[djzblk1098s]

I just had some work done on my 1098 and on my way home I went through a pretty wicked amount of rainfall.

Too be completely honest, I have never liked riding in the rain and for sure this will be the last time my Italian girlfriend should ever see rain. My gloves filled with water, my 5 yr old cordura jacket no longer repelled water (needs a new application of scotchguard), my sidi vertigo air boots let water and cold air freeze my toes, and when I hit slow traffic...my visor was almost impossible to clear of raindrops since I slowed to under 70mph. To make matters worse, when I stopped at the traffic lights; steam rose up off the front exhaust pipe and made it seem I sat atop a steam powered motorcycle.

Save for my heated jacket, my ass was soaking wet...literally. I have a newfound respect for those riders who choose to ride in adverse weather, almost makes me want to invest in one of those full cordura suits BMW riders sport. I can't remember that brand, but those who wear them swear by them.

Riding in the rain is not recommended, our ducs don't have water repelling feathers and she gives off steam like a steam powered locomotive.

It's gonna be nice riding in the sun someday soon, until then, my duc is staying indoors.

 

[gillistheman]

Riding in the rain... YES, accidently, one time. I live in the desert, technically, and we get about 4 days of "rain" per summer. While driving to next town over (15 miles away) i got caught in a torrential downpour, right after the last underpass where i could have pulled over. I think every rain drop that hit my exposed skin must have flashed into steam, because i was HEATED. I was pissed at my friend for inviting me to ride, though it wasn't really his fault. The rain probably lasted 4-6 minutes, i was soaked, pissed, and thats about it. Nonetheless, we had to slow from about 90 to 50

 

[armstrong82]

I got caught in a downpour on the way back from the dealership last summer. I was soaked. Nothing like the feeling that you've pissed yourself. The rain was so bad, the roads were instantly flooded and I had to pull off the road and basically sit in the rain until it let up a bit. Total time in rain, about 15 min.

 

[Rosco]

Rain, hail, shine, snow. All on my Turbo Busa for the last 5 years.

No rain on the 1098 yet, but then I've only had it for 5 days.

In the last 20 years I've probally only owned a car for 6 or 7 of them. I get too angry in cars. Can't see out, slow, people in the way ect.

If ever I have somthing too big for the bike there's usually someone to lend a hand. Does not happen very often.

 

[The Evil Dr J]

The first weekend I owned it... didn't skip a beat!

Cheers!

 

[r6blade]

LOL .... Man you should try living in London, England ...... I ride in the rain every day! Bike nor you will melt

 

[Todka]

First MotoGP in Australia I did 1600ks of rain in 2 days on a GSXR1100. (Brisbane to Melbourne for the Aussies, via Mt Panorama for a few discrete laps)
If you dress for it it can be fun.
My 1098 has seen rain. I dont mind it except for the cleaning afterwards.

 

[Mr848]

I agree it is fun when dressed accordingly, i ride my Jap bike in rain all the time try to keep the Ducati rain free, but it teaches you good skills like throttle control and counter steering and smooth braking, after a few days of rain to clean the roads you'd be surprised how much grip you do have on a wet road.

 

[jamiemac]

Hi,

Love riding and racing in the rain... knee hard on the deck on full wets is the biz! Just hate the cleaning afterwards!

Jamie

 

[996turbo]

got caught in oxford in the rain, had a 3 hour ride home in a proper down poor, even my passport in my inside pocket of my jogging top was wet! dont recommend riding with the corsa's in the wet though, opened the throttle in 6th to overtake a car and aquaplained big time and almost hit a van! after that, i wont ride in the rain, period, not fun!

 

[Visitor Q]

The very first time, the very first day, the very first ride I got caught in the rain on the 1098. The funny thing is I think the two next times after that, same deal. My bike did not see a rain free day for days... I'm not a fan of riding in the rain, but getting caught, well it happens...

I guess Duc's like water right? =]

Jason

 

[hornetball]

My bike has not, nor will it see rain. It stays warm and snug in the garage unless it's sunny and 60+.

 

[Allan Gibbs]

Sure. Both bikes last weekend when it rained in Los Angeles. I don't care if I get when as long as it's not going to work.

I did notice a lot more steam coming from the 1098 vs. the MV. Just keep the power reasonable and watch out for the wet leaves and manhole covers - even dry my SuperCorsa's still slip. The only problem I had was I didn't bother to change my tinted visor to it was a bit tough riding through canyon roads home.

 

[Yossarian]

I got dumped on riding home last summer from a track day. To compound matters, I had pulled the headlight/taillight fuse for the track session and didn't want to sit in a puddle, remove the left side fairing, and reinstall it so that I'd have lights on the ride home.

I was very concious of traffic, especially the big 18-wheelers, while riding through the downpour. I was just praying that they'd see me!

 

[Grand Duc]

Drove twice in the rain and this is a scary business ! lost control of the rear on hwy, ended sliding 45 degree at 60 mph.....not fun at all !

Other bad side; I have an open clutch and each time after running in water, the clutch get jammed and slip the next day after doing a couple mile ??? I try to put some grease on the pushing rod but still the same ! The clutch lever is jam tight and slowly start to move when the bike cool down look like. It is like something is jamming the basket or something but after dissemble the top plate...every think look ok ???

 

[918on1098]

Just got back from a ride to the California coast. Rained pretty much the entire time, but I was prepared with my rain gear. Bike did fine however I babied it quite a bit. Don't wanna put a 18k bike down with only 800 miles on it!

 

[jrfuisz]

Yes to rain, 3-4 times now, none by choice. Although my last '07 TD was rained out and I would have run that one if they'd have let us. Steam is a little odd at first - thought something was wrong with the engine until I realized what was going on. Tires take a loooong time to get any heat in them. Last rain run (moving the bike from a garage) I left the tires under-inflated a tad on purpose to get some heat in them. Turn-in was horrible but then optimizing handling was not big on my mind that day.

 

[fuggit]

... the very first ride I got caught in the rain on the 1098. The funny thing is I think the two next times after that, same deal.

LOL....Exact same thing happened here. Weather was good when I left the house, just caught a few patches of rain once I got away from town. No drama.....it just sucks cleaning it afterwards.

 

[Visitor Q]

LOL....Exact same thing happened here. Weather was good when I left the house, just caught a few patches of rain once I got away from town. No drama.....it just sucks cleaning it afterwards.

I was so excited when I got the bike that it wasn't raining when I left but the time I got to my friend house it was. I kinda figured it would rain but I needed to stroke my new ride.

Yup, clean up is always a bitch.

Not much you can do here in PA when summer showers pop up especially on long rides, it happens.

Jason