Frank's n00b QOTD: weather exposure

[Cerebus]

I've been good about covering up the bike when I know rain is coming. Last night I was preoccupied and forgot, and it got drenched pretty good. Any concerns with it just sitting in the rain like that? I'd have to assume it's pretty weather proof, but I've been known to assume wrong before.

 

[MistahT]

I always heard if you chain gets really wet you want to clean and lube it as soon as the weather dries out. Don't know how necessary that is, but that's what I've heard word of mouth.

 

[Kayo7]

Unfortunately, I've been caught in the rain, left the bike in the rain, and I have no problems. Owned the bike for 3 years now. You shouldn't have to worry about anything except for what T said, clean the chain once it dries out so that it doesn't rust. Bikes are as waterproof as cars are.

 

[Nastybutler]

Bikes are as waterproof as cars are.

I wouldn't say that. There are issues that will crop up if you leave a bike in wet weather on a regular basis, like fog inside the instrument cluster and headlight, as well as possible electrical problems. Won't always be the case, but you're definitely increasing the odds of it happening.

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[MNGreg]

Agreed as T & Kayo said, just clean and relube your your chain when dries..

 

[Detrich]

Just ride it at 90MPH on the freeway for 20 minutes and it'll dry that shit up fast

 

[Alex6]

I wouldn't say that. There are issues that will crop up if you leave a bike in wet weather on a regular basis, like fog inside the instrument cluster and headlight, as well as possible electrical problems. Won't always be the case, but you're definitely increasing the odds of it happening.

That is why the HD riders don't ride in the rain - the chrome might fall off and the bandanas will get wet and lose its protective qualities.

The motorcycle is made to survive in all weather.

 

[Kayo7]

I wouldn't say that. There are issues that will crop up if you leave a bike in wet weather on a regular basis, like fog inside the instrument cluster and headlight, as well as possible electrical problems. Won't always be the case, but you're definitely increasing the odds of it happening.

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I don't mean for this to sound mean, but that basically sounds like I also shouldn't wash my bike on a regular basis. The headlight and instrument cluster are supposed to be a sealed unit just like the headlights on a vehicle. The manufactures of bikes realize that there are some idiots who own them that will leave them outside, uncovered, because they either don't care or can't find any place to put them under to try to protect them. Don't get me wrong, I try to keep mine in the garage at all times but I can feel safe that if for some reason I couldn't, that I should be perfectly fine.

 

[Cerebus]

Just ride it at 90MPH on the freeway for 20 minutes and it'll dry that shit up fast

lol, I grabbed it at lunch time, so this step is done. Well, not quite 90, but a solid 55-60.

 

[linkgt]

Just ride it at 90MPH on the freeway for 20 minutes and it'll dry that shit up fast

I approve :thumbup:

 

[Nastybutler]

The motorcycle is made to survive in all weather.

Compare any bike a few years old left outside all the time to the same model and year bike that is garage kept and you'll see there's a difference between survival and thriving.

I don't mean for this to sound mean, but that basically sounds like I also shouldn't wash my bike on a regular basis. The headlight and instrument cluster are supposed to be a sealed unit just like the headlights on a vehicle. The manufactures of bikes realize that there are some idiots who own them that will leave them outside, uncovered, because they either don't care or can't find any place to put them under to try to protect them. Don't get me wrong, I try to keep mine in the garage at all times but I can feel safe that if for some reason I couldn't, that I should be perfectly fine.

You might have a valid point if we washed our bikes for hours, or days, at a time. But since no one does, you don't. And if you do anything other than use a gentle flow on your bike and avoid any kind of water pressure on the instruments and other sensitive bits, you're doing it wrong.

These aren't enduro bikes.

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