|
|
Cruiser
Posts: 231
Hampton Va | Hi all....I am almost ready for this 3 day 2000 mile trip to Florira and it looks like it might be a bit wet.....any advice? should I get some sort of rain gear? My bike has never seen a drip of rain. Will it be scared?? LOL and do i need to do anything to it to make riding in the wet any better???
Thanks....shawn |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Make sure you have some good clear glasses to wear in the rain or a helmet with a good full coverage face shield (clear). Gloves of some sort since the grips get slippy when wet. Rain suit of quality construction. Harley has the absolute best MC rain suites I've ever owned but I currently use First Gear which are realy good as well. If you can't afford to drop $100+ for a good two piece suite, frog toggs will get you by.
As for the bike? Just watch any expansion joints on bridges when the roads are wet, slow down just a little, and clean your windshield with Novus (it will help repel rain). Remember the roads are at their worst for the first 10 minutes it rains (oils, anti-freeze, etc still on suface), so if you can take a few minute break when it first starts coming down it is a good practice.
Oh and most of all enjoy the trip and ride........ T |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | What Teach said. Make sure you stay away from cagers that may tailgate that seem to be more prevelant when it rains. I'll usually slow down enough to make them pass on the interstate. Have a safe trip and return. Be sure to write a review of the ride when you get back.
Edited by varyder 2008-08-18 5:59 AM
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1350
| I have used Victory rain gear since '99. It works great. Since I am from New England I buy it so it fits over my leathers in case I get caught in a cold rain.
If the inside of your glasses/goggles fog just rub some spit on like the skin divers do.
I do like the truckers, when it rains heavy I put on my flashers.
Have fun on your trip. |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 332
Dale, Indiana | You can't smoke your cigars when riding in the rain also.
Sorry
|
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 404
San Antonio, TX United States | Basically a repeat on everything mentioned. I still have my Harley rain suit i bought 9 years ago. I just recently had to replace the pants part of it. I keep the First Gear "Kilimanjaro" jacket for the cooler rain months and long trips like you are taking. Just this last Friday here in Hampton i drove from Chesapeake to Williamsburg when all that heavy rain hit late in the evening. Used rain pants, first gear jacket and half helmet. Only thing i wished was different was i wanted the clear face sheild for my helmet when i was driving below 50 MPH or stopped at a light. Just be patient when driving and extra observant. I made a life choice ten years ago and made the motorcycle my primary transportation. So i ride every single day by choice. There has only been two times in the last 8 years that i actually seeked a ride to work due to possible weather conditions which i ended up regretting i did not ride my bike later. Take care and ride safe |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 53
Island Lake, Alberta, Canada | Youall will only get wet if youall stop or ride slow, & yea you can smoke. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 103
| My advise to you is stay out of Florida untill this storms passes. Water could be just one problem. You may see some wind and crap in the road. We want you to visit but when it is safe. Bruce |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 103
| My advise to you is stay out of Florida untill this storms passes. Water could be just one problem. You may see some wind and crap in the road. We want you to visit but when it is safe. Bruce |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 117
South of Houston Tx | Another thing I keep with me for rainy weather is a micro-fiber cloth (the ones they sell for windshields work very well). I keep it in the I-pod compartment, and when my glasses get to the point that I can't see I wipe them with this. Any old rag would do but those micro-fiber ones seem to suck the water off like a chamois, in a single wipe you have no streaks or drops and can see clearly again.
With that said, I agree with the above poster, you might want to wait until Fay has ran her course before heading that direction. |
|
| |
|
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 34
Pensacola, FL | About a month ago, coming back to Pensacola from Gainsville, FL I got caught in some very severe thunderstorms, 1. I was very glad to have my H-D high visibility rain gear on, 2. clear lensed glasses to protect your eyes ! All the other info. posted is excellent also !
Steve. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 79
Austin, Texas | Got caught in traffic in an afternoon ride a few months ago. I was doing great till traffic slowed below 50. At about 45, the rain was blowing so hard from behind I was drowning. I cut off the freeway on the access road and it really rained. Couldn't see the white side stripe on the outside. I was swimming by this time, and the wind was breaking trees around me. I finally ducked under a bridge I was trying to reach and waited it out. That was the ony time I've ever had any real pucker factor riding in the rain.
