Do you scoot in the rain?

My bike is black and is a pain to keep clean after riding in the rain,plus it's more dangerous, also rain gear.

tankyuong wrote:

My bike is black and is a pain to keep clean after riding in the rain

Black is the worst to keep clean.

tankyuong wrote:

plus it's more dangerous

I have
- Coast Guard approved Solas 3M visible from all every angle
- LEDs (Half-intensity running lights, Oscillating non-braking, WigWag braking)
- Reflective strips on my gear ... which people think look like a policeman

tankyuong wrote:

also rain gear.

I chauffeur (to school)/commute around 40-46 miles round trip every unless there is ice or snow.

I rarely have to put on my rain gear (unless it is a very heavy rain) because the fairing and Clearview XL windshield does very well all by themselves. People are very surprised when I arrive with only a few drops of rain on my boots and pants.

Living in England, not riding in the rain is not an option.

One word for not riding in the rain - Wimp!!!!!!

So the bike needs cleaning!

So you get wet!

I really don't understand.

Each to his own but I thought all-weather riding is one of the main reasons for riding a maxi.
In ice and snow, possibly not, but keepng off it because it's raining is very 'Henry the Green Engine'!

My first X9 was named 'Nautilus' after an early excursion in a tropical downpour which left roads flooded.
In one place the water was so deep it came over the running-boards. I'm sure a Silverwing would have coped just as well.

My wife and I ride - rain or shine. If we are on vacation we may make a rain day a short day, but we will ride in the rain.

The matter of keeping the bike clean to me is a matter of style over substance. I'm not too concerned with style in my life or with a clean shiny bike.

We've ridden the Cherohala Skyway and a 120 mile section of the Blue ridge Parkway in the rain. At that elevation the fog rolls in with the rain and that makes it a little bit risky. Gives us great stories though.

You know what happens when you ride in the rain? You get wet. The gear is helpful and the safety issue is no greater than any other time.

I guess I better man up then.

tankyuong wrote:

I guess I better man up then.

I guess I better man scoot up then.

Shore do! In fact I'd prefer to ride my SW in the rain than my GW because if I foul up and go down it won't be as bad on the much lighter and smaller SW. I much prefer to ride the SW on gravel and dirt than riding the big bike on those surfaces.

Rain can be very pleasing on a steamy hot August day as we had while riding a part of ole rt 66 a couple of weeks ago. Dick

Maybe it's luck or maybe just coincidence but I've not had to ride in the rain in the 15 or so months I've had this SWing. True, I haven't ridden it a lot (mostly on PGR/ALR missions) but the worst I've seen is a few sprinkles one day shortly after receiving it and a cool, foggy, misty morning not too long ago. Even the weather has been it's abnormal self here in northeast Kansas with rain levels being about 8" over for the year so far. So I'll just keep my fingers crossed.

The only time I ever thought about the rain was a welcome home mission for a reserve unit to Manhattan, KS, and I tracked a rather vicious line of thunderstorms headed for the rendezvous area. I thought not being a completely experienced rider, I didn't want to get in the middle of one of those things. Plus, my rain gear isn't what I'd consider up to par so I kept my nose to the TV and computer. And as it turned out the storm took a different direction and saved the day for me. Still the actual thought of "having" to ride in the rain doesn't really bother me. If it happens, I'll handle it then(and keep on going, I guess).

I live in Florida and rain gear stays with me. Rode with rain and water about a foot deep last Friday and was surprised how good the SW handled.

Dice01 wrote:

I live in Florida and rain gear stays with me. Rode with rain and water about a foot deep last Friday and was surprised how good the SW handled.

I knew I had to pickup my daughter Saturday night. So I watched the weather outside my window since noon time ... it lightly drizzled most of the day. After I received the phone call to pick her up and open the garage door and still only light drizzle with no collective puddles of water ... so I left on the SWing with only my protective gear (with rain gear underseat)

I drove about one mile from house ... heaven open up and the rained poured down. My first thought was turn around and get get car ... but someone would be waiting even longer for me at the pickup point ... so I continued. The rain let up a couple of miles down the road ... until I got closer to the pickup point ... and the heavens opened again.

