Everyday commute, how wet will you get?

[beeryboats]

Now that I have the RT, I find myself out in more iffy weather. My question is, how many of you will ride to work in the raining/freezing weather if you have another option? I used to be the type that would not ride the Hog if the ground was damp. Now a little wet is ok, as long as it's not raining. I don't have full riding gear yet either. If I get to work and it starts to rain I'll deal with it to get home. And how cold is too cold? I asked Santa for some winter gloves and some pants too. With gas going over $3 the bike can save me a fortune if I only need to park it for a couple months a year due to SNOW!
Thanks, Jay

P.S. Let me what you think about different gloves and gear too.

[DarkCloud]

Now that I have the RT, I find myself out in more iffy weather. My question is, how many of you will ride to work in the raining/freezing weather if you have another option? I used to be the type that would not ride the Hog if the ground was damp. Now a little wet is ok, as long as it's not raining. I don't have full riding gear yet either. If I get to work and it starts to rain I'll deal with it to get home. And how cold is too cold? I asked Santa for some winter gloves and some pants too. With gas going over $3 the bike can save me a fortune if I only need to park it for a couple months a year due to SNOW!
Thanks, Jay

P.S. Let me what you think about different gloves and gear too.

How far do you have to ride? What roads around naptown are you on? What time of the day do you commute?

What do you have for riding gear?

Bear in mind if you drop your RT on a slick road at slow speed it will probably cost about 2 grand to replace the tupperware and the usual stuff that gets broken off.

JON

[bikerfish1100]

well, i rode in to work today. 30 miles at 20 degs F. Hands were chilly, as well as the feet. Only wore my Teknic jacket with double liners- long sleeve "golf" shirt under that, not even a sweater or electric vest (but I really should have worn the Widder, even if not quite needing it plugged in). Pants are Fieldsheer Booster http://www.sandhillspowersports.com/sandhills/OnlineStore.do?DSP=200&PCR=1:5:50006&IID=fieldsheer_booster_06, with removable liners. Both items are excellent!
There was some ice in the "troughs" at intersections (built in to the roads here for "flash flood" drainage), but other than that the roads were pretty clear (we got some snow last week, and it's been taking awhile to melt off).
with all that said- i'm not real keen on riding below 20 degs for any length of time, as i don't feel as smooth and controlled with the bike, and I'm giving too much mental processing to being aware of the conditions (including the faceshield that continues to fog up) rathe than the ride itself. But then again, i'm on a R11S, not an RT.
I also have a Fieldsheer Highland 1-piece suit that i really like- but it's going to be close to 60 degs this afternoon, and the Highland takes a bit more effort to strip the lining out for a warmer ride (gawd, i am such a gear whore!) http://www.sandhillspowersports.com/sandhills/OnlineStore.do?DSP=200&PCR=1:5:50010&IID=fieldsheer_highland (but you might be able to find one on eBay at closer to $150).
I'll be putting the S up for the winter pretty soon, but will continue to ride my KLR thru the winter, at least on those days that stay above 20 in the am, and reach 45 or so in the afternoon. outside of those parameters, the effort involved for the ride (it's ruler-straight roads, 30 miles each way) is generally more than i'm willing to bother with. That, and my Jetta TDI gets 40 mpg, so i don't save much on fuel costs no matter what i use. YMMV.

[jingdog]

Riding in freezing weather is a judgement call only you can make through experience. Obviously if there is going to be ice on the road you dont want to be riding. Rding in the cold alone should be no problem almost no matter how cold it is. I wear an electric vest, two fleece layers and a windproof/waterproof shell. Also a neck gaiter. I have a pair of water proof pants from an old rainsuit I wear over long johns and fleece pants. For boots in really cold weather I wear pac boots. Never a problem with those. Also I have a pair of Army surplus three finger gloves with wool liners under leather outers. Never have to use the heated grips with those. For rain I have a pair of North Face ice climbing gloves which are similiar but waterproof ($75) Last April I rode 300 miles in a pouring 38 degree rain and arrived warm and dry.
Generally speaking I have found electric clothing to be good as long as it works. Which means I dont rely on it too much. An electric vest is about as far as I will go. Think about it. No matter how good it may be if it doesnt work man are you screwed.

