Motorcycle Trip to Maine | Great Roads and Getting Soaked!

Continuing my solo motorcycle trip to Maine, I headed to Rangeley Maine and then to West Dover, VT. On the last leg of the trip, I braved some torrential rains as I made my way home. Stay to the end of gear review. Not everything did well...
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Thank you for watching and ride safe! --Craig Ripley

[@hershchat]

Craig is laughing more. Good to see.

[@henryhawk978]

Vermont neglects the shoulders of their hwys which creates a very dangerous road hazard. By not grading the shoulders so water can make it to the ditch. Water runs down the road. Enjoyed the video and RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!

[@samueljeppsen9785]

I don't think you can say any clothing item failed. Not at 4 hours of rain abd at 60mph. I've ridden in harder rain and as long, in the Canadian Rockies, wearing Harley rain gear and no faring. After that many hours of riding in a downpour, I was soaked everywhere. Nothing was dry, but I was fine and feel the gear did its job. Duration has a lot to do with being able to stay dry but nothing stops everything. Even an M2 bullet proof vest only stops most small arms fire. And an M3 vest only stops some rifle fire. But except for worst case scenario, you're still okay. Same with rain gear. Nothing but a plastic bag will stop everything. And then, you'll sweat so much, you'll be soaked from sweat. Good video mate. Give the gear a break. I think it did outstanding. And before someone says, "how can you say the Harley gear did its job if you were soaked?" Its like this. Rain ALWAYS gets in between your helmet and your jacket. It comes down your neck and eventually soaks everything. Riding for 4 hours in a downpour will have water working its way down your neck, your upper body, around your butt, down your pants, down your legs and into your boots. Its all about severity and duration and farings. I'm 72. I've never used a faring or windshield. It's not my style. And I have the equivalent of 16 times around the world, 5 countries, 9 Canadian Provences, 46 states. I've ridden in a lot of rain. :-) Again, great video.

[@ttrguy9952]

I've learned after 40 years riding, there is no substitute for a real rain suit. I have one all the time with me. It keeps your boots dry also!! I ride with the Forma low and tall boots. The rain water is pushed up the front of the boots from wind and over the tops inside the boot. Rain suits with cinches at the ankle and cuff stop the water from going around the cuffs. There's no such thing as "One and Done" riding gear. Great video! 👍👍 Ride SAFE and BE safe!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

The Klim gear works 99% of the time, but I am looking at rain suites again.

[@joryv1]

What brand rain suit do you have?

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

@@joryv1 Klim

[@ttrguy9952]

@@joryv1 I have the Fly Racing suit which Revzilla no longer carries. The First Manufacturing one they do carry is identical and made bulletproof.

[@danlovett3697]

My buddy and I did this similar ride last week (central NH to Presque isle ,, over to Ashland on 163 , then 11 south back home towards Fryeburg Me., then to N. Conway NH , and then home .... 770+ miles total , Thursday morning to Friday 6:30 pm .... my 1st time on a Harley (2010 CVO 110 screamin eagle , him on his HD dresser) ,,,, were on those same roads as you back in June (they were still paving 16 ) ....

[@richardadams6853]

Great video...I've always liked Frog Togs rain gear...the only thing I've had an issue with was rain running off the back of my helmet to my neck.... so the hoody roll gets tightened to stop the runoff. Cheers!

[@jameskoshar8573]

I have been in some torrential rain for hours in the Midwest. In Iowa in particular even the expressway had 3 or 4 inches of rain. It lasted about 5 hours. When I got off of the exit to go to the hotel, there was water under the underpass that was way over the floorboards. A few more inches and it would have been over the plugs. I did have gauntlet waterproof held gloves. I also had over booties on my feet. While my boots are waterproof, the wind over time will force the water in from underneath. So your boot may be waterproof, but the water is forced in and then leaks in from the top. The boot covers prevents this from happening. So in the end I only had a little dampness on the back of my collar where I forgot to sinch the collar originally. In the end, what gets remembered many times is not the great sunny perfect days that we ride, but the less perfect days. Interestingly, over time we tend to look back at those events with fondness once a little time has passed. THANK YOU! Jim

[@jimstevens1404]

Great to have a quick down with you, Craig. You might want to try Rt. 17 south out of Rangely next time. Great road and great views.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

17 is great have done it many times. Great to meet in person!

[@erikpatton3431]

Nice to see some of northern Maine. Been curious about what it’s like to ride up there from Boston. 🤟

[@amdobler]

My weekly Saturday evening highlight! Thanks Craig!

[@clay1883]

Nice scenery. So, you bought gas and probably a snack and drink but they wouldn't let you use their bathroom. That speaks volumes for the hospitality for the area.

[@Sixbears]

I live in northern NH. It's great to see you enjoying the roads I ride all the time. Lots of familiar places.

[@jimweagant8920]

Thanks for the video

[@markmattson4752]

Wow it was raining a lot . Yep stayed at the saddleback inn when I did the bdr . Stayed in Saint Johnsbury comfort inn for snowmobiling. I love Vermont. Try these socks ( Randy sun )they work pretty good . Looks like fun other than that rain 👍

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

That's what I had on. Completely soaked from the knee down. Through my boots and GoreTex pants. I guess sometimes it is too much for anything.

[@jamesstanley4903]

Glad you had a good time. Really like your videos, keep them coming.

[@TechnMoto]

Some great riding roads up north from us 👍

[@familylandscapecompanyinc.7355]

I'M JUST READY TO GET F.....G HOME! Lol Just joking, we all felt your frustration on that one! Thanks for the content and reviews

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I would rather be riding in the torrential rain than that traffic all day...it was horrible...lol.

[@familylandscapecompanyinc.7355]

@@LivingOffTheSlab no doubt traffic sucks the worst

[@RestlessMule]

Another great video. It’s one thing to get caught in rain while riding; it’s a bit different having to start a ride in the rain. I enjoyed the review of the gear. Ride safe.

[@gregoryscimmi6110]

Where are your AP 7? I have been wearing them all day every day as per your earlier vid's. I love these boots , tons of protection an most of all DRY FEET!!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I only wear those off road, but maybe I should start on road rides...

[@mikemills5144]

Maybe people wanted to go there to spend some of their vacation money to help out the people in the area. Bummer about the boots, when was the last time you rewaxed them? I have some Hevik (?) waterproof over gloves. A bit of a pain to put on but work well. Have only used them in light rain so far.

[@jimmin9802]

Have you ever used aerostitch clothing?

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I have not, but I have been looking...

[@jimmin9802]

I need the custom sizing as klim is a little off for me and the price is comparable. Enjoying your rides thanks.

[@davidcorman5788]

Did you get rid of the BMW GTL!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Yes. Too many problems.