Sunshine State my A@@...Rain Rant!!!!

[Moose0573]

I don't know for how many of you guys/gals that your bike is your primary means of transportation, but for the last two months my GS has been my only vehicle since my pos truck has been out of commision and I don't have the cash to fix it.  So far it's been peachy here in North Florida as the weather has been nice and warm and no rain for the last month...that is until this last week when it rained every freaking day.  And now we've got a tropical storm to contend with  :x   :x

Last week went something like this:  I work midnights so I'm sleeping during the nice sunny day.  Wake up at 3PM to get ready for classes at the local community college.  Weather is mid 90's with not a grey cloud in the sky.  That is until an hour later when I'm in the middle of traffic and mother nature decides that right then is the perfect time to drop the bottom out.  So I get pissed on for four days straight, Mon-Thursday.  I stayed dry Friday only because I don't have class.  

Of course the rain always ends by the time I get to the CC and park the bike, but not before I resemble a drowned rat.  Now, you are probably asking yourself, "what, doesn't this moron have some good quality raingear?"  Well if it were that easy.  I love my GS, but it's been a royal bit@h to find fat-boy sized gear.  I was able to find a textile jacket to fit me, and the helmet goes without saying, but finding quality, fitting rain-gear that holds up to MC use hasn't been so easy.  So I decided to be a wise-ass and told myself that I would be able to beat any rain as it's only a 30 minute cruise across town to class.  I did run to Wallyworld last week to purchase a "one size fits all" poncho, which  fits over not only me but my book laden backpack, but the sides come unbuttoned while riding and it just flaps behind me like a big yellow cape.  Did I mention that I ride a yellow '04f so I'm sure to most cagers I look like a giant banana on two wheels...that or an acorn squash.

Well, this weeks experience and the subsequent monsoon I'm now experiencing thanks to TS Arlene pushed me to order some Frogg Toggs rain wear.  I don't have any experience with them but they have "Gargantuan" size and it says it's popular with motorcyclists.  The only problem is that I constantly sweat, and wearing full raingear in this Florida heat and humidity, by the time I get where I'm going and take it off I'll be just as soaked, except from my own perspiration.  But I'll give it a try.  :dunno:

Sorry for the rambling rant, but I had to vent and I know that I can get some love from my fellow GS'ers.  Peace out!  

[DerekNC]

I know what you mean about it raining everyday. Last week my location had a good chance of showers almost every single day. The bike stayed park all week. Next week looks to be the same. I guess I'll have to spend the big bucks on gas for my truck. As far as your truck being broke down, it wouldn't be a Dodge would it?:lol:
Derek

[Blueknyt]

get use to it dude, down this end it generaly rains every day between 2pm and 6pm during the summer.


here is a tip for you. wear soemthing you dont mind getting wet under your gear,  put your work clothes/shoes&socks and an old newspaper in a plastic bag and carry it in a back pack or straped to back seat.  get to work, change your cloths and stuff the travel shoes and gear with wadds of newspaper, this will help dry them up abit..

did this for some time. bike was only transpo for long time and always when the weather was the worse.

[knowlsey]

OW how i laugh when people complain about the rain, we get it 12 months of the year, one day hot, next day pissing it down, then maybe some snow in april

[Cal Price]

I know the feeling but If I didn't ride in the rain I would hardly ride at all in some years. Blueknyt made a good point about keeping clothins dry. I have good waterproofs but still get caught out from time to time. I make sure I have a complete change of basics in my locker at work, socks, T-shirt, and trousers, in fact I keep a pair of jeans and a pair of trousers spare and a pair of shoes as it's the lower half that tends to be the problem.

[knowlsey]

I know the feeling but If I didn't ride in the rain I would hardly ride at all in some years.

Thats about the size of it, went out today with a few others, and it chucked down, felt sorry for one of the lads, as he had to treck all the way back to leeds, and me gloves are no longer waterproof, looks like a trip to westgate hill (street full of bike shops). Need some more dubbing for the boots, they got a bit damp also

[JetSwing]

but but...you guys don't live in the "sunshine" state so you guys have no right really complain  :mrgreen:

during summer, it does rain everyday in florida...but does dry up fast though. you can't even tell it had rained after 10 minutes.

[Cal Price]

Knowlsey, Yes indeed, I left for my night-shift at 1825 this evening and the heavens opened, I had on "waterproof" overtrousers but me strides had to be changed when I got to work. I had my Frank Thomas Aquaboots on so the feet were OK. I also use Dubbin on leather boots, it works very well, I also use it on gloves, it adds to the waterproof nature and keeps them subtle. My brand-new Spada jacket just stood up to it's first real soaking and it seems OK.

Your mate? Durham to Leeds? over the Penines/Moors etc, soaking wet, most unpleasant!! Must be a great dry ride though.

[97gs500e]

I know what you mean.  I just bought my bike about three weeks ago, and it has rained non stop for the last ten days here in the kansas city area.   :x  
 I need to ride..

[Roadstergal]

OW how i laugh when people complain about the rain

Heehee, no kiddin'.  Well, they make waterproof gear in all sizes - and the rain just makes you appreciate the couple of days of sun more.

[Faxxxy]

The sky opened up on my wife and I this weekend..




She got soaked to the skin..
In case you single guys don't recognizs this look, this is the warning look you get to keep your mouth shut or all hell breaks loose..

[Moose0573]

Ok, tis true that compared to my GS brethren in the UK and Seattle I don't really have it all THAT bad.  

My big thing is that for some reason rain seems to inexplicably cause all the cagers to go into freakout idiot berserker mode.  They tailgate me, cut me off, go completly out of their way to hit that puddle of standing water on the side of the road so as to dowse me in muddy filth.   :guns:



Derek,

No, she is a 92 F-150.  She's been good to me...150,000+ miles good to me, but alas, I think her time has come.



Faxxxy,

That is EXACTLY the look that I have perfected this last week.  Tell the wife I feel her pain.  

[Blueknyt]

i can handle wet riding, that doesnt bother me as much.  its the snowbirds and Tourists that come down here and do not know how to handle rain.  i can point them out every damn time. they either drive so slow a person with a red tipped cane can keep pace, or they  are the ones that spin out  in the middle lane for no reason with no one around them.

[DarkCyDE]

Ive lived with 2 months straight of rain with no end in sight.
And yes bikes are my only way around :x

know the F$^%ing feeling

[knowlsey]

Your mate? Durham to Leeds? over the Penines/Moors etc, soaking wet, most unpleasant!! Must be a great dry ride though.

Nope, he took the easy way, straight down the a19, but it is a good ride out, done the long run before on the xj9, round and round the lakes aswell. But the wether is looking good for the rest of the week, so heading to york for a spin with a few of the lads and lasses from gs500e.co.uk, so should be fun, probably take a while though, allison never goes past 60, but i think she managed 70 the other day