Rain on my bike!!!

[Kenny007]

I've only had my bike for 6 days, and boy have I babied it.

Every time I get home, I let it sit for a little bit to cool off, then cover/tuck it in for the evening. Well tonight was no different, EXCEPT....it got rained on! NO!!! As soon as I heard the rain I darted out to cover it before it got worse.

So, while many of you quite possibly drive in the rain, I haven't gotten that far, and am worried about any "after the rain" maintenance that should be done. Are there any parts that are overly sensitive to the rain, or is everything alright?

[primal]

Its a vehicle. In my opinion, its not meant to be babied any more than my Ford Taurus Stationwagon is. ;)

I really don't think there's any reason to be concerned. I mean, heck, this bike is considered "third world transportation" for a reason. You think poor farmers in god-knows-where is gonna be concerned that the bike was left out in the rain? :)

[Sarris]

I just wipe mine down with a chamois after it gets wet or take it for a short ride to "blow dry" it, then wipe up the rest. No biggie.

I also use an aerosol product called Kawasaki K-Care Wipe Down. It's a cleaner with a light wax that cleans bugs and dirt for a quick cleanup and shine. Spray on and wipe off. Looks like new. I can do the entire bike in about 15 minutes. It's about $5 a can at the local Kawasaki dealer. It's the best aerosol quick cleanup product that I've found.

:)

[Water Warrior 2]

The only thing I would worry about is water in the ignition switch. Easy fix. Get a black film canister and cut the top lip off the canister. It will fit over the ignition switch and keep it dry.

[rayzuki]

I just wipe mine down with a chamois after it gets wet or take it for a short ride to "blow dry" it, then wipe up the rest. No biggie.

I also use an aerosol product called Kawasaki K-Care Wipe Down. It's a cleaner with a light wax that cleans bugs and dirt for a quick cleanup and shine. Spray on and wipe off. Looks like new. I can do the entire bike in about 15 minutes. It's about $5 a can at the local Kawasaki dealer. It's the best aerosol quick cleanup product that I've found.

:)

Meguaris has a real good quick detail spray. Its not aerosol its trigger pump action but this stuff is great. Really takes bugs/tar off easy and leaves a super smooth "wax" feeling. I wax regularly and use this in between waxes. Works great on everything paint, plactic, glass, and chrome. I love this stuff and recommend it to everyone. Mothers has the same stuff but I prefer Meguaris.

[Orpheus]

I usually take my bike to the self-service car wash and just spray it off like I would a car and I haven't had any problems yet. Not to say that the way I'm doing it is right, but I haven't noticed anything unusual.

[patrick_777]

Orpheus, you might want to be careful with the high-pressure car washes. I've read (on the Internet no less) that the high psi spray can force water into places that it wouldn't normally go with a "normal" pressure - places like bearings, the fuel tank, the carb and fork seals. I haven't done it and honestly don't have any experiences to back it up, but it seems reasonable enough for to be cautious.

Edit:: I found a link at least. (http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/detailing.php) I've also heard from other riders that pressure washers can be problematic to motorcycles.

[Orpheus]

Orpheus, you might want to be careful with the high-pressure car washes. I've read (on the Internet no less) that the high psi spray can force water into places that it wouldn't normally go with a "normal" pressure - places like bearings, the fuel tank, the carb and fork seals. I haven't done it and honestly don't have any experiences to back it up, but it seems reasonable enough for to be cautious.

Edit:: I found a link at least. (http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/detailing.php) I've also heard from other riders that pressure washers can be problematic to motorcycles.

This thought crossed my mind before. Although I've tried not to focus the pressure on things like the gas cap, spark plug, carb, etc., maybe I'll just use the low pressure spray from now on. Thanks.

[Easy Rider]

Although I've tried not to focus the pressure on things like the gas cap, spark plug, carb, etc., maybe I'll just use the low pressure spray from now on. Thanks.

The high pressure is fine......as long as you stay far enough away when directed at the delicate parts.....especially the dash-board. The only place you should "focus" the pressure (get in close) is the tire rims, inside the fenders and maybe the very bottom and the lower front of the case right behind the front wheel.

