First rainy ride report

[qarnaj]

It was pretty cloudy last Friday but after a couple of days of solid rain I was itching to get out and do a little riding. I checked the radar at weather.com as soon as I got out of work and saw that while there were thunderstorms all around there was a nice clear patch to the southeast. Coincidentally, there is also a nice little patch of twisties to the southeast. Figuring that was a good omen if I ever saw one, I headed out to do a little riding.

Got a few sprinkles and splatters on the way down there, but nothing major. Of course, the instant I set rubber on the first twisty bit the sky unloaded. I rode the next 10 miles or so muttering dark curses at the weatherman. I also came to the conclusion that the busa really sucks as a wet weather vehicle. The stock windshield channels all the rain up and right into my neck and visor making visibility really poor. I tried ducking down to get out of the slipstream but there was no way to avoid the rain.

I finally jumped on the interstate and headed back home. Of course, as soon as I did that the rain lightened up again. On the way back I passed a bunch of Harley riders huddled under an underpass. I guess they melt if they get damp. I threw them a cheery wave as I zipped by.

Seeing them got me to thinking: what is it about riding a Harley that makes people such wimps? I've been wondering about this for a few years now. If it's raining out you always find them hiding under an underpass. If it drops below 60 you don't see any of them on the roads anymore. It just seems to be Harley riders, too. I'll admit to not riding in the rain if I can avoid it, but I certainly won't stop if I get wet. I see a few older model bikes on the roads most of the winter, at least until the temperatures drop to the 20s and lower. Then it's just me and the BMW riders. I've contemplated asking my boss about it as he's the only Harley rider I know, but something tells me that might not be the best course of action.

 

[stkr00]

Please don't stereotype ALL of the Harley riders into the same group as the one's that you have seen.

I have ridden 100's of miles in the pouring rain, I've ridden with it snowing (not by choice), and I've ridden when it was 20 degrees outside. The weather is only a hinderance, not something that makes me hide.

Here's something that you may not have thought about. When I'm out riding, and it starts raining, I try to evaluate how much longer it's going to be raining. If it's going to be wet for a while, then I will most certainly pull under an overpass. It's not to hide from the rain...It is so that I can retrieve my rainsuit from the saddlebag, and possible have a smoke before I head back out. Once I'm dressed in the rainsuit, then let it rain all it wants.

Some bikes don't have saddlebags and the riders cannot carry a suit. Sometimes when you see a group stopped, it is because someone in the group either wasn't prepared for the rain, or isn't comfortable riding in the rain. It is more dangerous, and you are LESS visible to the cagers out there. Usually, if one person stops, then the whole group stops so that no-one is left behind.

Yes, I even carry a light rainsuit in the trunk of the Busa.

 

[thesnake]

stereotyping anyone ain't too ...

It's about as accurate as stereotyping rice rocket jockies as all squid.

Depending on the conditions, it very well may be prudent to pull over at the beginning of the storm...

Many harley folks now are of the wannabe generation, but don't forget the 1%'ers out there..., who may be more than 1%

<!--EDIT|thesnake
Reason for Edit: None given...|1121846948 -->

 

[WWJD]

something else to consider is that everyone rides for different reasons. I suspect many riders ONLY enjoy riding when everything makes it a pleasant experience. Let's face it - not everyone can BE as much as we are: 100mph sweepers, top end runs, 1000 mile touring days to track days, rain, heat, snow, wind.... some just might hop on two wheels and enjoy crusing around town at 35 for an hour once a month. I'll ride in everything except snow or below 20 degrees, but I don't expect everyone to do that. Not defending anyone, but rest assured some folk are just not up to accepting the variety Busa riders have come to expect out of our awesome machines.