After picking up my daughter and returning home, I started up a small incline that curves to the right with water pouring down the incline. I started a slow speed and reduced lean to the right for the curve and the front OEM Bridgestone tire feedback did not like it ... so I reduce the lean closer to straight up with a wider turn across the lane with no feedback.

The interstate drained and secondary road drained the water very quickly ... which was uneventfully. When I turned onto my local community roads the rain poured down again and the roads were now flooded in less than 20-25 minutes ... driving straight through the flooded sections was not a problem with the SWing cutting very nicely though the flooded sections.

This is one time I wish I had take the car , but I learned more about the SWing flood handling.

After a week of riding in the rain, some very heavy showers too I have become more familiar with the riding characteristics of the Wing in wet conditions.

My one concern was the amount of diesel that rose to the road surface. That was an experience. The wing I feel is a tad less sure footed in the wet than my previous Burgman, especially when turning at roundabouts. (I must add the wet riding was done in the dark so visibility wasn't the best.)

However, I know now what I can and can't do in wet windy weather with the Wing. So knowledge base expanded.

I must say I am really pleased with Mr Gore Tex's product, whilst getting soaked externally I was bone dry beneath.

I've never claimed myself to be a "FAIR WEATHER RIDER".
I don't have any option now that I sold my car, but even before, I still rode my old scoot to work and where ever else I needed to go.
It's all good if you can keep moving so the rain goes around you, it's only when you stop or you get stuck behind that annoying little car that doesn't seem to realize it's ok to sit on the speed limit, that you start getting wet.
I've found that my S'Wing gives much more protection against the weather than my old scoot. Being wider, and even the standard windscreen is a lot taller than what I had before.
The first mod' I made was to fit a GIVI touring screen. It's 4 inches taller and a bit wider than the standard screen and offers much better protection against the rain.
I like to think that maxi-scooter riders have a few more brains than some, so just take care and "KEEP IT SAFE"

My Swing is my daily commuter rain or shine, hot or cold. The only thing that will cause me to park it is snow and ice. There was ice on the roads this morning when I left for work, so I had to drive in, but now the sun is out and the roads are dry and I am thinking I could have ridden if I was extra careful...

It used to be if it rained I just headed home. Now for some reason I don't mind riding in some rain, as long as it's not coming down cats and dogs. Now that I have better gear the cold is not a problem either. Maybe this year I will see just how long I can extend the season

My Oh My, how things change so quickly...

especially since my initial post on the previous page. This is a lengthy report that I was hesitant to put on the forum but posted it anyway.

Being a newer rider of some 15 months now, I had 'never' ridden
in the rain before and wasn't sure I'd be able to put up with it.
Anyway, a Patriot Guard mission (some 300 miles round trip) came up and
storms were in the area. I had already agreed to give it a go and this
is an edited report I put in at our American Legion Forum:


The PGR mission to Parsons, Kansas in honor of Army Specialist Cox,
KIA, Afghanistan, was memorable but wet. It was Monday, 21 Sep, and
rain was in the forecast but hadn't started yet; at least when I first
got up at 6:45 a.m. When I did get ready to go the rain finally
started... and heavy too! Waited for it to slack off then, with my
little emergency poncho on, I headed out on my trusty Honda Silver Wing
to meet Ken Nelson, Glitch, and Darrell (other Post 400 ALR riders who
decided to chance it) at a gas stop in Lyndon, KS.
Having
"never" ridden in the rain before, I was apprehensive to say the least.
Between my home in Harveyville and Lyndon(about 25 miles), I got enough
rain to tempt me to turn around and head back. But I figured I'd meet
the guys in Lyndon as predetermined and see if they had decided the
same thing. No way! They showed up right after I did and had hit some
hard showers too. So I gassed up, got rid of my flimsy poncho, put on a
standard raincoat, got placed right behind the ride captain (Glitch)
for safety's sake, and away we went. My main downfall was that I didn't
have rain "pants" on. And yes, I got soaked; at least on the bottom
side. A problem I have since remedied.

