Nervous in the wet...

Interspatial_Meltdown · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Karma :

A few weeks ago, my friend binned his bike going round a roundabout, slid several metres before coming to a stop. I was right behind him doing the same speed and managed to grind to a halt just behind him.

He was riding a CLR125 with knobbly tires. Not the best, I know and he was probably going too fast for the conditions (neither he nor I realise how slippery it actually was).

He broke up his speedo, damaged his light, bent his bars and a few other odds and ends.

Ever since, whenever I'm riding in conditions that aren't perfectly dry I'll start to tense up and become over-cautious about every little thing. Kinda makes me not want to ride unless it's dry.

I know I'm riding a ZXR400 with road tires so I should be fine, it's jst I'm finding it hard to regain my confidence and seeing something like that right infront of me and knowing it could've/could easily be me.

I've never been overly confident on my bike since I've had it (since july) but this has seriously exacerbated the situation and I dread having to do anything that isn't in a straight line when in the wet.

It isn't really something which you can give me pointers with but any advice would be appreciated.
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KTM Gordo · Brolly Dolly Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Karma :

The first tip is also the hardest: relax.

If you're tense, and the 'bike slips slightly (e.g. on a white line) then you're not all that well placed to do something - and might make it worse.

Riding in the wet requires a smoother, more pre-planned riding style. Get out there, ride in the rain, and you will get more comfortable about doing it.

I've got Bridgestone BT-020 tyres on my Fazer and they're excellent in the wet (and the dry for that matter). If you're running semi-slick road-legal "racing" tyres then they're designed for warm, day tarmac.

If you can afford it, go on an off-road course as then you'll get to know when a 'bike is telling you there's no / little grip before it spits you off, and you'll stop worrying about the odd small slip or slide because you're used to it.

HTH Smile

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extreme3d · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Karma :

Tyres are important, not just to grip but also to your confidence. You mention road tyres are fitted to your zxr400, but do you mean road race or road sports touring? Using Bridgestone's range tyres as an example, a road going 'race' tyre would be an 014. The road sports touring would be an 020.

Only one is good in the wet and that's the 020. It's designed for road use only, not trackday use, so it's optimum temperature is lower and works fine even when wet. The 014 must be kept very hot to provide optimum grip. This is rarely achieved on dry roads let alone when they are covered in cooling water Wink

So at this time of year fit a tyre that will cope with water. Personally I find the conti Road Attacks are the grippiest of all the current sports touring tyres on the market at present.

KTM Gordo · Brolly Dolly Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Karma :

quik_d · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 18 Mar 2005 Karma :

reiterating whats aready been said a bit but in the wet try to stay upright as much as possible, where in the dry you'll be leaning it right in through corners try to keep as much rubber in contact with the road as you can whilst still going round the corner smoothly.

Leave more distance between you and the vehicle in front and if its pouring down squeeze your brakes slowly when going along to keep some heat in them otherwise when you need to slow down they'll be crap at first.

KTM Gordo · Brolly Dolly Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Karma :

andrea · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Karma :

I felt exactly the same when i first rode in the wet, i was given excellent advice from this forum, link here
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=95065&highlight=

Remember to relax, look as far ahead as possible whilst still scanning back for manhole covers, paint in the road etc (which should be avoided if at all possible) leave twice the normal braking distance etc.

The last ride i went on my R6 was the best i ever had, even though it was wet and still raining heavily. I had total confidence for the first time, it just felt right. With practise you will feel the same.
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kawashima · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

JonB · Afraid of Mileage Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Karma :

nautilus · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 05 Oct 2006 Karma :

'Sfunny what a cerebral thing biking is. You're brain can really screw up your riding & it is your brain rather than the wet. Just have to desensitise it by getting in lots of practice in the wet. It won't be pleasant but the more miles you get done in bad conditions the moreconfident you'll be. An off road or a track day can also help although difficult to arrange rain for the day!

krebsy · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Karma :

rode the Divvy on BT-45's and the ZZR has 020's. I don't know whether it's own to the different bike or not but the 020's seem less grippy. I slid the back end a little coming out of the estate this lunchtime with too much power on the slightly damp road. the 45's on the Divvy et up the wet.. and stuck like glue in the heat (I hacked the bike two-up through the tight "25mph limit" corners past the Broadway tower en route to Oxford practically on it's side with no issues.. Smile

).

still, the 020's seem ok once they've got a bit of heat in them...

K.
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quik_d · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 18 Mar 2005 Karma :

i took the bike out for a spin at the weekend, it had rained about half an hour before i went out so the roads were damp but not sodden. I decided to see if the slipping was all in my head, by the time i got home i was convinced it was not me. I purposely lent over a little coming out of roundabouts, and whilst the sliding was gradual and i felt like i was under control of it, the bike slid out very easily. I will check the pressures tomorrow morning but i check them regularly so i think thy'll be fine.

i put 30 in the front and 36 in the rear, I with these tyres over other cheaper ones (most notably BT45' and road pilots) due to the masses of goods reviews so i think my experience is fairly uncommon. I couldn't fault the BT45' i had on my last time, rain, sun, snow even unfazed them, and they were some 40 quid cheaper a pair! maybe its a bandit + 020's incompatibility if other people have found similar results?

Cheers and stay safe Thumbs Up

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quik_d · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 18 Mar 2005 Karma :

oh and i have experience riding in the wet, so i don't beleive thats the problem. i've ridden my bikes all year round in all conditions for the past 5 years so i've been exposed to just about all weather england throws at us

cheers

Dean
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