Typically, I can extend the windshield, maintain a reasonable speed, and never get truly wet. I picked my bike up out of state and in the first 200 miles I hit a solid rain. Other traffic was stopping but there was no cover for me, so I ducked below the windscreen and kept moving. No problem. Drove through this steady rain till I hit the Oklahoma border, then clear sailing. Just watch the other guy. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 79
Austin, Texas | Meant to mention and probably have in the past: Some of the First Gear raingear melts with amazing ease if in the same room with any heat source. I could get it within a few inches of my Kingpin pipes and I'd have an instant hole in the leg. I am really looking now for rain gear with burn protection on the inside of the pant legs. Anybody have suggestions? |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | Stay dry (rain suit, waterproof gloves, waterproof boots). Stay visible. Whatever rain gear you get, get something that is very visible. Also, I prefer one with a hood that I can put my helmet over (rain down your back is really uncomfortable). Also, get some sort of squeegee for your face shield. You can get gloves with them built in, or you can get the type that will fit over the finger of your glove.
I have yet to ride the Vision in the rain, but I keep reading it is great at speed, but when you slow down, be prepared to get wet. If you have all the proper gear, there is no reason you can't ride in the rain and have fun, as you long as you keep in mind what others here have said as well; the first 15 or 20 minutes the roads are really slippery from the oil washing off the road, so if you can, stop, and if not, at least slow down. Also, be aware of changes in road surfaces, especially metal, which can be like ice. And if it gets to raining really hard, find some cover if you can. Otherwise, I have ridden many miles in the rain with no problem. In fact, if its not raining too hard, it can be fun! (Yeah, I know, I have a strange sense of "fun!)
Enjoy your trip. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | I bit the bullet and bought the Victory/Ness rainsuit earlier this summer. Pricey ($180) but really top notch stuff. The jacket has the built-in hood and the pants have heat shields below both knees. I've ridden through some wicked downpours this summer and it worked perfectly. Putting the hood up under your helmet sounds goofy but it is absolutely worth it's weight in gold. Hi-viz silver, good looking stuff. I tried to post a link to the rainsuit but it didn't work. Just go to Polaris accessories, jackets and scroll down near the bottom of the list. There is a $40 rainsuit near the top of that listing but it is PVC (clammy) and for the same money I'd go Frogg Togg. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 247
| keep you legs apart when you put your feet down. the right side pipe is where it will burn you pants if you get too close. i put a hole in a very heavy set of woven rain gear, nylon and gore tex. i put the windshield down when the rain gets too heavy at slow speed. most important be safe and get off if you are uncomfortable with the conditions. i hate riding in the rain and with the vision i have a lot more comfort than with the ultra or any other bike for that matter. i actually picked the bike up from the dealer last monday knowing i was goint to get wet. so you're on a great bike for this.
ditto on the flashers being on and slowing down when someone wants to follow too close. it can happen very quickly. they don't get it.
your feet will get wet.
i got caught in a rain storm 2 weeks ago which had cars on the interstatepulling over to wait it out. i remember saying to myself that i wish i had the fullface. so i will echo that too. you can flip the shield up just enough to keep the rain out of your eyes and have a clear field of vision.
tell your passenger to sit still and have a happy ride.
nothing in the bike got wet. no worries there. i was almost dry when i got home. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 247
| songfan-do you werar a full face with the hood. i usually tuck mine in so it doesn't catch wind with the half shell. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | I have a Scorpion EXO-100 half shell with the retractable visor. I set the windshield so that the wind/rain goes over the helmet but I can still look over the windshield instead of through it. I cinched the hood down with the chinstrap so it didn't flap at all. I'll use a Nolan flip-face when the weather gets cooler. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Guys if you are buying rain gear get the pants with the heat panel that goes from the bottom up to the knee. My First Gear pants have this and they are more than 10 years old and keep me perfectly dry, no burns or holes. Like I said earlier buy good quality MC specific rain pants, the jacket you can use anything. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | Waxed cotton!
Belstaff Trailmaster or Barbour International (mine), very old school and now even used is getting pricey (thanks to Comrade Che and the Motorcycle Diaries). Waterproof, WONT MELT , good all around cool weather product , more pockets that a survival vest and like your favorite leather jacket or a good pair of jeans they just gets better with age.
