Do you get wet riding in the rain?

[Lctriple]

I've not ridden my F3S in the rain yet but I'm sure it would block most of the rain. I have a windshield on it which would keep some rain off my upper body. The RTs I'm guessing keep you pretty dry in a rain storm.

 

[troop]

I have a RT S2S and it does quite well in rain protection. My legs stay decently dry but shoulders get pretty wet. Bring a rain suit...

 

[RayBJ]

Based on my personal experiences I found the faster I go on my RT, the more rain gets blown past/over the cockpit 'bubble'. Going slow/stopped will still drench you.

 

[mecsw500]

You would be surprised how wet you still get on an RT type Spyder.

Even on the freeway at 70 mph the fairing is quite effective at keeping the wind and rain off your torso and head, your lower body and outside of your upper arms and shoulders still get wet.

The RT looks aerodynamic but I think it probably isn’t. I don’t know if they are wind tunnel tested but I doubt it. They are good at creating comfort by keeping the wind off your chest and from buffeting your helmet, but not so good as some BMW fairings in terms of total weather protection. Waterproofs are an essential accessory.

 

[Mikey]

I find it's the rain that laps over the top of the windshield and hit's you in the face, or at least for me anyway no matter how high I have the thing set!! And I have another vote for rain gear!!

 

[Dasmoetorhead]

It rained the day I picked up my F3S at the dealership, and rode home in the rain. I was surprised at how dry I was. Since that day I've only been caught in a few showers.

 

[crna59]

I got caught in a downpour coming from Leavenworth back to Seattle. My RT did surprisingly well. I was the only one on a 3-wheels. The rest of the party were on 2-wheels... and got SOAKED!!!

 

[CO Rider]

You would be surprised how wet you still get on an RT type Spyder.

Even on the freeway at 70 mph the fairing is quite effective at keeping the wind and rain off your torso and head, your lower body and outside of your upper arms and shoulders still get wet.

The RT looks aerodynamic but I think it probably isn’t. I don’t know if they are wind tunnel tested but I doubt it. They are good at creating comfort by keeping the wind off your chest and from buffeting your helmet, but not so good as some BMW fairings in terms of total weather protection. Waterproofs are an essential accessory.

I've heard the aerodynamics described as pushing a utility shed down the highway sideways. Based on gas mileage numbers, I'd have to say that's fair.
Another vote here for raingear.

 

[RogerC60]

Yep, no matter how good the rain/wind protection is, you have to stop or slow down sometime, and then that protection doesn't do anything. My Spyder RTL has pretty good protection, my Beemer R1150RT has better.

 

[Dusterdude]

On the way to and from Sturgis, it rained quite a bit. At 77-ish mph, most of the rain blew over my head. My hands and my legs did get wet.

 

[2dogs]

I've heard the aerodynamics described as pushing a utility shed down the highway sideways. Based on gas mileage numbers, I'd have to say that's fair.
Another vote here for raingear.

It depends on the rain's intensity and the quality of the rain gear. I don't think I know anyone who's ever been able to keep their crotch from getting wet. It just seems to be a catch point.

 

[Lctriple]

After not finding my old rain suit, I guess I'm gonna need a new one. Any suggestions for brands to look at? I'm pretty sure my missing one was a Nelson Rigg but it was probably 15 to 20 years old anyway. A breathable one would be nice if there is such a thing. Any opinions will be appreciated.

 

[Lew L]

Been caught in a couple of rainstorms over the last few decades. Our Frogg Toggs kept up dry and the Spyder pushed most of the rain over us at speed. But there was this one hailstorm in the middle of nowhere Nevada (Hwy 50) that hit us pretty good.

 

[Lctriple]

I forgot about Frogg Toggs. My wife had a set of those. I'll check them out.

 

[Deanna777]

In the past, when I had my 2014 RTS-SE6, I was dry (I had rain gear on, jacket, and pants). The only parts that got wet were my leather boots and gloves. The RT pushed away the rain that was on the road. I was more protected from the rain, especially when I tucked my feet real close to the Spyder.

Now on my current Spyder (a 2023 F3 LTD SS) I do get wet. So I do carry rain gear on the Spyder at all times, just in case I get caught in the rain.

Another vote for rain gear.

After not finding my old rain suit, I guess I'm gonna need a new one. Any suggestions for brands to look at? I'm pretty sure my missing one was a Nelson Rigg but it was probably 15 to 20 years old anyway. A breathable one would be nice if there is such a thing. Any opinions will be appreciated.

Hi @Lyctriple,

When you are looking for rain gear, make sure it has some sort of reflective strip on it.

Deanna

 

[JayBros]

I have a Firstgear rain suit, jacket, pants, and overboots, and I have ridden in frog strangling rain four hours on tour and stay dry. If the weather looks iffy I frequently put the cover on my seat and that has a pretty good record for keeping the rain gods at bay. In summer showers here in North Caranuthin, I ignore the rain gear and enjoy the damp coolness.

 

[mecsw500]

It depends on the rain's intensity and the quality of the rain gear. I don't think I know anyone who's ever been able to keep their crotch from getting wet. It just seems to be a catch point.

I’ve found that the over pants are best. Better than the supposed rain proof Goretex stuff. I bought BMW over suit jacket and pants years ago when I had BMWs but although expensive they’ve kept me bone dry for 10 years now. No wet crotch, I hate that feeling. My wife bought Tourmaster over suit jacket and pants and despite being cheaper, hers has worked well for the same decade.

 

[Bfromla]

Just do it safely. Dry roads & cagers are bad enough on good days, and yes, the rear tire will let you (& the nanny) know how fast you will not be going!