Late to the party, but:

I have a inexpensive (<$4o) two-piece bright yellow motorcycle rain suit with reflective piping.

I also have a set of slip-on overboots and overgloves (lobster hands).

Have only ridden in a downpour once for about 40 minuites and came out bone dry.

The overboots and gloves are a cheap addition worth having IMHO.

My 2 cents on riding in the rain...

I have a wide (25" aftermarket winshield and lowers on my bike, and when I ride in the rain the only part of me that gets wet is from my knees down ... (thats a light rain, not monsoon style--I am sure I would get drenched in a monsoon). As far as handling goes, the low center of gravity on the Roadstar really pays off. I have ridden in the rain on pavement and dirt, and the star is VERY stable on both, even on worn tires. With new tires, I am sure the stability is even better.

I never rode any other cruisers because I was sold on the Yamaha line from the beginning, so I don't know how they stack up against the competition, but I can't imagine they are any better. For me, the Roadstar is the perfect balance between stability and agility. It rides very smooth and cuts corners like nobody's business at the speeds I ride.

-Akela

Awesome. Got a link? Where did you get your gear?

Here is the link to where I got the windshield and lowers:

http://www.rifle.com/stores/showdetl.cfm?&DID=9&Product_ID=2304&CATID=188&Product=Classic-II-L-Windshield-for-Yamaha-Road-Star

I got the 20" tall one and its about the perfect height for me ... I can see over it, but my head is still below the slipstream.

Gunhead wrote:
Awesome. Got a link? Where did you get your gear?

Do some nosing around, and you can find some good deal...even some clearance items. There are plenty of other sites as well, but these are ones I've actually bought stuff from:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/

http://www.newenough.com/

http://www.motorcycleapparel.net/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=MA

Outstanding! Thanks! For local riding, I can just check Accuweather for the forecast, and drive the Heep if the weather looks like it's going to turn sour. For longer road trips though, the weather is the weather and I'll just have to prepare for it. Much appreciated.

I still have my foul weather gear from when the wife and I lived on a 40 foot sailboat out in California. Henri Lloyd Gore-Tex Offshore will protect you, even in a hurricane (I speak from both off shore and on the motorcycle experience). Price is more than I'd be willing to pay now. I think a jacket and overalls run about $1000. I picked up two sets 20 years ago at a boat show for a real good price and they still work great today. My set has seen some very heavy use over the years. I worked off shore oil supply vessels and put the suit to the max test day after day. They aren't very pretty any more, what with oil stains and a few patches but still do the job.

How does the Roadie run in the rain? I got caught in a hurricane a few years back. I was running ahead of the storm but road construction slowed me down and the storm caught up with me. It was one of those situations where I felt like I had to get to my destination no matter what. At the time I was running fairly new Metzlers and the only problem I had was my goggles fogging up. That and big trucks going by me at 80 mph when all I could do was 60 because of the difficulty I had trying to see hunched down behind the windshield.

JMayton wrote:
I still have my foul weather gear from when the wife and I lived on a 40 foot sailboat out in California. Henri Lloyd Gore-Tex Offshore will protect you, even in a hurricane (I speak from both off shore and on the motorcycle experience). Price is more than I'd be willing to pay now. I think a jacket and overalls run about $1000. I picked up two sets 20 years ago at a boat show for a real good price and they still work great today. My set has seen some very heavy use over the years. I worked off shore oil supply vessels and put the suit to the max test day after day. They aren't very pretty any more, what with oil stains and a few patches but still do the job.

How does the Roadie run in the rain? I got caught in a hurricane a few years back. I was running ahead of the storm but road construction slowed me down and the storm caught up with me. It was one of those situations where I felt like I had to get to my destination no matter what. At the time I was running fairly new Metzlers and the only problem I had was my goggles fogging up. That and big trucks going by me at 80 mph when all I could do was 60 because of the difficulty I had trying to see hunched down behind the windshield.

Oh god!! What an adventure that must have been! I was stuck in Cozumel in October of '05 for Hurricane Wilma. When Mother Nature gets pissy, it ain't pretty!!

Your rain gear sounds amazing, but yeah... Way way out of my league! LOL!

Roadies handle very good in the rain. My first time caught in rain was on my way to Eureka Springs Arkansas on Hwy 65 South out of Springfield. No rain suit bt the way. It was coming down pretty strong so I pulled under an over pass and was woundering, can I really do this. Then I heard a beep beep and an older couple was heading the same way on a Gold Wing with trailer. I thought if they can do it so can I. Off I went to catch up with them but never did. Been caught several time since then but with good tires and a rain suit googles with rain guard I have felt ok with riding in the rain. Just my 5 cents.

riding in a monsoon sucks (never been in a hurricane though, can't imagine). I've been caught a few times; sometimes without rain gear. Roadie does well. Just can't see for crap and try to pull over when all I'm doing is following tail lights . Sleet/snow are bad too; but rain IMHO is worse especially without rain gear. Its miserable.