[groeger]

I commute on a 2001 R1150GS as much as I can 35 - 50 miles each way depending on route.

In the winter, I try not to ride in wet weather. And I will not ride in freezing wet weather, although I got caught once. All my winter gear is water proof for the times I do get caught. I'll ride in the dry teens but I have good gear, with heated grips and hand protectors. I have the Gerbing heated jacket, Santiago Jacket with liner. I have a Streetguard II on order. Decent warm and waterproof gloves made by BMW. Waterproof pants made by Olympia (don't like), and Goretex BMW boots. A baklava by Nike (bicycle gear).

In the summer, I don't mind getting a little wet and will ride more often in the rain. I have the Vent Machine jacket and gloves. The pants are Olympia without the liner, same boots.

Good luck and buy good quality gear.

[kbasa]

Electric gear and an Aerostich will add a couple months to each end of your riding season.

[Mika]

What resources do you have at work to allow changing and storage?

For many years I had an office that I was able to keep a couple of sports coats, slacks and dress shoes at. Four days a week I would ride in wearing my riding gear and a clean shirt and tie then change in the office. The fifth day I would cage it and rotate things out for cleaning.

As to wet and cold this allowed me to commute by bike if I was willing. My coldest was -6, on a day when I didn’t realize the temp had dropped until I was well down the road. Normally I drew the line someplace above zero.

Road conditions are the big issue. Know your route, where the danger spots for ice and black ice are.

Many good gear suggestions so far. Think layers and electrics.

Slap a set of hand guards on to allow your heated grips to really work. I commute with a roadster. Hand guards made the difference between burned palms with frozen knuckles, and hands that actually worked when I got off the bike.

[dlearl476]

Electric gear and an Aerostich will add a couple months to each end of your riding season.

"Riding Season", what's that? :scratch

Is that the 9 months of the year that the perf. jacket is hanging it the hall closet? Or the 3 months when the Rallye II is?
:dance

[grossjohann]

Now that I have the RT, I find myself out in more iffy weather. My question is, how many of you will ride to work in the raining/freezing weather if you have another option? I used to be the type that would not ride the Hog if the ground was damp. Now a little wet is ok, as long as it's not raining. I don't have full riding gear yet either. If I get to work and it starts to rain I'll deal with it to get home. And how cold is too cold? I asked Santa for some winter gloves and some pants too. With gas going over $3 the bike can save me a fortune if I only need to park it for a couple months a year due to SNOW!
Thanks, Jay

P.S. Let me what you think about different gloves and gear too.

I commute about 35 miles each way which usually takes about 45 minutes and which covers back roads to highways. If I don’t need to carry more than my brief-case, then I will ride if it is at least 40 degrees and dry (I do not use electrics, but I'm not against them.)

I do watch the weather report closely to be sure I won’t have a soggy ride home, but I’m not afraid of the water…I have rain gear for that. It’s ice and snow that I try to avoid.

Last year was warm in the North East. My last day of the season was 12/28/06, and my fist day of this season was 01/04/07 :)

[1flyer]

If you have the right gear you don't get wet and you don't get cold. I ride about 30-35 minutes to work at 5:00 in the morning most every day. The only times I don't ride is if there is ice or snow on the road. I have a K1200LT so I've got plenty of room for the Laptop if I need to carry it home in the evening. And I can leave the jacket, pants, boots, and helmet in the cases on the bike. Some people at work are surprised when they see me pulling into the parking lot with the temps in the 20's and the wind blowing "100 MPH". What they don't realize is the coldest part of the trip is the short walk from the bike to the door.

