Total Motorcycle Community Forums

What should you do if it starts to RAIN? when your riding? will rain/water mess up your motorcycle? Will it mess up the electronics on your motorcycle?

I have to put my bike in my back yard, with 2 layers of rain cover over it, Im not sure if it will be ok? Please bear in mind that I live at Houston Tx.
and stupid Hurricane Rita is going to hit my house this weekend.

Help and advice would be appreicated, waiting for replys.

Hiya, Hope the Hurricane dosn't hurt you guys too bad down there ...

As for riding in the rain - just take it a little slower - it will be fine. Normally, many riders pull off the street for the first 5/10 mintue of rain, because that's when the road is at its slickest - you need to give the rain time to wash the grease and oil from the road.

Sitting outside is never a good thing for a bike, but sometimes (like in your case) it's unavoidable. The best you can do is cover it up like you've been doing.

If you are really concerned about the hurricane - maybe you can pull it in your house until the worst is over ?? That's probably what I'd do, wife or landlord aside...

unless your' bike is old and worn enough to have portions of it's wiring harness exposed that weren't designed to be exposed (like mine) water will have no ill effects on it, it's designed to get wet. 60mph winds might knock it over and rip your' covers off though.

Can you tie the bike, as well as the covers down to anything rigid. That will keep it from being knocked over.

Thanks for the fast reply people!

Unfortunely, I have 91 yamaha FZR, and few other bikes, and my bikes may have wiring harness exposed

Get on the fastest bike you have, and get uphill someplace.

I don't think water will hurt any electrical as long as its dried out when you go to use it. Although it may speed up rusting of some wires and contacts but personaly I wouldn't worry about that too much. You might want to unplug your battery just incase if its getting too wet, the water could possibly, although very very unlikely, get somewhere that would short out the battery or cause electricity to run through some systems. I wouldn't worry too much about the water and electronics, but you don't want water all over your chrome and pretty paint, thats what I'd be worrying about.

EDIT: I kinda feel dumb now posting, odds are IHMJack is evacuating like everyone else, and isn't around to take any advice I leave.

Iain wrote:I don't think water will hurt any electrical as long as its dried out when you go to use it. Although it may speed up rusting of some wires and contacts but personaly I wouldn't worry about that too much. You might want to unplug your battery just incase if its getting too wet, the water could possibly, although very very unlikely, get somewhere that would short out the battery or cause electricity to run through some systems. I wouldn't worry too much about the water and electronics, but you don't want water all over your chrome and pretty paint, thats what I'd be worrying about.

EDIT: I kinda feel dumb now posting, odds are IHMJack is evacuating like everyone else, and isn't around to take any advice I leave.

hahaha, I didnt evacuate and thanks for the advice.

How about trying a couple of empty 55 gallon drums tied to each side with a sand drag (paddle tire) on the rear??


Seroiusly, hope all is ok down there. An older bike of mine was jumped in the lake by some bumbass on a dare (uuhhh, yea,,,,,,that dumb person was me). Was a hell of a rush and a "dog" to get out. Drained the fuel tank, crankcase and carbs. Refilled all oils and fuel, lubed the chain and she was ready for flight.