Riding in the rain.

[EM87]

I've been hearing a lot recently about riding in the rain.  It seems like so many people do it by choice, which I thought was weird.  Why would you want to get wet?  The more I read, though, the more I want to be able to ride in the rain.  The rain is the only thing that keeps me from riding every day.  That is why I wanted to take a few minutes out of my day to create this riding in the rain thread.  It would be nice to be able to reference a place with a lot of information on the subject.

Please share any tips you have for riding in the rain, whether it be gear, what to watch out for on the road, changes in riding technique, etc.

[DesignFlaw06]

Riding in the rain sucks. Even with proper gear, I don't find it enjoyable. Riding the bike shouldn't feel like work. Not only that, you're vulnerable enough when the weather is perfect. No reason to voluntarily add more risk. But to each their own. Usually personal experiences determine what a rider will avoid. There's a reason I avoid riding in the rain, riding when I've been drinking any amount of alcohol, riding at night, or riding after hunting season begins.

My advice on things to watch out for: the green, yellow, and red spots on the weather radar.

[green427]

It is a personal choice.

For me, riding in the rain while wearing rain gear is different in a neat way, and much cooler than the hot, muggy days.

However, I try not to ride on rainy days, since the dumbass cagers are much more erratic, and most of my close calls happen on rainy days.

That, and my visor always fogs up....

[Soupskin]

I'd rather ride in the rain than in a car now that I'm used to it.

Best tip:  Try to schedule your rain gear test for when you are on the way home.  There is nothing worse than putting soggy socks and boots back on.

[LOKi]

Ride a bit slower. Take your time and don't rush things. Maintain a good cushion between you and the car in front. Don't forget about the car behind you though. Get a proper rain jacket and paints. On a regular commute proper rain gear will keep you (mostly) dry. Not so much if your going to be riding for hours in the rain. Reflective tape on the bike and helmet will help others see you in the poor viability but act like they don't.<---as always.

In turns, still trust your tires but lean off the bike more to keep it more upright. Bikes can still hydroplane but not as easy as cages. Think about the shape of the tires. They are shaped more like pizza cutters than skim boards.

One of the biggest problems is helmet fogging. Leave the vents open. Getting your head a little wet is better than not being able to see. Wipe the inside shield with anti fog stuff. Clean the exterior really well and you can even wax it to help shed water faster. If water is building up on the face shield look to each side for a few moments. The change in wind direction should clear it up a bit. I know I said slow down but avoid going too slow. Wind speed is what clears the water drops off the face shield.

Enjoy the fact that even though it's raining your still dryer than that smock standing at the buss stop with a newspaper over his head. Also practice in the rain. On a rainy day go out to a parking lot and practice all the normal things. Don't forget the stopping test. Bikes handle rain much better than there riders for the most part. Ever watch MotoGP in the rain? Those guys are still dragging knees though the turns at 120mph.

Above all else watch out for paint and metal. Stripes and man hole covers might as well be made of seal snot in the rain. Expansion joints on off and on ramps will feel scary.

[cjbear11]

+1 to what Loki said. Just slow your pace down a little, and ride farther ahead of yourself than you would normally. Make sure to keep a good distance back from cars, and remember to give yourself more time to brake than normal. Also, if you think people are idiots on dry roads, multiply it by 10 when it rains. So watch out for morons.

Riding in the rain can be fun, peaceful, and relaxing if you're not stressed out about it. Just remember to give the rain a chance to wash the oil and crud off the road before you ride on it (usually about 20 min or so). Once the road is "clean", your tires will grip it just fine and your bike will run/ride just fine. You just have to get yourself over the intial fear.

Like Loki mentioned, if the Moto GP riders can race in the rain, then your bike will be fine. I've ridden 9+hours down to Deals Gap in the pouring rain, and then rode the gap itself in the rain without any problems.

[ariwhiteboy]

I'm not a big fan of riding in the rain myself, more for safety reasons than comfort issues.  As others have stated visibility is worse and everyone requires more room to manuver and stop.  Leave plenty of cusion between yourself and everyone else and ride with your brights on.  When you stop flash the brake light and be ready to dump the clutch and avoid a collision.  Basically what I'm trying to say is you should ride just as safe in the rain as you do on a dry sunny day, but chances are higher you will need to preform an evasive manuver.  After reading all this if you still want to ride I highly reccomend a set of Frogg Toggs for rain gear.  They are lightweight and relatively inexpensive (picked mine up on craigslist for $25).  You may look like you're wearing a trash bag but you'll be dry.  They are heat sensitive so keep them away from the pipes, but usually cruisers have more of a problem with that.