[jingdog]

As long as you are windproofed there is no effect of wind chill from the cold. If you can sit comfortably in a chair outside at 30 degrees then you will be fine on the bike at that temp.

[beeryboats]

Thanks for all the advice. Sounds like I'm in the same boat as most of you. A 30-35 min ride with both back roads and some highway stuff too. I almost rode today, but opted for the pick-up ( at 10mpg! ). Last night it was drizzling rain and this morning the drive was ice puddles and my truck was frozen to the pavement. It really made a "bang" when I pulled forward! It would have been a nice ride home but I never would have missed all the frozen puddles on the dark ride to work.

It sounds like moisture AND temp will be a factor when deciding when to ride.

Someone posted they did not like the Olympia pants. What is the problem with them if I may ask?
Jay

[breyfogle]

Winter ? What's Winter ?

[jingdog]

10 mpg! WOW! I drive my Toyota ECHO 200 miles every two weeks. It gets 40 mpg around town (more on the highway where I seldom drive) so @ $3 a gallon my gas bill is $15 every two weeks. I dont think youre problem is how to drive the mc more its how to get rid of that 10 mpg beast!:scratch

[beeryboats]

10 mpg! WOW! I drive my Toyota ECHO 200 miles every two weeks. It gets 40 mpg around town (more on the highway where I seldom drive) so @ $3 a gallon my gas bill is $15 every two weeks. I dont think youre problem is how to drive the mc more its how to get rid of that 10 mpg beast!:scratch

Mongo need beast. Mongo have small private airfield and some farm land. Mongo tows boats too. Ok, enough Blazing Saddles, but I need a truck around here. And when it snows I really need the 4wd to get out! It's a rural thing! I estimate that evey day I ride I keep $10 in the bank. That adds up at the end of the year.
Jay

[Andy VH]

I used to live by myself, 30 miles from everything I did, work, family, friends, teaching, fiance', so I built up my riding gear to go with every riding situation other than snow and ice. Heated riding gear, once you got heat you'll never go back. Effective wet weather gear, if you stay dry, rain riding is no big deal, and I have ridden in many a heavy rain. Both going into work and back home. Night riding, reflective gear, accessory lights, slower speeds and a clear head. In all cases only riding on really good tires, properly inflated with good tread, and having everything about your bike "just right" helps immensely.

Like flying (though I'm no pilot) preparation and knowledge of the route help a lot. I was also lucky that my routes were almost all rural, little traffic. But, being rural meant I got to know the farming patterns of sowing, harvest, fertilizing, tilling, so I'd know what to expect on which road.

I have long felt that if you are prepared and comfortable, you can concentrate on the ride, which gives you opportunity to ride in or on situations you perhaps would not otherwise ride (like your Harley analogy). From that you learn more about your riding. Next thing you know, everyone at work asks, "you rode in TODAY?" To which you answer, "SURE! No big deal."

[Cliffy777]

I have a nice 12-15 mile country roads commute to our store. Rain does not bother me - if riding in the rain bothers you, then you don't want to ride your motorcycle on a regular basis in Michigan. Sometimes lightning gives me the willies! Good raingear is the answer.
I generally drop about 10mph when it rains and corner much more conservatively. Shoot, me n Loraz took a track day at Grattan back in 04 and it rained on and off most of the day - built my confidence riding in the rain up quite a bit that day.

[groeger]

On the Olympia pants: The zipper broke on the liner 6 days after the 1 year warranty expired. Called Olympia they sent me a $20 check for the repair. I prefer that they exchange for a new liner.

The gear does well in wet and cold weather over business pants and works well in the summer without the liner (not waterproof without the liner).

[beeryboats]

On the Olympia pants: The zipper broke on the liner 6 days after the 1 year warranty expired. Called Olympia they sent me a $20 check for the repair. I prefer that they exchange for a new liner.

The gear does well in wet and cold weather over business pants and works well in the summer without the liner (not waterproof without the liner).

