how does it feel riding in the rain without proper gear...?

[RJprod]

Ok, looks like am about to go on my first raining ride. I haven't bought any rain gear. I was hoping to do so in the summer, since it tends to rain a lot during this season here in Florida.

I have my mesh jacket, gloves and helmet, but none of them are waterproof. soooo, people who have ridden in the rain before how does it feel when you don't have waterproof gear on. I leave my house in an hour, get at me. let me know what to expect.

Thank u...

[psych0hans]

Wet... Very wet... And say goodbye to your electronics... lol happened to me a couple of times, my jacket kept me surprisingly dry, but everything else was soaked(no wonder it doesn't flow any air it's probably waterproof), including my underwear... lol I dumped my phone under the windscreen and it remained relatively dry there.

[Joshorilla]

It's ****, very ****.

I rode in freezing rain for two hours and I couldn't feel my legs.

[tooblekain]

If you're not geared to ride in the rain...it absolutely sucks

If you are properly geared for the rain its not too bad at all and very manageable to the point I dont mind riding in it. However my set up is weird and here's what I do....the good news its cheap and universal.

I basically wear the same gear but wear larger rain slickers (uppers and lowers) over my normal gear. I wear waterproof boots and wear wool socks so my feet will stay warm if they get wet. The gloves I wear are a pair of Gore tex snowboard gloves that are waterproof.

I will also wear underarmor tights under my jacket and briefs so if it happens to soak through I do not stay soaked like i would cotton. Its a good idea to keep your work clothes in a back pack and packed into a zip lock bag and any other electronics like your cellphone to keep them dry.

A little preparation goes a long way when riding in the wet.

[DaBlue1]

It's wet. Expect lots of water, especially in your crotch. If it's too bad, it feels like a wet diaper. Even a overly large cheap plastic rain suit from Walmart or somewhere will work in a pinch. Pouring water out of your boots is no fun either. You may want to take a dry pair of draws to work with you.

[YORCHI]

Any nearby wal-marts? Drive there, buy rain suit, put on rain suit over clothes, ride more carefully and avoid other drivers.

If you can, take a backpack and put your valuable stuff and clothes in a plastic bag inside your backpack. Wear something else you don't mind getting wet while you drive to get the rain suit. I did my MSF classes in the rain so I know it's not impossible, but I've just generally avoided driving my bike in the rain, I didn't get it as a commuter vehicle, just a recreational vehicle.

Good luck, let us know how it goes

[RJprod]

Originally Posted by psych0hans

Wet... Very wet... And say goodbye to your electronics... lol happened to me a couple of times, my jacket kept me surprisingly dry, but everything else was soaked(no wonder it doesn't flow any air it's probably waterproof), including my underwear... lol I dumped my phone under the windscreen and it remained relatively dry there.

I plan on wrapping my work clothes and phone in a plastic bag and put them in my book bag. trip is only 30 mins away

[xSean13]

Soaking wet, but you get used to it. If it's not cold, then I actually don't mind it & it is kind of fun, unless you have somewhere to be, like work or school.

[dave42]

If you go fast enough you don't get wet





(no you still do. Your knees will get cold really quickly)

[cbinker]

Cold and the rain drops feel like pins, might be a good acupuncture treatment.

[RJprod]

There's a cyclegear 20 mins away from where I live. I can quickly head over there and grab something. I have around $150, but I need to save the money as I'm trying to move off campus at the end of this April. all my important clothes will b in a plastic bag in my backpack, but am worrying about my helmet the most. it tends to get foggy very easily. And I hate leaving the faceshield up because I dont like things flying in my eyes.

is it weird that I feel both excited and a little scared...?

[ai4px]

Originally Posted by RJprod

Ok, looks like am about to go on my first raining ride. I haven't bought any rain gear. I was hoping to do so in the summer, since it tends to rain a lot during this season here in Florida.

I have my mesh jacket, gloves and helmet, but none of them are waterproof. soooo, people who have ridden in the rain before how does it feel when you don't have waterproof gear on. I leave my house in an hour, get at me. let me know what to expect.

Thank u...

Don't tuck your sleeves into your gloves.... put the glove cuffs inside the sleeves.... unless you like wet thumbs.

Also, watch out for visor fogging.... if that happens, it just won't clear, so just give up and have a coke or coffee at a gas station.

[Joshorilla]

Originally Posted by RJprod

There's a cyclegear 20 mins away from where I live. I can quickly head over there and grab something. I have around $150, but I need to save the money as I'm trying to move off campus at the end of this April. all my important clothes will b in a plastic bag in my backpack, but am worrying about my helmet the most. it tends to get foggy very easily. And I hate leaving the faceshield up because I dont like things flying in my eyes.

is it weird that I feel both excited and a little scared...?

You will find if you have them in a plastic bag in your bag in the rain will tend to get in.

