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Quick reminder for those new to riding in the rain

Gary J said:
I always go higher (on DOT sportbike radials). Wanna race for pinks in the rain to see which works best Dan? :ride

Just kidd'n you buddy. :laughing

Whatever works for each person, is cool.
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on public roads i go ssslooww in the wet, to many factors, but track in the wet is fun

do you wanna switch bikes??? the 250 is much better for the rain when ive riden my old one... more forgiving , 1liter can get a little twitchy on the throttle for public road if your not careful:p
 
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Another tip, wait till it has been raining a little while before you ride in the rain. That will allow time for the oils in/on the roads to wash off.
 
Thanks for all the rain advice!
One more from me-watch that sneaky slick spot after a bump in the road.
 
Lastly, don't be afraid or ashamed to drive or bus to work. I like riding the twisting in the rain, but commuting in severe weather conditions is a whole different story.
 
yes everyone please :ride safe... I dont wanna hear no stories about how someone went down in the rain :)
 
Faceshield fog management is critical! At the very least, windex the inside of your lid on rainy days..that helps prevent fogups. Also, don't hold your breath during moments of concentration...you then do a big exhale and your vision vanishes!
 
NoGall said:
Lastly, don't be afraid or ashamed to drive or bus to work. I like riding the twisting in the rain, but commuting in severe weather conditions is a whole different story.
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For the first time in five years, I'm not riding to work tomorrow due to rain.
:(


A non-riding friend mentioned how dangerous it is to ride in the rain, because nobody can see you. I pointed out that people don't see you when it's sunny and warm!
 
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NoGall said:
Lastly, don't be afraid or ashamed to drive or bus to work. I like riding the twisting in the rain, but commuting in severe weather conditions is a whole different story.
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+1

A lot of people talk like riding in the rain is proof they have a giant moto-penor. Look at this site next time there's a big storm and you'll see well over twice the number of accidents as a dry and clear day.

http://cad.chp.ca.gov/
 
I used to HATE rain riding, now I find it exhilirating in a way :)

One thing I've noticed is that, ironically when it rains, you'll be amazed simultaneously at the amount of traction you still have, and how quickly that can be lost.

On good pavement, even when wet, with sportbike tires with reasonable amounts of silica in their compounds, one can still do a very careful stoppie... However, those train/trolley tracks that were no trouble at all in the dry are more slippery than a puck on an airhockey table! Leaves in the wet become like hitting a 10 gallon patch of antifreeze in the dry, and a manhole cover might as well be open.

In all situations in rain riding. slower is better, slower and smoother is best. when it rains is the only time I put both feet down simultaneously at a stop without committing completely to leaning in one direction or another. It probably looks weird, but not as weird as laying on your side with your bike on your leg.

Stefan
 
Ride in the rain.

Seriouslly, it has to be some of my favorite riding, something about it Zens me out. Warm and dry on the inside, cold and wet on the outside...ewww, that sounded gross!:later
 
I love rain riding. but now I watch out for the damn S T O P paint a lot more. Had a friend of mine on a brand spankin new bike go down in front of me due to that.
Shit, forgot to warn him.
 
Definately keep off the paint. The yellow lines, the white lines, and STOP paint like he said.
Middle of the lane with oil? Who rides in the middle of the lane? I thought we all learned long ago that you ride to one side or the other just for that reason. Should be a default program, not an adjustment to the rain. But good advice no matter what.

Before actually getting out and riding, on my street, going slow - the first thing I would do is hit the brake until it slides, just to gauge where the slip point is on that rainy day. Then you ride at 75% of that, to be safe. ;)
 
Poxy said:
Faceshield fog management is critical! At the very least, windex the inside of your lid on rainy days..that helps prevent fogups. Also, don't hold your breath during moments of concentration...you then do a big exhale and your vision vanishes!
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If your visor has any coatings on the inside then most things will help peel it off. Check your manual or the manufacturer website to see if they have any suggestions on fog protection and make sure you keep the inside nice and clean. Also check out breath deflectors if you don't already have one. Lots of people seem fond of the Respro line.

Big plus on not holding your breath as it really will fog you bad at the least opportune moment.

Oh, and watch out for the bots dots (those nifty plastic bumps you often find between lanes). They're murder on traction and seem to show up most often when you're trying to turn.
 
Remember that what's behind you is perhaps more deadly than what's in front of you.
 
BTTT because it hasn't rained in a while...
 
1 gear higher in the wet, 2 gears higher in the snow. and if you think car drivers don't see you in normal weather, wet is even worse. try to keep a large cushion between yourself and other drivers
 
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