Arrrg! That would be frustrating! I bought the Tourmaster 3-in-1 jacket and love it. It has the mesh outer, rainproof liner, and a quilted liner. They all mix and match. If it's hot and raining, common in the midwest, just use the outer and rain liner. It could be warmer, but I just throw on a sweatshirt. Thanks for the info.
Jay

[Montana]

I never liked riding to work in the rain but you never know when you will get caught coming home from work in the rain. That's why I always have basic rain gear on the bike, unless I'm already wearing waterproof gear.

It's one thing to ride home damp in the summer and figure you can handle that; you have a long enough trip that in the winter you will run the risk of getting chilled. Your riding skills and your mental abilities are all impacted by the damp and the cold.

Sometimes just changing your work schedule makes it better for winter riding. Leaving for work an hour or two later lets you avoid the morning fog and/or ice.

[RiverRat280]

In Oregon if you don't ride in the rain you won't get to ride. I'll ride down below freezing but if there's a bit of ice on the road in the morning I take the volvo. There's no such thing as bad weather just bad gear. With some heated grips, warm gloves and my 1pc Roadcrafter it can rain buckets and I won't get a drop on me. It's all about the proper gear. Warm and waterproof.

[kpinvt]

I ride in the rain and use a set of Frogg Toggs not only for the rain but as a windbreaker in colder weather. During the winter I will ride so long as the road is dry with no chance of black ice and if I can get the bike from storage out to the street without crossing ice in my driveway.

I just bought another set of Toggs from this site for $20 plus about $6 for shipping:

http://www.wingsupply.com/shop/Scripts/prodViewSKU.asp?SKU=99PA102

To paraphrase Henry Ford, you can any color you want so long as it is blue.

[GrafikFeat]

Ditto on the toggs... They work well as wind breakers. Surprisingly well... I have a 108 mile commute to Seattle and for the black ice days take the sidecar rig. It also forces me to keep my speed in check! The only thing that bugs me is cold hands so I have heated gloves. Such is life in the Pacific Northwet.

[flymymbz]

Darien jacket and pants.

When it gets cold out, add Gerbing liners, balaclava, thermals and fleece. Givi "Cover-Alls" on the bars.

Rain doesn't bother me too much and the Dariens have always kept me dry. I've ridden in temps down to about 14F, but the bikes got put away for the winter when the pavement got wet and temps stayed below freezing. I don't like slick pavement much in the 4WD vehicle, I like it even less on two wheels.

[rkasal]

I used to live by myself, 30 miles from everything I did, work, family, friends, teaching, fiance', so I built up my riding gear to go with every riding situation other than snow and ice. Heated riding gear, once you got heat you'll never go back. Effective wet weather gear, if you stay dry, rain riding is no big deal, and I have ridden in many a heavy rain. Both going into work and back home. Night riding, reflective gear, accessory lights, slower speeds and a clear head. In all cases only riding on really good tires, properly inflated with good tread, and having everything about your bike "just right" helps immensely.

Like flying (though I'm no pilot) preparation and knowledge of the route help a lot. I was also lucky that my routes were almost all rural, little traffic. But, being rural meant I got to know the farming patterns of sowing, harvest, fertilizing, tilling, so I'd know what to expect on which road.

I have long felt that if you are prepared and comfortable, you can concentrate on the ride, which gives you opportunity to ride in or on situations you perhaps would not otherwise ride (like your Harley analogy). From that you learn more about your riding. Next thing you know, everyone at work asks, "you rode in TODAY?" To which you answer, "SURE! No big deal."

Yes, preparation is the key. Under preparation includes maintenance, planning, and gear. Also is being rested, no recent SO fights or family problems, no alcohol or drugs, no fevers, etc.

As they told us in the MSF Rider's Edge class; "A comfortable rider is a safe rider."

