Riding in the rain

[Jdbiker]

Took little one for a ride in the rain🤓

[Bodø Glimt]

I don't mind riding in the rain.  I did cop a whole heap of it on my forst day on the bike in Japan last year.

[StinkyPete]

So long as tyres and wet weather gear are up to the job, I'm quite content riding in the rain, but not in the metro area where my fate can be decided by the inattentive cagers.   On country roads, I am the master of my own destiny.   

[Williamson]

So long as tyres and wet weather gear are up to the job ....

Yes to both.

On the ride to Rainbow Beach after the 2015 NatRally at Toowoomba we got caught in tropical storm.  All the vents in the OzSTOC jacket were open.  By the time it was safe to stop and zip the vents, I was wet through to the skin.  Wasn't all that unpleasant, as it wasn't cold.

Two weeks later, Easter Saturday from memory, our route for the day was Maitland to Oberon via the Putty Road.  The rain started at Broke, light at first, then heavier and heavier (this the day the Sydney horse races were cancelled), by the time we got to Oberon, around 5 hours on the saddle, we were soaked to the skin.  And it was cold, very cold, temp gauge on the ST showing 2C.  It was very, very unpleasant.   

[In my RTA VIC riding training days (in the 80's), there was a segment on protective clothing, protection against the elements was emphasised.  I would often tell the learners, "If you think you have waterproof clothing, put it all on, the turn on the cold water in the shower, site on the floor of the shower for an hour or two, if you stay dry, your gear is waterproof".]

The nice thing was, the lady at the Big Trout Motor Inn at Oberon remembered we were on a motorcycle, she had turned on the room heaters, radiators and electric blankets for us.  A very nice and much appreciated touch.

[johnnyYTED]

 
I have ridden long diSTances in the rain so many times I cant remember how many. Gympie to Sydney overnight pouring all the way,  Coming home from Perth Nat Rally  the rain STarted at Port Augusta and I rode home all the way back to Picton, overnight across the Hay plains in the rain. My wet weather gear is good and has kept me warm and dry. The only failure has been gloves. I've never had completely waterproof gloves and the result is black hands from the dye staining my skin.
Like Stinky Pete I also dislike riding in the urban sprawl in the rain, because of all the car drivers who just don't look or dive into the extra gap I usually leave in front of me.  .
I'm pre-shrunk so getting a little wet wont hurt.. 

[Bodø Glimt]

The only failure has been gloves. I've never had completely waterproof gloves and the result is black hands from the dye staining my skin.

I used to struggle with gloves until I bought these from Aussie Disposals some years ago.  I slip them over my riding gloves and they extend to well over my waterproof jacket.  There's no issue with losing grip and I've never looked back.

[Skip]

Riding in rain is not pleasant. Plain and simple. Reduced visibility as well as all the other factors make it my least favourite riding condition. After a recent 'wet weekend' ride, I have purchased a pair of Extra Large Chemical gloves from Bunnings, about $5,  to put over my riding gloves to ensure I have dry comfortable gloves day after day. They are warm and 100% waterproof day after day after day and so on.     

[Biggles]

Extra Large Chemical gloves from Bunnings, about $5

Sounds good.  Their catalogue lists Ansell, Oates and Ironclad.  Which brand?  I deduce they're with the other gloves in the "kitchenware" aisle.

The Disposals Store ones don't appeal because I like to use two fingers on the brake and clutch.
(I know, the Instructors say to use all the fingers so you have full movement of the lever.  When my levers are that close to the bars I'll assume the hydraulics are lacking attention.)

[Skip]

Extra Large Chemical gloves from Bunnings, about $5

Sounds good.  Their catalogue lists Ansell, Oates and Ironclad.  Which brand?  I deduce they're with the other gloves in the "kitchenware" aisle.

The Disposals Store ones don't appeal because I like to use two fingers on the brake and clutch.
(I know, the Instructors say to use all the fingers so you have full movement of the lever.  When my levers are that close to the bars I'll assume the hydraulics are lacking attention.)

I got the Oates ones. Mine cover the length of my winter gloves. You can get longer ones but they didn't have any in stock at the time. They are a dark 'army green' colour which was preferable to the pink and yellow kitchen rubber gloves.    I think you might struggle to get them to fit over your gloves as well. Other benefit of this option, is that all your fingers can work independently. 

[Diesel]

Had the pillion aboard for this one!     


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU5ojw6PSs0

[alans1100]

Our 2015 border ride had us riding in the rain for about 160km of the 180km distance between Nullarbor and Border village.

Heather was kept dry (mostly) with her wet weather gear while I only put the wet weather pants on. My jacket was new and the waterproofing kept me dry except for the water running down the sleeves and into my winter gloves. For reasons known only to the gods the water some how got into the left boot and none in the right one.

Had I been wearing all of my wet weather gear the gloves would have been kept drier.

[STeveo]

Had the pillion aboard for this one!     


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU5ojw6PSs0

Nah Diesel, that's not really wet.
On the way home from the 'Diesel tour" last year, the rain on the Oxley Hwy was so heavy that I could only see about 50me in front of me at times. I had all my waterproof gear on so was not a drama, but some of the group stopped in Walcha rather than ride on.

[Brock]

dry except for the water running down the sleeves and into my winter gloves.

Its a good idea if you can put the sleeves over the gloves, that way the water cant run into them.

[Biggles]

dry except for the water running down the sleeves and into my winter gloves.

Its a good idea if you can put the sleeves over the gloves, that way the water cant run into them.

Yep.  It runs up your arms instead.   

[WendyL]

Had the pillion aboard for this one!     


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU5ojw6PSs0

Nah Diesel, that's not really wet.
On the way home from the 'Diesel tour" last year, the rain on the Oxley Hwy was so heavy that I could only see about 50me in front of me at times. I had all my waterproof gear on so was not a drama, but some of the group stopped in Walcha rather than ride on.

I would have been happy to continue riding in the rain....if it wasn't so frigging cold!!! 

[Bodø Glimt]

Cold??? In this country?

[WendyL]

Cold??? In this country?

Very cold, compared to Darwin. It's usually 30+ degrees when it rains here.

[STeveo]

But Wendy, it wasn't cold that day as it hadn't even snowed.