Author Topic: ride in the rain (Read 6226 times)

smooth operator · « **on:** July 24, 2005, 08:19:13 PM »

Took the bike to a friends house this morning(going to redo his brick pavers) and it started to rain. A little rain does'nt bother me,and on the way back home I decided to take a detour down a desent strech of highway. I still had over a hr befor AMA racing started on speed tv so I took even a longer detour and hit some of my favorite rts. I was wishing I had my leather pants on, I was only wearing the jacket. But I kept a pretty desent pace anyhow. Using a little more body,getting off the bike abit, and just practicing being smooth in my movments and throttle hand. I actully did slide abit a couple times,but nothing drastic or alarming. I had a blast! I ran a couple of turns in a higher gear than normal(if pushing a little) and came out of the turns with alittle less rpm. Not exactly seeing how fast I could go. but how fast I could smoothly go through the turns. I thought this would make a intresting topic, how other riders take to wet roads. Dos and do'nts and then maybe a rain gear topic in the gear section. (Iwas soaked by the time I got home)

fartndust · « **Reply #1 on:** July 24, 2005, 09:46:00 PM »

I haven't had but just a couple of short rides in the rain. I love the wet weather for riding quads....the B12 on pavement?...I'm still learning. I try to do the same as you described; stay smooth in my transition into and out of corners, and I try to stay out of the middle of the lane where oil tends to hang out. The thing I discovered that can take the fun out of a wet weather ride is the painted stripes at intersectons(crosswalks) in a turn...more than once I had the back end want to out run the front.....whoa!!!
I just chalk it up to lack of practice, and plan to get out there just as often as I am now even in wet weather. It won't looks as pretty when it's wet, but I can clean it up, and I don't have to worry about water spots..

Jehu Bandit · « **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2005, 08:23:03 AM »

I do not want to sound like your mother but you should not play in the rain. I've ridden in the rain many, many times ~ hardly ever by choice.

As previously stated the grease in the middle and the first bit of rain brings oils, fluids and other nasties up over the water for a bit - before they get washed (more or less) away. Painted stripes, as you have already realized, get slippery when wet, as do manhole covers, steel grates and the like.

When you lean a motorcycle a force vector of more than 1G presents itself to the road on a contact patch of rubber that is small to begin with and even smaller as you lean. Centrifical force is trying to right the bike while countersteering or a lazy lean is opposing that force. It all comes together where the rubber meets the road as the cliche' goes.

Anything between the tire and the road that reduces grip reduces the ability of this all to stay together. If you are at the outer edges of the envelope which, by the way, is difficult if not impossible to quantify when rain is introduced, you can lose it with so much as a wet leaf, a coffee lid, the guts of a dead animal, a painted stripe, etcetra. In other words, It can go form seemingly just fine to AF-ed Up in an instant.

PeteSC · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2005, 08:35:35 AM »

In the right situation, and conditions....riding in the rain can be 'enlightening'.
I like to practice 'panic stops' on empty, deserted wet roads.
Talk about pucker factor! There's nothing as exciting as feeling the rear end squirming under your arse!
I know stuff may go wrong, but if the road is empty.....at least nobody will plow over top of me as I sit on the pavement, thinking about what a dumbarse I am....
On twisty roads, I can't help myself....and slowly increase the speed at which I hit the curves, even if it's wet.
Moderation is really the key, here, and you really have to remember that you're not going to brake as quickly if stuff goes wrong.

(Car pulls out...debris in the road...etc.)

I don't attempt a lock up.....or anything drastic, just a gentle progression in braking effort until total chaos is in sight.

My goal is to be able to control the bike in all situations....and know how and when to not get in over my head.

PitterB4 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2005, 11:00:49 AM »

I generally try to avoid riding in the rain. I had one absolute break-loose, almost low-side experience pushing boundries in the rain. Since then, I've been pretty timid when forced to ride in the rain.

We did have some pretty wet roads with light showers on Friday at the Rally. I had bought some really nice rain gear - Tour Master, I think. It was great. I wore it over my 1-piece leathers. I did push that day a little and noticed some controlled sliding of both wheels.

land_shark · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2005, 12:33:15 PM »

Anyone else catch Sunday's motogp in Donington? Now that's some rain-riding for ya! I was amazed Rossi didn't dump it, considering how hard he was pushing. Also, it was fun to watch Hopkins work his way up, and nice to see he stuck it out and finished. Easy points if you could keep the bike running! Go Suzuki

Tundrahog · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2005, 01:37:14 PM »

I don't mind riding tin the rain for short distances, I have a cheap rain jacket and pants from Walmart work fine. I was wondering how people keep their face shields clear, does rain off work? That's the only part I don't like about the rain.

I was watching the race yesterday--that's just nuts. I couldn't believe the way Rossi just pulled away after the problems he was having staying upright. The man is amazing.

suzbnd12 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2005, 02:22:17 PM »

I was wondering how people keep their face shields clear, does rain off work? That's the only part I don't like about the rain.

If you get caught in the rain and have to keep going I found a techninque that keeps the water off my faceshield to a degree. I turn my head back and forth and let the wind blow the water off of one half of the shield while looking ahead out of the forward facing section of the visor. You have to keep turning your head back and forth and it isn't the safest but if you had to do it, it will get you to shelter.

I also obviously don't know how to cut and paste on here to reply to a part of another post.

Bill
'05 B12S

land_shark · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2005, 03:23:20 PM »

Quote from: "suzbnd12"

I also obviously don't know how to cut and paste on here to reply to a part of another post.

Bill
'05 B12S

just click the "quote" button in the upper right of a post. did I get this one first?

suzbnd12 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2005, 05:40:33 PM »

Quote

just click the "quote" button in the upper right of a post. did I get this one first?

_________________

You win the cigar Jason. Thanks for the lesson.

Bill
'05 B12S

smooth operator · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2005, 09:39:33 PM »

Yes I did see it! (Moto GP) That was the perfict race to watch after riding in the rain. After Rossi started struggling a bit, he just made up his mind and showed everyone who was king. Roberts seems to do good in the wet too.

12sdrag · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2005, 10:40:33 PM »

I don`t mind riding in the rain at all I agree with pete some times its cool. Besides it funny to see the expressions on other poeples faces when I pull up next to them at a red light in a mid july rain.

gsxr400 racer · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2005, 11:25:28 PM »

I love the rain and rain tires , smooth and easy lean off more but keep the bike up more too, be prepared to pick it up if it slides sorta push the bike up while still hanging off! this is a old pic of my wera national # 2 winning vintage fz 600 at gingerman Michigan

gsxr400 racer · « **Reply #13 on:** July 25, 2005, 11:29:13 PM »

Rain x and fog x are the secret to wet weather riding vision!

gtbandit · « **Reply #14 on:** July 27, 2005, 03:01:32 AM »

I agree with Pete here. You'll never get comfortable riding in the rain or know just how far you can push the bike when you need to unless you practice actually riding in the rain. If you ride much at all, sooner or later you will get caught in the rain and it will be good to have developed some wet weather riding skills. And yes, with the right gear, it can be fun riding in the rain. Although, cleanup can sure be a chore.

Quote

I was wondering how people keep their face shields clear

As long as your faceshield is reasonbly clean and your not getting muddy water flung at you, it's not usually an issue. Fog can be a problem though. I thought I heard or read something about Rain X possibly being harmfull to some visors. Anybody have any information about this? I think I read something on a bottle of Rain X about it not being recommended for either acrylic or lexan. (I can't remember wich one.)[/i]