 

[GMbusa]

Qarnaj, you should of said 96.5% of HD riders out there instead. LOL



<!--EDIT|GMbusa
Reason for Edit: None given...|1121848669 -->

 

[#cruncherbusa]

Qarnaj, you should of said 96.5% of HD riders out there instead. LOL

 

[sccrvettel82]

I got my Busa in the middle of January and had 2000 miles on it before March. I was always bundled up and out riding. Sort of regret that a little because there is a small spot about the size of a 50 cent piece behind the front wheel where the two farings meet that no longer has paint on it. This was caused by all of the cinders and salt spraying against it. Oh well, some of us are just in love with riding any time anywhere.

My one friend that I ride with is the biggest baby when it comes to rain. At the sign of the first drop he is looking for a bridge to hide under. We took a trip a couple weeks ago and it started raining on the turnpike and he pulled under a bridge and wouldn't leave, even though we were already soaked. I told him we should just ride through because it would not be raining up ahead. He refused and we sat under a bridge for over an hour. Sure enough, when we left and made it about 1 mile down the road it was dry as could be. Never rained a drop. I just wanted to kick him off his bike for being a wuss.

 

[Mr Brown]

I hate riding in the rain, that's why I have a truck payment........
If that makes me a puss, oh well. I think those of you who haven't seen the far side of 180 are pusses........

 

[MN72Busa]

Well just got home from work, and yup, I was the only one on the Interstate on a motorcycle....and yup, it was raining hard. I don't blame people for wanting to stay dry, or pull over if they feel their riding ability is not up to the weather conditions. Actually last night was dry but more danderous than my ride home in the rain this morning. Im not sure how fast the wind was gusting but it had to be 50+ mph side wind, now that makes things intresting.

Last year I was riding my Victory Vegas into Febuary. Some days the roads had snow and some days the temp droped below -10. When the temp gets that cold, rides usually only last less than 30 minutes, but since us Minnesota guys get very little snow in recent years I've sold my sleds and have to get my fix on my Bikes.

I'm not sure about the Harley guys, and what makes them tick, but when their not arguing with eachother about which one of them spent more on their Harley clothes, and why V-Rods arn't real Harleys, I've found most of them to be pretty decent people. Don't confuse Victory riders for Harley Riders....these people are a Hardy group, and most will ride all season, and scoff at the BMW people not wanting to ride in Blizzard conditions...I think it must be the Polaris / snowmobile blood in them.

No, I havent been on the far side of 180 on my Busa yet, but have been there in one of my cars before on multiple occasions, and I see nothing wrong with a person holding back a little if they are just not comfortable with the road / weather / speed conditions for what ever reason.

<-----Getting off my Soap-Box now

 

[wickedsprint]

I rode my harley to work everyday even when it was low 20s and 40mph winds out on the way to work

, although riding the busa in the rain I kinda feel bad because I know how much it will need to be cleaned.

 

[BentValve]

I hate riding in the rain, that's why I have a truck payment........
If that makes me a puss, oh well. I think those of you who haven't seen the far side of 180 are pusses........

Good point.

 

[Mr Brown]

Well just got home from work, and yup, I was the only one on the Interstate on a motorcycle....and yup, it was raining hard. I don't blame people for wanting to stay dry, or pull over if they feel their riding ability is not up to the weather conditions. Actually last night was dry but more danderous than my ride home in the rain this morning. Im not sure how fast the wind was gusting but it had to be 50+ mph side wind, now that makes things intresting.

Last year I was riding my Victory Vegas into Febuary. Some days the roads had snow and some days the temp droped below -10. When the temp gets that cold, rides usually only last less than 30 minutes, but since us Minnesota guys get very little snow in recent years I've sold my sleds and have to get my fix on my Bikes.

I'm not sure about the Harley guys, and what makes them tick, but when their not arguing with eachother about which one of them spent more on their Harley clothes, and why V-Rods arn't real Harleys, I've found most of them to be pretty decent people. Don't confuse Victory riders for Harley Riders....these people are a Hardy group, and most will ride all season, and scoff at the BMW people not wanting to ride in Blizzard conditions...I think it must be the Polaris / snowmobile blood in them.

