Riding in rain

[Questions]

Ok, question.... Wife and I planning on going to the WV mountains Monday then heading to sons house in DC on Thursday. There is 50 percent chance of rain on Thursday. We will be pulling a RT 622 trailer behind our 14 Spyder. We have not ridden in the rain and to be honest it worries me. I really want to take the Spyder but wanted some advice first. How bad is it riding the RT in the rain in traffic? Is it "safe" with caution? Ant advice would be appreciated.

[danotech]

You are gonna get wet! Seriously, good rain gear and take it down a notch and you will be fine. If you only ride on blue sky days you are missing all the fun!

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[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Ok, question.... Wife and I planning on going to the WV mountains Monday then heading to sons house in DC on Thursday. There is 50 percent chance of rain on Thursday. We will be pulling a RT 622 trailer behind our 14 Spyder. We have not ridden in the rain and to be honest it worries me. I really want to take the Spyder but wanted some advice first. How bad is it riding the RT in the rain in traffic? Is it "safe" with caution? Ant advice would be appreciated.

Drive at a reasonable speed and as much as practical keep the rear wheel out of standing water, such as the rut in asphalt pavement that develop in the tracks of cars and trucks. Be ready to get a quick wake up if and when you hydroplane and nanny kicks in. The first time or two can be pretty jolting, but then you get a feel for it and actually feel secure because nanny is watching out for you.

If you have time to do it, install a low hanging mud flap on the rear fender. Without it the rear tire will kick up quite a rooster tail and because of the way the air circulates around the Spyder you can get muddy water sprayed all the way to the windshield. I made my own from sheet rubber. It's about 12" or 13" wide and hangs to within about 3" of the pavement. I have very little rooster tail spray.

Carry good rain gear and there's no reason you shouldn't have an enjoyable trip. Approached correctly, rain is a nuisance, not a hazard.

[Chupaca]

If you have never done it before it can be a bit scary at first but within a mile or two you will be fine. Good gear and slow down

[BeRight]

Only thing I might add is be careful in using engine braking or just avoid it all together - since back tire will slide around if braking to fast by using engine. Light with foot brake as well and allow extra stopping distance.

I ride rain or shine but also have many many years of doing so.

[Pandy]

You are gonna get wet! Seriously, good rain gear and take it down a notch and you will be fine. If you only ride on blue sky days you are missing all the fun!

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Can't add much more than that. Have logged thousands of rain miles with and without trailer (just yesterday as matter of fact) Go and have a great time, oh, so what kind of raingear are you packing???
Patrick

[furface90]

I have driven my RT in pretty heavy rain with pulling a trailer, no problems.
Just like anything pulling a trailer, a little slower, if it gets to bad for you pull off and wait it out.
Good rain gear is a must.

[Bob Denman]

I've ridden in some real "Toad-Stranglers"...
Quality riding gear is a must, and just slow down a little bit; you'll be fine!
I've always ridden the rain, with the windshield as low as possible. I'd rather have one less piece of wet plastic to look through...
Tip your head to the side out from behind it, and the wind will clean your helmet visor real quick!

[murphybrown]

Ok, question.... Wife and I planning on going to the WV mountains Monday then heading to sons house in DC on Thursday. There is 50 percent chance of rain on Thursday. We will be pulling a RT 622 trailer behind our 14 Spyder. We have not ridden in the rain and to be honest it worries me. I really want to take the Spyder but wanted some advice first. How bad is it riding the RT in the rain in traffic? Is it "safe" with caution? Ant advice would be appreciated.

I never let rain stop me. I also pull a 622...great rain gear (Frogg Togg website has some very good stuff at reasonable prices)...and don't use cruise control ... no issues..Just returned from ryding 26 out of 30 days in Alaska wearing rain gear. No issues at all...

[coastrider]

It poured on me from Virginia to North Carolina en route to Daytona, and I found the level of protection on my RT to be amazing. At Interstate speeds I barely got wet. Slow speeds and traffic are another matter. Slow it down, leave extra room between you and surrounding traffic, and avoid any sudden or violent inputs into steering, brakes, and throttle.

