questions about a motorcycle and rain

[pprider]

im picking my bike up tomorow. the guy is driving it from NC to VA (in a truck). its supposed to rain a lot tommorow and i was wondering when i get it should i not start it till i get it home and let it dry? or whats the deal?

[cernunos]

Are you going to just ride it home without checking it out or is it new or what? At any rate, it doesn't hurt 'em to ride 'em in the rain...sometimes they fret and miss a little but they do ok. Love the bike and the forum.

C.......

[Kerry]

There shouldn't be any problem with starting it in the rain.  (If there is, it's a problem with the bike and not the rain.)

However, even though the bike will run just fine in the rain, it may not be the best idea to RIDE it anywhere in the wet right away.  I don't know whether this is your first bike, but it's good to be familiar with the tires, the "traction equation" (conditons that increase or decrease traction), etc.

You could certainly putt around at slow speeds and be mostly OK, but even putting your foot down on the wrong kind of wet surface can result in dropping the bike.

Having said all of that, riding in the rain or starting your bike up after it's been sitting in a downpour in the parking lot all day will most likely become a "normal" part of life for you.  Just so you know what you're up against this first time out....

[mp183]

The GS loves the rain.  Start it up when you get it.