No, I havent been on the far side of 180 on my Busa yet, but have been there in one of my cars before on multiple occasions, and I see nothing wrong with a person holding back a little if they are just not comfortable with the road / weather / speed conditions for what ever reason.

<-----Getting off my Soap-Box now

I wasn't implying that those people who haven't gone 180+ don't have the skills to do it, and I CAN ride in the rain, I just don't enjoy it. I don't feel the need to show how cool, brave or manly I am, I just enjoy going fast and do not enjoy riding my streetbike in the wet. Now put me on a dirtbike or 4wheeler and i'll hit every bit of water/mud I can find.....
BTW, Shinko drag tires SUCK in the rain!

 

[MrGxr]

I ride with some Harley guys and the weather doesn't stop them at all. I've had them out in 40F weather for 300 mile rides, as well getting them to ride in the rain to get somewhere where its not raining. I've ridden thru snow out of the mountain passes with these guys. I agree stereotyping all harley riders is like them stereotyping us as bad riders.
Speaking of stereotyping, I have a friend that for the longest time would not ride with sports bikes because of the reputation of going fast and killing themselves. In reality he doesn't ride with sports bikes to this day with the exception if its me and some of out closest friends.

 

[DAB]

Most of the Harley riders in my neighborhood don't wear gear so I can understand why they would want to get out of the rain.

Besides, if you're not in a hurry to be somewhere, there's nothing wrong with taking a break and letting the bad weather pass.

When I was younger and my bike was my only form of transport, I used to ride in rain, snow, hail, whatever because I didn't have a choice. Now I check the weather forecast before I ride and then decide if I still want to go.

As for those who choose not to ride when it's wet because they are afraid, I'd rather not have them sliding around on the road anyway

 

[MN72Busa]

Well just got home from work, and yup, I was the only one on the Interstate on a motorcycle....and yup, it was raining hard. I don't blame people for wanting to stay dry, or pull over if they feel their riding ability is not up to the weather conditions. Actually last night was dry but more danderous than my ride home in the rain this morning. Im not sure how fast the wind was gusting but it had to be 50+ mph side wind, now that makes things intresting.

Last year I was riding my Victory Vegas into Febuary. Some days the roads had snow and some days the temp droped below -10. When the temp gets that cold, rides usually only last less than 30 minutes, but since us Minnesota guys get very little snow in recent years I've sold my sleds and have to get my fix on my Bikes.

I'm not sure about the Harley guys, and what makes them tick, but when their not arguing with eachother about which one of them spent more on their Harley clothes, and why V-Rods arn't real Harleys, I've found most of them to be pretty decent people. Don't confuse Victory riders for Harley Riders....these people are a Hardy group, and most will ride all season, and scoff at the BMW people not wanting to ride in Blizzard conditions...I think it must be the Polaris / snowmobile blood in them.

No, I havent been on the far side of 180 on my Busa yet, but have been there in one of my cars before on multiple occasions, and I see nothing wrong with a person holding back a little if they are just not comfortable with the road / weather / speed conditions for what ever reason.

<-----Getting off my Soap-Box now

I wasn't implying that those people who haven't gone 180+ don't have the skills to do it, and I CAN ride in the rain, I just don't enjoy it. I don't feel the need to show how cool, brave or manly I am, I just enjoy going fast and do not enjoy riding my streetbike in the wet. Now put me on a dirtbike or 4wheeler and i'll hit every bit of water/mud I can find.....
BTW, Shinko drag tires SUCK in the rain!

Mr Brown,

Maybe I should work on my grammer...no rip on you at all, and can completely understand wher you are comming from with your post. I was just trying to encourage others not to ride past their ability. Scorching the pavement on 2 wheels is more than just twising the throttle in my opinion....especially at 180 +, on multiple occasions, and being able to live to fly another day.