I can't stand it, rain or not, I'm riding to work tonight

[Bones]

Hell... I started my FJ in the garage the other day & let it warm up, then shut her down. I do that about once a month throughout the winter. Only 6-7 more starts to go before riding season returns.

I don't want to rub it in, but I will, where I live we can, and I do, ride all year round.  I thought I'd just throw that out there.

[Flynt]

the hard tail box looks goofy, but it is functional, and convenient.

I have the tail box in two sizes and run the one shown in Ron's pics most of the time...  it is the bigger of my two.  When I want more room, I've got a pretty big magnetic mount tank bag.  I don't tour Wiz though, just heavy day trips. 

I also have a backrest in place since I ride 2 up more than half the time.  I like the top box since you can take it off easily, but I leave it on because it is very functional, doesn't weigh enough empty to impact handling, and (along with the backrest) indicates I'm likely not a hooligan to the LEO types.  I need all the help I can get.   

Frank

[Firehawk068]

Made it! Dry as a bone! Forecast looks good, too. Any day is a nice day for a ride.

You did better than my GIVI bags, I left them on the bike in the light rain we have had over the last 4 days to see if they leaked. Both side bags had water in them today. Time to check the seals and see if I can find some fresh product that will seal better. The top box was dry, so I know where to pack my socks and underwear. 

Ride on dude...

Here you go Mark........................Only $3.00

http://www.giviusa.com/givi-products/spare-parts/case-components/z159r-rubber-lid-seal-detail

[FJmonkey]

Here you go Mark........................Only $3.00

http://www.giviusa.com/givi-products/spare-parts/case-components/z159r-rubber-lid-seal-detail

Thanks, maybe I can wait for a sale with free shipping....

[movenon]

"Twisted Throttle" here in the US is a good source for GIVI stuff.
George

[Capn Ron]

"Twisted Throttle" here in the US is a good source for GIVI stuff.
George

+1  What George said.   

[~JM~]

Hell... I started my FJ in the garage the other day & let it warm up, then shut her down. I do that about once a month throughout the winter. Only 6-7 more starts to go before riding season returns.

I don't want to rub it in, but I will, where I live we can, and I do, ride all year round.  I thought I'd just throw that out there.

For not wanting to rub it in.... You sure did a fine job. LOL!

I have a dry pavement policy. I try to only ride on dry pavement. I've been out riding & had it start to rain, but I head home when that happens. I just don't trust wet streets & the other drivers who can't seem to see a bike when it's overcast & raining. Plus my bikes have mostly been garage queens all their lives. It's hard to get them real clean & dry after riding in the rain. If I need to take a bike out in the rain, I'll take my street legal XR600.

[Steve_in_Florida]

I have a dry pavement policy. I try to only ride on dry pavement. I've been out riding & had it start to rain, but I head home when that happens. I just don't trust wet streets & the other drivers who can't seem to see a bike when it's overcast & raining.

So I guess you won't be attending the East Coast Spring Rally?   

Personally, I don't let weather conditions dictate my riding, `cause you never know what you'll run into out on the road.

Example: On the way to the Central Rally in Arkansas this past year, I ran through two (2) bands of rain storms that were probably the worst I had ever encountered. Similar to driving directly into a waterfall. Kinda terrifying! However... having ridden in heavy rain before, I just slogged through it. If I'd panicked and stopped, I probably would have been taken out by a semi truck or a minivan. Couldn't see shit, no tail lights, can't really see the lines on the road... water, water, water...

Just had to punch it (carefully, some car may have stopped!) and get out of the storm.

Back in Germany, I was working late one evening, and came out to a couple of inches of fresh snow. Snow! (This Florida raised boy says "What's all this WHITE shit???") Again, I just hopped on the bike and slogged through it. The dorms were only about eight ( miles away. Not so bad on FRESH snow. Old snow with a layer of ice underneath is a different animal.

...my bikes have mostly been garage queens all their lives. It's hard to get them real clean & dry after riding in the rain.

Riding in the rain *IS* when my bike gets washed!

Steve

[FJmonkey]

Riding in the rain *IS* when my bike gets washed!

Steve

Yep, just wish it would rain more here in SoCal.... Dirty bike...

[aviationfred]

I have a dry pavement policy. I try to only ride on dry pavement. I've been out riding & had it start to rain, but I head home when that happens. I just don't trust wet streets & the other drivers who can't seem to see a bike when it's overcast & raining.

Example: On the way to the Central Rally in Arkansas this past year, I ran through two (2) bands of rain storms that were probably the worst I had ever encountered.

Riding in the rain *IS* when my bike gets washed!

Steve

[/quote]


Had everyone who attended this years Central Rally in Arkansas had a 'no ride in the rain policy' there would have been no attendees at the rally. We all had to ride through the rain to get there. Once we were there we had the best weather that we could have hoped for. We all had a great time and rode some awesome roads.

Don't let rain get in the way of your destination.

Fred

[pdxfj]

I'm not one of those people who look outside and see it's raining and say "I'm going for a ride!".  On the flip side I don't think there is one WCR that I've ridden to, where I didn't have to ride in the rain to get there.  If you've got the right gear it's not a problem to stay warm and dry.  At least I've always had perfect weather for the ride home. 

Heavy rain drops hitting your helmet is a rather unique sound.

[~JM~]

Oh... Don't get me wrong, I've ridden in the rain plenty. A dirt bike in the rain is a lot of fun.

I just prefer to keep my garage queens nice.

[Steve_in_Florida]

I just prefer to keep my garage queens nice.

I am unfamiliar with this concept.

Steve

[novaraptor]

Friends of mine ask why I ride in the rain, instead of taking my van to work. I tell 'em that it's just good experience for touring. The last thing you want is to be on an interstate 300 miles from home and have it be your FIRST time riding in the wet..

[ZOA NOM]

Friends of mine ask why I ride in the rain, instead of taking my van to work. I tell 'em that it's just good experience for touring. The last thing you want is to be on an interstate 300 miles from home and have it be your FIRST time riding in the wet..

VERY good point. Especially if your commute is relatively close, and you can get the experience in small doses. I had precisely this experience two nights ago on my way home. When I left for work at 11am it was just a little overcast, and no rain forecast. When I left work at 10pm, I was in white-out fog door-to-door. Scariest ride of my life, but I made it, and it'll be a confidence builder if I ever get stuck in the NorCal legendary Tooele fog again. One thing I learned quickly was I want a pair of gloves with a suede patch on the back for wiping my shield.