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Message started by raydawg on 10/15/12 at 20:00:04

Title: Who do?
Post by raydawg on 10/15/12 at 20:00:04

Had a soaker here today in the Pacific Northwest, rode 30 plus miles in a downpour with gusting winds to 30 miles an hour....
I felt like a drowned rat, but upon stripping out of my gear I came to find I was pretty dry. It seems this bike throws up more water than my rebel use to, or is it just my imagination.....???
Has anybody ever noticed if certain bikes draft better (keeping the rain away from the rider, seat to boots)
My gear is hanging by the fireplace to put back on at 3AM to go to work again....can't wait till it snows, it doesn't stick as much to me ;D

Anybody ride in the rain?

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/15/12 at 20:17:28

I*ve been so wet that when I put a foot down at a lite I felt every pulse of the ignition, I didnt like it, not any

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by J C Stokes on 10/15/12 at 21:31:56

You will get lots of water off the high bottom of the front fender,as Americans call it. If there is no screen you're going to get more water. As these are a light bike and get pushed around in the wind. You may get an impression that you are taking more water than you are. I will ride in rain if it happens.

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by verslagen1 on 10/15/12 at 21:32:46

put a fender skirt on the front, it tends to throw up a lot of water.

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/15/12 at 21:34:36

What? No answers from the fenderless Bobber guys>?

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by Serowbot on 10/15/12 at 22:57:11

I got caught in a rainstorm,... had to stop and pour the water out of my boots...
...so, I added a mudflap...
Now, it directs the water much more precisely at me... :-?...

This is why there are cars...

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by Cavi Mike on 10/15/12 at 23:14:08

If a fenderless bobber guy is gonna ride in the pouring rain, he's prolly wearing 100% waterproof gear.

At least I know I will be.

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by Greg on 10/16/12 at 04:20:55

I don't have a front fender. Or a windshield. I ride in the rain if it happens but don't go out of my way for it. At night, I need to lean way over behind a mirror or I can't see anything from the water fountain reflecting in the headlight. And it doesn't matter where I put my face, it gets soaked. I have to stop and change handkerchiefs because I can't breath through them any more. Water pours out of my boots and my underwear peels like crappy wallpaper. The worst experience was riding 40 minutes in a downpour to meet people at restaurant. For the first time I was actually cold in the air conditioning. I ate with them for about an hour and rode 40 minutes home.

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by ToesNose on 10/16/12 at 06:28:23

Yea a mud flap will deffinately help, but gear is the key ;)

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by 360k+ on 10/16/12 at 07:10:10

Toes nailed it - prepare for anything; especially on a cross country. Besides, every biker knows, the best way to make it stop raining is to stop and pull on your rain gear. It works kinda like a rain dance in reverse. The rain gods like to have fun too.

But honestly, think rain is bad? Wait til you get caught in a hailstorm on a flat plain with no trees or overpasses around.

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by greenmonster on 10/19/12 at 15:52:44

I ride all year in Vancouver, BC. I'm not sure if you've heard but we get a day or two of rain here. I've been seriously thinking about a mud flap on that front fender, to the point that I've been wondering if I could get another fender and weld them together so that the fender encloses the back of the wheel...

Yesterday my faithful rain gear let me down. I've had it for about five years and I paid $30 for it. I feel I did well but that nylon is shot now.

I'm looking at picking up some good wetweather gear this fall/winter. Anyone have some recommendations?

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by Serowbot on 10/19/12 at 16:25:38

I added this... I think it adds to the retro look...
... but,.. I still get drenched... :-?...

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt82/serowbot/rerun/mflap001.jpg

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by WD on 10/19/12 at 16:46:44

Look for a Cobra Boulevard full fender that fits the 19" front wheel Shadows. Out of production for years but you can still find them at swap meets and some parts shops/wrecking yards. Try Bent Bike in western Wa, they had a bunch of them at the Auburn store. They were in the outside racks last time I was there (2011).

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by raydawg on 10/20/12 at 12:01:22

554057575C5F5D5C41465740320 wrote:

I bought this one and I'm very pleased with it. Love the boot straps too, as that was an issue as my pants could/might ride up over my ankle high boots and by then the damage was done. These keep them down over my water proof boots and my socks stay dry!

http://www.leatherup.com/p/Motorcycle-Rain-Gear/Xelement-Mens-2-Piece-Black-and-Blue-Motorcycle-Rainsuit-With-Boot-Strap/209381.html

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by raydawg on 10/20/12 at 12:18:52

7D6B7C61796C617A0E0 wrote:

I added this... I think it adds to the retro look...
... but,.. I still get drenched... :-?...

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt82/serowbot/rerun/mflap001.jpg

I watched/looked down yesterday when I was afforded the safe opportunity to watch the area where it seems the soaking it worse, and yep, with the narrow motor and a fender cut short, the water pours right off the wheel unto your lower legs and feet, almost like turning on a hose and pointing it at your feet >:(
I will buy a flap (on line today). In the mean time I ride with an additional, I think its called a boot sock....I put it on over my boot, it rides up to mid calf and all the way down to my boots, covering them entirely except the bottom of the heel so you still have traction when (boots) placed upon ground....works extremely well, just something else you need to "dry" once you reach your destination.

BTW, we had a very bad storm Thursday night, lost power and all. Had to get dressed using the light on my Iphone, and forgot to put my savage panties on, I felt nekked all day :D
I was riding down the road on a solid covering of maple leaves and pine (actually fir) needles, talk about slick and slippery, kept the speed and torque way down for it wanted to break loose at any opportunity. Came to a road block, uh, I mean tree....the top 50 or so feet snapped off and cover the entire road, ARG! I looked for any power wires (in was 4 AM and dark) and saw none, so...I just found an opening between some of the bigger branches that held the main trunk up high enough for me to ride under, and I did, clearing the smaller branches away as I went through....I made it and I smelt like a Christmas tree all day long, so much s no one noticed I didn't have any panties on :-[

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by ToesNose on 10/20/12 at 12:24:25

Great story RawDawg, thanks for not posting any picks of the lack of panties ;D

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/20/12 at 14:50:34

I have been seen riding along with my feet up on the engine, cuz the water coming off the tire was just too much. & it was cold, & that engine heat was much appreciated.

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by raydawg on 10/20/12 at 15:13:48

7D6264637E7948784870626E25170 wrote:

I have been seen riding along with my feet up on the engine, cuz the water coming off the tire was just too much. & it was cold, & that engine heat was much appreciated.

Yeah...I've pulled my gloves off (while waiting for the ferry) and have put my bare hands on the head. Just like Goldilocks, it was just right....now I can't say I'd lay them on the header tho ;)

Oh, and anudder thang I've noticed about this beast....it loves to throw wind up from down under too, a regular jet stream, I find if I clamp my thighs tightly to the tank, it blocks it off and provides a wee bit of warmth as well, as I guess it makes the COLD air have to now skirt around me, AND, since we is talk'n skirts here, I thunking by tightly squeezing the tank in such a manner it will firm my butt up quite nicely, and come next summer when I can again ride in my kilt, with the breeze from motoring down the pathway sends it (my skirt) flying high all around me, I'll be sport'n the best buns in the ferry line :-*

Title: Re: Who do?
Post by newriverjunkie on 11/03/12 at 19:05:23

I ride sans front fender! When it rains down here I'm usually already soaked from working outside so I don't let it bother me but I definitely don't go out of my way to ride in the rain. Guess I just figure it's par for the course when my bike is my only mode of transportation.