Wet Leaves are No Good

Message

jstark47 · #1 Unread post by **jstark47** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 6:12 am

It's Friday. I rode to work on Monday, haven't touched a motorcycle since. It's been a damp, drizzly week here in central New Jersey. But the amount of actual rain has been slight, and my Vstrom shod with TrailWings does pretty good in the rain. The problem is the frikkin' WET LEAVES!!! And I'm not just talking about leaves here, I'm talking about mashed up half-rotted leaf paste smeared on every corner and every edge of every back road. 'Cause it's gray and drizzly, this stuff just won't dry out!!

I'll ride in rain, I'll ride in cold, but I can't deal with slimy wet leaf krud all over the place. Is it just me?

ofblong · #2 Unread post by **ofblong** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 6:26 am

well at leat you can ride. Mines in the shop still from when i ran over a deer.

mydlyfkryzis · Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:31 am

The wet leaves are treacherous here in Northern NJ. There were 2 cage accidents, about 100 yards apart on my road. the road has a thin layer of ground up leaves, with the misty rain is forming a coating as slippery as ice.

I wouldn't ride in this, as I like my skin intact.

Gummiente · Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:35 am

I've been fortunate in my new location, because despite all the HUGE trees the leaves aren't as thick on the highway as I'd expected. The wind and traffic do a good job of keeping the roads clean, although I suspect that at night the road crews are sneaking into my backyard and dumping truckloads of excess maple leaves all over the place.

Anyway, slow and steady riding is the key at this time of year. I'll usually ride (the Harley) right up to the first snowfall, but this year I'm making a pre-emptive strike and putting it into storage... tomorrow.

Now, the Ural is a totally different story. I love blasting through the leaves with it and will keep riding until the temps drop below -15C.

Brackstone · Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:49 am

I haven't been feeling well so it hasn't been bothering me since i shouldn't really ride anyway, which also makes me feel better about being sick

Shorts · #6 Unread post by **Shorts** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:25 pm

In the spring time here, wet pine needles are a big hazard. In the fall, Japanese maple leaves cover the roads. If both stay dry, they're manageable. If they are wet, well, you might be in for a bad day.

Dragon on Wheels · Fri Nov 07, 2008 4:00 pm

I'm in NJ also and yes, this week has had miserable weather. The wet leaves aren't horrible just on the road, they're tough to rake in the yard too.

JC Viper · #8 Unread post by **JC Viper** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:47 pm

Same here in NYC, the light rain and wet leaves make for hazardous conditions except for Manhattan where there's a street sweeper almost every night. So far so good though for me just as long as I take it easy. I've been riding a lot in the past weeks after getting some new tires and the compound really is good in the wet weather.

mazer · #9 Unread post by **mazer** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 4:00 pm

I agree with everyone here, wet leaves, pine needles, wet paint strips on cement, wet dogs - all not fun to deal with

#10 Unread post by **Wrider** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 11:34 pm

You... You mean that water comes from sources other than a sink or a hose???

And that leaves actually fall from the trees???

Surely you all must be joking!

It may sound sick to some of you but I can't wait to get back to where there are wet leaves to worry about in the fall!
Wrider