fun, but after that it's all good

if i want to go for a ride i'll go, rain or shine.

[Chrisj CMA]

I dont normally plan to ride in the rain, but as joe stated a ride is a ride....now I draw the line when those pesky red tornado boxes fill the ride area (right Steve)  I have ridden through many red boxes in hard driving rain with lightening, but not on purpose.  I prefer not to ride in the rain and if I dont have to Ill wait, take the truck or figure out something but after the bike is out of the house (in FL at least) all bets are off it can downpour at any minute.  As far as liking it or not....once I have my gear on and the initial bike getting trashed thing happenes, well after that I rather enjoy it 

[Jim Ross]

I swear, I am ready to hire myself out as a rain-maker.....if there is 1 cloud in the sky, it follows me!
I hate riding in the rain, but I have done it, too many times.  When I left Reno to Ride to InZane in Paducah, it rained on me every day in both directions; sometimes only enough to spot up the bike, but other times in downpours.
I usually do not ride at night any more....there are too many idiots hauling firewood in crappy trailers and over-loaded pickups and they drop chunks of wood on the road.....I have trouble seeing these killer chunks at night, so I just don't go.
I can make it rain in Nevada in the desert....anybody need an end to their drought? 

[RP#62]

If its just a local joy ride and its just me, I won't go if it raining.  The ride is for fun and its no fun riding in the rain.  If I'm on a trip you take what you get, that's part of the adventure.
-RP

Me and Trap somewhere in western PA.

[solo1]

Everything that I am about to say is past tense since I'm temporarily without a ride.

If I have a place to go, i go, rain or shine.
If it's thundering, i wait.
If it's on the interstate (truck spray) I try an alternate.
If it's night, no!  The standard Valk headlight stinks, I have cataracts, makes it worse.
If it's a nice steady rain, sometimes it's a pleasure and relaxing with a good rainsuit and antifog.

I suspect there will be very few riders that say they won't ride in the rain.
On the other hand, bragging about purposely riding in severe weather like high winds, lightning, tornados, etc, well all that I will say is I'm 82 and I always  liked the odds on my side    

[JimL]

Well.....I guess I'm the only "wussy" here, but I don't like rain and won't leave the garage if I feel there is over a 50% chance that I will get rained on.  However, when you head out on a 1000 mile trip...you have to take what comes your way!  Once I move back home to Florida I will have to rethink that philosophy, otherwise I will never leave the garage April through September.

[gregc]

Nope won't go if it is raining at the start. If I am someplace and it rains, then I will ride home in it.  Just don't enjoy riding in the rain, nor cleaning the Valkyrie later.

[OverdueBill]

This year all my riding is to work and back.  Won't start if it's raining or pretty good chance it will.  If it rains when I leave the plant, I'll be soaked by the time I walk out to the bike.  Why suit up then?  Do the 40 miles on the interstate hwy home as fast as the pain from raindrops hitting the face will let me.  About 65 mph usuallly.  40 miles in the rain at midnight on the superslab, not much fun.

[TearlessTom]

A little tip...this does work, (four wheelers)


   GOOD VISION IN A DOWNPOUR

 How to achieve good vision while driving during a heavy downpour.
 
  We are not sure why it is so effective; just try this method when it rains heavily.
  This method was told by a Police friend who had experienced and confirmed it.
 
   It is useful...even driving at night.
  Most of the motorists would turn on HIGH or FASTEST SPEED
  Of the wipers during heavy downpour, yet the visibility in
  Front of the windshield is still bad......
 
  In the event you face such a situation,
  Just try your SUN GLASSES (any model will do), and miracle!
  All of a sudden, your visibility in front of your
  Windshield is perfectly  clear, as if there is no rain.
 
  Make sure you always
  Have a pair of SUN GLASSES in your car, as you are not only helping yourself to drive
  Safely with good vision, but also might save your friend's life by giving him this idea..

Yellow works best, Shooting glasses are even better. The yellow increases your contrast vision.

[Spirited-6]

Well.....I guess I'm the only "wussy" here .

Not so Jim ! If there is two things I hate while riding is RAIN and GRAVEL ROADS. I will ride in the rain,very slowly, if I`m out and have no choice. Gravel roads, no way, I turn around, don`t go down. 

[junior]

i dont even ride in morning dew, i melt so quickly

[elraque]

I'm in central Utah.... what's rain?

[..]

Gravel roads, no way, I turn around, don`t go down. 

Gravel roads. Go faster (not crazy fast) and keep your feet on the pegs and rear brake only.

The big fat tires on a Valk will fride on top of the gravel

[stormrider]

Love it, rain or no rain. I just slow down and hope the guy behind me reciprocates. Last couple rides involed liquid sunshine. Was misearbly hot, then God smiled and cooled things down with a nice shower. Even was at a biker picnic yesterday with 95 degree temps. Cool shower and light breeze made for a very, almost cool ride home. When I wrecked in 07, it could have been because of miosture on the road or lack of judgement, however, with the wet stuff I slid a whole lot easier than if it had been dry.

[fudgie]

Leaving Sturgis this year at about 10a it was about 90 out already. It felt good cause there was no humidity. Taking 44 outta RC it was getting warm. We saw it raining a ways off. As we neared the Badlands it was over a 100 deg. We chased that rain cloud! We chased for 65 miles and never caught it. We stopped for gas and a beer and saw it stop raining. Kept a eye on it for a hour till we stopped for gas. Now it reformed and was dark blue. I said lets roll thats gonna turn nasty. We had about a hour or more to ride and there was no shelter in between if it hit. We roll into Winner SD at 4p and get a room. Storm warning for Winner with hail and rotation. Glad we made it! The original post pic was one of the storms as it near the town.

[BamaDrifter64]

Coming home from Sturgis this year, we got hit with a severe thunderstorm just north of St. Joseph.  Wind was gusting from right to left about 50 to 60 miles an hour with drenching rain...we kept riding...until the hail started...then we got off the interstate and found some shelter...

Later that evening, we got caught just east of Kansas City in thunderstorms with alot of rain, wind and lightning....we had over 100 miles to go to our stop for the night...the bad part of that leg was that it was nighttime...was a Friday night...and lots of traffic & 18 wheelers...if I looked over my windshield, I could see ahead of me, but couldn't see the road lines...if I looked through the windshield, I could see the road lines right in front of me but couldn't see ahead of me....so finally just slowed down to 45-50 mph and let all the traffic pass me...my night vision sucks as it is...with rain, traffic and pulling a trailer, I am not only blind as a bat, but I'm tense as a politician on election day...that 100+ miles of rain wore me flat out....

Dave

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

When I'm traveling I don't mind daylight rain. I do hate stopping at the edge of a busy road to put on rain gear and then have it only rain for a few minutes or not at all. I normally take the cage to work if it's raining to avoid being wet at work and to avoid having to clean up the scooter because of a 30 minute ride.

Yellow glasses really improve my "rain vision" and I always carry them for that reason.

[alph]

if it's not raining, i'm riding, if there's a hint of rain, i'm riding, if it's raining right now, well, then i'll reconsider......  last year, i drove 100 miles in the rain, at night, coming home from the airport, i passed a bank, the temp was 43*!!  now, that was a tad too much for me, my feet and hands were wet and cold but the rest of me was fine. 

[Spirited-6]

Gravel roads, no way, I turn around, don`t go down. 

Gravel roads. Go faster (not crazy fast) and keep your feet on the pegs and rear brake only.

The big fat tires on a Valk will fride on top of the gravel

Easy for you to say Britman, you probley have long legs.. mine are short.  I hear what you are saying but I still don`t feel good on the rocks. 

[mattfidaho]

on the way home from sturgis we stopped in cody after a few hundred miles for drizzle and side wind. we finally made a run for home, but ended up camping in Yellowstone for the night.. heavy rain, night, oh and buffalo... BTW buffaloes eyes DO NOT reflect light   
I like riding in the rain.... but not at night.... or wind.. LOL guess we tired all of the above that day.

[hubcapsc]

[Hoosier Valk]

Well.....I guess I'm the only "wussy" here, but I don't like rain and won't leave the garage if I feel there is over a 50% chance that I will get rained on.

+1 

[Rocketman]

But...  If you don't ride in the rain, how DO you wash the bike?

[ChromeDome]

Work ... if there is more than a 20% chance of rain I'll leave the bike in the garage and take the car. Of course I can't count the number of times I rode home in the rain which is why I keep my rain gear on the bike.

Just riding around with no real plans .... see above.

Local event .... see above.

Travelling .... when I need to be xxx miles down the road at the end of the day then I need to be xxx miles down the road, so rain or shine (and everything in between) I'm riding. However, one time it seemed like I would put the gear on ... 2 hrs later take it off ... 2 hrs later put it on ... etc. etc. etc. So in 2007 I bought a Tourmaster Riding suit (jacket & pants) that is water proof. Now the only thing I stop for is to put on the rain gloves and close a few zippers.

My biggest problem in the rain is knowing when to call it a day. In 2008 in Oregon I got caught in a downpour like nothing I had ever seen but kept on going even though I was barley going 50mph. Had a good Samaritan behind me that help keep the rest of the traffic from running me over. This year, coming back from Cheaha I got detoured around Nashville and the floods and finally called it a day at 3:00pm in Seymour, IN.  I had a bad seal at the neck on the jacket and by the time I got around Nashville I was already soaked to the bone ... but I kept going because my destination for that day was home ... which I didn't make.

[RainMaker]

I only ride in the rain when I have to, despite my handle.  I don't like the reduction of traction that the rain brings, not only to me but to the cagers who don't slow down in the rain and become even more of a hazard.  Being in the DFW metromess, there's just too much traffic and bad drivers around on a normal day - when it rains, they both multiply.  Better to wuss out on such days and use the cage.  But if I'm on a ride already, I'll ride.  Slower, but still going.

[Skinhead]

On the way to the Whiskey Run, it started to rain as we left Detroit, it quit near Lima, Oh, got hot so we stopped in Dayton and took off our rain gear, started raining again in Cincinnati, so we put gear back on.  As we crossed the Ohio River the sky opened up and we had to stop in Florence, KY because we couldn't see it was raining so hard.  These pics were tken as we waited it out.


John

Skinhead

Binky

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Working 12 hr. shifts you never know what you'll be riding in going home. I've seen it be hot and dry, later a strong cold front move thru rain like hell. By the time I go home clear cooler and perfect riding weather. I ride in just about all  weather.

[Quicksilver]

Last summer heading east , the rain was coming down in buckets. I was driving my transport at the time and purposely slowed down because it was so bad. I came to a section of highway that sloped down and to the right, water was running across the highway from the left side and collecting in depth as it made it's way down the hill. Traffic in front of me had stopped completely. I got stopped without too much trouble and already had my 4 ways on. There had been an accident on the curve. 6 riders had been heading west in the downpour when an SUV had come around the bend heading east. The driver hydroplaned across the highway, on the water into the group of riders. One rider and his passenger t boned the side of the SUV, they didn't make it. There were 4 transports stopped within 100 yards of the accident, I was one of them. We witnessed them cutting the SUV apart to remove the occupants and riders. They were placed under sheets on the ground. The trucks were all told to move out before the ambulances arrived. Of course we had to drive within 20 feet of the accident to get by. The cross on the side of the hill where it happened reminds me every time I pass that way, that even if I can ride in heavy rain, I cannot control what the other guys abilities are. So there is a limit, I assess the risk based on the fact that most anyone can get a drivers licence and keep it until they are 85 or so.  I ride in light rain frequently but pull over if it's coming down in buckets .

[B]

The last leg of my trip home from California (Sept 09) KC to Michigan I didn't ride in the rain 3 of the 11+ hour ride.  .