Hey guys,

so I commuted to work today on my baby with the forecast looking like it was going to be beautifully sunny all day.

Wrong. It's about to rain and I'll be off work here in the next hour and a half. I am a new rider, and my biggest concern is that the rain will damage my bike while it sits in the parking lot. Is there anything I should look to cover up until i get off?

Any tips for riding home?

Thanks and cheers

 

Rain shouldn't hurt anything. If you can get it covered or sheltered somewhere, it would be better.

Just take it slower than normal, roll on the throttle, ease on the brakes, avoid large puddles, and don't be over cautious. The bike will ride in the wet just fine. The tires will grip as long as you don't gas it too hard or give bad inputs. Rain is just messy and it hurts on bare skin.

As always, watch out for the other idiots out there.

 

+1

Just keep your visor cracked open a little as well, saves fogging from the inside.

After a while, if you have full wet weather gear riding in the rain can actually be an (almost) pleasurable experience

Cheers, SB

 

Awesome thanks for the tips here.

I figured I would have to cover my battery up or something, but also kinda figured the fairings would provide adequate protection.

Regards!

 

also ride in the tracks of cars in front of you. It may seem silly because water will splash back and get you more wet but riding in the tracks will let you know where the road is and ride in the grooves of the road(unless the car in front of you is riding through puddles). Roads usually have a natural tilt on its edges to let water drain out from creating puddles in the middle of the road. I got caught in a monsoon once and i rode in the tracks of an 18 wheeler.

 

Wait for it to rain for about 30 minutes before heading out. The road is slickest during 1st 30 minutes when the oils on the surface have pooled up but not washed to the sides.

 

Bikes are designed to work in the rain and sit in the rain. Only suggestion I can think of besides the ones already given is to make sure you dry then lube up your chain as soon as possible.

 

Best advice I can offer is to stay well back from the vehicle in front, especially if it's a car and keep just inside the centre line of the road so that you can see well ahead for any problems coming up. Riding in the rain is not much different than dry as long as you give yourself plenty of room between leading traffic and brake gently and earlier than you think you need to! Avoid anything made of metal and take it easy when leaning over on bends. Metal inspection plates are usually placed on bends so watch out for them! Relax and enjoy!

 

Great Advise guys... Looks like I may be riding home in the rain for the first time as well

 

Have fun! Riding in the rain is an experience in itself