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  1. #1
    Registered Users tconaagt's Avatar
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    Default Riding in the RAIN

    Is there a GOOD/BETTER/BEST technique to use while riding in the rain to maximise vision? I know if it's real bad ---"GET OFF THE ROAD"
    Should you be able to see over the wind shields?
    Is there a water repellent that can be used on these wind shields?
    Has there been a windshield wiper invented for bikes?
    OR ??????????????????
    Just watched a couple hit the ditch the other nite in the rain.Fortunately only a couple on cracked ribs & a bike right off.GOD is good.

  2. #2
    Invalid Emails murphybrown's Avatar
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    Default No solution to your ?

    But find that it helps when I raise my windshield to max height....everytime I ryde in rain I wish I was JT or Spyderpops or Rattigan_Roger....come on guys you can develop something so I can see thru the rain drops!!!
    My Motto Is:
    Live my life in such a way that when my feet hit the floor in the morning...Satan shudders & says "Oh, crap, SHE'S awake!"

    Red Stallion: 2016 F3t SE6 (from Pitbull PowerSports/ Springfield, MO)
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  3. #3
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    Everbody seems to have to find the best technique for their own particular style...
    Here's what I do:
    I'll drop the windshield as LOW as possible.
    It puts my faceshield right in the strongest airflow; that helps blow the droplets off...
    If I need to "clear" the shield a bit more; I turn my head to the side, and stick it off to the side of the windshield. That REALLY takes everything off to the side, and out of the way!
    2010 RT A&C, RT-L, RT-L , Orbital Blue, Cognac, Jet Black

  4. #4
    Very Active Member Tango's Avatar
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    I always use whatever I am using to polish the bike. Original Bike Spirits, aka, Honda Spray and Clean also. Windshield really beads up. Tom
    Baloo is my name. Spyders are my game. Well, it's a doo-bah-dee-doo, yes, it's a doo-bah-dee-doo, I mean a doo-bee, doo-bee, doo-bee, doo-bee, doo-bee-dee-doo. And, well, now. Ha ha! What have we here?



    2020 Petrol Blue Metallic RTL

  5. #5
    Very Active Member Papa's Avatar
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    Plexus beads the water on the windshield and the facemask
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    Founding member of Woodstock Spyder Ryders

    2014 RTS SE6 - White
    2010 RT/AC SE5 retired with 26,536 miles

  6. #6
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    There are gloves that have a little squeegee on the thumb. Next time I see some I'll probably buy them. Until then, I use Bob D's method.
    PrairieSpyder (Patti)

  7. #7
    Very Active Member Pennyrick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tconaagt View Post
    Is there a GOOD/BETTER/BEST technique to use while riding in the rain to maximise vision? I know if it's real bad ---"GET OFF THE ROAD"
    Should you be able to see over the wind shields?
    Is there a water repellent that can be used on these wind shields?
    Has there been a windshield wiper invented for bikes?
    OR ??????????????????
    Just watched a couple hit the ditch the other nite in the rain.Fortunately only a couple on cracked ribs & a bike right off.GOD is good.

    We do not ride with face shields. We both wear prescription glasses with shatterproof lenses. Rain is not great with glasses but we raise our windshields to the maximum and let them take the force of the rain. We have always used Plexus to clean them and although it isn't perfect it does allow water to bead on the screen and run off quickly.

    We've ridden in some pretty ugly downpours and a couple of times we decided to seek cover until the heavy stuff stopped, but generally riding in the rain isn't a big deal.
    Penny and Rick have owned many motorcycles starting in 1974 with Honda’s, then to Suzukis, Gold Wings and ultimately Spyders.
    ‘74 Honda 360T (pair); ‘78 Suzuki GS 1000 (pair); ‘’82 Honda Aspencade; ‘84 Honda 400; ‘87 Yamaha 1100; ‘99 Honda Valkyrie; ‘01 Suzuki Burgman(triked); ‘02 Honda GL 1800(triked); ‘10 Spyder RTSE; ‘11 Spyder RTSM; ‘12 Spyder RTSL (pair); ‘20 Spyder RTL (current)


  8. #8
    Active Member hdlongrod's Avatar
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    Adjustable windshield set at max height and it creates a nice little pocket of dryness when going do the highway. Barely any rain hits me at all. Until I sit still of course.
    His - 2013 RSS SM5
    Hers - 2013 RS SE5

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  9. #9
    Very Active Member Chupaca's Avatar
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    Default Comfort zone..!!

