Riding in less than perfect weather.

[Skub]

Well,do you enjoy it?

Years ago I didn't much care about the weather,if I wanted to ride the bike,then I did. I always had something to ride in the salty Winter months,so I wouldn't ruin my main bike.

These days,I have only one machine and I hate the thought of splashing around on wet roads for an hour,only to have to spend many more hours cleaning the bloody thing. The thing is..it rains a lot here and I spend much more time not riding,just moaning.

I have a mate who thinks it's funny,he says I'm a wanker because I'm only keeping the bike good for the next owner. I can't seem to adopt his level of not care. (he seldom bothers to wash his bikes) Riding in the wet,I'm just thinking about how much cleaning I will need to do.

I've even considered buying a shitter for those days,but it all honesty I'd probably clean it up,then not want to get it dirty.

FML.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I don't enjoy riding in crappy weather, I own a car so that I don't have to.

[Skub]

I don't enjoy riding in crappy weather, I own a car so that I don't have to.

Yeahbutt,what if you are gagging to get out on the bike and it rains for a month?

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I don't enjoy riding in crappy weather, I own a car so that I don't have to.

Yeahbutt,what if you are gagging to get out on the bike and it rains for a month?

Not a problem for me, I don't live in Ireland, it's more likely to not rain for a month here, instead we get bitter cold in winter.

[Yorick]

I always hated riding in the rain. But used to love racing in the wet.
Even enjoyed the odd wet session when instructing.

[KungFooBob]

Like Yozza, I hate riding on the road in the wet, but loved racing in it. Got all my best results when it was tipping it down.

[Count Steer]

Don't mind rain too much as long as I'm going somewhere and can keep the visor clean. Wouldn't go out in it just for fun. Never bothered about getting bikes dirty and don't like cleaning them other than with a hose and a duster+Mr Sheen for easy to reach bits. I'd be happy to pay someone to do that twice a year too!

[weeksy]

Errrrm. Well. You know

[ChrisW]

Yeahbutt,what if you are gagging to get out on the bike and it rains for a month?

I'm alright if it starts raining whilst I'm out but I can't face starting off in it, if avoidable. Wait for a sunny interval and pack some waterproofs

[ChrisW]

Like Yozza, I hate riding on the road in the wet, but loved racing in it. Got all my best results when it was tipping it down.

Most people hate rain / mud so it always creates opportunities if you're ok with it

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I enjoyed motorcross in the rain, but East Anglian tracks are mostly sandy and were grippier and more predictable in the wet.

[Yorick]

I enjoyed motorcross in the rain, but East Anglian tracks are mostly sandy and were grippier and more predictable in the wet.

The ground here goes like wet slimy clay. Very slippery in parts.

[DefTrap]

Years since I've -needed- to get somewhere on the bike. I opt not to ride in the wet / cold / dark by choice - there are dry / warm / light options available so why would I?

I can't say I've missed it.

Might also be because as a yoof - when I only had the bike and I just -had- to get places - I must have done the majority of my biking miles in filthy weather. I don't miss riding in the rain. I certainly don't miss riding in the fog or on snow

[Horse]

I have a mate who thinks it's funny,

I didn't have a car, so it was bike or bus. Only weather that was a 'no' was ice/snow (after having fallen of several times in it).

As someone said, as long as you can see, it's ok.

Re funny: once on the M4 in August, an absolute cloudburst, all traffic doing 50. I was laughing out aloud ... as the warm water soaked down through the lining of my overtrousers and reached my socks.

[Skub]

Re funny: once on the M4 in August, an absolute cloudburst, all traffic doing 50. I was laughing out aloud ... as the warm water soaked down through the lining of my overtrousers and reached my socks.

I can better appreciate the humour in that situation since it was you and not me.

[Bustaspoke]

If the thought of ruiining your bike riding it in inclement weather,is all that's stopping you riding then run another bike
These days I mainly use the car for transport,bikes are one of my hobbies,this means I don't often ride when the weather's duff.
However last Winter I noticed that I was getting out on the Street Triple,riding it on the back lanes covered in mud & loose gravel.The bike's pretty mint & I call it my 'Sunny Sunday Princess,.It was wasted riding it on these lanes in Winter conditions but I really enjoyed getting out for a couple of hours,so I decided to get a cheap used SV650 for hacking around on,& got the Street Triple all clean & shiney again.
Worst journey I remember was in 1986 coming back from Le Mans to Lancashire in torrential cold rain,soaked like a drowned rat,NEVER again
Freezing conditions apart I enjoy a few hours messing about on the bike & have been known to get out in the snow



Wouldn't do that on the Streety ..

[v8-powered]

I ride year round, doesn't bother me in the slightest. Bike is there to be used.....

[mangocrazy]

I can really see the logic of getting an off-roader for the colder, wetter months but if I had an SV650 I'd be tarting it up and putting go-faster bits on it, and also it's a Suzuki and they aren't the most resistant to getting dirty, shitty and unloved. With an off roader you just jet wash it when you get home and then have a bath.

[Bigyin]

Doesn’t bother me in the slightest and have started rides in the rain as arranged to meet others so crack on. Both my bikes were cleaned last weekend. Since then both have been soaked after being caught in torrential rain and are filthy.

No biggie as both will be cleaned again but the Ducati first and the work Fazer will be sorted if I have enough time for both but if not, so be it

As I ride all year round for work I really can’t be precious over it and just ride to the conditions. I do tell novices who do their training in wind and rain “ If you can ride safely and well in this then a sunny day will be a piece of piss”

[Felix]

I would not set out in it unless i am on a bike holiday but to just go out on a Sunday afternoons ride. Nah.