[jeffie]

Aerostich

Gerbings heated gloves (a bit colder than 45 in winter in northeast) or

regular leather gloves with Aerostich triple digit covers

Sidi on road sypatex (agree)

fogcity shield shield (the new darkening ones are great)

neck gaiter

good down to 15 degrees w/ heated vest



rain can be fun



there are also plenty of scary situations that can help fog your shield



ABS helps after you get used to the computer doing the braking

 

[Buzglyd]

Thanks for the "advice."



San Diego just recorded a record 167 consecutive days with no rain.



Here's some more foul weather advice. If you can't live in a place with nice weather, make friends with someone who does!

 

[sarnali]

Re: 167 days without rain?

Is that normal for San Diego? This summer was the hottest ever recorded for this area, we had close to 90 days with temps above 80 and no rain.

The first rain we had after that I sat out in the backyard shirtless and in shorts and soaked it up. I didn't realize how much I love the rain till then.

I like hot weather in the summer but I don't think I could stand no rain for 7 mos. at a time.

By April or May I'll be sick of it again and ready for summer. LOL

 

[35377]

Thanks for the article. It brings to mind the old saw that, "There's no such thing as the wrong weather - just the wrong clothing!"



For years I used LL Bean Gore-Tex rain gear over leathers with great success. It is pricey, but it packs well, is comfortable, and has kept me dry for hours of riding in hard rain. Also, if you're going on some sort of outdoor or waterborne expedition while you're on your motorcycle trip, you'll need them anyway, so they serve dual purpose.



I finally broke down last spring and bought a FirstGear Kilimanjaro jacket and Granite pants, working toward my goal of "one outfit for all weather" that I can use when I depart for a long road trip. They work well in steady rain, but haven't had the opportunity to try them in a gully-washer yet.



For visor fogging, I've had good luck with the "Fog City" insert - no fog in that drizzly rain stuff or in the cold down to 25 F. My only complaint is that when the sun comes out, I get some weird reflections off of that second layer of plastic.



Next on my list are all-weather boots (I HATE wrestling with rubbers on the side of the road). Thanks for the info on the Sidi boots. FYI, a friend of mine has a pair of Gore-Tex lined Oxtar Matrix boots that he swears are dry as a bone in heavy rain and comfortable in all conditions.



And don't be envious of Buzglyd in San Diego. When it finally does rain there, 167 days of accumulated oil, rubber, fuel, sunscreen, Big Gulps, and other slimy stuff will float to the surface of the streets and make the bikers wish for ice racing tires!

 

[Cheapskate]

Here in the Denver area, one dresses for cold rather than rain. But one problem we have is the crosswalks at corners. They use a white vinyl strip, about 1-foot-wide and 5-feet-long, spaced a foot apart. Impossible to ride on when wet and you're leaned over. I practice riding between the strips so I won't forget when it's raining.

 

[36219]

At one of Reg Pridemore's Class schools he said if it was his choice all his classes would be taught in the rain. It forces you to be smooooth and will carry over to your dry weather riding. Rain is a great leaning tool. I also tend to find that after about 15 minutes you forget it is even raining. For some reason I find rain riding very peaceful. I seem to find myself getting in the "zone" more easily.

 

[rhust]

Yeah, SD's nice, but you can have your I-5/805 Y and all your other fun traffic. The only thing separating you from L.A. is a bunch of Marines, but Temecula's trying their best to help you get around that! Too many people...been there - a great place to visit, but sheesh!



There is no best place to live. Everyone moved there! Enjoy the sun.

 

[rhust]

Why are road stripes/arrows/any painted road marker not done with a gripy paint? Those things become slicker 'n snot on ice when wet! Ware them strips boys...

 

[39970]

I used to love riding in the rain. Free wheelspin (burnouts and power broadslides with no noticeable tire wear)) were fun. But I would quickly get soaked or burn up (hot) from nonbreathable rainproofing in heavy rain. I still love riding in the rain. AEROSTITCH (cool, comfortable into the 80's, dryness) and Bridgestone BT020 tires (Fantastic tires) with Silica which came OEM on my '02 ZRX 1200R have made wet weather riding a unique non-event. It's like watching a video, it's raining but comfort/performance wise (after the road has been wet awhile, WATCH OUT at the start of raining) there is little difference. Cautiously pushing toward cornering limits have shown adhesion to be far in excess of what I would use in normal riding. Dropping the clutch at 4000rpm on wet slick concrete at 5 mph results in the front end coming up or striking the tire (about what I'd expect in the dry). Braking is strong but I haven't pushed as hard as in the other perimeters. I have the heated fleece jacket with the Aerostitch, I'd be Comfortable well beyond the point of ice being on the roads. Frog Togs look like they might be good in warm tempertures, they are extremely compact to carry (in a hand). A brush against the exhaust and they're ruined though.

