Monsoon Ryding

[SteveMac]

Well, I got caught in a terrible rain storm last night. :yikes:

I rode the RT to work as usual, and took a little detour after the workday was over. Unfortunately, a storm blew in and it was BAD,. Much, much worse than the scattered showers the weather channel called for. And of course it was dark as the inside of a tomb. There was really no good place to pull over (I live quite a ways out in the countryside), so I pushed on and pushed a lot of water. Wind was horrible and in many places there was 1-3 inches of water over the road. Cars met me and literally drenched me with water as they passed by. I mean LOTS of water.

I just geared down and cruised at a safe speed. Thank God for the Frogg Toggs. I had pulled them on when I saw the storm blowing in. Thanks to the rain gear I was dry everywhere, except the chest area of my shirt. There was just no keeping this volume of rain out. I have ridden in lesser rain showers before, but nothing like this. Not even during Spyderfest 2011. I didn't put on my over-boots, but my feet were still pretty dry considering the torrential rains. I was kind of shocked that my feet didn't get more wet.

Wife was trying to call me to see if I was safe, but there was simply no answering the phone! At the very peak of the storm, there was one spot I could have stopped at a gas station, but it was only a few miles from home, so I didn't bother. She called a buddy of mine and he told her I was heading home last he saw me. She was watching the driveway and opened the garage door for me. What a welcoming sight that was!

Anyway, after I got home I thought back about the ryde and was impressed that I didn't have any hydroplaning issues at all. Of course, I rode with a lot of caution and at a very reasonable speed, but still, I would NEVER have even attempted to get home on a two wheeler. Not even back in the days when I thought I was bullet proof.

Also, no problems with any stalling, or any electrical issues at all. Isn't it good to hear good news about one of our Rydes? Pretty nice to have such a stable rYde as the Spyder. I love my RT! :2thumbs:

 

[Mo Lee]

Well, I got caught in a terrible rain storm last night. :yikes:

I rode the RT to work as usual, and took a little detour after the workday was over. Unfortunately, a storm blew in and it was BAD,. Much, much worse than the scattered showers the weather channel called for. And of course it was dark as the inside of a tomb. There was really no good place to pull over (I live quite a ways out in the countryside), so I pushed on and pushed a lot of water. Wind was horrible and in many places there was 1-3 inches of water over the road. Cars met me and literally drenched me with water as they passed by. I mean LOTS of water.

I just geared down and cruised at a safe speed. Thank God for the Frogg Toggs. I had pulled them on when I saw the storm blowing in. Thanks to the rain gear I was dry everywhere, except the chest area of my shirt. There was just no keeping this volume of rain out. I have ridden in lesser rain showers before, but nothing like this. Not even during Spyderfest 2011. I didn't put on my over-boots, but my feet were still pretty dry considering the torrential rains. I was kind of shocked that my feet didn't get more wet.

Wife was trying to call me to see if I was safe, but there was simply no answering the phone! At the very peak of the storm, there was one spot I could have stopped at a gas station, but it was only a few miles from home, so I didn't bother. She called a buddy of mine and he told her I was heading home last he saw me. She was watching the driveway and opened the garage door for me. What a welcoming sight that was!

Anyway, after I got home I thought back about the ryde and was impressed that I didn't have any hydroplaning issues at all. Of course, I rode with a lot of caution and at a very reasonable speed, but still, I would NEVER have even attempted to get home on a two wheeler. Not even back in the days when I thought I was bullet proof.

Also, no problems with any stalling, or any electrical issues at all. Isn't it good to hear good news about one of our Rydes? Pretty nice to have such a stable rYde as the Spyder. I love my RT! :2thumbs:

Good news you made it home safe. I've got to remember to wear the flipface helmet on days there is a chance of rain. Friday I got a little rain on the way home wearing half helmet and I had forgot how much raindrops hurt at speed.

 

[Paula(Butch2025)]

:agree: yesterday was my first time purposely heading out in the rain to ride and I was truly amazed and thankful at how the Spyder handles in the rain! I've ridden on the back in many a rain storm and have always felt safe and secure, but now that I've ridden it myself all I can say is WOW!

 

[NancysToy]

:thumbup: Every time I have ridden in a "frog-choking" rain, I have marveled at how well the Spyder handles this stuff. As you said, I would have parked a motorcycle long before that point. I'll bet that garage door did look good, though.

 

[BikerDoc]

The Spyder handles wonderful in the rain, even very very heavy rain and wind. and with 100 degree temps it is a welcome relief to ride in the rain on purpose..:clap::clap::clap:

 

[MouthPiece]

The Spyder handles wonderful in the rain, even very very heavy rain and wind. and with 100 degree temps it is a welcome relief to ride in the rain on purpose..:clap::clap::clap:

And Doc would know about rain. JohnnyG, R.L. and Doc probably rode through some of the worst weather heading to Spyderfest this past April. They went slap dab through the tornadoes heading up there.

