Wet Weather Riding

[Neil955i]

A tip for any other 6’ X-Town 300 riders out there with a standard screen:

Noticed this morning that one upside to the wind noise behind my screen is that in rain, all I need to do is slightly incline my head downward to magically clear my FF helmet visor of water droplets!

Seems the vortex between my head and the screen gives a nice cleaning downdraft at that point. Who knew?


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[Stig / Major Tom]

THAT would be a helpful feature for any screen!
Thanks for the tip.
Beats wiping every 15 sec with left glove. Turn head to the side for me does a bit of what you describe..
.though I bet that others here who ride at a more normal male speed find head turning to be even more effective!
I've read that some never ride in rain, or at night.
I wonder....if I couldn't get to the countryside - I might not either.?
Stig

[Iahawk]

I don't intentionally ride in the rain, that's for sure! I do get caught in the occasional drizzle...but I've always kept my helmet and visor waxed, which helps shed water. Recently I've switched to using the new spray on ceramic waxes (turtle Wax and Griots garage both have excellent ones) on my helmet/visor (and bike, scoot and cars, too, amazing gloss/durability and easier than ever to use).

A slight turn of the head and poof, the water's gone!

But it would also be nice if your bike or scoot had a built in face shield drier like Neil's!

[Neil955i]

But it would also be nice if your bike or scoot had a built in face shield drier like Neil's!

That's exactly the picture I was trying to paint in words Hawk!  It does function exactly like one of those car wash air blades!
Like you Stig, prior to identifying this feature of the XT (and still on my Triumph), I use the tried and trusted head turn to dispel gathered water.  Effective, but not as safe as the XT approach

[Neil955i]

I've read that some never ride in rain, or at night.
I wonder....if I couldn't get to the countryside - I might not either.?
Stig

Been a while since I rode at night.  For no other reason than since I retired, most of my evening outings have been with 'er indoors so we take her 4x4 to save her the effort of kitting up for the bike. 

You've got me to thinking though Stig, I used to really enjoy night-time riding in the summer, so I think I may plan one or two before we slide into Autumn.  Thanks for the prompt!

[Stig / Major Tom]

Been a while since I rode at night.  For no other reason than since I retired, most of my evening outings have been with 'er indoors so we take her 4x4 to save her the effort of kitting up for the bike. 

You've got me to thinking though Stig, I used to really enjoy night-time riding in the summer, so I think I may plan one or two before we slide into Autumn.  Thanks for the prompt!

Well, I  highly recommend a night ride to watch the sunrise.
Because : cool temps, no bugs, fewer idiots, you're fresher/smarter/better looking....and, it is simply the best part of the day.
You'll enjoy the heck out of an early morning ride....once you stop complaining about the hour...😊

Stig

[Neil955i]

Well, I  highly recommend a night ride to watch the sunrise.
Because : cool temps, no bugs, fewer idiots, you're fresher/smarter/better looking....and, it is simply the best part of the day.
You'll enjoy the heck out of an early morning ride....once you stop complaining about the hour...[emoji4]

Stig

In other words, “you know it makes sense!”


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[john grinsel]

Past few days here in boring Chattanooga rain and wet roads---my XTown 300i with rear Michelin City Grip on the proper size-----slipped twice when I was not planning on it!  Prior to this thought they were nice all around tire.....maybe so if you stay out of the rain!  Would like to run this tire another 3-4,000 miles.  Replacement will be Heidenau I have in waiting.  Heidenau on front working well right now.

I find the XTown 300i very tire sensitive----the OEM tires were not the best choice.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Perhaps your recent excitement in the wet has something to do with running very different tires on each end of your scooter?
Whole lot of people have good things to say about the City Grip...which is fitted as standard equipment on many Vespas....riding in rainy Europe.
Just another opinion on the tire.
If my tire or scooter does something unexpected in an otherwise fairly normal situation -- I  put it down as pilot error. And bookmark it as a learning experience.
Stig

[john grinsel]

First, although City Grip not made in proper size for XTown.  I prefer to run matched sets.

With plenty of rain riding experience (over 20 years riding in wet Germany/over 20 years in Japan)
I am careful, not asking my tires to do more than they have to, but I ride in rain/wet as scooter is used for transport among other things.

One needs to remember in US/TN where I am now,, roads not designed to cater to 2 wheels----the idiots in TN put rain groves in the middle of freeway entrance decreasing radius turn----can furnish some real excitement!