[mcollect]

For years I only had 2 wheelers, A MG LeMans 850 and a Moto Morini 3 1/2(snow and ice bike). I wore Belstaff waved cottons, always dry. Now I ride for fun and switched to Olympia AST top And Ranger bottoms. They are great in cold weather, always dry and break the wind, but in the summer the pants are way too hot, the AST is fine up to 90+. I do wish I could find the old fashioned Apple warmer; it kept the cold rain off my throat and from running down my jacket!

[OfficerImpersonator]

40 miles commuting round trip every day year round on my '02 RT-P.

I wear a 'Stich when it's cold and/or wet and mesh gear when it's too hot for the 'Stich. With warm gloves (Aerostich insulated elkskin gauntlets) and the heated grips, my hands stay warm down to about 25 degrees.

No electric clothing for me. I wear a 400-weight windstopper polar fleece jacket under my 'Stich and that's plenty warm here in Seattle.

Yes - the 'Stich will leak at the crotch in a downpour if you don't unfold the creases in the crotch where water can pool and leak in through the zipper. If I'm going to be riding for a while in the rain, I'll fold up a "pack towel" and line the inside of the zipper so that any leaks are contained within the towel and don't put embarrassing wet spots on my jeans!

The ONLY reason I don't ride to work is if there is ice and/or snow on the roads. Otherwise, it's NEVER too cold to ride. I never worry about rain. I live in Seattle. How can I ever worry about rain?

[r11rs94]

Winter ? What's Winter ?

Winter.. that is the absence of summer. :brad

[rhbusby]

I live in Oregon and ride year round so I know a thing or two about rain riding. I miss about 10 days a year due to ice or snow. I can't overcome physics Lack of tractin due to ice or snow) due to riding skill. I ride 24 mi each way mix of city streets and freeway.

I have BMW Goretex boots, never a wet foot in over 3 years. I have a one piece fieldsheer suit and a heated vest. My 94 RS has heated grips. I have never been cold with that setup. I wear a neck warmer which I find to be critical for staying warm. (google TurtleFur) I wear Held "Steve" gloves. When it gets wet I pull out my rubber gloves which I got at an industrial safety supply store (Thicker than dishwahsing gloves but not stiff - you have to figure this out for yourself) and put them on over the Held gloves. Works super. I have Fieldsheer 2 piece rain gear for when it is realy raining. Works great. (TIP: Put your Feet with boot in a palstic bag when you are putting on your rain pants - keeps the pants clean and the boots slip right through.) Rain-X on the visor to keep fog away.

Just remember the extra stoping distance when riding in the wet. Be extra conspicious! I also wear a Vision reflective vest (google vision vest)and Have PIAA lights on the 94 RS. (80 K miles and going strong!!) My Syncrotec has refelctive dots on it. Ridrs Wearhouse SOLAR reflective material) Looking in the windows of the cages as I go by I say I am having lots more fun than those stuck in the cages. :scratch

Oh, yeah, Take as many riding classes as you can. I have taken MSF courses, Freddie Spencer HP riding school 3x. RIdin skill is increased wiht schooling and practice. And realize that yes, you may go down - sometimes it just happens.
Having a high skill level makes those less frequent and less likely.
Good luck!! Ride like your life depends on it - it does!:thumb

[ultracyclist]

I sent you a PM.

[RJM2096]

Having the proper gear certainly has allowed my to ride in any weather and I love to stick it to the oil companies with my 40-45 MPG cycles, but I draw the line with slippery roads. Any sign of ICE or snow and I get chicken. Even if I thought I would be OK, I do not want to dump my cycle.

[dancogan]

Having the proper gear certainly has allowed my to ride in any weather and I love to stick it to the oil companies with my 40-45 MPG cycles, but I draw the line with slippery roads. Any sign of ICE or snow and I get chicken. Even if I thought I would be OK, I do not want to dump my cycle.

I think that's the view of many of us who enjoy riding in all seasons. What's really disturbing is waiting for all the salt to get washed off the road after the ice melts!