Tips for ryding in the rain?

[nealperkins]

OK you road warriors, what tips do you have for distance ryding in the rain? Say for visibility, comfort, or whatever. I saw that LaMont got back from a 4000-mile trip and he said, “...mostly in the rain”. So, what are the lessons learned? Who's the first to suggest 'stay home'...

 

[Bob Denman]

1. SLOW DOWN!
(that's enough for the yelling...)
2. wear the highest-quality raingear that you can.
When you're sitting in soaking wet underwear: it's tough to remember all of the money that you saved... :shocked:
3. Look over your windshield: not through it.
Your visor (or goggles) will be wet anyway, so there's no need to also look through a wet windshield also.
4. Use the airflow to clean your visor.
Tip your head to the left or right, and the wind will blow the rain off!
5. Be lit up like a Christmas Tree!
Visibility can save your life!

 

[JayBros]

Bob's five are all important keepers. I would add after slowing down #1A, Substantially Increase Your Following Distance. You could also consider using Rain-X Plastic Water Repellent on your windshield and face shield. It will cause the water to bead up and the wind will blow it off.

 

[Tango]

Bob left out, put in a trailer. :roflblack: You youngins can ride in the rain. :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

 

[ARtraveler]

Posts 2 & 3 have it well put. Have had a few of those 4 hour plus episodes and all of the above surely come into play. We rode because we had to. No park it until it stops was possible. :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

But Tom: riding in the rain saves all kinds of time that is normally spent in the shower... :thumbup:

 

[Trailboss]

Murphy's Law

I've found the minute you pull over and put on all your rain gear, it stops raining.

 

[Lew L]

Rain gear hood

Just a little tip------ In a really hard rain put the hood of the rain gear jacket UNDER your helmet. Zero water down your neck. The :spyder2: does a surprisingly good job of keep the rain off you at speed. We came though a Utah downpour with just the jackets on and our jeans never got wet and boots stayed dry.

Kaos

 

[asp125]

Put on your rain gear BEFORE it starts raining. Unless you like damp clothes under your rainsuit ... like a portable sauna.

 

[Copperman]

Put on your rain gear BEFORE it starts raining. Unless you like damp clothes under your rainsuit ... like a portable sauna.

That's very good advice. The minute it looks like it even might rain, put them on. Better yet, if you're going to be on the road for a while and you know you're going to hit rain, just wear them. This way there's no lost time stopping to put them on (and maybe getting soaked in the process).

My wife and returned from Quebec last Sunday. We were on the road for 14 days (3400 miles) and it rained for 12 of them. We wore our rain gear everyday but two. And one of those days we got rained on after we stopped at a McD's for food and to find lodging. It looked like rain but we thought we could make it four miles to the hotel. No way! We got soaked.

Don't be afraid to ride in the rain. These Spyders are very rain friendly. Wear your rain gear, slow down a little and enjoy it.

 

[Trailboss]

Can't wait to find out

I'm taking the rider course first week of July. I want to see what the 2018's have before deciding. Nice to hear that Spyders handle the rain well.

 

[Tango]

But Tom: riding in the rain saves all kinds of time that is normally spent in the shower... :thumbup:

I have ridden in storms that would drown a fish. Ridden in storms I had no business riding in them. We have all been there doing what had to be done. I'm old. And get cranky when wet. :roflblack: I'll ride in the truck knowing Mushu is safe in the trailer. :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

 

[Tango]

Just a little tip------ In a really hard rain put the hood of the rain gear jacket UNDER your helmet. Zero water down your neck. The :spyder2: does a surprisingly good job of keep the rain off you at speed. We came though a Utah downpour with just the jackets on and our jeans never got wet and boots stayed dry.

Kaos

Just bought a Can Am riding jacket that has a waterproof hood in the collar. Hope it never has to be used. But it is there and ready. :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

 

[JayBros]

Just bought a Can Am riding jacket that has a waterproof hood in the collar. Hope it never has to be used. But it is there and ready. :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

My Firstgear Kilimanjaro jacket has a similar hood. Returning from Spyderfest 2016 going over Black Mountain on I-40 I got caught in an absolute frog strangler, bad as any Vietnam monsoon, and had no place to stop and pull on the hood. Keeping the jacket collar closed tightly helped a great bit and the wind blowing over my helmet helped in keeping me from getting a ton of water down my neck.

 

[SilverFox1]

Just bought a Can Am riding jacket that has a waterproof hood in the collar. Hope it never has to be used. But it is there and ready. :thumbup: Tom :spyder:


Tom, just a little bit of advice if I may. That's a very well made rain suit you just bought. Wife and I have the same. The little hood that goes under your helmet is fantastic and really works. But only if you can find it when rain is eminent and you are in a rush. It's happened to us several times. LOL.

SilverFox

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

TIPS FOR RAIN

Bob's five are all important keepers. I would add after slowing down #1A, Substantially Increase Your Following Distance. You could also consider using Rain-X Plastic Water Repellent on your windshield and face shield. It will cause the water to bead up and the wind will blow it off.

:agree::agree: ..... Make sure the RAIN-X ......is for PLASTIC ... it's a completely different formula ..... and put it on both sides of windshield and Face shield if you use one .... it helps with preventing FOGGING .......Mike :thumbup:

 

[nealperkins]

:agree::agree: ..... Make sure the RAIN-X ......is for PLASTIC ... it's a completely different formula ..... and put it on both sides of windshield and Face shield if you use one .... it helps with preventing FOGGING .......Mike :thumbup:

Does F4 recommend this product on their windshields?

 

[Roadster Renovations]

Very good lists, everyone!
Another thing to be aware of is hydroplaning. If you hit deep enough water fast enough, it will happen. DO NOTHING! Slightly back off the throttle and let the nanny do her job until you regain control. That has saved my bacon several times.

 

[Joerolwing]

OK you road warriors, what tips do you have for distance ryding in the rain? Say for visibility, comfort, or whatever. I saw that LaMont got back from a 4000-mile trip and he said, “...mostly in the rain”. So, what are the lessons learned? Who's the first to suggest 'stay home'...

I try to stay off Interstates also, you don't get a lot of protection from truck overspray.

 

[loisk]

One more thing - take more short breaks - riding in the rain, especially on challenging roads or in traffic, is high concentration stuff.