Rain riding

General Honda Forza 300 chat, questions about the Forza, or questions about riding.

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davenowherejones
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Rain riding

Post by davenowherejones »

OK, who has the best tips for riding the Honda Forza 300 in the rain?

I have a personal minimum of 5 degrees C before I will go riding around here. Anything lower than that can mean I will be in the snow possibly.

I hate riding in the rain at night. My visor fogs up so badly. I have a new anti-fog visor sitting on the shelf but I am too cheap to use it. I want to completely wear out the current ICON Variant anti-fog visor.

I might get a few more rides in this winter before I PARK the Forza. I have been riding home in the dark way too much lately. Technically our sunset was at 4:09 pm. In the mountains sunset often comes a lot earlier. I can ride in the dark but I always hope the local drunks can see me. A few potholes sneak up and bite me in the ass occasionally. Fortunately my suspension works a lot better than when I first got the written off Forza wreck. My dual sport riding experience helps me slide around the corners and holes.

My six layers off clothing help keep me dry. I bought a lottery ticket so that I can buy the $4000 Goretex Klim riding suit. Your clothing should not cost more than your motorcycle!!!
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gn2
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Re: Rain riding

Post by gn2 »

Four key words: genuine pinlock visor insert
I have an HJC IS17 helmet which came supplied with a pinlock insert and it simply doesn't fog up, ever.

I buy end of line riding gear cheap from eBay, currently have thermal lined Weise jacket and trousers which never let any water in even around the seat.
Both cost me £90 delivered as opposed to the current model of the same gear which at the time was selling in bike shops for nearer £400
Four decades on two wheels has taught me nothing, all advice given is guaranteed to be wrong
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Mel46
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Re: Rain riding

Post by Mel46 »

if you are going to spend a lot of time riding in the dark and/or the rain, I would suggest that you invest in some additional LED driving lights. Not only can you see better at night with them but others can see you better as well.

I don't have a Forza (two PCX 150s) but I have added some to both bikes and we turn them on when riding, whether it be day or night. There must be a Forza owner on the forum somewhere who has added lights to his bike. perhaps they can advise you on the best place to install them. Mine are on the sides of the front wheels at fender level, and I have a switch on the handlebar.
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Forza-on-Air
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Re: Rain riding

Post by Forza-on-Air »

Buy a car :D
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Re: Rain riding

Post by springer1 »

Forza-on-Air wrote:Buy a car :D
Yep .... I don’t need to ride in the rain so I don’t .... but I know some people have no choice so I’m not making any sort of statement other than don’t unless you need to.
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Re: Rain riding

Post by lillypinkjenny »

Personally for me it comes down to staying as dry and as warm as possible.

I back up GN2 about the genuine pinlock. It's absolutely essential if you want to ride without having to lift your visor at traffic lights and let cold air in.
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Re: Rain riding

Post by davenowherejones »

Mel46 wrote:if you are going to spend a lot of time riding in the dark and/or the rain, I would suggest that you invest in some additional LED driving lights. Not only can you see better at night with them but others can see you better as well.

I don't have a Forza (two PCX 150s) but I have added some to both bikes and we turn them on when riding, whether it be day or night. There must be a Forza owner on the forum somewhere who has added lights to his bike. perhaps they can advise you on the best place to install them. Mine are on the sides of the front wheels at fender level, and I have a switch on the handlebar.
I would like some more lights. Which lights did you buy? How exactly did you install them? Pictures?
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Re: Rain riding

Post by davenowherejones »

Forza-on-Air wrote:Buy a car :D
I have a Dodge Dakota 4x4 and the V8 drinks gas like you would not believe.

Why be normal?
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Re: Rain riding

Post by davenowherejones »

lillypinkjenny wrote:Personally for me it comes down to staying as dry and as warm as possible.

I back up GN2 about the genuine pinlock. It's absolutely essential if you want to ride without having to lift your visor at traffic lights and let cold air in.
I would like to try a pinlock but it would be about $100. If I rode to work every day I would probably do it.
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Re: Rain riding

Post by Forza-on-Air »

Why ride in the rain, if you can’t afford gas time to trade that 4x4 a small 4x4 lol
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Re: Rain riding

Post by davenowherejones »

I watched the thermometer all morning. It got up to 4.6C so I did a trip to McDonalds for brunch.

I then headed west where it was warmer to Harrison Hot Springs. A local doctor was out in a Murphy Yukon floatplane. I watched it take off. I walked over to the hot water source. I had one eye on the dramatic sky and one eye on the clock. I even managed with great restraint managed to get myself home before dark. No rain!

