Apex
March 12th, 2009, 09:29 PM
For some reason I felt like riding in the rain today. So I grabbed my gear, suited up and headed out to my college class downtown. Cruised down there in light stuff and was fine. I did notice that my shield was fogging up, so I noted that and decided that some anti-fog would be purchased tomorrow.
On the way home (which I just got home about 10 minutes ago), it was coming down quite hard. I could tell my cheap rain suit was leaking (a guy at the bike shop suggested a set of FroggToggs to use on the bike. He said they work as good as the more expensive stuff, but is a fraction of the cost. So I figured I'd listen to the guy and get it...read on). I didn't care, because I had more pressing issues at hand, mainly wet roads.
So I'm cruising down I-10, it just starts to unload on me. Cagers are all around slowing to 40mph. I could tell my shield was fogging up, but could see well enough (not risking getting pelted with drops flying my way at over 50mph in order to do a shield wipe). Needless to say as the ride went on my visibility gradually degraded due to fogging, mist from everyone's tires, and the rain. By the time I was coming up to the Mason exit, I was having trouble making out water on the road. About then I was cursing myself for not having anti-fog on hand (I have some in my scuba gear bag). The next thing I know, I feel the front end dive, and water start shooting up all around me. I was in a good 3-4 inches of water doing 55mph. LUCKY for me I had the bike upright, I didn't panic, and I held it steady through the water. My boots got soaked, water shot up inside my rain pants, but I kept on riding. About this time I inched up my shield, gave a quick wipe and continued to cruise home, with my heart racing.
I should have wiped my face shield earlier, heck I should have taken side roads or something. I am mad at myself for even putting myself in that situation. At least I've learned from that and will go and make sure I'm 100% prepared next time, and I have lived to write this.
So yes, a streetbike will make it through some good water, but I do not recommend it. Oh yeah, and anti-fog is ESSENTIAL riding gear.
On the way home (which I just got home about 10 minutes ago), it was coming down quite hard. I could tell my cheap rain suit was leaking (a guy at the bike shop suggested a set of FroggToggs to use on the bike. He said they work as good as the more expensive stuff, but is a fraction of the cost. So I figured I'd listen to the guy and get it...read on). I didn't care, because I had more pressing issues at hand, mainly wet roads.
So I'm cruising down I-10, it just starts to unload on me. Cagers are all around slowing to 40mph. I could tell my shield was fogging up, but could see well enough (not risking getting pelted with drops flying my way at over 50mph in order to do a shield wipe). Needless to say as the ride went on my visibility gradually degraded due to fogging, mist from everyone's tires, and the rain. By the time I was coming up to the Mason exit, I was having trouble making out water on the road. About then I was cursing myself for not having anti-fog on hand (I have some in my scuba gear bag). The next thing I know, I feel the front end dive, and water start shooting up all around me. I was in a good 3-4 inches of water doing 55mph. LUCKY for me I had the bike upright, I didn't panic, and I held it steady through the water. My boots got soaked, water shot up inside my rain pants, but I kept on riding. About this time I inched up my shield, gave a quick wipe and continued to cruise home, with my heart racing.
I should have wiped my face shield earlier, heck I should have taken side roads or something. I am mad at myself for even putting myself in that situation. At least I've learned from that and will go and make sure I'm 100% prepared next time, and I have lived to write this.
So yes, a streetbike will make it through some good water, but I do not recommend it. Oh yeah, and anti-fog is ESSENTIAL riding gear.