The ride down there was
uneventful but we hit some horrendous downpours and nasty lightning for
what seemed forever. Visibility got really limited in spots and the
rain never really quit despite fooling us a couple times when we
thought it was going to let up. When we finally did arrive at the
Parsons truck stop meeting point, it was pretty dry there too. We got
split up into 'large' flag or 'no' and 'small' flag groups as normal
and it was pretty dry at the time. 'Course, about 5 minutes later the
clouds opened up and dumped again. And it rained hard as we watched
other large groups of bikers rolling in.

Finally it was time to
form up and get to the funeral and cemetery areas. Those who had large
flags (which must have been somewhere around a hundred(?)or more of
them) filed out first to head to the funeral. And I must say, when you
consider the reason, and see that many flying flags stretched out down
a main highway into town, you get the real feeling of exactly what
these missions are for. And yes, the Phelps's were at the ceremony as I
understand it. While we had been waiting to leave, someone announced
there were some 375 bikes present (or a figure near that number). And
you know that soldier deserved every bit of it.

I wound up going
with the cemetery group to set up flag lines and the other 3 of our
group went to the ceremony. We got that all set up and started a very
lengthy waiting period with hard rains on and off. Glitch and Ken
showed up later at the cemetery just before the main party was to
arrive and we decided that because of time and darkness constraints
that we'd better get headed home. Which was a good idea since it was
about a 150 mile trip for me and maybe a little more for them. So we
left and headed home. I believe Darrell was staying down there
somewhere to attend a funeral the next day in Arkansas City for a
second Kansas soldier that had been KIA in the same fight as Cox was.

Anyway,
we got headed out; still in a continuous rain by the way, and headed
for a gas stop in Yates Center. Probably the first third or fourth of
the return trip was still in the rain and then tapered off. But... the
wind started picking up just out of Yates Center plus the temperature
started dropping down into the low 50's.

Boy, was I ever glad
to get home. Unbeknown to me, the rain had worked its way up under my
raincoat sleeves thru about halfway of the long sleeves of the shirt I
had on. No wonder I was getting a good chill. I slowly peeled of all
the wet stuff I had on, got redressed in my 'jammies' and took about 2
hours to get warmed up again.

All-in-all it turned out to be
quite an experience for me; one that I'm not so sure I'll jump at quite
so quickly the next time if storms are threatening like that. Having
gone from "never" having ridden in the rain, to spending several hours
enduring heavy downpours and lightning, I believe my indoctrination is
now complete. The next time???? A simple rainstorm might be doable now
that I have a proper rain suit but heavy thunderstorms? I don't know
for sure. Anyway, was glad to do my small part for one of our Army
heroes. <<

So I learned the value of a good full rain suit
plus something to go over the boots too. Oh yes; will be getting some
waterproof gloves also. That's a must-do thing. I was basically warm
because I had on my full armored mesh riding outfit replete with rain
and insulated liners. The hooded rain coat added another "windbreaker"
level too. Along with the full helmet, I had the topside "basically"
covered. I got a little tickled at my 'veteran' riders who, although
in full rain gear, had 3/4 helmets on and received an all-day face
wash. Or at least that's what one of them complained about.

Well,
that's it for my "rain" experience. Can hardly wait till I get to
stand a flag line in the middle of a blizzard as some of my PGR cohorts
have unaffectionately referred to from past experiences.

Oh...
I almost forgot to mention... The SWing performed flawlessly. Hit one
area where a ditch had flowed out over half the road. To late to
swerve so just held steady and the bike cut through about 4 inches of
water with no problem at about 40 MPH. Also, that big Givi windshield
was a blessing. Enough water rolled off (thanks to Plexus?) to help me
keep a view but wasn't perfect. Looking up over the edge would have
been better but didn't "have" to do that.

DickO,

I know that you don't ride for this, but - THANK YOU!

Rain or shine, our troops are out there, it's the least we can do.