I have willpower!!! I don't need no stinkin' lights (sorry, apologies to Mel Brooks).
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Re: Rain riding

Post by davenowherejones »

Forza-on-Air wrote:Why ride in the rain, if you can’t afford gas time to trade that 4x4 a small 4x4 lol
I repeat, why be normal?
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Re: Rain riding

Post by Forza-on-Air »

davenowherejones wrote:
Forza-on-Air wrote:Why ride in the rain, if you can’t afford gas time to trade that 4x4 a small 4x4 lol
I repeat, why be normal?
Ride safe
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Re: Rain riding

Post by springer1 »

davenowherejones wrote:
Forza-on-Air wrote:Why ride in the rain, if you can’t afford gas time to trade that 4x4 a small 4x4 lol
I repeat, why be normal?
To raise your likelihood of living longer
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Re: Rain riding

Post by Mel46 »

Here is a picture of my PCX. Zoom in on the front and you will see a light on the front strut, as well as some other smaller lights. There are even some small strobe lights in my bike.

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Currently own:
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Givi tall windshield & tailbox - Lots of extra lights
Custom seat from Thailand - Bad Boy Airhorn
Takegawa Lowering Shocks - Michelin City Grip Tires
Headlight assy upgraded to LEDs w/HS5 main bulbs
NCY variator, drive face, and rollers
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Re: Rain riding

Post by davenowherejones »

springer1 wrote:
davenowherejones wrote:
Forza-on-Air wrote:Why ride in the rain, if you can’t afford gas time to trade that 4x4 a small 4x4 lol
I repeat, why be normal?
To raise your likelihood of living longer
I spent a few years of working with the elderly. To live to be 85 living in a nursing home is definitely NOT one of my goals. I saw too many people doing that. It stinks and the quality of life was really bad for a lot of them.

At age 58 and with no family, I intend to have as much fun as I can in the next few years. If I wait for perfect weather I may die waiting. There is no such thing as bad weather, only wearing the wrong clothing said a famous adventurer. I agree.

Management of risks is a fine line, its called living. I sometimes ride through 20 minutes of rain to come upon great weather at the other side. Other times I just get wet all day. I'd rather get wet than die of boredom.
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Re: Rain riding

Post by GeorgeSK »

I like your attitude.

These lights looked somewhat interesting:

https://www.miniinthebox.com/electric-c ... rm=2.3.4.0

Roll down some - the lights appear to mount under your mirror stalks.

Gear? Perhaps one of Aerostich's suits or sets : http://www.aerostich.com/suits
Pricey I'll admit, but not 4 grand. Perhaps worth it for you to have one piece of equipment that you can count on.

You got me thinking about pinlock visors. I will likely need a new helmet in the next year or so, and pinlock compatibility will be on the list. HJC-17 has a pinlock visor for around $30, and the pinlock insert is another $28 or so. Not quite the hundred you're figuring, but not that far away. When I go out at 30-35 F, fogging is a problem. Fortunately my ride to work is short, and the weather has warmed up coming home.

Anybody have any luck with visor treatments that claim to repel rain? If so, curious minds would like to know a brand that works.
On my scoot, getting there is WAY more than half the fun!

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Re: Rain riding

Post by lillypinkjenny »

davenowherejones wrote:
lillypinkjenny wrote:Personally for me it comes down to staying as dry and as warm as possible.

I back up GN2 about the genuine pinlock. It's absolutely essential if you want to ride without having to lift your visor at traffic lights and let cold air in.
I would like to try a pinlock but it would be about $100. If I rode to work every day I would probably do it.
So, are you going to take that $100 with you?

Just buy one and enjoy the clear view without having to freeze your nose and getting ice-cream-head.

;)
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Re: Rain riding

Post by davenowherejones »

lillypinkjenny wrote:
davenowherejones wrote:
lillypinkjenny wrote:Personally for me it comes down to staying as dry and as warm as possible.

I back up GN2 about the genuine pinlock. It's absolutely essential if you want to ride without having to lift your visor at traffic lights and let cold air in.
I would like to try a pinlock but it would be about $100. If I rode to work every day I would probably do it.
So, are you going to take that $100 with you?

Just buy one and enjoy the clear view without having to freeze your nose and getting ice-cream-head.

;)
true
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Mel46
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Re: Rain riding

Post by Mel46 »

GeorgeSK,
I actually have those lights on order from that website. I will evaluate them for you when they come in. It should be interesting. If they don't work out being connected to the mirror stems, I will have to see if there is a way to connect them elsewhere. They don't look very powerful based on the picture, but they should work well at letting others see you.
For night time road visibility I have two Kawell spot lights. Those are mounted on each side of the fender. I can thank Maddiedog for that idea. He even showed me how he had mounted them on his previous PCX. Just make sure they are adjusted down enough to hit the road and not the eyes of the oncoming driver.

https://www.amazon.com/KAWELL-Light-Lig ... ell+lights
Currently own:
Red 2013 Honda PCX150

Givi tall windshield & tailbox - Lots of extra lights
Custom seat from Thailand - Bad Boy Airhorn
Takegawa Lowering Shocks - Michelin City Grip Tires
Headlight assy upgraded to LEDs w/HS5 main bulbs
NCY variator, drive face, and rollers
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