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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | My pop just had surgery Thursday so I had to ride up and see him today despite threats of rain and such. I spent several hours with him before heading home and was assured all is well.
As I left the hospital it was raining, a good steady rain so instead of contending with I-95 I choose to take RT 522 home. A lot of bikes seem to have gotten caught out in the rain today and they didn't seem much like happy campers. I pulled up at a stoplight next to a couple on an HD, all bikered looking and stuff and gave them a knod. They looked like two mad cats and didn't even acknowledge me, I don't think. Anyway, rolling again and I'm on the south side of Front Royal on 522 and passed a few bikes with some waves but they all seemed hunkered down. Then out of the mist what do I see???? A Vision with two up! But before I can throw a wave, the pillion throws a hand high just a waving like she's riding in a parade! I return the wave with just as much enthusiasm as the rain continues to beat down hard and I smile. Wow! The chick was enjoyin' the ride in the rain on a Vision, it just don't get no better than that!
Had a sweet ride home dispite the rain, and dag-nab it I missed the Hazzard Homecoming in Sperryville. I did get to see the General, one of many, and old Roscoe's patrol car, but they weren't chasin' anybody. I even ran into some hail and during a dry spell a huge bug smacks me on the left goggle lens. What a hoot! |
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Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | I actually don't mind riding in the rain as long as I don't have to stop.
That's when you really get wet. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | bigfoot - 2011-08-13 7:41 PM I actually don't mind riding in the rain as long as I don't have to stop. That's when you really get wet. I gotta agree with you - living in the Pac-Northwest we get the odd spot of rain. On the Vision - I have got dumped on a time or two in 3 1/2 years - but never even got my shoelaces wet. Even my jeans or gloves. Worse is water on the face/sunglasses and most of that can be cancelled by running up the windshield. Now I'm talking highway speeds - not 'in town' driving .... that's a whole other thing that I have so far avoided on the VV - and will continue to avoid - something like this: "There's a cloud - quick - go the other way!" - that's why I NEVER have a destination in mind (well - rarely) when I ride. Last summer, I set out for Alaska - and ended up on the Oregon Coast. Not kidding... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 117
Kansas City, MO | glad Dad is well - are you sure the sad faces wernt just becuse of what you were on and they wernt?? Went down to AR with my buddies on their HD's and it started to rain, they all saluted me as I raised the windshield up - I am still not sure why they wanted to stop |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | donetracey - 2011-08-13 10:59 PM On the Vision - I have got dumped on a time or two in 3 1/2 years - but never even got my shoelaces wet. Even my jeans or gloves. Hmm... Riding in downpours my gloves get thoroughly soaked. But I'm talking 250-mile rides, though. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | Yes, the Vision is a class act in the rain, and yes your hands will get wet when the shield is up. I run the shield down, even in the rain.
I had to share this because I've just never saw such enthusiasm by a pillion in the rain, but when you ride a Vision, how can you help it?
I got to roll 400 miles yesterday and I have to say, the ride up I-95 was unnerving, people are way to preoccupied when they are behind the wheel. Also, I saw about 5 dead deer along I-66, 3 spots (bambi), so watch out for the creatures.
The ride was so much better on 522 even in the rain. I finally put my jacket on when I could see the rain to start sheeting. Despite all the rain, my crouch and down the front of my T-Shirt was where the wet was when I got home. Oh, and my knees since I took off the uppers and don't have lowers and I keep my knees in the breeze. |
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Tourer
Posts: 492
Indianapolis, IN | It's funny but my wife has said on several occasions when the weather was looking a little chancy and I would give the option of heading out in the cage instead of the vision, "Aw, a little rain ain't going to stop us from riding is it?". I do believe the gals like these bikes as much as us guys do. ;-) And more than that I think she gets a little kick out of seeing the HD folks disappear or sulk when the rain shows up. Nothing quite like owning one of the super-touring bikes on the road. |
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Tourer
Posts: 575
Spirit Lake IA "Birthplace of Victory Motorcycles" | My wife and I rode with two other friends from Spirit Lake, IA to the beautiful river town of Red Wing, MN in May. Had planned the trip 6 months on advance and had reservations at a B and B. Got to the day to leave and it was 44 degrees, rain, and 20 mph cross winds for most of the way. It NEVER is that cold in May! Since we had already paid for hotel, we soldiered on. My wife and I, riding 2 up on my 09 Vision, cranked on the heated seats, put the windshield up, turned on heated grips, and donned our chaps, jackets, gloves, etc. While I would have preferred to have 75 and sunny, the ride for us was tolerable.
Our friends were not so nicely equipped. 2 Hondas (VTX and a Shadow) no windscreen, and shorty helmets with goggles. What a terrible ride for them. One of them had a proper jacket and chaps. The other had a jacket from Target she claimed was waterproof and cotton gardening gloves.
Needless to say, we all drove slower than we normally would and stopped for coffee every 60 min so these two could warm up and wring the water out of their gloves. Our 3.5 HR trip took 9 hrs, but my wife and I were reasonably comfortable.
It made me smile to know that with the proper bike and gear, even a trip like this in the rain can be enjoyed and memorable.
PS. Next 3 days were 72 and sunny! Ride on!
Edited by Man314 2011-08-14 8:21 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 92
Princeton, MN | Dont worry about the HD guys,,, friend of mine has an ultra glide loaded and told me this spring he wont ride with me more than 100 miles,,, he said riding tank to tank with 250 mile stops all day was too much with all of the engine noise and vibration and just makes him mad and uncomfortable ! Got lots of those types of looks on the way to Sturgis,, I and a friend, each on visions, locked the cruise on 80 mph on I90 and passed nearly every HD we saw,,, kindly we waved at them all as we passed but only had 2 wave back with all of their fingers....ha life is GREAT! |
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Tourer
Posts: 390
| I am wishing for a chance to ride in the rain........12 inches behind this year. Has many on the Gulf coast hoping for a tropical storm. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 741
Central New York | I like the Vision in the rain. I have a one piece rain suit I carry in my saddlebag for the bad rains, and I am always wearing my flip up helmet. Heck, with the one piece rain suit and full face helmet, I have gotten wetter in some cars I have owned over the years than I do on my Vision. 
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | I used to HATE riding in the rain. It hurt, was dangerous, couldn't see or be seen - was just miserable! But now... Even though it is very dry in New Mexico we still have our rainy season, and I don't mind it a bit. Put the lowers out to make it dry and warm. Windsheild all the way up so I just have a little moisture over the top and a little from bottom/sides, HID on to see/be seen - As long as I can keep it above 50mph life is gooood :-)
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Cruiser
Posts: 117
Kansas City, MO | aerostich sells a triple diget glove for $50 I have had mine for years - dont leave home without them
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Cruiser
Posts: 188
Tifton, GA | My Vision is the best bike I have ever rode in the rain. If I am on open Hwy the rain gear is not needed in Temps. above 70. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| I have a harley rain suite I think I paid 150 bucks for it back when I had a harley. I have ridden in all day rain and have stayed dry ever time do I will not give it up. But you should see some of the harley guys look at me. I can just guess what there thinking did harley come out with a new model or is this guy lost. |
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Why is that?