Deluge riding of a LIKE - Issues to watch for?

[Stig / Major Tom]

Hello,
Caught in a deluge twice now in 24 hours.
As I was ripping along in a stinging downpour coming home from work today it occurred to me that there might be things I need to watch out for in riding a Kymco LIKE at 35>40mph in a heavy rain.

"How well is that air intake hose protected?"
"Will the air filter get wet?"
"Will the ignition switch get wet?"
"Is water splashing into the electrics within the body panels?"
"Sould I stay in the right lane in case the fire goes out?"
"At what speed will these new Michelins begin to hydroplane?"

I dried things off when I got home - leaving the garage door open to allow air circulation for bits I can't get to.
Should I be doing anything else?
Will start it again in a bit, let it dry itself.

FYI- it runs like a champ in the rain, but I sure do feel a little silly when sitting at red lights. Rain absolutely bucketing  down on me. The lady in the car next to me hollered over that I need to invest in some rain pants - my white painters pants now see-through. I just nodded, and kept to myself that they are under my seat. Rain wasn't forecast for another 2 hours.

Noted: 1) the top trunk and underseat seem to keep things dry.
            2) 'tis a whole lot easier to see in the rain during daylight vs night rain riding with a full face helmet.

[Coachz]

um yeah, dont ride in the rain.  hehehe

[claynine]

I just watched a video of a guy on a scooter riding while it was snowing.  The road was slushy in many places and he had to be careful to ride in the tracks of other cars.  IT sucked but sometimes we find ourselves in places we don't want to be.  So thanks for the riding in the rain info...I may get caught myself sometime.

[TroutBum]

For the most part the rain will not hurt your bike, but do as you did and dry it off. You can place a fan to blow on your scooter to aid in the drying process. You might notice a little rust in some areas, but just clean off the rust and use a little lithium grease (sparingly) to keep the parts from rusting. Never use a high pressure sprayer on a scooter or MC. It could make it way into places that will reach havoc.

 

[Stig / Major Tom]

For the most part the rain will not hurt your bike, but do as you did and dry it off. You can place a fan to blow on your scooter to aid in the drying process. You might notice a little rust in some areas, but just clean off the rust and use a little lithium grease (sparingly) to keep the parts from rusting. Never use a high pressure sprayer on a scooter or MC. It could make it way into places that will reach havoc.

 

Thanks TroutBum ,
Amazing weather here - I look outside , check the weather on-line, get on and take off and then here comes the rain!
Well, doesn't matter - this scoot is my ride to and from work, until or if I get something to replace my dead Jetta.  We've got 2 other nice Scion xBs - but getting to work and back on this scooter has become a challenge!
I think it was Vivo who told me before I made this purchase (it was coming down to this one or a SYM - 2 scoots made in Taiwan with good reputations for quality) that told me Kymcos do OK in the wet. (not riding in the rain - but running in the rain. Riding is up to me, I understand that.)
So far, no issues. I don't have to ford any creeks - if it's bucketing down - just 3 miles to work. Just a bummer, cause I like to take the 10 mile way home on this fun scoot.
If i had a GoPro to video my rain rides  - that would be fun.
(I heard my daughter and wife talking yesterday. Mom asked, "Did Dad get wet coming home?" Daughter, "It looked like he just stepped out of the bath tub with all his clothes on!")

[tclhb]

Haha! Like he stepped out of he bathtub with all his clothes on. : )

[exhalent99]

I like the idea of an addon floormat, just a rubber mat you can cut to shape then hold down with two way tape.  The battery cover isnt what I'd call waterproof.

Speaking of the trunk, has anyone else's rubber lining come loose? I've had to manouver it back into place so many times that now my trunk rattles.  Guess I'll have to replace it with something like weather-stripping or similar.

Also that glove compartment, I think we could weatherproof that quite easily too.

[TroutBum]

Just to be clear. Are your talking about the rubber gasket that fits into the slot around the perimeter? If so, then yes I have had mine come loose once. I washed it in water and let it air dry. That was about 8 months ago and it has stayed put ever since, I noticed that when it fell out that there was a powdery residue on the rubber gasket. By rinsing the gasket and using a slightly damp rage I cleaned the slot the gasket sits in. I think the residue prevented friction between the rubber gasket and the plastic housing that aids in the gasket staying in place.

[Vivo]

Take it from me Stig... our scoots are not only bullet proof.. they are rain proof!!!  Remember, I live in a country of rain and flood... I've waded through deep flood waters...  and also, our tires don't hydroplane because they are narrow enough to slice thru waters... all we need to watch out for are those slippery man hole covers, cat eyes, rail road tracks, glazed tiles, etc.   All you need is to have a can of WD40 around... after the rain, spray all key holes and switches with it to clean 'em up...  Rain is also the reason why my air intake system is all stock... modify it and you are inviting water...  After a rain, wipe water off with shammy... because you won't like those water marks on your paint when water dries up... or best is to rinse with fresh water to remove road dirt and rain water before they dry up... Ride Safe...in the rain...

[Stig / Major Tom]

  All you need is to have a can of WD40 around...  Rain is also the reason why my air intake system is all stock... [/quote]

Thanks for the encouragement Vivo~!
I will follow your advice - and I too wondered about drilling holes, etc. into the intake system - actually was thinking about that as I was splashing down the road on the scoot. More breathing holes could also = water leaks onto air filter.
Say, lightening has no special attraction to a plastic helmet does it? Even a xxxx size helmet?

[Vivo]

Say, lightening has no special attraction to a plastic helmet does it? Even a xxxx size helmet?

Lightning strikes the highest point... If there are trees or poles around, it will hit those... if there's none around, it will hit you...      

[PassedByAScooter]

our experience riding in downpours is just another example of Kymco quality. cheap bikes develop problems from rain because of poor design and fabrication. I dont even know how many feet of rain or inches of snow my scoot saw, but the damn thing ran like a champ every time I came out to it sitting in puddles in downpours or covered in a few inches of snow.

when I buy again, it will be a kymco!!

[Stig / Major Tom]

Lightning strikes the highest point... If there are trees or poles around, it will hit those... if there's none around, it will hit you...      

No, the good LORD would not give me this nice scooter and then smack me down with lightening.
I know He's watching over me and might even be along on these early morning scooter rides by the big reservoir - it looks so peaceful there - We're thinking of taking up fishing, again.

FYI- my son aced the skills test today for our final exam (2 day motorcycle safety course) and his Pop passed with a 92%. Get the women, children and small animals off of the roads (and sidewalks) The Stig is a fully credentialled scooter rider, for life!
(yes, I have a lot to learn yet - but the good thing is    I    know    it   !)