Comments on: Riding in the Rain

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 00:43:39 +0000

In reply to Piglet2010. Richard always struck me as a style leader. The stich, the URAL, next up will be a Cafe Racer variation of the URAL...

By: Piglet2010

Piglet2010 — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 03:07:26 +0000

In reply to RichardM.

You can’t fool us – you bought the Roadcrafter as a fashion item. 😉

My 3-year old Roadcrafter Light (Hi-viz yellow base with gray ballistic panels) and my orange Triple-Digit rain covers are about as waterproof as gear can be – I covered 60 miles in about 45 minutes (I felt safer passing people than being overtaken in the poor visibility) yesterday in a rain storm that dumped about 1½ inches with no leaks. As an aside, the traction of the Pirelli Angel ST tires drops off very little in the wet.

After the rain, I opened the pit and back vents and was reasonably cool in the sunny 90¯/85%RH conditions.

A ‘Stich is entirely worth the $1,300 to $1,600 one will spend (base suit, armor, alterations, and shipping), since it will last 20+ years and is repairable.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 02:09:51 +0000

In reply to Dar.

You’re right about riding changes you in small ways. What’s crazy though is that a machine can affect such things. For good or ill lots of machines affect us and not always positively.

No rain to deal with today. Just a little fog this morning.

By: Dar

Dar — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 01:54:52 +0000

ps When I am teaching new riders and we talk about rain, some of them are terrified at the thought and the fear is palpable. I actually like teaching in the rain, because it gives students experience in a controlled place and then they usually aren’t so fearful. And yes you are right its about being prepared. Now I am more dialed into weather and check the app on my phone first thing in the morning, crazy how riding changes you in small ways.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 01:42:15 +0000

In reply to T-bone.

I hope I have insurance coverage in the rain!

Sadly, in 1975, I wasn’t riding. I was piloting a 1970 orange VW beetle…

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 01:40:17 +0000

In reply to Fred. Fred, you sound like a free man!

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 01:39:35 +0000

In reply to Jim Zeiser. Jim, I hear you but I just lose all concern with the machine when I'm riding. I've exposed my Vespa to every horrible weather condition you can imagine and so far I don't detect any direct issues. But I suppose it could happen...

By: T-bone

T-bone — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 01:38:41 +0000

When I got my first bike in 1975, it was pouring rain the day I got my license and then my insurance. After signing the papers, the agent told me the policy wouldn’t go into effect until it stopped raining that day. I looked at him sideways, and he told me, “Hey. Even Evel Kneivel don’t ride in the rain.”

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 01:37:58 +0000

In reply to Brent. I have the same fears -- the rain diminishes my evasive maneuvering. One of the reasons why I was looking at a Vespa with ABS. Glad your crash wasn't more serious.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 01:36:20 +0000

In reply to dom.

Traction is my immediate concern with rain, especially in town with all the lines and painted surfaces than turn into greasy ice when it rains. A close second is protection from hypothermia which can occur on a motorcycle or scooter when the temperature in in the 70s if you get wet enough, long enough and the wind chill gets you.

I remember the first time I met Jack Riepe at a BMW rally. It was over 100 degrees under a brutal sun. Before I left I had someone thoroughly hose me down with water. In 5 miles I was bone dry. Brutal.

With the URAL I imagine it’s like having a Jeep or a dirt bike when it comes to playing in water.