What to do in the rain?

[storysunfolding]

I don't really want to be riding in the rain, but today it happened in an unfortunate go play a game of hide and go f yourself mr. weather man sort of way.

I have two questions

1.) Is there anything you can put on your helmets visor that works like rain-ex to keep the water off the helmet thus allowing you to see? I know that rain-ex plays havoc on plastic so I don't want to use it, but in case I ever get stuck having to ride 30 miles in the rain I'd like to know what I can do. This is the raining for three days straight kind of rain, not the kind you can wait it out.

2.) How much traction will your bike lose in the rain? I feel like she slips around alot more and I get hesistant to lean her to much in a turn, meaning I can't take them too fast (still a good ways under the limit). I have a very top heavy bike it seems that produces a decent amount of torque on a skinnier tire than is normal for today's bikes. Is it just my imagination and I'll be alright leaning into a turn, or is this a sign to take it slow regardless of the wackjob in the pickup behind you?


No answers will be accepted that mention Southern California as a cure for rain.

[oldnslo]

Using a spray polish like Pledge on your face shield, presuminmg a full-face helmet, allows you to merely turn your head one way and another, and the wind will blow most of the raindrops off.
Slowing down a bit is the usual drill in wet weather, and avoid all painted areas of the street if possible, attempt not to brake on any painted surface and be very gentle in any turn on paint of any kind. Avoid manhole covers or big steel plates used in road repairs. They are slick.
Be sure you have decent tires on the bike, and smoothness in clutch and throttle operation is a must. If you can't be smooth, practice.

[DustyJacket]

If you can, pull over under an overpass, or at a restaurant for a while when it first starts to rain, until the oil and crud gets washed off the road.

When you are going somewhere and are going in and out of rain that is probably not going to be possible, though.

[shane-o]

I use "Rain-X" on my visor, had no probs with it, as all ready mentioned all ya have to do is look left then right and the wind will remove the H2O off ya visor.

Ya can buy gloves with a wiper type blade that runs down the outside of ya thumbs that can be used to wipe the visor, i dont have these cause taking ya hands off the bars in the wet is not a very smart thing to do me thinks, but they are available.

Best thing to do is ride in the wet as much as you can to gain the experiance you require to be safe, dont let rain stop you, just need to be a bit more carefull and dont let the traffic push you around, go at your own pace.

[JustJames]

I wouldn't mention Souther California to hurt you, but hey it is not really that bad to live here. LOL .

1. I use Plexus and Honda Pro Clean and Polish for all my faceshield. These help a bit on faceshield when raining, all I do is to turn your face on either side (like checking blind spot) and water bead will move away from faceshield. I believe Rain-X will yellow all plastic and will remove any coat on faceshield.

2. I don't ride fast in the rain period and don't want to know how much traction my bike can handle in the rain. caution and caution. Be very careful on first rain and don't forget to pack your Rainsuit. It cold and it hurt like H E L L.

[blues2cruise]

You also need to be cautious of the leaves that have fallen off the trees. When the trees start dropping their leaves in the fall they can be very treacherous. We have a lot of deciduous trees here and the city is not very quick to clean them up.

I never knew about Pledge. I bought some Sea Drops from a dive shop and that helped with the water moving off the face shield. Pledge would sure cost less.

Anybody know if Scotchguard would work? I saw in the optical store that they now have lenses that are scotchguard treated.

[polarelf2003]

Looks like you ran into some of that rain out there last night. Sucky sucky.

Dont forget to give yourself extra room for braking - your brakes wont work as good in the rain. And I always keep a ziplock baggie in my jacket pocket in case I run into foul weather - cell phones dont like getting wet.

[Shiv]

Alright this thread aroused a few questions from me..

What's a rain suit?

Why should you avoid painted areas?

Why should you avoid leaves?

Who will win the Superbowl?

[oldnslo]

Painted areas and leaves on the road get very slippery in the wet. A rain suit should be self-explanatory for riding in the rain. Fewer and fewer people give a rat's backside who wins the super bowel.

[flynrider]

Alright this thread aroused a few questions from me..

What's a rain suit?

Why should you avoid painted areas?

Why should you avoid leaves?

Who will win the Superbowl?

A rain suit is a rubber/plastic/vinyl suit that will not absorb water and is worn over the top of your clothes to keep you dry while riding in the rain. A good one will be well ventilated and tight at the cuff and leg openings.

Painted areas and leaves can become very slick when wet. If you happen to be riding on them when you suddenly have to brake, you could be in for a nasty surprise. I might add that the same danger lies in the center portion of the lane at an intersection. That's where leaking oil from waiting cars tends to accumulate.

Superbowl? Don't know, don't really care. If I have free time on Sundays, I'll usually be out riding.