None of that Chinese made petroleum by-product junk! Gortex? What the heck is that? Am I a fisherman or mountain climber? NO!
L.L. Bean? I think not!
Downsides: You have to refresh the wax every now and again and NEVER, NEVER let the wife see you put it in her clothes dryer !!!!!!!!!!!!
No provisions for body armor.
Color Basic Black only
See the jackets here
http://www.britishmotorcyclegear.com/jackets.asp
|
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 247
| well the gore-tex worked great. they are chest high and long enough just not fire proof. and yes i got them at a fishing store. used them on the harley for years including a 3 hour ride from johnstown to phila which turned intpo a 9 hour ride due to wet stuff falling from the sky and heavy traffic. not a mark on them until now. now i need to find something to patch the 4 x 4 hole. something fireproof maybe. any suggestions. |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 377
O'Neill, Nebraska | Indiana RoadRunner - 2008-08-18 6:59 AM
You can't smoke your cigars when riding in the rain also.
Sorry
Damn it Jim....I'm just a doctor. Oh sorry, wrong TV show.
I do hate it when I can't smoke my stogies!
|
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 66
Harrisburg, PA | My wife and I wear the tour master Jackets, pants, and boots. This gear has plenty of vents, zip out liners for warmth and they keep us dry too. We have been in some nasty down poors. During some really bad storms we did not have water proof gauntlet gloves and water was able to get up the arms, and down the neck of the jackets a bit. Otherwise we stay dry in the rain. |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 320
Savannah, GA -Year round riding!! Yay! | Go to Wally World and buy an ironing board cover. You can cut it and use it to patch, or even as an overlay to prevent burning in the future. You know, like Toughskins jeans....  just lower....
|
|
| |
|
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
Exton, PA | Frogg Toggs are a great value compared to HD rain suits. And they come with reflective piping on some of their styles and are cut for riding. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 247
| thanks gagirltrixie. sounds like a plan. now if i can just find that made in america sign to post on the trip trunk. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 732
Western WA | hgalindez - 2008-08-18 7:10 PM
Frogg Toggs are a great value compared to HD rain suits. And they come with reflective piping on some of their styles and are cut for riding.
+1
I have tested the Frogg Toggs by fire. We rode 7 hours in the rain from Christina Lake BC, to Revelstoke, through Banf and then on to Canmore AB. I don't know who isn't getting wet on the Vision at "speed", but we were doing 65+ mph most of the way on the Trans-Canada and would have been drenched if it were not for the Toggs.
Here's another handy hint: Check your reservations carefully. After that wonderful ride, we discovered that the delightful little Lodge that looked so inviting online was actually 28 miles up the side of a mountain on a washboard gravel road.
Yes, I did take the Vision up there.
No, I don't want to discuss it right now.
Protip: Bears are respectful of the beautifully engineered Vision. Moose, on the other hand, could give a rat's a$$ about the sleek lines and flowing styles.
If I live through this trip, I will elaborate more at some point.
Wish me luck. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 294
rhode island | Techniks monsoon riding jacket and pants, fully waterproof and warm in colder weather.
spend some money on riding gear this is money well spent. around $500.00
This outfit is also fully armoured. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 137
Houston, Texas | Another stay dry tip.........wrap a towel around your neck...keeps the water from running down your shirt
Breaker.............I can't wait to hear this trip story.... |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 141
| I have been thru several rain suits including Victory...The best I have found, and are pretty inexpensive are nelson-rigg and they have absolutely no leaks even in the crotch. Suspenders, wrap around velcroe, zipper, and stirups for the pants. Nothing better that I have seen or worn. Although, I have never purchased really expensive stuff either. If you go online and type in nelson-rigg, you will find reports from magazines on them that say they cannot believe the low price for the high results. I also bought the boot covers, which are the best thing since sliced bread...I get no wetness, anywhere...
Suit:
http://www.nelsonrigg.com/pages/Rainwear-apparel/AX-1-MKIII-Big.htm
Boot covers:
http://www.nelsonrigg.com/pages/Rainwear-apparel/WPRB-100-Big.htm
|
|
| |
Rain gear