[LilNinja77]

A good suggestion for any motorcycle, is to take some dialectric grease and put some in all electrical connections for waterproofing. I stripped down the Ninja not long after I got it and did this, and haven't had any issues riding in the rain. Longest in the rain has been about 5 hours of non-stop downpours, coming down hard enough to slow the cages down from 60 to 45 on the highway. Worst I've ridden in was a hail-storm that was knocking trees down on to the highway......if we ever get another hurricane here (sorry, I like hurricanes) I fully intend to ride in it.

Bottom line: It's a machine, not a pet or a significant other (despite how it might feel); it's made specifically to perform a function. Do what you can to prevent water damage, but the dang thing ain't gonna melt from a little rain. Waterproof your electrical connections, and keep watch on your chain if you happen to actually ride in the rain frequently.
Ride safe

[jonathan180iq]

Its a vehicle. In my opinion, its not meant to be babied any more than my Ford Taurus Stationwagon is. ;)

I really don't think there's any reason to be concerned. I mean, heck, this bike is considered "third world transportation" for a reason. You think poor farmers in god-knows-where is gonna be concerned that the bike was left out in the rain? :)

Poor farmers in God-knows-where ride 50cc Hondas. In other parts of the world, 250cc bikes are considered mid-range.

[burbin1978]

I agree with Jonathan, seems like we're so power crazed here in the U.S. Most other countries WOULD consider this mid-range. I can't tell you how many people told me that my bike was too "under powered". I think that what I use it for, it's perfect. Even still they ask if I've considered buying a larger bike yet. Why? So I can potentially go 190mph? What for? I think the largest I would ever go would be 600cc maybe. I don't think I would want any bigger than that. I drove my cousin's Hayabusa the other day, WAY too much power. Probably why he crashed it just two months after he bought it.

[Sarris]

Prudent riders live longer than dumb ass riders. The GZ is perfect for it's purpose. As I've said a couple dozen times on this site, "it's not what you ride, it is the ride".

:cool:

[Water Warrior 2]

Prudent riders live longer than dumb ass riders. The GZ is perfect for it's purpose. As I've said a couple dozen times on this site, "it's not what you ride, it is the ride".

:cool:

Lynda rode her GZ over 5000 kms on a trip recently and this poor under powered little beginner bike performed like a champion. It will do most anything except keep up with fast traffic. Ride a GZ within it's design parameters and it will not fail to get you there trouble free.

[pcmech]

Prudent riders live longer than dumb ass riders. The GZ is perfect for it's purpose. As I've said a couple dozen times on this site, "it's not what you ride, it is the ride".

:cool:

Nicely stated. I know folks who think that you do not have a real bike with anything under 1000cc or "Harley" written on the side. Their bikes are fine, but my little GZ is all I need.

[johnsandlin]

If you want to see how most of the other folks in the world use their bikes...take a look at these pictures: http://aistigave.hit.bg/Logistics/ :)

[cconleyjr]

I have to agree with sarris it the ride my gz performs fine. When I bought it i expeted to get laughed at alot and it's not been anything like that most of the people I ride with ride harleys and have never mentioned it. In fact the only people that have ever said anything about me having a small underpowered bike are people that don't have a bike at all.

[LilNinja77]

In fact the only people that have ever said anything about me having a small underpowered bike are people that don't have a bike at all.

Yep, that's pretty normal....same thing with people who joke about wearing riding gear.....it's usually the idiots who know NOTHING about actually riding. That said though, there are just as many idiots who DO ride who are just as stupid.

The local DQ that I frequent is a fairly popular biker place, the VAST majority of which are all Harley riders who wear nothing more than a brain-bucket. But despite our not-so-subtle differences we can all sit around and talk while having a bite to eat. I rather enjoy those encounters actually, just 'cause it's a fun experience. 90% of the time they think my Ninja 250 is *at least* a 600cc, and they normally think I'm kidding when I say it's "only" a 250cc parallel-twin. I actually had one lady test-fit my Ninja....although I had to wipe the sweaty a$$-print off my seat before I got back on (yes that was a comment on what she was wearing). I always get compliments for my smiley-face windshield :2tup:

Bottom line, ignore the fools who have something bad to say.
Ride safe