The rain is coming.  

I just wanted to throw up a post to remind folks that the first rain of the season will bring up all the crud in the roads and make them slippery as hell, even after they've dried up.  Also, remember that most of us probably haven't been riding in the wet for a while now and our wet riding skills are rusty.  Finally, when it dries out, keep an eye out for shaded spots or small rivers at the apex of turns. 

Take it easy out there, gang.   [moto]

Rain.     There's finally plenty of open parking in my garage near the office.  Gonna have the Bridge to myself.  No moto cops will be out.   The squids will be driving their WRX's instead of being on their GSXR's. 

no more fighting for a parking spot at work with those fair weather riders 

No more needing to take a shower.

So how long does it take for an aerostich to come in?  I really might buy one this year... or a truck 

Quote from: Vindingo on October 04, 2008, 10:07:14 PM
So how long does it take for an aerostich to come in?  I really might buy one this year... or a truck 

I just got home from a long night at work.

The Ride home to te East bay was pretty chillie. Its almost time to break out the Gerbings Warmed Liner 

Quote from: Vindingo on October 04, 2008, 10:07:14 PM
So how long does it take for an aerostich to come in?  I really might buy one this year... or a truck 

Heated coat?

Thanks for the heads up Spidey!  A couple of us actually went riding yesterday to Alice's and 4 Corners, departure @ 11:30 am (a slightly later start due to my bike not starting AGAIN!).  Got caught in a few mini-rainstorms en route but once we got past 280, it felt like a different world riding those roads - ethereal and other-worldly are words that come to mind.  Also a testament to the great riders that I am lucky enough to have met this past year... I ended up riding cupcake and was really impressed with the mad skills that I saw yesterday! 

Now to try and figure out what the dealio is with my bike...Greyduc lent me his charger this AM and after a 20 min. charge, the bike started (but not for long) so worst case scenario, I can hopefully ride it to Desmoto on Monday morning...

Quote from: someguy on October 05, 2008, 09:36:56 AM
Heated coat?

It's less the heated, more of the waterproof that I am interested in.  Also the ease of putting on and taking off an aerostich.  

I wonder how long the "green gas $ saving" moto/scooter converts will last once it starts to rain?  

I really enjoy riding in the rain after the first couple storms (so I know the roads aren't slick) because people always look at you funny.  It also feels like an acomplisshment when you get to your destination unscathed. 

Quote from: Vindingo on October 05, 2008, 11:21:27 AM
I really enjoy riding in the rain after the first couple storms (so I know the roads aren't slick) because people always look at you funny.  It also feels like an acomplisshment when you get to your destination unscathed. 

I kinda do too.  I rarely go outside when it's raining because I HATE the rain.  But riding in rain is different.  It's oddly liberating to be dressed in Gore-Tex head to toe, completly dry and riding around.  Feels like you're conquering the elements.  Yeah, I know its not like summiting Everest or anything, but it's fun to revel in inconsequential manufactured victories over nature. 

The 'stich is great.  If have a Darien, but if I'd think about a Roadcrafter.  Darien's are more waterproof (I think), but Roadcrafters are more ballistic.  Ask 'belle how her roadcrafter works. 

CharliesAngel, how old is your battery?

Quote from: Spidey link=topic=12528.msg215535#msg215535 date=1223232830

CharliesAngel, how old is your battery?
/quote]

I just replaced it with a brand new one from Cycle Gear 3 weeks ago (when I missed the Napa ride that Hypurone and Desmostro went on)...there's corosion around the positive lead. 

Quote from: Vindingo on October 05, 2008, 11:21:27 AM
It's less the heated, more of the waterproof that I am interested in.  Also the ease of putting on and taking off an aerostich.  

I wonder how long the "green gas $ saving" moto/scooter converts will last once it starts to rain?   

I wouldn't bother with the 'Stich if you just want to stay dry.  Nothing textile is waterproof.  Water resistant, sure.  But not waterproof.  You might get a good suit now and then that someone swears by, but the fact of the matter is that the water will find its way in.  I've sent questions into Stanford's Physics Dept. complete with diagrams asking how the hell water got in and got nada in return--save for the lap full of water.  My recommendation to you is to spent $30-60 on a cheap, truly rainproof set of pants and jacket and call it a day.  It's probably gonna be some ghey yellow, but who cares.  You can wear it over your regular gear.  Rain gear does help keep you warm.  You can duct tape the tears (it's gonna happen) and you're not out all that money.  Now there's going to be half a dozen people who pipe up here and swear by such-n-such brand of whateveritis...but it's going to cost you a lot more and you're not going to stay any drier.  You might look a tad cooler, but you're already riding a Monster in the rain in Bay Area traffic--if you need more validation of your cajones and coolness beyond that then you need a shrink, not rain gear.   

You guys have it all wrong.

I roll with one of these

Quote from: ROBsS4R on October 05, 2008, 06:22:17 PM
You guys have it all wrong.

I roll with one of these

I don't know which is crazier...
The fact that some has an Umbrella on their bike or..
The fact that the umbrella is longer in the back and looks like it was made for something like that...


I love my Roadcrafter 'stitch, however I've only had it since March, and have not been in the rain yet. It's been awesome for the 10k miles though so far.

I bought some cheap rain gear from Cycle gear a couple of years ago. It works fine. It was red & black too, not some ghey yellow. I don't like to ride in the rain if the bike is clean, but if it's dirty it doesn't matter that much.