 

[9651]

Those tire ruts in the concrete amazed me the first time I visited Olympia. I never have seen them that bad. Going down to Portland in a car I could set the cruise, place the car in the tracks and it would completely drive itself for miles.

 

[veepster]

For some reason, I see very few riders out in the nasty stuff here in New England. Perhaps it's the way the cagers drive around here. Just watching the looks I get riding by in 30's and rain is priceless. (that's upper 30's though)



Depending on the temps, I switch around between a one piece Roadcrafter and a Joe Rocket combo. The rocket setup is a bit warmer with the extra liners for the jacket and pants. The combo is comfy enough for a 30 minute commute, but I'm giving the electrics some serious thought for the longer rides.



I think I'm the only MOron that rides a 750 Nighthawk, but she does fine in the wet on OE Dunlop K505's. If anyone has used a better combo on this bike, please post in. I'm curious to know.



The best bike mod I've done for foul weather (or any weather) is a Scottoiler. It keeps the chain sparkling clean and slows the stretch down quite a bit. IMHO the best practical accessory for a chain-driven bike, especially a daily rider.



Ride safe...veepster

 

[22888]

Rode in this morning on the trusty 500R: 32 degrees with the sun shining off the frost in the field. What a beautiful fall day in Maine. I had on my First Gear Killo suit with Widder electric vest and gloves. This year I tried the fleece turtle I use for skiing. It worked great for blocking that nasty draft that comes in under the helmet. I've also used the anti-fogging sprays available in ski shops with great success.



In 2002, my last ride was November 24th- Snowed the next day. It's a long winter, plenty of time to warm up and stare at the bike in the basement.

 

[Buzglyd]

Re: 167 days without rain?

It's not normal but it's pretty dry here. I think annual rainfall is only about 10-12 inches.

I had a nice H-D rainsuit that I bought some years ago and I sold it because I never took it out of the bag!

 

[Buzglyd]

I hear ya. I've watched this place go from a small beach town to a huge tourist trap.



And Thank God for those Marines preventing us from becoming Orange County!

 

[Buzglyd]

You are so right about that. That's why I refuse to ride in the rain here, ever. On a road trip a little rain is fine with me. Locally, people still drive 80 mph six inches from each other's bumpers.



One wrong move and it looks like a NASCAR restrictor plate-race crash. Luckily, I don't have to commute to work so I can avoid the madness.

 

[paul_from_Minnesota]

Never ceases to amaze me what people will spend on rain gear and other accessories in order to "save money". OK, this is all my humble op, but get a good, Aerostich set-up. It is all you will have to wear. In any weather. No storing raingear or different this and that. No stopping to put your rain gear on over your now damp clothes.



I have the Darien jacket and pants and am always dry, comfortable and protected. All weather from 30-100 and I am comfortable.



For the cooler temps, the Aerostich fleece is fabulous and I have the electrics for the cold stuff. If you have never had the electric (anything) experience, save up and get some. It turns a ride into a great ride. Comfort like staying warm is a great asset to your riding. It WILL extend your season and let you ride more. Also, a shellaclava keeps my neck and chin warm and has a remarkable windbreaking ability. It fits easily under my full-face helmet.



The 'stich triple digit raincovers are amazing in their ease of operation and their rain repellant abilities. I have also used them in the dry cold as a glove windbreaker. Nice long gauntlets that cinch up on your arm. And they store in a jacket pocket easily.



I have been using the Aerostich Combat touring boots sealed with Auqaseal with great results. Dry feet always. Time will tell how long that works as they are only 1 year old, but I have high hopes.



I have no protection from the wind and rain on the bike, so I take my clothes seriously.



Sorry if this sounds like an ad for Aerostich, but my experience with their stuff has been great. I ride in most any type of weather 50-70 miles for work most days and on trips when I can find the time. I like it when a product actually performs!



Paul from Minnesota on a 2002 Vmax!

 

[BobW]

The bike stays in the barn once it hits -10 or so. It comes out any sunny day when the roads are dry.

 

[sportbike_pilot]

Good Advice, Thx!

Thanks for the wonderful advice. You obviously speak from great experience. A bit bourgeoisie perhaps, but nonetheless very well-considered.

Here in hillbilly land, amongst the hoi-polli, advice is way less expensive and is succinct to the point that it may be summed up in just two words.

Garbage bags.

cheers

sbp

 

[mconlon]

"45' and raining for six months." Sounds positively balmy. Try 20' and when the road isn't chock full of snow and ice, it is coated with salt, just waiting to accumulate on your bike and corrode it. Lucky NW bastards...

 

[33129]

In case a little extra comfort becomes needed, I always carry silk glove liners and balaclava. Cabela's has them cheap. It's amazing what those little things do when the chill creeps in. Some GoreTex socks come in handy too. Best to put those on before the ride starts.