Wet Spyder - should I be concerned about all the electronics?

[Raprider]

Last Saturday in NJ was a nice one...until it wasn't...
SO and I got caught in an evening downpour that lasted the full 20-30 min ride home and then some...at least we had the liners for our mesh jackets in the saddlebags and spare gloves, so we were able to pull these on as we exited the restaurant, just before the rain came. Jeans soaked thru, but boots kept our feet dry and we had no helmet or jacket leakage. And unlike the "bucket" seat on my cruiser, at least I wasn't sitting in a puddle.

I certainly felt safer than I would have on 2 wheels, but not knowing yet the limits of wheel traction or ABS reaction, made sure to stay well within MY limits.

So...now that we have "baptized" the Spyder...
I'm curious what folks are or aren't concerned about when these heavily electronic machines get wet...or to prepare for the next time.
Thinking especially about areas like around the dash and speakers. Frunk has a pretty solid-looking rubber gasket, but the Givi bags don't.

 

[DGoebel]

I've ridden my '13 RTL in hours of rain from torrential to just steady, coming back from Spyders in the Ozarks last year, it just made it easier to clean. Played my tunes the whole drive, no issues.

 

[Bob Denman]

Back in 2013: we rode to SpyderFest in a two-day torrential downpour... :shocked:
The bikes were fine! They're pretty well designed for wet weather! :thumbup:

 

[billybovine]

Water will likely not hurt any of the electronics. They do make sea-doo's too. I have driven my 2013 ST Limited for 2 days in a row in almost steady rain. I was heading home from a trip to Missouri. The Spyder performed very well except for the Kumho tire I had on the back, at the time, that would not stick to the road.

 

[BigGuy66]

We have ridden our Spyder in the rain as well. We were traveling with three other two-wheelers going from Northern Indiana to Arkansas last fall. Three of the four of us pulling campers. It was only our third long trip, so we didn’t have lots of trip experiences. Stayed overnight in Sikeston, MO. Next morning it was raining but we layered up and headed out. Steady rain, windy, and rode in the rain for 100 miles. On our Spyder we were steady on the road - the other two bikes pulling campers were buffeted and having a few issues. When we had ridden out of the rain, we stopped to let our nerves settle and to change out of wet weather gear. The compartments on our RT were dry. We both had some rain going down our jackets around our necks, but not much. The rain didn’t seem to affect the instruments in any way. Even the small compartment in front of my legs was dry. So, no issues with the Spyder and the rain. An interesting comment made by one our long-time across-the-country riders was, “Wow! That was the most rain I have ever ridden in.” I told my wife that we must now be excellent riders - we kept up with the experienced guys!

 

[Chupaca]

Not to worry... These machines were designed to withstand the rain. I just blow dry the spyder when I get home to keep water from puddling but otherwise that is it. Fortunately, we don't get caught in the rain much here in SoCal. :thumbup:

 

[JayD]

Last Saturday in NJ was a nice one...until it wasn't...
SO and I got caught in an evening downpour that lasted the full 20-30 min ride home and then some...at least we had the liners for our mesh jackets in the saddlebags and spare gloves, so we were able to pull these on as we exited the restaurant, just before the rain came. Jeans soaked thru, but boots kept our feet dry and we had no helmet or jacket leakage. And unlike the "bucket" seat on my cruiser, at least I wasn't sitting in a puddle.

I certainly felt safer than I would have on 2 wheels, but not knowing yet the limits of wheel traction or ABS reaction, made sure to stay well within MY limits.

So...now that we have "baptized" the Spyder...
I'm curious what folks are or aren't concerned about when these heavily electronic machines get wet...or to prepare for the next time.
Thinking especially about areas like around the dash and speakers. Frunk has a pretty solid-looking rubber gasket, but the Givi bags don't.

I have rode for hours in rain and have never had a problem or was ever concerned about the handling of my Spyder.

 

[ckiblue]

We had water in both RT 2013 and 2015 fuse boxes when we got caught in rain. The 2013 went in limp mode last year in coming home from Spyders in the Ozarks all the way to kc, ks could only go 55 all the way home on the highway leaving the fuse box lid off to dry out on the way. Took to Reno Powersports and no code kicked out. So now we looked in our 2015 going to Spyderfest this year in the rain and it had water in the fuse box too, along with the 2013.

The 2015 box had never been opened, but thought we'd check to be sure no water, but water in it, next thought was to change out the seals, but decided to move on to the F3 Limited at Spyderfest and mentioned the problem to Len. So I would suggest you keep a look out on that part if any issues pop up.

 

[ARtraveler]

Coming back from Homer once, we rode in a deluge that lasted well over three hours. The non-waterproof gloves got us soaked through to the skin. It got cold and uncomfortable from there. Lucky we found a hot chocolate place and were able to sit by a nice warm woodstove while the gloves dried out.

Bought good waterproof gloves after that. Our boots, riding pants, jackets, helmets worked just fine. We had to keep it at 50 mph due to visibility issues. The Spyders performed perfect. No hiccups from the water. Twenty miles from home--of course--the rain stopped.

We are always ready for bad weather. It can happen. :yes:

 

[Petrom714]

hey rich, glad you made it through the first precip-event ok. jersey had tornado watches out that evening. weathers been so sub-par for my first Sypder spring--but it is good to hear that the spyder performs so well for everyone on wet roads and in downpours--in mean time i will stick close to the weather reports and make sure Im not too far afield until i get my 600 miles under my belt

Last Saturday in NJ was a nice one...until it wasn't...
SO and I got caught in an evening downpour that lasted the full 20-30 min ride home and then some...at least we had the liners for our mesh jackets in the saddlebags and spare gloves, so we were able to pull these on as we exited the restaurant, just before the rain came. Jeans soaked thru, but boots kept our feet dry and we had no helmet or jacket leakage. And unlike the "bucket" seat on my cruiser, at least I wasn't sitting in a puddle.

I certainly felt safer than I would have on 2 wheels, but not knowing yet the limits of wheel traction or ABS reaction, made sure to stay well within MY limits.

So...now that we have "baptized" the Spyder...
I'm curious what folks are or aren't concerned about when these heavily electronic machines get wet...or to prepare for the next time.
Thinking especially about areas like around the dash and speakers. Frunk has a pretty solid-looking rubber gasket, but the Givi bags don't.

 

[missouriboy]

Rain seems not to be any problem, but...

When washing with a hose, I always remove the key so as to allow that inner flap to close the keyhole. Otherwise, water can run down the key and flood the switch. Not good, I'd say, so I don't risk it.

When my dealer washes the tryke after servicing, they don't pull the key. One time, it wouldn't start after this washing, and it ended up having to replace the D.E.S.S. module. Was this related? I don't know, but I was without a ryde for 8 days waiting for the part! (Covered by warranty.)

 

[Saluda]

Last year we had to travel 3 hours through heavy rain. No issue with the Spyder, never would have done that on two wheels. Had to flush some minor grit out of some hinged areas but no other issues.

 

[mark4Jesus]

Speaking of electronics...I have posted about my rain experience today on another thread, but, what about using the GPS in the rain on the RTL?

 

[canamjhb]

Rode the RTL last summer in a BIG thunder storm going thru Flagstaff. Water was running 1-3 inches down the road. Like driving in a river. Slowed to 10-15 MPH. Wet to the skin entirely. No ill effects on the Spyder. GPS was mounted and stereo was playing. Got to motel and went directly to hot shower. Hosed road dirt off Spyder and rode home in the sunshine the next day. No worries.....