Riding in the rain may be really dangerous when the way surface is damaged (I experienced), But riding during hailing is a real challenge! (I experienced too)

Not by choice! Took the safety course and both days it was nothing but rain the whole time, just a couple of short breaks in it. Since then I've rode in rain and snow, won't set out on purpose to do it but if necessary I know I can . But as I said not by choice. We have rain here quite often scattered showers and thunder storms, so if your gonna ride with any frequency you need to carry rain gear with you.
Craig

In Puget Sound, if you don't ride in the rain, you don't ride much. I also prefer it to sunny Fridays in the spring and summer when coneheads are not thinking about driving home and are already mentally at their weekend destination.

Rainy drivers are, in my experience, more alert and less likely to drive recklelssly than cagers on a nice day. Besides, on rainy days, there are usually less of them out there which makes it safer and gives me more road alone

The "Conehead" analogy is great!!!! We have those afflicted with that condition, but not just in Spring, all year long, and in the rain, it is safer to stay at the house.

Ride safe!

And for those of us that don't speaka da American!!!!!!

"Conehead"??????????????????

'Coneheads' comes from some comic skits on Television. They were Space Aliens who misinterpreted everything and always got it wrong.

Google Coneheads and you can get some information.

Thanks Gary, Dan Ackroyd was in a film of the same I believe?

To bring this back to topic - I believe the Coneheads would refer to rain as: "thermatically induced moisture inversion" I loved trick or treating with the coneheads - they gave out consumables and beer, Zappa was at his best on that Saturday Night Live episode.

Rain, shine or snow. Doesn't matter to me. Course you could probably tell that from my username. Look at my signature. That's actually the way I feel. Ice, however is another story. Can't keep her on the wheels on ice. But snow is no problem, if you need to go somewhere and it's snowing. I wouldn't recommend it just for the fun of it. Just dress properly, give yourself enough time, go slow and don't lean in a turn. Course I don't lean on anything other than dry pavement. And for me, it's all the gear, all the time.

I prefer riding in the dry but if I am out and about or on a long club ride out then I do not have a problem and just get on with it in the hope the sun will come out at some stage in the day to dry out my gear whilst riding rather than staying soaking wet for the duration

Ironically I prefer heavier rain / good wet roads rather than showery rain or drizzle / damp roads which are more slippery and dangerous.

I ride in the rain - I have a Gore-Tex ex-navy coat and Gore-Tex ex-army over-trousers, both totally waterproof.
The coat is a great wind-stopper, too.

I avoid going out in the snow on the Silverwing and always stay off the ice.

I've ridden in rain and wind and snow and had my windshield completely ice up on me in the Smokeys this past February. Going over a chunk of ice can be a VERY harrowing experience, definitely not something to play around with. The other thing besides the Gore-Tex or waterproof gear is to make sure your boots have good non-slip or grippy soles. My boots tend to wear out in the soles (my other 'emergency brakes') and those have led to quite a bit of a dance trying to hold up my other bike on slippery ground.

As for trying to make sure everything stays dry... scoot more than a couple hours in torrential rain and it really won't matter what you've got on, water will always find a way. I usually have to make sure my gloves go over my sleeves fully (I have gauntlets) and that I wear my water-resistant wind gaiter over my jacket instead of under as usual.

Well, I might as well tell you the story about my accident last summer.

I went on a 2,500 mile trip through eight states in seven days, mostly in Michigan, Ohio, Penn, W. Virginia, Virginia, N. Carolina, Georgia, Tenn and Kentucky.  I was with two friends who ride Harleys.  We did some of the more well know rides in those states such as the Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway, Tail of the Dragon, etc.  Two and a half of those seven days were spent riding in the rain which was new for me.   But after a while I became very comfortable with it and started to think there wasn’t much difference between riding in the rain and on dry pavement.

Unfortunately, on the way back to Michigan I ran into big trouble.  I got separated from my friends and was riding alone going north on I-75 in Ohio just south of Findley.  I got caught in an absolute downpour of rain and decided to stop at a rest area and put on a full face shield – I could hardly see the road and I have an XL Clearview windshield on my bike.   I started to turn into a rest area and was slowing down from about 70 mph.  I was looking ahead to see which way the trucks and cars were supposed to go.  When I saw that cars were supposed to turn to the right I put on both the front and rear break.  It was still raining.  

