Had my first ride in the rain....at night

[Toad Rider]

I've been wondering what it's like to ride in the rain, and how my textile gear does.  Well this weekend I got to find out.  Talk about baptism by fire.  I was coming home from a ride in North GA.  I was about 30 miles from home when raindrops started falling.  About 5 miles later it picked up and I could see lightning in the distance.  It was near nightfall, so I was in a hurry to get home.  I had to ride about 15 miles on the interstate which I was dreading.  Since I coluld just stay in the right hand lane I thought I could do it.  With about 10 miles to go on the interstate, the bottom dropped out.  Major thunderstorm, lightning everywhere.    Well, I'm stubborn, and I keep going.  Up until then my gear had kept me relatively dry.  But when the bottom dropped out, I got drenched.  I guess that's why textile gear is 'water resistant' not 'waterproof'.  I made it home, but with major pucker factor.  Due to the GS500's cold nature, the heavy rain caused it to die on me at several intersections.  I never had a hydroplaning sensation, despite riding through standing water on a few occaisions.  I was impressed with that.  I found that looking out the top of my helmet visor gave me the best view.  I was also thankful for road reflectors.

Are there any maintenance issues with riding in the rain?  Seems like it would be hard on the chain.  I lubed my chain the next day because it sounded rather creeky.

[manofthefield]

Welcome to all weather riding.  Riding in the rain can be fun I think, except for having to put on rain gear.

I've ridden in downpours before, but never had it die on me.  What is your setup?  Do you have a K&N lunchbox or pods by chance?

The only issues would be chain like you mentioned and maybe getting the bike dirty, if you care about that

[groff22]

Minus the level of comfort dropping, Riding in the rain isn't too bad.

Probably just wash the bike and lube the chain like you did. Of course rust comes out more when you ride in the rain, might be good to spray exposed metal prone to rusting with some form of moisture repellant like wd-40

Just wondering, what jacket were you using during this trip?

[Toad Rider]

My setup is stock.  The petcock is aftermarket, essentialy it's on Prime all the time. 

My gear is a fieldsheer aviator jacket with the fieldsheer street pants.

[Affschnozel]

Well you're living up to your nick atleast (toads like water I think...... )

I like riding in the rain but also had the bike die on me at stops,water gets to the plugs and causes weak spark  at idle and it dies ,

people here suggested using dielectric foam of some sort on the spark plug cap to cure this problem

[ben2go]

yea i did about 70 miles in the high area of the NC mountains with no rain gear.I left the interstate and took the Blue Ridge Parkway.Temps dropped to the low 60's and a down pour.I could hardly see 100 yards in front of me.I was my brain bookeet of course,Icon mesh jacket,kevlar lined pants,steel toe hiker styled hi top boots,and leather/spandex gloves.Oh.i only had a thin T shirt under my jacket.Nothing was said n my local news about thunder storms or pop up thunder storms.Froze my a$$ off.It finally stopped raining about half way home.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

What was your route up in N. GA, and why didn't you invite me?


As for the dying.. take your plug caps off, and fill them dielectric grease. I'd almost guarantee that was your problem.

[makenzie71]

if you guys would buy good gear you wouldn't have to worry so much about "rain gear".  It's not like cows melt everything it rains or anything...

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I just get wet, and accept it.. easier that way.

[ben2go]

if you guys would buy good gear you wouldn't have to worry so much about "rain gear".  It's not like cows melt everything it rains or anything...

It was 91 degrees and 83% relative humidity that day.I would have evaporated in full leather.It was probably lower 80's in the mountains but the humidity was high there too.I have no problems pulling over and putting my rain gear on.Fits right over my riding gear.Takes about 2 or 3 minutes.Then I'm dry and roasty.