[ImportRacer140]

I was wondering what you guys though of riding in the rain. I'm not talkin about safety, I'm talkin about what it does to your bike. I just got my new baby, and i dont want to ruin her. How badly does rain affect your bike and what precautions or after-riding-in-the-rain steps should i take? Also, how important is it to keep water off the dash? Do i NEED to get a cover to put over the bike when i park it? Id really appreciate any help and advice.

2003 Candy Lightning Blue ZX-6R
"Burn rubber, not your soul."

 

[NinjaRider]

i always dry it thoroughly after riding in the rain. it's a very good idea to get a cover for it when you park it, because it not only keeps the rain off of it but the bright sunshine and and sneaky little kids that are around. the dashboard should be fine; everything's sealed from the factory so water should have a hard time getting in there.

 

[Andy_7676]

i ride my bike in the rain alot and so far no sign of rust or anything...bike seems to be made to handle it...

My Drinking Team Has a Racing Problem!

 

[Lee]

Be prepared -- it gets DIRTY.

The manual suggests cleaning the air filter after riding in rain, doesn't it? I've never bothered with that. Mostly I'd just consider whatever problems come with the additional dirt accumulation, particularly on the chain. The bike is built to handle getting wet, just don't clean it with a pressure washer!

Still, you don't want to leave it sitting uncovered in the rain for weeks (my 250 has problems from doing this), but here and there doesn't hurt.

----------------------
Dave Lee
Red '02
Open Throttle Sport Riders

 

[Cailith]

I regularly ride in the rain and have had no problems apart from a very dirty swingarm and rear suspension. I will fit a hugger at some stage to try and keep some of it off the rear suspension at least.

As far as sitting in the rain, they are built to take some water up around the instrument panel, just don't fire the hose in there at full power and you'll be fine.

Red 2002 ZX-6R 636

 

[GreenEnvy]

I ride in the rain often, cause I don't really mind, still beats a car

No problems with it at all, I rinse it off when I get back, and give it a good wash as soon as I can.


-=Welcome To Canada=-

2002 Green 6R
1986 Gixxer 7/11

 

[tommyboynjataol]

after ride in the rain dry it off and letthe enigine idol for a while. That will insure it gets dry. also after you wash it always idol the engine for like 5 mins.

Faster then a speeding...
Ticket

 

[ImportRacer140]

Aiight, thanx a lot guys. By the way, when you say don't spray with high pressure, how high are you talkin. And are there any places your should avoid spraying with water period, and anything that would need some lubing up afterwards? Also, CdnNinjaZX6R, what kind of gear do you wear in the rain so youre not drenched? Did you buy waterproof gear, waterproofing sprays, some cheap waterproof coats to put over your normal gear, or something else?

2003 Candy Lightning Blue ZX-6R

"Burn rubber, not your soul."

 

[GreenEnvy]

I normally don't wear much extra to avoid getting wet actually, I dont mind it a whole lot
My leather jacket keeps my upper body dry, and the fairings on the bike keep most of my legs dry, just between my knees/waste get wet if I'm wearing jeans or something like that.

Sometimes I do wear a cheap vinyl waterproof jacket over my leather if I know ahead of time I'll be in the rain for a while (its green of course)

When you wash the bike, avoid spraying water directly around the ignition/gauges, ram air, and exhaust.
getting the gauges and ignition wet is fine, just dont spray high pressure water


-=Welcome To Canada=-

2002 Green 6R
1986 Gixxer 7/11

 

[Lee]

I'd say be careful with anything over regular hose pressure. No water up the air tubes, down the exhaust, etc. Watch out for any type of seal or joint where water could be forced through. I don't lube anything afterward, except the chain if I've given it a proper cleaning.

I've got the cheap First Gear rain suit that goes over your other gear. I rarely wear it because I don't like feeling so bulky, but it is well made stuff, and a good solution if you don't have money for a full second set of gear. And it can be packed along in a tank bag, which is nice.

----------------------
Dave Lee
Red '02
Open Throttle Sport Riders

 

[a007sniper]

Remember also that if you rinse it with water, you'll have to oil the chain a little sooner than what the manuel recommends.

 

[tommyboynjataol]

Every time i wash my bike i use half a can of engine degreeser (from walmart $0.79/can) I spay most of the bike down with degreaser like wheels, undertail, swingarm, anywher grease will fling. The degrease is ok on paint, rubber, plastic, ect... Then I use use a combo of from had scrubbing it and using my pressure washer. i have ridden for 7 years now and always used a pressure washer to help clean the bike. People say you shouldn't but as long as you know what and what not to spray its just fine. Dont spray, gauges (duh), down exhaust, the wheel berrings, ect... then towl dry it let engine idol for 5 mins. Ride is for 10 mins come back and then lube chain.
hope this helped.

Faster then a speeding...
Ticket

 

[Cailith]

In the rain I tend to just wear a pair of old yellow plastic pants over the top of my jeans, and my Rossi boots, along with my standard leather jacket and gloves. I generally stay dry unless it is absolutely pissing down and I'm not moving very quickly, say stuck in heavy traffic.

Like Dav said, don't put the hose up your exhaust pipe, and only put enough water around the instrument cluster to wash away any soap. Don't squirt it up the air intake either - you do get water around there when you ride in the rain but not to the extent of a hose jammed in there .

I don't lube the chain straight after a wash unless I degreased around the wheels and chain guard.

Red 2002 ZX-6R 636

 

[Marine]

Up till a week ago, I've avoided being caught in the rain for almost a year now. But a week ago today, I got caught in not only a some rain, but a mother f*cking thunder storm down pour. Lightining and shit going off right above my head, but the great part was looking over and seeing the people in a car or minivan look at me as if I were crazy. After about 2 minutes of getting severely pissed on, I would wave at people passing me. After about 5 minutes...i was passing them (and still waving). I took it easy and got it home just fine.

IMO its better to ride you bike in the rain, than let it set out in the rain. At least when you are riding it all the moving parts are flicking the rain off as it comes in...whereas if it sits in the rain the rain can get into places overtime and may create some problems.

02 ZX6R (Yellow)

 

[spddmn]

You shouldn't have to worry about anything on your bike rusting, most of your bike is aluminum(does not rust, only tarnishes). Riding in the rain won't hurt anything, They race professionally in it. If those bikes aren't messed up, then are's certainlly won't be. The only thing is rain can really hurt.

I think of this famous saying.

"At 100 mph, rain feels like concrete. Wonder what concrete feels like???"

Life is short, but sweet for certain...