The bike went into an immediate skid with the rear wheel swinging out to the left and then the bike just flipped over sideways throwing me out onto the pavement at somewhere between 30 and 40 mph.  I wasn’t looking at the speedometer.  I hit on my left side, bounced onto my right side and then tumbled about seven or eight yards.  I did not get up right away, I couldn’t get up.   My first thought was this is serious and I’m hurt.  Lots of people came over to help me and called 911.
 
To make this long story a little shorter, I did not break anything but was badly bruised over much of my body.  I was in significant pain for about two weeks.  I ended up in the hospital emergency room where they did a bunch of tests and then released me despite the fact that I could hardly walk.  However, I recovered and I’m fine now.  The bike was towed to a garage and later repaired although it took almost two months to get all the work done.  At first I had problems with my insurance company which eventually got worked out just fine, then we had to wait for parts to come in and in some cases the wrong parts came in and had to be re-ordered.  They pretty much replaced everything on one side of the bike.  Fortunately, there was no structural damage or mechanical damage, just body parts.

What did I learn from all that?  Well, riding in the rain is NOT the same as riding on dry pavement even though one might begin to feel that way after two full days riding in the rain.   Secondly, I was probably going too fast for the conditions.  Also, it was a fresh rain and I was riding in the middle of the ramp going into the rest area.  That’s the area that collects most of the oil that might come from vehicles so with fresh rain it was slippery – really slippery.  Finally, I did not use proper breaking technique.

Sooooo, be very careful riding in the rain even though you might be feeling pretty cocky and confident about your ability to handle the bike in wet conditions.

That's the hard way to learn it but on a motorcycle, scooter or bike on slippery surfaces leave the front brake off. Don't use it because if the front wheel gets turned just a bit from straight ahead or the rear wheel slips sideways you'll go down almost instantly if the front brake is on. A lot of us who were lucky enough to discover this fact riding dirt bikes won't do it twice but it's a lot less painful.

midlandchip wrote:

Secondly, I was probably going too fast for the conditions.  

Sounds like you learned from the experience! At least you weren't too badly hurt.
Well done for admitting that you were at fault speed-wise.

Over the years, while I normally don't CHOOSE to ride in the rain; it happens. Been in some real gully washers too! One time years ago I was riding home from work in such a storm on my CB750 and had to cross a wash. Hit a rock that almost dropped me, as I continued, shaken I wondered if there was any road left under all the water. Slow is the key and if dark LOTS of lights, and of course very sparingly on the brakes. Just remember if we are invisible to cages in sunlight, how difficult to see in a blinding rain storm? Think about it.

Yep, I scoot in the rain............  Scoot my wimpy butt back home as quickly as possible.      I do like the extra protection from the rain that the Silver Wing affords.

My group of riders are all older and more experienced riders than myself. One in particular is a fair weather only rider. The others are more adventurous, but none of them particularly wants to set out in bad weather. I guess their collective experience has taught them to wait it out. We were caught in a storm last year ( I was on my ACE) and we all did fine. Adjusted to road conditions; and became more cautious in maneuvers. I was soaking wet ( my coat was supposed to be waterproof; it was, somewhat). But 15 minutes out of the rain, I was dry.
I ride for pleasure only; so I have the luxury of waiting for a better day; but if I depended on my ride to get to work, I'd ride in all weather ( except ice). I love to ride.

My take on rain----I ride in it all the time, but can be dangerous at times. Today begins my 61st year of daily riding. #1 ABS great for high experience as well as low experience riders. My current scooter has it as will the next

#2 Looking thru windshield will get you killed....nice to see what you are going to hit or avoid. Try snow/sleet/fog looking thru

#3 Scooters do not handle as well as motorcycles......weight bias seems to be to rear...and not pegs to weigh, tank to grip. Top Boxes, load up high don't help handling.


After over 1.5 million miles......don't ride in groups....ride at your own pace....looks like rain get in right gear.....non flapping professional motorcycle gear.....High Vis.

