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Anybody do long rides in rain/thunderstorms? I only ride in sunny/cloudy skys, not rainy skys. I'm getting ready to start tour from San Diego CA to Annapolis Maryland. Planned on late May or early June depending on weather, but Maryland buddy wants me to make it to his party on May 27. Problem is, all the traveling routes seem to have rain/thunderstorms in the forecast for all of May. Don't know if this inclimate weather lasts all day or for just a few hours each day ... guess if it was for just a few hour each day I could take shelter. Thoughts? 
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(05-16-2018, 05:37 AM)bflint_imp Wrote: Anybody do long rides in rain/thunderstorms? I only ride in sunny/cloudy skys, not rainy skys. I'm getting ready to start tour from San Diego CA to Annapolis Maryland. Planned on late May or early June depending on weather, but Maryland buddy wants me to make it to his party on May 27. Problem is, all the traveling routes seem to have rain/thunderstorms in the forecast for all of May. Don't know if this inclimate weather lasts all day or for just a few hours each day ... guess if it was for just a few hour each day I could take shelter. Thoughts?
I use these.
https://www.froggtoggsraingear.com/Motorcycle.shtm
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(05-16-2018, 05:37 AM)bflint_imp Wrote: Anybody do long rides in rain/thunderstorms? I only ride in sunny/cloudy skys, not rainy skys. I'm getting ready to start tour from San Diego CA to Annapolis Maryland. Planned on late May or early June depending on weather, but Maryland buddy wants me to make it to his party on May 27. Problem is, all the traveling routes seem to have rain/thunderstorms in the forecast for all of May. Don't know if this inclimate weather lasts all day or for just a few hours each day ... guess if it was for just a few hour each day I could take shelter. Thoughts? I have ridden in all types of weather, but I'd you are riding in the rain invest in quality rain gear and buy gear that is motorcycle specific...the gear I have is revit and dianese.. If your boots and gloves are not waterproof get covers for them...have a helmet with antifog or penlock. Invest in some roll/dry bags and put your things in zip lock bags...pack clothes that dry quickly...as for riding dial it back 20%....and do 5-10 mph less than the speed limit...mist and light rain are more dangerous as the moisture collects with the grease/oil on the roads....good tires are a must with pirelli and Michelin being my top choices...but had Dunlops do well also...
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(05-16-2018, 05:37 AM)bflint_imp Wrote: Anybody do long rides in rain/thunderstorms? I only ride in sunny/cloudy skys, not rainy skys. I'm getting ready to start tour from San Diego CA to Annapolis Maryland. Planned on late May or early June depending on weather, but Maryland buddy wants me to make it to his party on May 27. Problem is, all the traveling routes seem to have rain/thunderstorms in the forecast for all of May. Don't know if this inclimate weather lasts all day or for just a few hours each day ... guess if it was for just a few hour each day I could take shelter. Thoughts?
I went to Nova Scotia a few years ago on an adventure bike with a wind screen. The only day that we did not get any rain was the day we did the Cabot Trail. I'll never be afraid of riding in the rain again but I will always be extra careful.
Take GOOD rain gear. I like the Olympia Pants that zip all the way up the legs. The short zippers are a pain to get on when your boots are wet. Make sure you have new tires, a wind screen is very helpful for touring and take it slow.
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I use these.
https://www.froggtoggsraingear.com/Motorcycle.shtm
[/quote]
Thanks. Got em, but haven't had to use em.
(05-16-2018, 05:47 AM)sewellbrandon_imp Wrote: (05-16-2018, 05:37 AM)bflint_imp Wrote: Anybody do long rides in rain/thunderstorms? I only ride in sunny/cloudy skys, not rainy skys. I'm getting ready to start tour from San Diego CA to Annapolis Maryland. Planned on late May or early June depending on weather, but Maryland buddy wants me to make it to his party on May 27. Problem is, all the traveling routes seem to have rain/thunderstorms in the forecast for all of May. Don't know if this inclimate weather lasts all day or for just a few hours each day ... guess if it was for just a few hour each day I could take shelter. Thoughts? I have ridden in all types of weather, but I'd you are riding in the rain invest in quality rain gear and buy gear that is motorcycle specific...the gear I have is revit and dianese.. If your boots and gloves are not waterproof get covers for them...have a helmet with antifog or penlock. Invest in some roll/dry bags and put your things in zip lock bags...pack clothes that dry quickly...as for riding dial it back 20%....and do 5-10 mph less than the speed limit...mist and light rain are more dangerous as the moisture collects with the grease/oil on the roads....good tires are a must with pirelli and Michelin being my top choices...but had Dunlops do well also...