[Bad Boy]

Here in the Pacific northwet one has to deal with the chance of rain through much of the year.  Often we get this light drizzly rain that can last for weeks.  Definitely it is more fun to drive on a warm sunny day.  There is a kind of perverse satisfaction to ride in the rain sealed in this space suit remaining warm and dry.

Diving year around here I have sorted out my gear over years of riding so I can stay warm and dry.  The requirements for touring all day in the rain is going to be different than emergency gear to get you quickly home being caught in a rain shower.

For emergencies most any nylon motorcycle rain suit will get you home. Water proof boots and gloves are nice.

For riding for long distance in the wet I use high quality Gore Tex gear.  It is a considerable investment I would not make if I was not doing week long tours on a sport bike.  Up to 17k miles a year.  I use Gore Tex brand because it breaths to let the vapor out which makes a big difference if you are riding for more than a couple of hours of wet.  Other almost as expensive brands of breathable rain gear like REI and Marmot the Teflon coating pealed after a year of use.  I have a Gore Tex rain coat that has not failed in 20 years.

Oxtar (TCX) Gore Tex boots
Gore Tex rain shell and pants, North Face and ArcTeryx
Gore Tex gloves
Turtle brand neck gator
Warm & Safe electric jacket and gloves

This would not be for most riders, for those who tour and can aford to stay comfortable get good gear.

[coffee_brake]

I'd rather ride in the rain than in a car now that I'm used to it.

Amen....

[highwayjamin]

Myself and cjbear rode the Iron Butt a few weeks ago,it rained quite a few times on us, The worst storm was 10 minutes from the house,go figure huh 

[LOKi]

You know those red areas on weather maps? We rode 500 miles to the Smoky Mountains last yea,r dead center of that. It traveled up from the golf, taking moisture with it, the exact same direction we where going. Sometimes viz was less than 30yards. Once to the mountains we found twisties with waterfalls crossing the road. By the time we got to camp we where soaked to the bone. It sucked!

Woke up the next morning in the Smoky Mountains to clear skies nice cool temperatures, few bikes (because of the rain), and nice clean roads. Some of the best riding I have ever done.

Whats my point? While I prefer the nice warm (not  ) sunny days, I'm not going to not ride just because the conditions aren't just right. Otherwise I would miss out on a lot of good riding waiting for the weather to be just right.

[tomb raider]

You people are Bonkers..

[darian]

I'm not afraid to ride in the rain, but I'd rather not unless I've got my rain gear because it takes forever for my coat to dry out.

It's nothing to worry about... except there are drivers that get all worked up about being caught behind people that slow down for the rain, so they drive even crazier than they would normally.  Avoid them.

I went to home depot and got one of those construction worker vests for $9 that I wear when it's dark or rains.  You may have to put a button on it though, because the velcro doesn't hold.  I like to think it helps w/ visibility though.

[tomb raider]

Well with all the rain we grow big Poppy plants.

[gammer]

I'm not going to not ride just because the conditions aren't just right. Otherwise I would miss out on a lot of good riding waiting for the weather to be just right.

Yeah but you could be spending that waiting time cleaning your bike, right?
 

[tcoop]

I ride in any weather except when the roads are icy You just need to be extra carfull the cagers slide more (even into each other) Like others have said give a little more caution and watch the one behind you too. I pick my rain suit up at Walmart. Its a colman brand and has reflective beading on it for about 25 bucks.

[EM87]

Great info so far, thanks everyone!

[tomb raider]

Chance or rain to day, I rode in. Seems I'm the only bike out there to ?? I shoulda watched the weather last night.

[LOKi]

You people are Bonkers..