    Bob
    trying to see though two plexy shields is harder than one and turning your face shield clears it like a wiper. Plexus, protect-all, and the likes help bead up the falling rain. But in the end if you are not feeling good about it..pull over..it's not worth it whatever it may be. Be safe..!!
    Gene and Ilana De Laney
    Mt. Helix, California

    ​2012 RS sm5
    2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black

  10. #10
    Active Member maliamd's Avatar
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    I too had the same problem. Got caught in a torrential down pour on the mountain twisties and I couldn't see a thing. I used Plexus prior to my ride on the windshield and visor. Not much help in beading. I asked people about a good rain repellant and many said Rain Coat. I bought it and am waiting for my next downpour!

  11. #11
    Very Active Member flaggerphil's Avatar
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    I raise the windshield to it's highest point (I also wear a full face helmet) and...slow down. Which is really the best thing you can do.
    Phil

    I may be old, but I got to see all the cool bands.

    2011 Spyder RT-AC


  12. #12
    happy old fart stillriding's Avatar
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    ​Do NOT use RainX. It will damage your windshield.

  13. #13
    Very Active Member ARtraveler's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by PrairieSpyder View Post
    There are gloves that have a little squeegee on the thumb. Next time I see some I'll probably buy them. Until then, I use Bob D's method.
    The gloves with the "wiper thingy" do work--but the wiper does not have long life. I found I was able to get one season out of mine.

    If it is necessary to ride in a deluge, the Bob method seems to work pretty good. I keep the windshield down (avoids looking through water drops on both windshield and face plate), and actually stick my face close to windshield from time to time to blow the water off my faceplate. I have never been able to find a magic spot where I can sit and the force of the air works continuously.

    I don't like to do it, but I have actually pulled over, went inside a place, and had hot chocolate while sitting next to a fire while waiting out a particular bad deluge. The gloves were soaked through and that was the ride that had me getting waterproof gloves for the next go around.

    Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.

    Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)

    MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles

    IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
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  14. #14
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    2010 RT A&C, RT-L, RT-L , Orbital Blue, Cognac, Jet Black

  15. #15
    Very Active Member ARtraveler's Avatar
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    Well, that's interesting. Never seen that before. Price is right at $2.75 so you can't go to wrong.

    Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.

    Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)

    MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles

    IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
    2020 F3L , Magma Red

  16. #16
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    Glad to help...
    2010 RT A&C, RT-L, RT-L , Orbital Blue, Cognac, Jet Black

  17. #17
    Very Active Member Eagle1's Avatar
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    I use rain x for rvs to wash the whole bike. Works great, beads up too. But still use the air flow to blow water off face shield.
    Ryde as if your life depends on it,
    because it does !! Ryde Safe!
    Vietnam 67-69
    .

  18. #18
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
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    Default THEY DID INVENT THIS

    I have seen a windshield wiper system here on Spyderlovers .....try the advanced search function........it should come up ....Mikeguyver

  19. #19
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    Rattigan_Roger has one...
    2010 RT A&C, RT-L, RT-L , Orbital Blue, Cognac, Jet Black

  20. #20
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    We both wa prescription eyewear. Trifocals to be precise. N the rain I normally set the w/s to where I can see just over the top. Both of us wear Arthur Fulmer helmets with the sun lenses the you can drop during day time and a clear outer shield. We use "slipstream plexiglass wax on everything we look through . Been doing that for 50 years don't see any reason to chane now

  21. #21
    Very Active Member mrfats's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by murphybrown View Post
    But find that it helps when I raise my windshield to max height....everytime I ryde in rain I wish I was JT or Spyderpops or Rattigan_Roger....come on guys you can develop something so I can see thru the rain drops!!!
    Karyl, do you not notice? Roger installed a wiper on his windshield!

  22. #22
    Very Active Member bmccaffrey's Avatar
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    Bob D is correct. Squeeze and turn your head to one side. Wind will clean off

  23. #23
    Very Active Member Chupaca's Avatar
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    Default wipers...!!

    Here you have some... http://www.peerclear.com
    Gene and Ilana De Laney
    Mt. Helix, California

    ​2012 RS sm5
    2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black

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