Chris

 

[Dragonrider]

I am Sooooo spoiled - not like a Californian, who knows it will rain at least twice a year - just never rains like that here. My Spyder has never been in the rain, and even a threat keeps it in the garage. I use the same criteria to ride that I use to fly - if I HAVE to go somewhere, I fly commercially ( or drive the car). I have been caught out, but hate it, and avoid it at all costs.

 

[SteveMac]

I hear ya Lee. I was wearing may half cap also. Pretty much the only one I use in the summer. But that big ol barndoor windshield on the 2010 RT came in handy!

See you in September bro.

Good news you made it home safe. I've got to remember to wear the flipface helmet on days there is a chance of rain. Friday I got a little rain on the way home wearing half helmet and I had forgot how much raindrops hurt at speed.

 

[SteveMac]

Be safe on your solo trip!!
I think that is awesome.

:agree: yesterday was my first time purposely heading out in the rain to ride and I was truly amazed and thankful at how the Spyder handles in the rain! I've ridden on the back in many a rain storm and have always felt safe and secure, but now that I've ridden it myself all I can say is WOW!

 

[chickenhoose]

wonderfull windshield

Steve mac,
I can sing the praises of the rt windshield. Last Sunday coming home from a ride near Garden of the Gods in Shawnee I was running along at a good clip . All of a suddon a barn swallow swoops down from a power line and smacks right in my upper part of the windshield. I can't imagine what that would have felt like in the face.
Look forward to riding with you on our Ky Lake weekend ride.
Jerry

 

[ARtraveler]

Riding in the rain is doable on :spyder2: as long as you have good gear.

I have only run into hydroplaning issues at speeds in excess of 60 mph and trying to ride through standing water. After figureing that out--no recent issues with hydroplaning.

 

[GloryRyders]

:2thumbs: Glad that you made it home safe and sound..................earlier this spring we were on the way back from Eureka Springs Arkansas and got caught in one of those spring stormes as we were passing Fort Lenoard Wood and had to stop at Cowtown to give it time to let up. Their were cars all over the highway in ditches, but the :spyder2: keep on truckin'

 

[rhansen309]

Riding in rain

I am a new rider - only two weeks, and never was on two wheels. We went to Hell, MI for a Support the troops gathering. As we headed home we ran into a sever thunderstorm. I was about two minutes too late to stop. As I pushed forward the wind almost pushed me into oncoming trafficv and then back and then I felt like I was going to be blown off. However the bike did anything I asked it to do. It was stuck to the road. We did find a small pizza shop to stop. had some bread sticks and soda, put on our rain suits and headed home. We were dry by the time we got home. A great ride!!

 

[SteveMac]

Should be lots of fun Jerry
I'm looking forward to it!
Kinda passed through your neck-o-the-woods this morning. I'm riding the RT to Wisconsin for a business trip. Really the business part is only a couple of days, but i took some vac time to get a nice rYde in. Ill probably swing west on the way home visit Cowtown maybe to see some surprise they had fir Len when he got back from Sturgis. Who knows where the riad will take me. Just gonna play it by the seat of my pants. I Got an early start this morning and rode in a really cool full moon light. I was going to take back roads, but decided on I57 in the dark. Glad I did. The deer were abundant even along 57.

Anyway, in Effingham now. Gonna grab some breakfast and push on another 100 miles or so. Visit my oldest living aunt in Paxton. Schedule only allows for an hour or so visit to rest the butt. Then off north again. Final destination Milwaukee. But I think late lunch in Cherry Hill at Salamones Pizza sounds good.

See ya!

Steve mac,
I can sing the praises of the rt windshield. Last Sunday coming home from a ride near Garden of the Gods in Shawnee I was running along at a good clip . All of a suddon a barn swallow swoops down from a power line and smacks right in my upper part of the windshield. I can't imagine what that would have felt like in the face.
Look forward to riding with you on our Ky Lake weekend ride.
Jerry

 

[SteveMac]

Amen brother Jim. I was glad to get home! Can't wait to see everyone in September. Hoping for good fall weather!

:2thumbs: Glad that you made it home safe and sound..................earlier this spring we were on the way back from Eureka Springs Arkansas and got caught in one of those spring stormes as we were passing Fort Lenoard Wood and had to stop at Cowtown to give it time to let up. Their were cars all over the highway in ditches, but the :spyder2: keep on truckin'

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I am a new rider - only two weeks, and never was on two wheels. We went to Hell, MI for a Support the troops gathering. As we headed home we ran into a sever thunderstorm. I was about two minutes too late to stop. As I pushed forward the wind almost pushed me into oncoming trafficv and then back and then I felt like I was going to be blown off. However the bike did anything I asked it to do. It was stuck to the road. We did find a small pizza shop to stop. had some bread sticks and soda, put on our rain suits and headed home. We were dry by the time we got home. A great ride!!

Nothing like getting that first rain storm under your belt. My first ride in the rain was much like yours a severe thunderstorm and I had always thought that riding in the rain must be awful but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't bad at all. The Spyder handles so well that I don't mind riding in rain at all.

 

[Bob Denman]

I'm real glad to hear you made it home Stave! :2thumbs: There's no doubt that having that 3rd wheel out there is a blessing when the toads start getting nervous about the depth of the water on the road! :shocked: