dumb question? Is it bad for a bike to get rained on?

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Rogero · #1 Unread post by **Rogero** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:52 am

I rode to work today - pushing the 20% chance of rain, cause the winter's coming fast, and I want to get a few more rides in before storing the bike away.

But it did rain after I got here - almost none, but I was getting a bit worried ... thinking the bike's all exposed. Then thought "don't be stupid, it's a vehicle, meant to be good rain or shine".

It's been causing me to wonder, so thought I'd post it here.

Is it ok for the bike to take rain the odd days here and there? It's always stored inside at night, and when it gets dirty, I give it a quick wipe down/clean. I'm guessing that's totally cool. But is it?

Asking for the collective opinion (yet again) ... so thanks once more to those that take the time to read/reply.

r

Thumper · #2 Unread post by **Thumper** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:07 am

Well, if it gets rained on and then it warms up, your bike will shrink, but other than that, it's fine

Johnj · #3 Unread post by **Johnj** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 8:11 am

I rode to Emporia KS once in a torrential downpour.
Did all your fellow employees come up to you and tell you you were going to get all wet on your ride home?

havegunjoe · Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:41 am

Like you said, it's a vehicle. It will be fine. I like to wipe mine down when I get home from riding in the rain just so it doesn't have rain spots all over it but that is just me. I use a good wax/cleaner to shine her up and that helps protect the finish.

koji52 · #5 Unread post by **koji52** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:57 am

Bike's fine to sit in the rain once in a while. It's the riding around in 40-50 degree weather in the rain that worries me around this time. Shivering while on the bike is no fun and not the safest way to ride.

jstark47 · #6 Unread post by **jstark47** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 10:22 am

Thumper wrote:Well, if it gets rained on and then it warms up, your bike will shrink, but other than that, it's fine

Yeah, after all, where do you think all those pocket bikes come from?

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Ok, serious answer: my bikes are stored under cover at home. I don't like the Bonneville to get wet, but that's just a cosmetic issue 'cause it's the "pretty bike" and it's tedious detailing the chrome. When out touring my V-strom has sat out many nights in the rain and it's fine, starts right up the next morning. I do put plastic bags over the ends of the comm system plugs that stay on the bike.

RhadamYgg · #7 Unread post by **RhadamYgg** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 1:03 pm

Thumper wrote:Well, if it gets rained on and then it warms up, your bike will shrink, but other than that, it's fine

lol - I need to do that a couple of times. I wonder if my bike will have the same mass, though.

RhadamYgg · #8 Unread post by **RhadamYgg** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 1:05 pm

There was that insurance commercial where the guys chopper stopped working in the rain.... )

Some guys keep their bikes out all the time... I wouldn't recommend that. Even bikes have metals that have a tendency to rust.

RhadamYgg

Gummiente · #9 Unread post by **Gummiente** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 1:26 pm

RhadamYgg wrote:Some guys keep their bikes out all the time... I wouldn't recommend that.

You wuss.

csspostal · Tue Oct 06, 2009 3:22 pm

Gummiente wrote:
RhadamYgg wrote:Some guys keep their bikes out all the time... I wouldn't recommend that.
You wuss.

Me thinks it'll be a few years of riding under my belt before I get that brave.