Hello Retired, this is Maurizio from Rome, Italy.
Have I ever ridden in the rain ? YUP !
Did I survive ? NOPE !
Did I just plod on ? YUP !
You won't believe the feeling of accomplishment as you actually ride OUT of the rain into dry weather... and if you're riding towards the SUN... oooh, boy !
Here's my personal experience :
1. Windshield: get one that reaches up to your collarbone/chin; you want to look over it, not through it; water will run away from the helmet visor but NOT off the windshield; you can see quite well through a wet visor, but NOT through a dirty windshield.
2. Helmet: get one with a pulldown sunscreen (polarized lens for riding into the sun) they sometimes help whemn riding in the rain; else, polarized lenses/glasses, tinted as light as possible, will help you see through mist and through those ugly reflections on wet tarmac; make sure the ventilation air scoops are on the side, not on top, else if you leave them open rain will seep in and drip dosn your nose... trust me, I know...
3. Gloves: get warm waterproof gloves, it gets very cold in the rain... else, ride with thin tight leather gloves and carry a number of pairs of rubber dishwashing gloves, orange or yellow are best, and wear them over your gloves
4. Hand guards! They protect you from unwanted spray, but also from unwanted insects & bugs... ever ridden into a beetle ? Them things are hard as rocks!
5. Boots: either you find waterproof leather boots, or just wear the boots of your choice, and have one (or two) pairs of oversize TOTES with you...
6. Rainproof pants: these come in two versions: wear'em over your jeans, more often than not with an elastic waist; they're OK on short runs.
OR
"Salopettes"/overalls, with the rear part covering your lower back actually taller than the front; that's to ensure your lower back doesn't get wet, and are a zillion times better than the typical design with a pocket on your belly. They protect you from backaches and bad backs in the long run, you see rain in the morning, wear these instead of jeans, you're happy all day.
7. Rain proof jacket: again, either you have a leather jacket plus a "throwover", or a serious rainproof riding jacket. Depends on the climate.
8. Seat cover: rain WILL puddle in any seat, imagine in the Savage seat ! Cut a piece of rubber doormat off this:
and attach it to the seat or frame with a few hooks... try it !
9. RAIN TIRES ! Modern superslicks are great as long as it's dry, but if you do most of your riding in rainy areas, Michelin Pilot Road 2, 3, 4 or Dunlop's excellent 616
DUNLOP D616 front & rear, these are directional tires. DUNLOP D607 DUNLOP Sportmax Mutant
Also check out MICHELIN PILOT ROAD 2, PILOT ROAD 3, PILOT ROAD 4
CONTINENTAL RACE ATTACK RAIN
Hope this helps...
... and don't forget hot coffee !!!