This is a question for those of you who take your baby out for a spin in the rain every so often (or on regular basis): What special maintenance is required during the rainy season? Should the chain be lubed more often? Does it require special treatment of some sort? How often?

Here are some answers I got on another forum:
Regarding your chain, I suggest a daily spray of WD-40. Ideally you would be able to wipe down the wheels and body work prior to each ride as I do to keep your motorcycle looking as new.

I use a good quality paper towels and Armor-All for cleaning and protecting the paint.

Also be sure to spay pivot points like brake levers with WD-40 once in a while to insure they move freely.
Cleaning your bike after a ride is about the most important thing in my mind.Letting water/mud/and whatever else has decided to cling on is doing nothing good. WD is great in this aspect, despercing water and cleaning.
Don't forget to lube your cable.

I just wipe it down with a towel before the rain dries on it. Simply to make it less hastle to clean later. But I end up giving it a propper washing soon after.

I don't ride in the rain or sprinkler’s mist or puddles or water that is kida trickling across the road or even spots in a parking lot that LOOK like they may be moist.

But if you live in an area where they use salt, ya may wanna spray her down with some clean water (no jets of water, just and easy spray like you’d water you petunias with) Also would think if you are lubing your chain regular like (lube never touches my chain), you shouldn't keep spraying it down with a solvent like WD-40. Now, ya’ may want to re-lube it after you are sure it is dry but if you ride in water your bike will pay eventually so don't worry about it.

One thing to remember if you are in an area that salts the roads...like the whole of the UK for 4 months of the year...don't use warm water when you wash your bike down...it has a reaction with the salt and causes even more damage!

...don't use warm water when you wash your bike down...it has a reaction with the salt and causes even more damage!
Joy... Possible to just spray or dip the whole bike it a vat of silicone?
Salt is bad for the environment too so why are they still using it? :evil:

Because it's cheap and readily available. The salt mines in Michigan are amazingly huge.

You might be under the (false) assumption that the government cares about you and/or the environment.

Here in TN we tend to get "caught" in an afternoon shower quite often, but no special precautions are really needed. I just do the same thing as Steve is saying. personally, Idon't like to put her up wet or dirty so I wipe her down anyway- just my 2cts.

Despite what others may tell you, so long as you don't let it stay wet it'll be fine.

As said above you'll need to relube your chain more often as the water helps move stuff between the o-rings.

I used to live in Seattle so I rode in the rain constantly. I agree that lubrication is the key. However, a clarification: WD-40 is not a lubricant. The initials stand for "Water Displacement," and when it is used it will sink into little crevices and push out the water. Although right when it is used, WD-40 has a bit of lubricating value, it dries up quickly. As a result, you should use WD-40 only as one part of your anti-water regimen. You should lubricate the chain, cables, and so on with oil or lubricants that are designed for those purposes.