back on the road

[redtail]

My AAA insurance, and Honda of North Hollywood, really did a great job putting my '05 back together. It had tangled with a cage that ran a red light. I pretty much just bounced off and tipped over but it did a number on all the front tupperware, and anything on the left side that could reach the ground. I got an idea of what it must be like to ride a bull, as I smashed into the tank and held on tight with my knees. I walked away fine with just some tender jewels and having had my life flash before my eyes. So, after many sleepless nights of hoping I wouldn't have to fight to get things fixed right, I'm back on the road. A little thing like this changes the way you ride after 18 years without a misshap. Anyways, now I'm getting ready to go up to GP suspension and have them do their magic. I hope I can get through the Syskiyous without snow, or else maybe up the coast through the rain. Plan to takeoff on the 16th. Biggest concern really is riding in the rain. I don't have much experience on the wet. Any help is welcome. I've been reading alot of the ld sites, but still have questions, (1) like should I drop the tire pressure to increase the contact patch, or on a 2500 mile ride like this will I just kill my tires? (2) will RAIN-X or something like it be safe on the bike's shield? I've got a heated vest and plenty of time to travel, so am really looking forward to this trip!

 

[okmac]

Do not run less pressure because of rain. It is pounds per square inch that counts and the less you have the easier it is to hydroplane.

The time to be extra careful on a wet road is just after it starts to rain and has not washed all the muck off the road yet. Sometimes it is better to find a coffee shop and wait an hour before going back out to ride. Other than that , if your tires have good tread, just ride carefully and you will not have a problem. I usually give myself more distance from the car ahead of me. You also should allow a little more room for braking.

I have ridden many many miles in the rain and not had a problem, just ride a little more careful and avoid any quick action.

Mac

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Glad to hear you are fine and the insurance worked the way it should.

Tires: fill 'em like always. Iif your tires are good don't worry so much. The tires will wear just fine, depending on brand, riding style, etc. A specific answer can't be given because YMMV.

Wear good rain gear, slow down a bit and just watch for leaves, painted/plastic road markings, manhole covers, etc. as these get slick. Never put rain-X on anything so I can't advise. You won't believe the ride back after Dave and the guys get through with your suspension. It will feel like a new bike.

Relax and have fun.

 

[redtail]

Thanks guys, can't wait. I'm running Avon Storms with good tread and don't mind taking my time!

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Thanks guys, can't wait. I'm running Avon Storms with good tread and don't mind taking my time!

Avon Storms are the single best tire I have ever run in the rain. They stick like glue. Life of the tire was shorter, but you'll get your trip done and more if they are pretty new and you run good pressures. You will hardly notice a difference in the grip with those tires.

 

[redtail]

Hey shinypartsup.... I'll be in Roseburg visiting my mom, maybe we could have lunch?

 

[FJReady]

Another vote for Storms in the rain. Good choice.

I also recommend rain gear that is as bright (color) as you can find. Cagers visibility is diminshed of wet, gray, cloudy days. Bad windshiled wipers and spray from adjacent vehicles makes it worse too. What ever you can do to be more visible is important.

 

[git-r-dan]

RT,

Congrats on gettin back on after such a dramatic get-off.

I also have been running Avon Storms after the stock set expired. They excel on the sides to give you better grab around the turns, although, carefulness with speed seems to be the key. Not to make this a redundant tire thread, but I am on my third set of Avon's and have gotten 10 - 11k on each rear and, so far, around 15 - 16k on the fronts. I do believe that keeping the pressures at the recommended amount is huge for the life of the tires and for safety.

My experience (not a huge amount) is that a good wax ("Liquid Glass" at this time) on the windshield and helmet face shield on both sides, polished before your trip, will help. On my Shoie full face helmet, I found that lifting the face shield up one notch in a downpour was the key to allow the shield not to fog up and for some reason, rain doesn't enter too much. On really cold weather, closing the shield and opening the front, top or back vents allow it to breath enough not to fog. Personally, never have cared for "Rain-X".

