Will you ride the H2 in wet weather?

One of my buddies jokes that the only time his BMW gets washed is when it rains. I hate the cleanup after the rain and just don't get much enjoyment our of riding in crappy conditions. The drivers here are pretty much idiots in normal sunny weather, why give them one more excuse to run me over? No, mine will stay in a nice dry garage when the weather is ugly.

Yep. I bought mine to ride.

I LOVE riding in the rain simply because it's more slippery, more fun and more intense.

My issue will be carrying a rain suit. I normally use a magnetic tank bag on my sport bikes and I'm not sure I'll put my tank bag on that stunning paint. We'll see, but my intent is to ride the bike. The next owner will get a perfectly maintained, well cared for bike that'll always be parked indoors in a climate controlled garage - but it will have been riden. Even in the rain.

Greg

Only if the weather catches me off guard, otherwise I'm a fair weather rider.


Only exception is when I'm traveling which I will then take the Multistrada.


Last Spring rode four days in Arkansas and on the last day we just got soaked from beginning to end, about 7 hours of riding in off and on rain. Faired pretty well but the Multi was extremely dirty and I was regretting washing it because I like my bikes clean. Used S100 along with a good auto wash and she looks like new. I really like S100 it makes it a whole lot easier to get the road grime off.

You guys ever had it when it's cold and wet and you want to get home so bad. The slower you go the warmer you are but the longer it takes, conversely the faster you go the colder you are but it's over faster. Quite a conundrum.. I actually do both. Fast then slow. I had my 10r for a day before getting stuck in the rain. I buy my bikes to ride too but rain will f them up. Water infiltrates everything and destroys it. Never mind your chain, I forgot to clean and oil mine until a few weeks after so it sucked. to me riding in the rain is like washing bike with water/hose a no no

OKH2 said:

Only if the weather catches me off guard, otherwise I'm a fair weather rider.


Only exception is when I'm traveling which I will then take the Multistrada.


Last Spring rode four days in Arkansas and on the last day we just got soaked from beginning to end, about 7 hours of riding in off and on rain. Faired pretty well but the Multi was extremely dirty and I was regretting washing it because I like my bikes clean. Used S100 along with a good auto wash and she looks like new. I really like S100 it makes it a whole lot easier to get the road grime off.

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Same here. I wouldn't purposely go out in when its raining cats and dogs just so I can go slippin and slidin. Last year I got caught in the rain quite a few times but not by choice of course. Not too bad but the crappiest part after each rainfall is relubing the chain and cleaning the plastics.

2000 zx12r , ackro, pc3 , k&n,,,,,,,high sides, rear spinning. A bit worried my h2 might be a bit boring.

For the last 20 years of riding, I have only got caught in the rain twice.
Then you have to wash, dry, 3M polish then wax, the entire bike, then clean, and lube chain, etc,etc...


It's also not too safe, with these liter bikes today, oppps, a little slippery....

I avoid wet riding like the plague.....>

ninja boy said:

It's also not too safe, with these liter bikes today, oppps, a little slippery...
>

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You'd be surprised at how well the traction control works. Put on the most intrusive setting and riding in the wet or cold is nothing but a thing.


Purchased a 636 last month and break-in has been slow because of the cold. When I picked it up it was 42 degrees outside and misting. With new tires the KRTC or KTRC (whatever the acro is) kicked in a lot. I got to the point I was playing around and making it kick-in just for the fun of it and to find the limits. Works Great!!!!!

I wouldn't mind riding in the rain(and have)...it's the semi's that roll by in the oncoming lane.It's like getting a sandpaper muck wash...terrible for the bike.Even trying to stay behind any cages...same thing.I try to not ride here in the rain...beat many a thunderstorms though...only if those clouds are doin 140 can they catch me...which most times..not

I won't be riding my H2 in the rain..nope...not this one.

If I am out riding for more than a 12hr period, I usually have a day pack with wet weather gear on my zx10r... The rain doesn't bother me and neither does the cleanup... I'm kinda anal about keeping my bikes in pristine condition. So I love cleaning my bikes! It's relaxing. As for the traction control feature... It's amazing! Setting it on the highest level and lowering the power mode to low... Allowed me to traverse the highway for a nice 5 hour ride in the heaviest rainstorm I have ever seen at over 90 mph... This being said.... My H2 will NEVER see poor weather... This bike is too rare and too special(Though I will be riding the **** out of this bike) ... If it's going to rain... I'll take the zx10r out...

It depends a bit. Some light rain in the summer and I might be game, but generally I try to avoid it. Wet roads are harder to ride on and the biggest detractor is how uncomfortable and cold it can get even with the right gear.

I don't like riding in wet weather, especially because the H2 already goes so fast. I don't want to push my luck by riding in less than ideal conditions.

Interesting to see the differing opinions from people here though. Plenty of variance.

"It depends a bit. Some light rain in the summer and I might be game, but generally I try to avoid it"...same here.

Lots of guys avoid using a car wash 'wand' for their bikes.I use em..only when there's wet grime.BUT...I don't spray into the bearings and such straight on and close.As for staying away from the electricals...I'm very careful to NOT hit anything close in.Light spray around anything iffy.Basically...I spray of the road grime...rinse...then take home and wipe dry anything left.I only live about 4 blocks from a wash station.Clean(with kerosine) and relube the chain always after a wash like this.

I don't like riding when the rain is coming down but right after when the road is wet is awesome. I like to broil the tire without the consequences of burning it off.

I'm picky and for the most part i only like riding in ideal conditions, for all other times... I stay in my cage

I'm not normally a rain rider, but this summer on my pushy I was getting out in the wet more and more to the point I was looking forward to it.

Something extremely cerebral yet satisfyingly visceral about it. Naturally we're talking about a paltry 20-25 mph, but its gotten me extremely interested in rain riding.

Mirror Black will only see the light of day but I'm sure the CBR won't put up much of a fight

Bazza said:

I'm not normally a rain rider, but this summer on my pushy I was getting out in the wet more and more to the point I was looking forward to it.

Something extremely cerebral yet satisfyingly visceral about it. Naturally we're talking about a paltry 20-25 mph, but its gotten me extremely interested in rain riding.

Mirror Black will only see the light of day but I'm sure the CBR won't put up much of a fight

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atta boy!

I actually LIKE rain riding...it's the full grit wash from oncoming semis that ruin it for me.Lots of semis here...hauling big dirty loads of trees.You figure..COMBINED approach speed...he's doing 65,me...probably at least 90.That's a 155 mph muck wash...kinda makes ya appreciate what the H2's paint would have to endure...no thanks...been there,done that.You can only get so far over in yer lane to TRY and escape....never works

Riding in a down pour isn't fun, but on a sunny day when it just starts to drizzle it can be very refreshing and fun. It usually happens by accident when I'm already out. I don't go storm chasing or anything.