[garb55]

I ride in rain and light snow with no problem
I pull my RT 622 trailer in rain and snow
Just slow down and watch out for the other guy
Always wear rain gear incase you have to stop where there is no place to get out of the rain

Life is an adventure so enjoy the ride in any weather

[SpyderAnn01]

Do NOT use your cruise control in the rain. Make sure your wife has good gear and that water won't be able to get down her neck because she will take the brunt of the splash back. A rain jacket with a hood that goes under your helmet works well.

[ARtraveler]

As others have said. Doable. Have good rain gear. Do not use cruise control.

Avoid higher speeds through standing water. That is an invitation to hydroplane. The is very good at that.

Remember, when the rain starts, the road will be extra slick from chemicals and oil.

Be safe, but don't let the rain ruin your trip.

[cmungen]

This is what is great about this site. You are getting really great advice and encouragment.
Spyder has anti-lock brakes and dynamic stability control that you will probably never engage, but will save your butt if things go bad,(which they won't).
Big trucks, splashing big water can be intimidating, and consider the risks before you pass.

Enjoy your ride.

[Deer Slayer]

Frog Thogs, then slow down and enjoy the rain on the US/STATE highways, not Interstate.

[Oldmanzues]

I do believe the others have about said it all.
Good rain gear with hood under helmet , I like Frogg Toggs and do not use cruise control and have fun and enjoy the ride
Oldmanzues

[Charlotte17078]

As a 50+ year old Spyder Ryder, I enjoy some cool rain on a hot day!
We watch the weather radar when we are traveling and try to avoid the rain.
When we can't, I do what they said...
Have a nice trip!!!

[wiredgeorge]

I drove my Spyder RT home from the dealer I bought from about 250 miles through a torrential downpour about half the way. Rain suit? We had been in an enduring drought for several years and I found my rain pants no longer worked hehe Wore the jacket and honestly, only my tennis shoes and top of my thighs were significantly wet. Hardly dampened my knickers even though it dumped rain. Now that I think about it, some of the water could have been mitigated with a mud-flap to stop the slop caused by the back wheel slinging it up and on me. The back of my Spyder was covered in mud. I didn't think about this until I read this thread. I now also have Seal full floorboards and if I had worn some rain pants would have been almost totally dry. Just take care if you can't see the road surface. We have a lot of low water crossings that show up in a hard rain but I just slowed some and never had any sliding or skidding. The Spyder has the best rain protection I have experienced except for a cage.

[Blade]

I will just say ditto to all the responses received. Just take your time and drive defensively.
You are on a good machine that will help you make it to your destination. Having driven in the Washington DC traffic you will not be driving that fast because the traffic is terrible. If you can plan your trip to arrive before rush hour. Happy trails.

Blade

[robmorg]

A rain jacket with a hood that goes under your helmet works well.

There's a tip I hadn't seen before. So water doesn't sneak in around your neck and run down your back, I presume. Thanks, Ann.

[Pampurrs]

You are gonna get wet! Seriously, good rain gear and take it down a notch and you will be fine. If you only ride on blue sky days you are missing all the fun!

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[Peter Aawen]

Do you have a car that you drive in the rain?? Then take the same precautions riding your Spyder as you would driving the car in the car (the advice from all above certainly won't hurt too, but it's not significantly different!!) only be a little MORE careful and add the need to keep your body dry & warm (cos after all, you are just a little more exposed to the weather when on the Spyder) - when it all comes down to it, that pretty much covers the lot!!

[murphybrown]

There's a tip I hadn't seen before. So water doesn't sneak in around your neck and run down your back, I presume. Thanks, Ann.

And it works. The other thing I learned was don't have part of a sweatshirt "hanging" outside of the raingear...acts like a wick and soon you are wet beyond wet!!! Ask me how I know!!! Experience, experience, experience. .
Back to Ann's info...I learned that also....amazing how well it works and I have been in some real downpours...I personally prefer my 3/4 helmet but I always have my full helmet with me cause when it rains it goes on just to keep me drier...made of sugar and I just might melt!!!

[Pirate looks at --]

It hasn't rained so long in California, I can't remember what it like!

[Pandy]

It hasn't rained so long in California, I can't remember what it like!

Yeah, we can tell, aft end of Spyder is pristine.
Patrick