Sent from my LGL164VL using Tapatalk Will look into antifog solution for my Scorpion R710 helmet. Have new Pirellis and drybag everything. Driving slower makes sense, but driving without wipers kinda freaks me out
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This time of year there is going to be a fair amount of rain on the east coast but I find these weather reports will say 60% chance of rain and many times that really refers more to afternoon thunderstorms so much of the day would actually be dry. Of course if it says 90-100% rain it's gonna be wet.
Good rain gear makes a world of difference, there's nothing more miserable as riding soaking wet. A helmet with a visor makes a big difference too and take some rainx with you for that visor.
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(05-16-2018, 05:51 AM)HWdesign_imp Wrote: (05-16-2018, 05:37 AM)bflint_imp Wrote: Anybody do long rides in rain/thunderstorms? I only ride in sunny/cloudy skys, not rainy skys. I'm getting ready to start tour from San Diego CA to Annapolis Maryland. Planned on late May or early June depending on weather, but Maryland buddy wants me to make it to his party on May 27. Problem is, all the traveling routes seem to have rain/thunderstorms in the forecast for all of May. Don't know if this inclimate weather lasts all day or for just a few hours each day ... guess if it was for just a few hour each day I could take shelter. Thoughts?
I went to Nova Scotia a few years ago on an adventure bike with a wind screen. The only day that we did not get any rain was the day we did the Cabot Trail. I'll never be afraid of riding in the rain again but I will always be extra careful.
Take GOOD rain gear. I like the Olympia Pants that zip all the way up the legs. The short zippers are a pain to get on when your boots are wet. Make sure you have new tires, a wind screen is very helpful for touring and take it slow. Have big National Plexistar 2 wind screen for touring which should help.
(05-16-2018, 06:04 AM)KiowaEagle_imp Wrote: This time of year there is going to be a fair amount of rain on the east coast but I find these weather reports will say 60% chance of rain and many times that really refers more to afternoon thunderstorms so much of the day would actually be dry. Of course if it says 90-100% rain it's gonna be wet.
Good rain gear makes a world of difference, there's nothing more miserable as riding soaking wet. A helmet with a visor makes a big difference too and take some rainx with you for that visor. Ok, Rainx it is. I will take your "chance of rain" forecast percentage ranges into consideration.
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Get all the gear you want. If doing distance in rain you will get wet. Just keep that in mind. You can pack your clothes/gear in plastic bags and should keep it mostly dry, but, you will eventually get wet.
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Sounds like a big adventure! Rain is only as bad as you let it be. Layered clothing and a quality rain suit will make everything better. If you have a windscreen you should be okay unless it's a frog-choker of a storm. At that point, you just gotta pull over and wait it out. Since you will be traveling with the wind, be careful not to just ride along at the same pace as the bad weather. Let a front pass you by before continuing. And have a fun time!!
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Six things.
First, Bheezy is totally correct. If it rains all day you’ll get wet not matter how good your gear. But not completely and that’s worth something.
Secondly, Inhouse Bob is very knowledgeable about riding in the rain and should be consulted.
Thirdly, good luck with Frogg Toggs. I tried them and, to say the least, was unimpressed.
Fourthly, overgloves are great. Mine work really well and my hands always stay dry. For some reason that’s a bonus.
Fifthly, beware the mist. Because it’s hard to see, you have to go slowly. The droplets are small and, because you are going slowly, do not roll off your visor. You gradually go blind. It is also very wet, so wear your wets.
Sixthly, if, like me, you are over 60 and you look like having a day of it, either insert a catheter first thing or wear a wet suit. Peeling off the gear at every stop is seriously irritating.
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