Rain riding, gear, methods, etc.?

[油井緋色]

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I rode 7 months straight last year but last year was so nice, dry and sunny that we had droughts all over the place. This year my daily commute will double from 50km to 100km so the chances of getting soaked are quite high.

I've currently got Gortex Sidis and am in the process of searching for an overcoat (Frogg Toggs?). Is there any gear you guys would recommend? And I saw a bike at York University that would be covered (bike cover) during rain commutes lol is it worth it to do this?

My main concern is the overcoat btw, all my reviews point to **** ripping up too quickly due to wind =(

 

[ViperZ]

Frogg Toggs suits are OK, unfortunately not very breathable. You can also get frogg togg booties that go over your boots.

 

[PLau]

Keep in mind that if you're going to have a bike cover and an overcoat, you're going to have to carry it as well as there isn't much room on a GSXR (from what I remember, thats what you ride now). The bike that you're referring to that has a bike cover has saddle bags doesn't it?

When I ride to school with rain gear, it takes up 1/2 my bag's storage space if you don't have a locker, it can be annoying.

 

[nfq]

Smooth on the controls and stay off of painted lines.

 

[油井緋色]

Keep in mind that if you're going to have a bike cover and an overcoat, you're going to have to carry it as well as there isn't much room on a GSXR (from what I remember, thats what you ride now). The bike that you're referring to that has a bike cover has saddle bags doesn't it?

When I ride to school with rain gear, it takes up 1/2 my bag's storage space if you don't have a locker, it can be annoying.

Yeah, you've likely seen it at York by now. You are one brave soul lol noticed you were the lone bike quite a few times this long winter =P I tried waving you down the other day on the bridge from TEL to S; knew it was you despite never meeting you due to your bike being the only one outside and you were carrying a helmet.

I'm likely going to cram a bunch of **** into my bag over the course of the first week when travelling to my new work place and making myself at home (formal wear, tools, bike cover etc.). Only thing I'm worried about is whether or not the exhaust will melt the cover; I need to check if there is a heat shield inside it.

I'm close with a few professor and can just unload my stuff in their office when I'm back lol or just rent a locker at either York or Seneca.

Back on topic: what overcoat are you using and do you have rain gloves too? Any recommendations? And @Viperz, I don't need frogg togg boots as I have the Goretex Sidis. Though I definitely need gloves as I don't feel like destroying my second pair of Handroids with water again.

Smooth on the controls and stay off of painted lines.

lol thank you, I know how to ride in wet conditions though. Now I'm more concerned about staying dry and not fatiguing myself as the daily commute is very long.

 

[PLau]

I wear: http://www.gearscanada.com/products/details/199/9/dritek-two-piece-rain-suit.html .
Keeps me bone dry. As for hands and feet, I just hope it doesn't rain too much and I'm relatively dry. If it's cold and raining kinda hard, I just put latex (or those non-latex) gloves on underneath my gloves. Wearing thin plastic bags keeps your feet dry as well but I've only done that once (inside the boot so no one even knew )

but if you're a small or medium, you could pick this up for $30 http://www.pannontech.com/store/VCX-Rain-Suit-Red-2pc.html

There is no point in having a bike cover to cover your bike because of a rainy day cause its going to get wet when you ride anyways and if you're concerned with a wet seat, your rain gear will already deal with that .

 

[油井緋色]

My gear is S - M so I'll likely need L for the over coat. Gonna visit that hunting store in Vaughan Mills to see if there is any decent gear.

And...if the bike cover is useless; why does that guy at school do it?!?! lol

 

[nfq]

Yeah, you've likely seen it at York by now. You are one brave soul lol noticed you were the lone bike quite a few times this long winter =P I tried waving you down the other day on the bridge from TEL to S; knew it was you despite never meeting you due to your bike being the only one outside and you were carrying a helmet.

I'm likely going to cram a bunch of **** into my bag over the course of the first week when travelling to my new work place and making myself at home (formal wear, tools, bike cover etc.). Only thing I'm worried about is whether or not the exhaust will melt the cover; I need to check if there is a heat shield inside it.

I'm close with a few professor and can just unload my stuff in their office when I'm back lol or just rent a locker at either York or Seneca.

Back on topic: what overcoat are you using and do you have rain gloves too? Any recommendations? And @Viperz, I don't need frogg togg boots as I have the Goretex Sidis. Though I definitely need gloves as I don't feel like destroying my second pair of Handroids with water again.



lol thank you, I know how to ride in wet conditions though. Now I'm more concerned about staying dry and not fatiguing myself as the daily commute is very long.

You asked for rain riding methods.

didn't you just get an SS? they can be fun in the wet.

 

[PLau]

I dont know... It's seeming useless to me...
My gear is m-L and I got a large suit.
You can drop by GearsCanada in Richmond hill to try it on and buy it if you like it... Thats what I did.

 

[油井緋色]

You asked for rain riding methods.

didn't you just get an SS? they can be fun in the wet.

