Well... I got home from work tonight and waxed and polished my '96 NH.  I put the bags back on it and packed them up.  As soon as I get off I will be hittin the road.  The trip from here to Suffolk, VA is only about 4 1/2 hours, but the longest ride I have been on before was about 2 hour.  I also checked the weather forcast and it will be 52*F and raining when I leave here.  My riding jacket is 100% water-proof ( as far as the label says, anyway) but I have no pants.  I bought a pair of Fieldsheer waterproof overpants.  I'll have to see how they do.  I have not ridden more than 5 minutes in the rain before.  It is a little daunting to think about starting out on a 5 hour trip in the rain, but I'll just take it slow and safe.

The trip is so I can attend my Brother-in-Laws commissioning ceremony.  He is being commissioned as a Chief Warrant Officer in the Navy.

The pants should do you good.  They have a tite fit at the bottom.  Be careful with the exhaust or you'll have a hole faster then you can say oh sh!t.

I've 4 already.

give yourself plenty of space when following someone - sudden braking could cause you to skid. don't make sudden changes in direction nor accelerate/decelerate quickly & keep your speed down a bit & you'll be fine.

note as well - visibilty will not be as good as when not raining so be extra alert.

I rode for 20 years in England - a damp climate (no it doesn't always rain there - think Seattle weather) & never came off once in wet because I always took it easy when it did rain.

have fun - you'll be fine!