Side effects after riding in the rain

[snowmannn]

Last Sunday my Fazer stayed in the rain for 3h and afterwards I had to ride it in the rain for 200km. After this it spent the night in the garage at home and the other day there was a little side effect of the big shower the bike had taken. The starter button on the right handlebar had become kind of hard to press and clicked kind of loudly.

I sprayed some WD40 around it and wiped it clean, this solved the issue immediately and made me very happy . I decided to share the experience, just in case this happens to you!

BTW do you know of other things it is good to lube or inspect after riding in the rain? Lubing the chain is one thing for sure...

 

[Unseen]

After riding in the rain I always lube the cables, steps, side stand and center stand. Basically all the moving parts, just to drive the water out.

 

[fz6nick]

Last Sunday my Fazer stayed in the rain for 3h and afterwards I had to ride it in the rain for 200km. After this it spent the night in the garage at home and the other day there was a little side effect of the big shower the bike had taken. The starter button on the right handlebar had become kind of hard to press and clicked kind of loudly.

I sprayed some WD40 around it and wiped it clean, this solved the issue immediately and made me very happy . I decided to share the experience, just in case this happens to you!

BTW do you know of other things it is good to lube or inspect after riding in the rain? Lubing the chain is one thing for sure...

Make sure you wash it after it gets rained on. First, its gonna be super dirty with rain spots, just like your car is. 2nd, if it gets rained on to much, it could have some oxidation maybe?

 

[Wolfman]

Two things to watch out for after rain, one you should not worry about....the neutral light stays on when the bike is in gear for a couple of days after riding in hard rain...is fine once tings dry out.

The other is water pooling in the swingarm pivot recess on the rear of the frame, these recess's are quite deep, and if you leave your bike on the centre stand, the water DOES rust your swing arm pivot bolt nuts. Simple solution, go get a $2 "frame plug" from the Hardware store (32mm rubber stopper), and plug the holes, no water, no rust.

:thumbup:

 

[snowmannn]

Thanks for the useful info!! Unseen, what do you lube them with - WD40?

 

[Johny Bravo]

Yes, WD40 makes things Better! )))))
Also I spray thoroughly over forks all lenght long to prevent rust! Cause I've seen rusty forks and I don`t wanna se My forks like that!
Hope to be usefull!

 

[PatrickS]

My General Side effects after riding in the rain:

-Ease of mind
-Peace
-Relaxed
-Happiness
-Tranquility
-Less Stressed


(WD40 should be your best friend in the happening of any other side effects)

 

[RyanK]

After riding in the rain I always lube the cables, steps, side stand and center stand. Basically all the moving parts, just to drive the water out.

+1 That's what I do too, within a day or so anyways.

 

[Boneman]

LOL...you guys crack me up. You sound so worried about getting you bike a little wet. It's not going to melt ya know!

I ride all year round, unless there is snow and ice on the road. I ride in the rain a lot. I've done full day rides in a down pour and I don't have an "after rain ride routine" other than putting the bike in the garage.

I don't lube my chain or cables everyday after riding in the rain. Maybe once a week if I remember. My chain has no rust on it either. It's also tight with no stiff spots. I find it amusing how somoe people go nuts about oiling their chain after riding throuhg a puddle. You don't need to oil after every ride in the wet. Your bike and chain will be fine.

I almost spat coffee when I read a post a while back about some guy who said to wash your bike after every ride out in the rain! Heck, I go weeks without washing my bike after rainy rides. What's the point of washing my bike after riding home in the rain, when it's just going to rain again tomorrow.... Christ, I'd spend more time washing and lubing my bike than actually riding the damn thing.


Stickey switches and nuetral light staying on has never happend to me either. You bike is a fairly rugged piece of machinery and is DESIGNED to be out in the elements people!! It's not made out of paper mache! It's a motor vehicle! It's not going to fall appart or rust away becasue you rode in the rain!

I just recently had my 25,000km service and the tech even commented on what good shape my original chain was in! So I'm proof that you don't have to lube it eafter very rainy ride.

All that being said, yes look after your bike. I love a clean, well lubed bike just as much as the next rider, but there is no NEED to wash and lube after each every rainy ride. Not only is it not necessary, it is not 'practical' especially during the winter months, to wash and lube your bike EVERY DAY after work. You can if you want to, but you don't need to.

Your bike can handle some wet weather people.

 

[madmanmaigret]

Thanks Boneman, I was starting to think I was disrespecting my baby or that all these guys had OCD. now I know which one it is.

 

[Rocky529]

If you want to lube something, I would use a silicone based lubricant.

WD-40 is great at doing what it is designed to do... displace water, hence the "WD" in the name. After all moisture is gone, apply a silicone based lubricant for extra protection.

 

[Botch]

.. displace water, hence the \"WD\" in the name.

I learned something today. :thumbup:

 

[bigdog9191999]

yep.. wd-40

water displaceing formula # 40

 

[rent-a-reaper]

I agree with boneman on this one. My bike is an 04 model, i've had her since new and she's only spent about a year of her life with a roof over her. No problems, no rust, and no sticky buttons or lights staying on. The machine was designed to be outside, hence the sealed speedo and such. The only ill effects of being outside as much as my fizzer is the paint is faded a little after 4 years of livin in the sun, but no big deal....when i do my naked conversion she's getting painted...no harm no foul. :thumbup:

 

[Mattberkshire]

I wash my bike very rarely, just stick it in the garage after a wet ride (oooh errr missus). There have been two downsides to this though.

The back end of the swingarm where you adjust the back wheel is badly corroded as water was stuck in there. The holes got gummed up and they just filled up. Sorted it now though.

Also have some bubbling on the right hand engine cover where the crank is. Just on the leading edge. Not a big problem at the moment but I keep an eye on it.

At least it doesn't have the problem of my old Fazer 600, the power used to drop in windy weather. But only when it was gusting from the right!

 

[jamesfz6]

I rode in the rain today. As i do everytime i ride and it happens to be raining. Nothing will happen to the bike.