Sounds like a great trip planned. Relax, enjoy and we know you're going to be more alert. :shok:

New suspeeeenshon! :clapping:

git-r-dan :beach:

 

[fljab]

Personally, never have cared for "Rain-X".

No Rain-X on your windshield! There is another product made specifically for lexan windshields, but damn if I can find the link right now; it's buried somewhere in my bookmarks where I won't lose it...

I basically use wax on both my bike and helmet shield and works fine; fogging is the bigger issue IMO and there are different ways of dealing with that. I don't have a pinlock setup - maybe next - but have good look keeping my shield just barely cracked so it vents better but keeps the rain off the face. YMMV.

Rain-X does work well on glass windshields although I use a no-name product that does the same thing for my cage; got it from Advance Auto, I do not use that on the bike windshield.

 

[highcountry]

Kudos for getting right back on the road, RT, after your mishap. Let us know how that new suspension works out.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Glad you're OK and all is well in Bikeland. :yahoo:

 

[BikerGeek99]

No Rain-X on your windshield! There is another product made specifically for lexan windshields, but damn if I can find the link right now; it's buried somewhere in my bookmarks where I won't lose it...

Yeah - RainX and plastic aren't good.

I use a product called Raincoat from Moto Solutions. Great stuff and it's made for plastic.

I've ridden in LOTS of rain this year (did anyone mention that it rained at SFO and EOM???). Definitely make sure you have good hi-viz rain gear, and if you're riding for distance, look in to getting those goofy-looking 3-finger thingies from Aerostitch that you wear over your regular gloves. Wet hands suck.

 

[palerider]

My AAA insurance, and Honda of North Hollywood, really did a great job putting my '05 back together. It had tangled with a cage that ran a red light. I pretty much just bounced off and tipped over but it did a number on all the front tupperware, and anything on the left side that could reach the ground. I got an idea of what it must be like to ride a bull, as I smashed into the tank and held on tight with my knees. I walked away fine with just some tender jewels and having had my life flash before my eyes. So, after many sleepless nights of hoping I wouldn't have to fight to get things fixed right, I'm back on the road. A little thing like this changes the way you ride after 18 years without a misshap. Anyways, now I'm getting ready to go up to GP suspension and have them do their magic. I hope I can get through the Syskiyous without snow, or else maybe up the coast through the rain. Plan to takeoff on the 16th. Biggest concern really is riding in the rain. I don't have much experience on the wet. Any help is welcome. I've been reading alot of the ld sites, but still have questions, (1) like should I drop the tire pressure to increase the contact patch, or on a 2500 mile ride like this will I just kill my tires? (2) will RAIN-X or something like it be safe on the bike's shield? I've got a heated vest and plenty of time to travel, so am really looking forward to this trip!

Congrats on you and your bike being in good shape.

Driving in LA is like walking through a shooting gallery.

AAA is the best. Cheap insurance is a bargain until you need it.

 

[oldryder]

watch out for toll booths, with just a few drops of rain the greasy spot where all the cars stop becomes EXTREMELY slick! it's always a little slippery but just a bit of water makes it much worse.

Rain-X excellent for helmet shields in my experience. I always look over my windshield even in the rain.

get a good rainsuit if you don't have one. riding with a wet crotch is no fun.

a scarf goes a long ways towards keeping you warm.

 

[palerider]

get a good rainsuit if you don't have one. riding with a wet crotch is no fun.

umm...depends what you're riding.

h34r:

 

[roger dodger]

+1 for hi-vis rain wear (yellow is what I wear) +1 for 'Plexus' on all plastic shields for rain and bug-proofing. On the Shoei you have a lock lever which adds a (opposite direction) venting feature of a 1/2 click open. Use that and you'll stay dry and clear of fogging.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Hey shinypartsup.... I'll be in Roseburg visiting my mom, maybe we could have lunch?

Belated PM sent. Sorry for the delay.

 

[FJR-Voltron]

Welcome back.. Glad everything turned out good for you.