Total Motorcycle Community Forums

For some reason I've always been a bit afraid of riding in the rain, and avoided it. Today I got caught about 20 miles away from home when it started to pour. Luckily I remembered everyone's advice of pulling over for a few minutes to let the oil run off the roads and after that it wasn't all that bad! Just took it slower than I normally would.


Wish I'd had this though...

i dont like the rain and living in the desert i dont have to do it much, but we have monsoon season and i rode through that. one day i had no helmet just glasses and my gf on the back. my glasses kept fogging up so i had to pull them off just to see, but then getting hit with rain drops directly in the eyes isnt any fun. i remember hitting puddlse that sent water higher than my handle bars. wasnt too bad riding wise. no sliding around or anything.

No helmet???

That's a scary thought.

I wouldn't have a face today if it wasn't for my helmet.

Just rain? I think you lucked out. Didn't you just get a bunch of snow in Chicago?

As a commuter, I find rain to be something you get used to. Just drive like you have completely bald tires on - slow down to the point that you almost don't have to lean into the turn, lean back when cornering uphill or downhill to take the added stress off the front tire, and the bike pretty much stays on the road. The real problem for me is that I have to open my visor halfway - the water spots make it hard to see.,

Glad to hear you made it ok. I personally enjoy riding in the rain, as long as I have my rain pants. Every once in awhile I get caught without them, and then it gets a little cold. You just have to be careful at all times, and give yourself plenty of distance and time to react.

Just remember not to get comfortable riding in rain. I got comfortable once, and it bit me in the "O Ring". Actually in the knees. And arm.

The intersections take longer to wash clean than the rest of the road, and they might not at all. I've sideslipped with very little throttle, both making left and right turns, and when slowing to stop at a couple of the lights here. I guess our folks have alot of oil and coolant leaks. We have poor drainage at some of the intersections, too. Other than that, rain is okay. Just don't act like Rossi and you'll be fine.

I think after my experiance I'm going to start braving it a lot more. We keep being threatened with scattered t-storms, but they never seem to materialize. (Now we know where Tom Ridge got his system from )

It's always frustrating to walk out of work and see no rain, and to see other motorcyclists on the road. What sort of rain gear do you guys wear?

Glad you mentioned thunderstorms. Lightning is nothing to play around with. You don't have the protection of a car (Faraday cage) when riding a bike. If you are on high ground, you are susceptible to lightning stikes. Lots of good gear out ther, I usually get cought in it and just tough it out while getting soaked (I know, not much help) I'll shut up now.