Riding in the rain?

Ok so I want to ride the bike to work more often but the thought of rain scares me a little...

Shes a 2009 model, fully flaired with a fair bit of money spent on her extras. Not a spot of rust or a scratch on her- just looks brand new.

See I want to ride it more to save the embarrassment of parking my lime green car inbetween the companies' audis and BMWs... seems I am the only person in the office without a company car

So she will be left in a secure car park (with barriers) and she is alarmed but there is no bike shed so she will have to fight with mother nature.

I don't want to loose her new-ness but I brought her to ride not just clean.

Will it drastically age her? Ino millions of bikes sit in the rain all their life but I look at it like you wouldnt leave the roof down in your car through a thunderstorm... I am trying brake my newbie thoughts of bikes rust in rain (especially suzuki) but just need a push from the experianced forum... Is there anything in particual I will notice?

Its a bike. Use it.

Rain and weather wont generally ruin your bike but combine that with poor maintenance and it will.
If you want to keep it looking tip top then if its been caught in the rain just give it a hose down after you get home to rinse all the crud off. Dont forget to keep an eye on the chain etc though too.

Take a cover to park it under when at work if you're so inclined. Other than that I agree with Guru You've got it so you may as well enjoy it

[jambo]

In terms on maintenance, just be aware water can wash lubricant off the chain.

In terms of looks, have a check for products such as ACF50 if you want to keep it looking nice. I bought a bike that was pre-disaster'd so corrosion's not really going to devalue it...

Jambo

[rictus01]

people generally have the same concerns when it comes to everyday use:-

1, do I have the skill for wet weather riding

these are different to the skill (or lack there of) you use in the dry, you can get away with a more ham fisted approach and let traction save you on a dry road, wet roads require more finesse; smoothness and control are the key, observation wise; car drivers react differently in the wet and speeds need to be adjusted to visibility, practise brings you all of these things so allow extra time to start with and you'll end up with additional skills that are well worth having.

2, will the bike rust away

No it won't, you decide how much cleaning you want to do, of course with increased mileage comes more service and alike, but use of ACF50 or the scottoiler one can keep it pretty much at bay, however if you want the "sunny Sunday" look; you'll have to put in a bit more effort, but it can be done, but they do work in the wet.

3, bike security

Generally work places are pretty secure, but if it's a worry, take a chain to work and attach it to something there and leave it, chain up to that, disc locks are another good one, but basically nothing more than you would normally use.

4, weatherproof clothing

Textiles are normally a safe bet, allowoing normal clothes to be worn underneath then, just remember even the best occasionally leak in heavy rain, to avoid this get yourself a one or two piece rain suit to go over the top, cheap and simple.

Hope that helps.


Cheers Mark.

As above, get out and ride it! better a slightly rusty 20000 miler than a spotless seldom started or used 4000 miler to me

If you're really concerned about the rain and weather getting to it when it's parked up buy a decent cover for it. I use an Oxford Rainex (Cheapest) cover over night and it seems to mostly do the trick. You could also buy a Front mudguard fender extender and a rear hugger.

If you want it to stay looking brand new then park it in your front room and admire it in comfort. If you want it to look pretty good but used then look forward to spending a few hours on a weekend armed up with polish and elbow grease. If you want to ride it in all weathers then be aware it won't stay looking perfect for long, it's up to you how much time you spend trying to keep it looking beautiful. You can't get away from rain in this country, get used to it so you don't freak out if you get caught in a shower. You don't need to ride all that differently, just be aware you don't stop as quickly, be smooth on the brakes and numpties who don't see you in the dry are even less likely to see you with fogged up windows

Enjoy your bike for what it is, a mode of transport to get you from A to B, wet or not. You can spend your whole time worrying about it getting nicked and rusting, or you can ride it and take the necessary precautions to the best of your knowledge

The simplest solution to this problem is buy a Honda.

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[jambo]

Originally Posted by Fordward

The simplest solution to this problem is buy a Honda.

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I agree, you then have a disposable bike to use in bad conditions. It'll get every bit as rough, but you won't feel bad and the sv will stay looking lovely.

Jambo
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