I should have asked for staying dry methods lol

I'm gonna change the tires to sport touring (probably BT-45) to save on tire costs. Had the rear fishtail on me a few times in the last week when I was hit with snow or rain so yeah, need to get accustomed to the bike's throttle still.

 

[PLau]

Im really curious how some people can manage riding in snow 2+ cm deep especially on an ss.

Like WheelieBoy's California trip hitting a snowstorm...

Regardless, take it easy on wet roads even if it feels great cause you're riding bone dry That was my mistake last season...

 

[油井緋色]

Im really curious how some people can manage riding in snow 2+ cm deep especially on an ss.

Like WheelieBoy's California trip hitting a snowstorm...

Tires I think? I'm still doing research on them. Looking specifically into Michelins Pilot Power 3s and the BT-023. The BT-45 is just a default fall back because I never had problems with them on my GS...but I don't know if they make in the size I need now, and...they have a ****** top speed rating.

PR3's front apparently wears apparently weirdly. Haven't heard any bad things about the BT-023.

 

[PLau]

He rode on the same tires the whole trip though from freezing cold to blazing hot.

Edit: Nvm - 2 sets... Michelin Power Pures

Guess experience and comfort level on the bike plays a huge role but still.... I find my rear slipping sometimes going slow on a 125cc bike...

 

[油井緋色]

He rode on the same tires the whole trip though from freezing cold to blazing hot.

Edit: Nvm - 2 sets... Michelin Power Pures

Guess experience and comfort level on the bike plays a huge role but still.... I find my rear slipping sometimes going slow on a 125cc bike...

You had that wipeout right?

I spent most of my winter on the GO bus reading "Total Control" by Lee Parks. From what I read, once you start the turn, it's best to commit to the speed you picked unless you really need to slow down; any correction, especially in ****** road conditions, prior to the apex, leads to suspensions being loaded/unloaded and (bad) stuff happens.

Gonna try the exercises in the book when it gets warmer with a few friends to fully understand it. I'm not too sure of what I typed up there lol

 

[PLau]

Lol, funny thing is that I was committed to the turn until I hit the ground. I was simply going to fast in wet and cold conditions while the rear hit the .painted line and skid out. Track riding = no slippery painted lines around a curve

 

[油井緋色]

I dont know... It's seeming useless to me...
My gear is m-L and I got a large suit.
You can drop by GearsCanada in Richmond hill to try it on and buy it if you like it... Thats what I did.

Is this where Gears Canada is?

556 Edward Ave, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 9Y5

 

[PLau]

Yes. Theres a bunch of units in that plaza - its one of the units in the back.

 

[unL33T]

I use Frogg Toggs without issue.

I'm also concerned about rain traction. I've had a drop because I got too much front brake, even though I tried to be quick but not hard on it. I also see people saying all over the place to trust your tires and then I'll find a video of some guy making a turn on seemingly dry road, barely leaned over, maybe going a little fast, and his bike just slides out from under him. Hard to trust them then. I've been going 3 years and rode rain and shine for the first 2 and still don't like the wet. I'd rather ride in sub zero temps than rain.

 

[DVS]

Rain Gear: Frog Toggs are fine, you're not going to wear it all day and it's more breathable than most rain gear I know. There are different types of Frog Toggs, the cheapies will start separating in the sleeves when they're flapping in the wind. I know, it's happened to me. There are the Horny Toadz which are made of sturdier stuff, these have held up fine for me for years. Get the HI VIZ ones, because in the rain you want to be seen. Believe me it works.

Rain riding tips: When people say trust your tires, take that with a grain of salt. Use common sense and you'll be fine.

Are you going to trust your tires and suddenly grab a handful of brakes? I don't know any tires that wouldn't slide in that situation.

Stay off of metal, tar snakes and painted lines, especially when wet and cold (under 5C).
Get on the brakes early and gently before tipping in for the turn.
Use your rear more if you're unsure of how slick the surface is. I'll rather my rear step out on me than my front. If it's the front, it's usually too quick to do anything about.
Easy on the gas and GENTLY add as you straighten up.

I don't care what type of bike you ride, the above applies.

Ride safe, I don't want to hear of another freaking statistic.

 

[油井緋色]

I use Frogg Toggs without issue.

I'm also concerned about rain traction. I've had a drop because I got too much front brake, even though I tried to be quick but not hard on it. I also see people saying all over the place to trust your tires and then I'll find a video of some guy making a turn on seemingly dry road, barely leaned over, maybe going a little fast, and his bike just slides out from under him. Hard to trust them then. I've been going 3 years and rode rain and shine for the first 2 and still don't like the wet. I'd rather ride in sub zero temps than rain.

Read Total Control by Lee Parks. It will make sense of a lot of **** I didn't get either. The only problem is actually doing the exercises.

And @ DVS, no worries. I've been doing cold and rain riding for the last 2 seasons. I just want to stay dry this season as I need to look semi-professional...not a wet hobo coming to work.

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