Tires...bald do not displace water well.....I tend to stick with Honda recommended----IRC working best for me on SilverWing

Waspie, I find the same as you regarding wet handling. I've had to be conscious of how hard I twist the throttle on a wet roundabout, I find the smaller wheel seems to loos grip more easily. Just have to ride different.

As for black being a dangerous colour in the rain???

Dramhunter wrote:

Waspie, I find the same as you regarding wet handling.

Err... Waspie is now an ex-member, he decided he'd had enough of this forum and last logged on in June last year.  

2013 The rain year.

Seattle: drove every day for 2 weeks in non stop rain. I-5 has dug out tranches in place of tires from chains. Scared the sh*& out of me with my square dark tire.

Texas to Florida / RIDE FROM HELL !!! : RAIN !!! God forgot of our little rainbow agreement !!!

-Friday night, 01:00AM, RAIN RAIN RAIN ! I-10 blow up on left lane.
Dark side tire. Freak the f*&^ out of me. I had literately 65 to complete stop in 4 seconds. Good luck crossing the highway. I waited about 30 min.

-RAINING ! After crossing realized my dark side tire was so low I couldn't lift the bike to see damage. Got my flash light, waived, screamed for about 1 hour.

- Somebody called 911, cops showed up, helped lift bike.
WOW, to big of a hole to plug. You could stick your thumb through it.

-They called tow who wanted to drive me 30 miles to a Walmart $150 . I asked about any bike shop around. Yeap 10 miles away there was a Honda Dealer. $100. All fenced out. I had no idea if they were open in Satuday. 03:00AM to 09:30AM. RAINING ! Jumped the fence for shelter (I knew I could get arrested). Put my helmet on and fell a sleep on the bench until sun rise.

PS> Me smart. I had NEW front and rear spare tires...just in case. I was prepared for every situation possible, except for changing tire on the side of the road. Plugs, fuel, tent, food, water, " concealed personal protection". I could last about 1 week on the side of the road.

-10:00 am Honda mechanic BLOWS UP MY ONLY (*&^)(^( REAR TIRE !!!!
ARE YOU KIDDING MEEEEEE !!!!! He left the tire alone to get back when it popped. Everybody thought the mechanic got his head blown up! He was white as snow.

-Oh wait it get's worst. They didn't have any rear tire in stock. WHAAAAAAA !!!!!
So they had to hire a courier to bring one from 60 miles away.

- Oh Florida!.
RAINING! Got to Jacksonville, only 1 mile away from destination to get gas. Checked the oil. NOTHING, EMPTY!!!!! I added oil.

- Oh wait there's more. My bike will not start. I thought the stator was gone. I got a jump. And it started...it drove weird. Later on I found my 3 years old battery balooned up. I think it exploded. Bone dry.

-Got home open the stator side of the bike, the seal had a hole in it slowly dripping oil. It had enough oil to protect it. It was just under the stick. Stator working fine. Added a small car battery... works like a champ.

Did I mentioned RAIN, nothing but rain for 1000 miles !!!

Ride from Hell
The end!

Happy New Year !


PSS> Silverwing doesn't like rain. The fuel economy goes down cause your air filter eventually gets wet.

In the UK it rains a lot so it's no big deal and a normal part of riding. If you get wet it's your own fault for not wearing or having the right riding gear, and the only way you get experience of riding in the rain is to suit up and get out in it. You can't pick up those riding skills reading about what others do or don't do.

My all time favourite post on here was from a US forum member a couple of years ago on a similar topic to this. I was greatly amused he thought wet weather riding was such a big deal, he'd got a decal/sticker for his Silver Wing saying 'I Ride In The Rain' !!   