Doesn't it bother you when people assume that about you just for riding a motorcycle. Your crazy to get on a death machine like that! Why do people assume it's so dangerous there is no way you could stay upright on the thing? Because they just don't understand. Most have never tried or if they have they where scared the entire time. To a cager it just doesn't make sense. How can you go the same speed as me on just two wheels? They just don't understand the dynamics of motorcycles and how much fun they can be to ride, and how much control you have over the thing. Your doing the same thing. Your making riding in the rain out to be this impossible endeavor that survival is not only unlikely but even possible. Like the roads turn into a solid sheet of ice with no hope of even going in a straight line much less being able to turn or stop. So what happens to you when you ARE caught in the rain? Do you just pull over and wait it out? Or do you keep riding? If you keep riding are you prepared to ride in the rain? Have you ever gone out on a rainy day and practice rain riding? Even in a local parking lot? Those who except that riding in the rain is just part of motorcycling are the ones who get out in it and practice. No one really likes riding in the rain (usually, sometimes rain is better than  ) it's just something that happens. If you ride eventually you will get caught in the rain. A well prepared motorcyclist practices all scenarios and is ready for it while continuing to enjoy their ride. The rest struggle through it and hate every minuet.

[tomb raider]

LOKI, don't take this thread to heart. It's all ribbing, fun, goofing around.. To each there own. I guess if it was smoking hot here more would ride in the rain, not me. Hell, I don't ride dirt in the rain either.. Be safe my Brother, I hope it don't rain on me, I'll melt 

[gammer]

A well prepared motorcyclist practices all scenarios and is ready for it while continuing to enjoy their ride. The rest struggle through it and hate every minuet.

Here, here!  

I've ridden in the rain by being caught in it. I've ridden in it enough to handle myself in it and I've ridden in it enough to know that its not fun.
It does make for good story telling...like: "Did you see how hard it was raining? Well I got caught in it on my motorcycle!!"
I think I'm like "most" motorcyclists and I watch the weather closely and try not to ride if there is a strong chance of rain. Even if there is a strong chance, I sometimes 'risk it' and go anyway...and it usually ends up not raining. Sometimes, though, I've been caught and its miserable but I accept it as a part of motorcycling...then I spend the next 3 hours cleaning and polishing my bike with a diaper  

[LOKi]

Pant's, n5tbu, and I with a couple other riders that aren't on the forum went for a ride Saturday. The weather did not look good. 60% chance of rain and by they way it looked like the rain was coming in off the gulf that 60% didn't look good. Well we rode anyway. Fully prepared to ride in the rain if it came to it. Hell I don't think any of us actually looked at the weather in the morning because we where going regardless. We rode all day and only saw a few sprinkles. It was a great day of riding.

If we where not completely prepared to ride RAIN or shine we probably would not have left the house. And would have missed a great day of riding.

[ERAU-944]

i don't see what the big deal is.  ride cautiously and you're good to go.  if you don't like getting wet, get rain gear.  i usually man up and take a bit of a soaking.  its nice to stay cool for a bit when the sun comes back out.

here in the sunshine state, we refer to rain as 'liquid sunshine'

[n5tbu]

Pant's, n5tbu, and I with a couple other riders that aren't on the forum went for a ride Saturday. The weather did not look good. 60% chance of rain and by they way it looked like the rain was coming in off the gulf that 60% didn't look good. Well we rode anyway. Fully prepared to ride in the rain if it came to it. Hell I don't think any of us actually looked at the weather in the morning because we where going regardless. We rode all day and only saw a few sprinkles. It was a great day of riding.

If we where not completely prepared to ride RAIN or shine we probably would not have left the house. And would have missed a great day of riding.

Well...LOKi,I did get wet in Elizabeth while yall were chowing down! not too bad and not worth putting on the rain gear.
Riding in the rain does suck,for all the other reasons posted above,but riding a bike is my preferred method of transportation!

[happycommuter]

obligatory self-referential link
With proper gear and decent tires, it's just not a big deal.  Unless you are really aggressive or hamfisted, rubber still grips darn well enough even when wet.

Many years ago my Aerostich Roadcrafter was darn near impervious to even heavy rain for a good while.  Now it only lasts about five minutes till leaks begin.  Wet leather blows.  Mesh does little, and if it rains hard enough, the drops through mesh kind of hurt.  Cordura or some similar woven textile is best.

Stay in a lower gear at higher revs and you can use engine compression for minor slow downs.  Try to keep moving and not stop, so you don't put feet in puddles.  Also, you maintain airflow and can keep teh visor down so there are only raindrops on one side.  Turning head to the side at speed usually clears raindrops from visor, but the Vee-Wipe is a fine product to keep in one's pocket.