June 16, 2011 8:24 AM PDT
decent chaps keep the rain out of your boots, and decent boots have tight enough seams not to let water in; so that's as much as I do, leathering up. I started once in a really good early spring storm for the turnpike, about 40 degrees out; started out with full leathers, gloves, and a snap-on face mask for my helmet, but the crosswind was so strong that it ripped the mask off about 3 miles down the interstate. Took off the gloves, too, they got soaked instantly and it was warmer without them believe it or not. Yeah, it's not always "fun" riding in crap weather, but I was always kinda proud that I did it. That was about 600 miles or so in 24 hours, a quick run to Detroit and back; left at 4 pm, visited all evening, started home at 10:30-11 with my dad, and the roads were still wet the whole way back as we rode secondary roads through ohio all night to get home; it was also cold, maybe 30 degress, which is not your friend at 55 or so when you're already wet. If my socks were wet I think I'd have hung it up for the night lol
June 18, 2011 1:01 AM PDT
Me, I just try and dodge the raindrops and make the best of it.
Reminds me of my first year riding - rode three hours to honor a Vet on his birthday, got up there and rain was threatening. All of those in my group started pulling out rain gear and I stood there watching them thinking, "Hey! That's a *really* good idea!"
After having to ride three hours home in driving rain so hard I couldn't see a foot in front of my bike at times, I immediately bought my own rain gear... (we pulled over a few times, but it wasn't letting up at all, just getting worse).
I use Tourmasters and haven't had a complaint yet (and I've ridden home in some driving rain). My only wish is that the pants covered the boots - I need to get boot covers.
June 18, 2011 12:22 PM PDT
Rain Gear? We don't have no Rain Gear, We don't need no Stinkin Rain Gear...
I am with ya Mike, I take a heavy dose of Triactin and ride on.