Fragile Egos

[Earl43P]

I have a long history of rainy rides, dating back to the 70's.

I rode my KZ440 LTD from Jacksonville, NC (Oo~oh-rah) to Uniontown, Pa for a family function, back in 82 or 83. It rained most of the way north and I had to stop and adjust the stretched chain in Winchester.

The trip back, it rained the entire way and I had to replace that o-ring chain and both sprockets after that trip (400+ miles each way). I went with a one tooth larger front sprocket to make 6th gear peppier.

I rode the 93 to work today (as usual), in the windy rain. I visited a couple of my customer sites earlier and the ONLY other motorcycles I saw on base today were Harleys. Even the die-hard BMW guy at the building next door was either absent or drove his cage. So, not ALL Harley riders are fair-weather riders.

Ironic story, couple years ago: I had a Master Chief come out from the smoke pit and berate me as I parked the ugly old GL1100, ranting about how dangerous it is to ride a motorcycle in the rain, plus it's WINTER and that the cold makes the tires too hard to get good traction. He put on quite a show for all of his sailors within earshot (smokers). I took it all in, politely wished him a good day and went in and gave some training.

A few hours later, I found him in the smoke shack, but it was just us two. We chat as I don raingear, I tell him I've been bike-commuting exclusively for a couple years now and that I do take precautions in the rain. He launches into a tale of his return from Daytona in a toad-strangler, having to pull over on I-95 under overpasses, etc, but he made it home safely, on his Harley. So, I asked him what year, model, etc. and how many miles does he have on it (two or 3 year old full-dresser, FLHABCDEFG-whatever). I chuckled at his 5k reply and told him truthfully, that's almost 3 months of my riding, just commuting. His ego take a hit? Don't care one bit! (He does have one beautiful machine).

[RP#62]

I ride for fun.  Riding in the rain is not fun for me, but hey, when you're on a trip you take what you get.  Had a lot of two-wheeled brotherhood riding the rain.  This was me and Trap when I lived in western PA.
-RP

[3fan4life]

Don't like riding in the rain.

But like most will do it if I have to.

The worst ever was a trip to Myrtle Beach in 2007.

14 hours of rain, had to stop 3 mi's from the hotel and wait for an hour because the water in the street was 3ft deep.

Rode in a hurricane once in 1985 on my 1982 CB750F, No rain gear either just some of my military NBC gear and duct tape.


This app has help me to win quite a few games of storm tag:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ghvandoorn.Raindar&hl=en

It's also available for I-phones.


The raindar app has helped me to skirt around storms or take cover in a hurry.

It doesn't do a good job of showing "light" rain though, I've ran into some light rains that weren't showing on the radar.

[Mr Whiskey]

Jus' installed that Bro!
very simple, basic, ad free, radar app.....
jus what I was lookin' for.

Been usin'....
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.acmeaom.android.myradar&hl=en
& if keeps runnin' my battery down, hafta "force stop",
Thanks Mark

[Hoser]

I am a wimp,  if it looks like rain, I stay home. Valk doesn't mind getting wet, But I do.   Being retired, for 8 years now, I can pick the days I ride on.  Yeah, I have been caught off guard and got wet a few times.   Also don't like riding in the high winds.  When it hits 40 plus mph, I stay home.   Yeah I am a wimp, not a HD rider

I too do not like to ride in the wind, side winds suck, tail winds I like. Head winds are ok, but not fun. However, living in Kansas as I do, I ride even if it blows, cause it is usually blowing.  Did 210 miles today to the monthly Rally in Cassody, Ks.  40 mph gusts,   coming and going.    Hoser

[..]

Don't like riding in the rain.

But like most will do it if I have to.

The worst ever was a trip to Myrtle Beach in 2007.

14 hours of rain, had to stop 3 mi's from the hotel and wait for an hour because the water in the street was 3ft deep.

Rode in a hurricane once in 1985 on my 1982 CB750F, No rain gear either just some of my military NBC gear and duct tape.


This app has help me to win quite a few games of storm tag:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ghvandoorn.Raindar&hl=en

It's also available for I-phones.


The raindar app has helped me to skirt around storms or take cover in a hurry.

It doesn't do a good job of showing "light" rain though, I've ran into some light rains that weren't showing on the radar.
[/quote

Thanks

[Stitch_in_La]

There was a spell of time we had only one vehicle working others down for repair.  I was already a commuter became a permanent commuter.  Everybody was impressed with my dedication, rain, ice, wind didn't matter.  Found out how long frog togs will stay water proof.  Missed only one day of riding that year, wife wouldn't let me ride home, she came and picked me up.  On the way home saw somebody on a GW slipping on the ice, she said see I told you it wasn't safe, I said Yes dear.

Chuck

[Jack]

I've ridden in the rain.  I've ridden in the heat.  I've ridden in the wind.

I'm going to confess up front that there is a large percentage of Harley riders that I just don't like to be around because of their attitudes. 

Then I'm going to say clearly that there are riders and there are posers on almost any brand of motorcycle.  If anyone tells you that all the riders on any particular brand fit a specific profile I'm going to tell you I suspect that person doesn't get out much. 

    

And that is why we all admire you, Willow.