Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => General Monster Forum => Topic started by: monster2b on May 23, 2008, 09:39:31 AM

Title: So I rode home in the rain yesterday...
Post by: monster2b on May 23, 2008, 09:39:31 AM
I didn't check the forecast the last couple of days, and yesterday the skies opened up and it poured about halfway through my 20 mile commute. 
A couple of observations:
1. I have an S2R 800 with a tail chop, i've read on TOB that people were concerned about the stripe up the back with a tail chop.  It was not a problem and there was even some mud on the road.
2. The road was very slick but I had no problems slipping, although I did take it very slow through the corners.
3. I don't know how you guys ride daily in the rain. I couldn't see anything through me visor. How do you do it?
4. The Tumi Ducati backpack rocks! It was completely dry inside, and the water wiped off easily. The fabric must have some kind of scotchguard on it.
Title: Re: So I rode home in the rain yesterday...
Post by: Duc L'Smart on May 23, 2008, 07:33:16 PM
Rain sucks, no question. At some point, it's unavoidable. Pull off, find a dry spot, let the rain pass if you can...
Slow down, be safe  [thumbsup]
Title: Re: So I rode home in the rain yesterday...
Post by: somegirl on May 23, 2008, 07:43:33 PM
Quote from: monster2b on May 23, 2008, 09:39:31 AM
3. I don't know how you guys ride daily in the rain. I couldn't see anything through me visor. How do you do it?

Rain is better than fog for that.

If you're going fast enough, just turn your head to the side.  And some gloves come with little squeegees on them to help you wipe the rain off.

Glad you made it safely back. [thumbsup]
Title: Re: So I rode home in the rain yesterday...
Post by: StrikeJollyRoger on May 24, 2008, 10:11:28 AM
Now if you lived in the North East I would have thought to myself, "It rained. That figures."  But you live in CA.

I thought it never rained in CA??? ???  ;)
Title: Re: So I rode home in the rain yesterday...
Post by: Popeye the Sailor on May 24, 2008, 10:38:23 AM
Quote from: StrikeJollyRoger on May 24, 2008, 10:11:28 AM
Now if you lived in the North East I would have thought to myself, "It rained. That figures."  But you live in CA.

I thought it never rained in CA??? ???  ;)

Seems it never rain in Southern California
Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before
It never rains in California
But girl, don't they warn ya
It pours man it pours.....
Title: Re: So I rode home in the rain yesterday...
Post by: macker on May 24, 2008, 05:49:49 PM
sounds like you could use one of these
(http://kramerentertainment.com/images/scuba-glasses2.jpg)
[laugh]
Title: Re: So I rode home in the rain yesterday...
Post by: ROBsS4R on May 24, 2008, 06:00:55 PM

If you turn your head to the right or left for a second the wind normally wipes the rain right off  [thumbsup]

Rain is not so bad. Just do everything slower and smoother  ;D
Title: Re: So I rode home in the rain yesterday...
Post by: El Matador on May 24, 2008, 08:14:14 PM
Quote from: ROBsS4R on May 24, 2008, 06:00:55 PM
If you turn your head to the right or left for a second the wind normally wipes the rain right off  [thumbsup]

Rain is not so bad. Just do everything slower and smoother  ;D

Eggsactly! If you move your head the wind acts like a natural wiper...  :)
Title: Re: So I rode home in the rain yesterday...
Post by: the_Journeyman on May 24, 2008, 08:47:33 PM
Quote from: monster2b on May 23, 2008, 09:39:31 AM
I didn't check the forecast the last couple of days, and yesterday the skies opened up and it poured about halfway through my 20 mile commute. 
A couple of observations:
1. I have an S2R 800 with a tail chop, i've read on TOB that people were concerned about the stripe up the back with a tail chop.  It was not a problem and there was even some mud on the road.
Still have the beer tray, never had a problem

Quote from: monster2b on May 23, 2008, 09:39:31 AM
2. The road was very slick but I had no problems slipping, although I did take it very slow through the corners.
Moto tires stick pretty good, the only problem I've had is when I was 2-up with gravel & clay on the road

Quote from: monster2b on May 23, 2008, 09:39:31 AM
3. I don't know how you guys ride daily in the rain. I couldn't see anything through me visor. How do you do it?
Tourmaster gloves with a wiper blade on the left thumb.  Works great.

JM
Title: Re: So I rode home in the rain yesterday...
Post by: duc996 on May 25, 2008, 06:25:53 AM
I just wipe it off with my gloves,it clears it up a bit for a while.It's the splash from my chop i can't do anything  ;D
Title: Re: So I rode home in the rain yesterday...
Post by: scooby on May 25, 2008, 07:13:35 AM
Quote from: Duc L'Smart on May 23, 2008, 07:33:16 PM
Rain sucks, no question. At some point, it's unavoidable. Pull off, find a dry spot, let the rain pass if you can...
Slow down, be safe  [thumbsup]
I usually don't pull over, but this ride was multi day and I couldn't afford the time to dry out all my gear... This deluge was totally out of the blue on a sunny day; I could see it from a distance and hoped it was virga, but no such luck...

(http://applewood.smugmug.com/photos/291899978_LumWy-L.jpg)

And + 1 x 2 on the glove finger squeegee (Held gloves rock!) and turning your head to get the rain to be pushed off the visor. And  [thumbsup] to rainX!

Title: Re: So I rode home in the rain yesterday...
Post by: duc996 on May 25, 2008, 11:31:26 PM
Looks like fun to me... :)
Title: Re: So I rode home in the rain yesterday...
Post by: hydra on May 25, 2008, 11:55:44 PM
i usually pack a rain suit when i do long trips just in case....it makes all the difference in the world to be dry (underneath). really nothing you can do about the wet visor. if you're visor isn't coated with anti-fog then you should do rainx like DucLsmart said and

+1 on the Held gloves with the wiper fingers.
Title: Re: So I rode home in the rain yesterday...
Post by: mxwinky on May 26, 2008, 09:32:52 AM
Good riding gear and a good 'tude make year-round riding doable.  Rain or shine, every day, no matter what, I commute on the bike.  All of the above is good advice, except for that stopping to wait for the rain to end.  Ha!  Ride on, and love it.  Stay out of the slippery lane centers and keep your throttle inputs smooth and slow down through corners, and it's all good.  I've even looked out on a cold dreary wet rainy Sunday and decided, perfect time for a ride!  It never fails to put a smile on my face.  Oh, and heated grips are the bomb!
Title: Re: So I rode home in the rain yesterday...
Post by: Henecton on May 26, 2008, 03:43:47 PM
Rain suit is a life saver, make sure you get one large enough to fit overtop all of your gear.