( It's taken me 3 years to use that particular emoticon for the first time!   )

Riding in rain is just part of the game. I've made a lot of long road trips on my GW and rarely if ever manage to finish without a shot of rain to make things more interesting. I'd like to add to the comment that a windshield you can't see over is a disaster waiting to happen. More than once I've had mud thrown from a passing truck or sudden condensation from a temperature change, specially in the mountains that made my screen opaque. You gotta be able to see over that thing. I've had a set of Frogg Toggs in my bike and scooters for years. Great rain gear for riding. Light, compact packing and keeps one quite dry. A pair of large dishwashing rubber gloves over one's riding gloves is very good at keeping hands dry and warm in the wet. Cheap and effective. Properly dressed riding in the rain can be comfortable. It does help to remember the reduced traction tires have in rain. Watch out for water in tire ruts on worn highways as those can be nasty.
Riding in the rain is a situation that can be disadvantageous to those who use automobile tires on their motorcycles or scooters. One reason that hydroplaning is rare for bikes is the contour of motorcycle tires. The round cross section doesn't trap water as much as the flat auto tires can and do. Brake and throttle operation needs to be moderated on wet roadways especially when crossing over painted lines on the highway. Those can be VERY slick. Both my GW and SW have skidded a bit crossing those in the rain.
There's no doubt I much prefer riding on a warm, sunny day but living in the Northwest you either ride in rain or don't ride much at all. It's not all that bad if you're prepared and drive accordingly.

I think LN explaination of car/square tire on scooter great----I don't know if deflation was caused by bead/rim not sealing or? hitting something, etc.

As new tire, spare, was car tire----if it was and blew up in trying to get bead to seal. Motorcycle rims and car tire beads are really not good/safe match----there is SAE paper on this.

Square'ish is 1 of 2 disadvantage of this tire IF if you drive in Seattle higway 5
BUT: I shave , I mean I shave this Vredestine WINTER tire sides. It already has the same profile as the bike when worn out. If you had a worn out tire on the same conditions you to will have wet underwear. The side to side jerking around is fierce and unpredictable.  

The second is that when you get a flat, it happens really quick. No there is no bid jumping. Just punctures. You HAVE to have a tire monitor on it and always have RIDEON. And when is flat, you will NOT be able to raise the bike on the stand by yourself like you may do with a regular bike tire....is tooooo low to the ground (for me)

My benefits:
- I ride 145/70/13 little smaller
- it's a winter tire
      . very soft compound
      . incredible breaking ability
      . it last's at least 4 times than the bike.
      . better suspension / it flexes more
      . You become the king of rain and snow.

(yes I thought I was going to die driving through my first snow)

I just looked at the tire on the Spyder. God I wish I had a way to mount a 14 inch tire. That will be THE perfect tire.  

I have over 50,000 on car tire. I had 3 flats. I am going back to it as soon as I chew through this bike tire.

We use the same tyres Winter, Spring, Summer or Autumn. I just got home from a little ride around (average ride around for me is 100mls) started out dry, passed through some showers and 40mph winds, and got dazzled by the late sun coming home, just an average day in the UK.  

Sure, I ride in the rain and I carry my rain gear with me. It also works great as a wind break to help keep me warm.

I don't mind riding in the rain; I don't mind riding when it is cold, but I do not like riding in the rain when it is cold. That is just miserable to ride in.

I put an Avon Stryker on the rear in the fall. It does not handle well on wet roads IMO and grip has broken loose on more than one occasion in the wet. And I wasn't misbehaving either. It will get a car tire before I ride it again this coming spring. So if the installer doesn't screw up the Avon when removing it, somebody may be able to get a lightly used rear tire (just over 2K miles) for dirt cheap. (cost of shipping maybe?)

I ride in Seattle, daily to the college and errands around town.  So there are plenty of chances to get wet.  Any more, if it is raining, I take the van.  

I haul a scooter skirt / blanket that is insulated and water proof in the under the seat storage.  My motorcycle coat is water proof so I can stay dry, but why not drive the van when it is raining.  I use it when I am in stop and go traffic and the rain is coming down.  It covers my thighs and legs which will get wet when stopped even with the full fairing.  

I don't have a picture of mine, but this is a good sample of what I use.  Mine is made by Piaggo and has velcro fasteners on the inside of the fairing to keep it down and in place.

With an average of 37 days of rain per year in the Valley of the Sun, NO!

trouble1100 wrote:

With an average of 37 days of rain per year in the Valley of the Sun, NO!

I am so envious of your scooter riding weather. I will be there for the Mariner's spring training!