[alex.s]

light rain like in the summer wet season kinda sucks but whatever, if it isn't cold and you have a windshield you'll be fine in normal gear. soaked, but fine. on the other hand, heavy storm rain... powerful wind going directly to your side... hail... tree branches and **** hitting you... that's not fun even if you have proper gear.

light rain with proper gear on a 600 or anything with more than 60hp is a **** ton of fun.

[Alex]

Wet.

[rojoracing53]

Throw on a trash bag under your jacket to cut the wind and keep you dry.

[rojoracing53]

Originally Posted by RJprod

is it weird that I feel both excited and a little scared...?

No that's normal noob stuff.

[tfkrocks]

Cold, wet, and miserable. I only did that once and then promptly ordered some rain gear as soon as I got home.

[Jiggles]

Go buy a poncho at cvs or rite aid or a supermarket

[Lychee]

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

Throw on a trash bag under your jacket to cut the wind and keep you dry.

Best idea yet. I did this while reffing paintball in a deluge at San Diego a few years back. It works very well, but my jersey was soaked. You could put it over your jacket which may prevent your jacket from getting soaked, but will be fragile. A rain poncho would work even better.

For the fogging, crack your windshield partially open. If you have a shield lock, put it on the crack open position. Shoei's have this. Crack open all the vents, especially the chin vent. Pull off the wind chin guard.

Be smooth!

[Lychee]

Wow. You are going to be soaked. It is going to be windy with gusts hitting 21 MPH.

[wardie]

Don't come to Ohio where the weather changes every five minutes. We have a saying, "How do you know it's Friday?" Answer "because it's raining".

Question, "How do you know it's Monday morning? Answer, "becuase it's sunny and 70!"

Rain suit like Goretex and Rain /water proof (not resistant) gloves!

[Redgeneral]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Go buy a poncho at cvs or rite aid or a supermarket

Terrible idea actually, unless you tuck it in. I've seen two things happen with ponchos and neither ended well.

#1: Rider going along on the highway in a poncho, gust of wind catches it and the front flies up and completely covers his vision.

#2: If it's too long I've seen it get caught in the sprocket. Luckily the poncho this happen with was a cheap thin plastic one so it just tore right off instead of yanking the rider off the bike. But that was one hell of a clean up to get all the bits out of bike.

[ChaoSS]

Cycle gear sells a rain oversuit for like, 50 bucks, and it tends to ride pretty well, doesn't flap in the wind really bad like non motorcycle stuff.

It's just water gear, it isn't armored, it isn't abrasion resistant, you need to have your gear on under it, so buy big.

[Whiskey]

wet

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by Redgeneral

Terrible idea actually, unless you tuck it in.

Well then maybe he can tuck it in

[RJprod]

Thank you everyone for ur good ideas. when I got out yesterday, the rain had subsided a little. the street was slippery, and I ended up forgetting to be careful with breaking. soooo I locked up the rear brake 10 mins into my trip. After that everything was smooth. I rode with the faceshield up...

on my way back to work, around 10ish, I met 2 girls who waived at me. I got close to them to find out what they wanted, But I couldn't do what they suggested

I no longer do one night stand if u know what I mean..

but..... thanx for ur advice guys.

[JohnnyBravo]

My first day I rode the rain up and down 95. Wet, excited, a bit scared... Mostly wet an a bit cold

[Redgeneral]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Well then maybe he can tuck it in

Then why wear a poncho if tucking it in will just funnel water directly into his clothes?

[ChaoSS]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

. Wet, excited, a bit scared...

Now you're talking dirty.

[lgk]

Refreshing if its warm outside, terrible if cold...

[Havok]

Like pissing into a fan only colder

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by RJprod

I met 2 girls who waived at me. I got close to them to find out what they wanted, But I couldn't do what they suggested

Back to biker training 101 for you.

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by Redgeneral

Then why wear a poncho if tucking it in will just funnel water directly into his clothes?

All hope is lost if you can't figure out how to secure a poncho to your body

[Aggrotech]

i ended up squidding it up a few nights ago...at about 2am, to go visit a friend at work down the road. Only had my vest on + a tshirt..well it ended up raining. Rain drops at 60+ sting.. just a lil bit.

[ChaoSS]

Originally Posted by Aggrotech

i ended up squidding it up a few nights ago...at about 2am, to go visit a friend at work down the road. Only had my vest on + a tshirt..well it ended up raining. Rain drops at 60+ sting.. just a lil bit.

When I was young and squiddly, I once hit a rainstorm at 90+ mph.... with no shirt on.


Let me advise you, don't do that.

[lgk]

Originally Posted by ChaoSS

When I was young and squiddly, I once hit a rainstorm at 90+ mph.... with no shirt on.


Let me advise you, don't do that.

The worst thing that'll happen is you'll bruised nipples...

[Dragone]

The sting, chill and that wet feel in sections you do not normally show off in public.

Wear your leathers, rain_X on the shield, gaunlet gloves and enjoy. Hopefully the wind blasts are not that bad while trying to ride in a straight line.