Riding in the wet

[wots]

No-one can have failed to notice the weather today! I've only been riding a month and midway between Mod 1 & Mod 2.

Literally just before Mod 1 (probably practicing prior to it), something snapped in me and I was able to lean and transfer weight to make the thing go where I wanted it to. Roundabouts were a doddle, even mini's, was able to properly ride round them. Really felt I was getting somewhere.

Now in the wet, obviously I'm being more cautious, but I'm back to swan necking (sometimes severely). In a car I'd push it to the limit of adhesion and find out where the limit is and then feel confident. If I do that on a bike, I'll no doubt lose it.

Is there any safe way to gain the confidence in the wet, it's only really roundabouts I'm struggling with. Left and right turns are ok.

The thing is, Mod 1 was wet, I had no problem. Even blasting through the speed trap and doing the swerve avoidance heading towards a stop in standing water. I don't want to fail Mod 2 because it's a wet day and I'm being too over-cautious.
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Currently: Yamaha DT 125 LC2,Repsol Fireblade, and Bumblebee MSX 125

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

You're as well being cautious near any kind of junction, especially so in the wet. As you've probably sussed it's being smooth with the controls that helps. One thing that helps with greasy roundabouts it to keep as much rubber in contact with the road. So now's your chance to practice a slight shift in body position before the corner/roundabout. You won't need to hang off. Just a couple of inches. It can take some getting used to..it did for me. Natural instinct was to keep my body upright and push the bike down...Not clever on greasy roundabouts.

[Flatbadger]

I'm looking at the same possibility! I imagine some informed answers will be along, but examiners probably realise that we're newbies and might give a bit of slack in wet conditions - they'd rather see caution than recklessness.

I'll be checking this thread!
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If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[U_W v2.0]

well first time i rode in the pouring rain i didnt go over 45. even on nls roads.

today, got up to 55/60.

my point? get out there, perpously ride in the rain when you can and push it just that little bit further but still remain safe.

oh, and wrap up warm lol
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BCF's biggest cunt list: Cansa, Pits, Rob

[banditjohn]

Don't try to be like Rossi and the like but just go at the pace your comfortable with, I'm just in my fifties and had the break that most had while family commitment's get in the way, I used to ride in all weathers (including snow, ice and fog) and now being lets say more sensible only ride in bad weather if caught out by it and certainly try to plan around it. I'm in no way as confident as I was but even with my knackered body manage to keep the bike as upright as possible, try to get your speed right at the start of a corner or roundabout so you don't have to put on the gas too much and start spinning up, all these little things help to keep your riding smooth and more important to keep you upright.

All the best John

[Flamzypants]

I'm still scared of the wet, but I noticed I was a lot better out tonight. Did 15 miles or whatever it is between Chi and Portsmouth on the A27, nice and dry in the morning, would have gotten the train if it was chucking it xD But it was pouring on the way back, man up powers kicked in and despite being a bit more scared of being blown off to a skiddy death by wind I worked my way up to 60-65mph. Just did a little round to the supermarket and compared to a week ago when I did it last the weather just didn't factor in.

Though slight difference on the a27 I was pretty much blind visor down, to the supermarket I go visor up so I can see properly!

I think on MOD2 in the rain the examiner probably expects you to err on the side of caution a bit, try not to worry about that.
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CBT - 30/06/11. RIP Sinnis Stealth 18/07/11. Theory passed! CBR125R 16/08/12. Mod 1 Booked.

[yaigi]

What the heck is swan necking?!
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What would you do in life, if you knew you could not fail?
Currently own - Fazer 600, 2000, Red. (But no riding as baby on board atm)

[barrkel]

[Ellerker9]

[wots]

One thing I should point out, is that I'm fairly confident and I'm not afraid of the weather. My intention is to commute as much as possible, in all weather. It's so much easier than the car. I've got a fabulous car, really nice, comfortable with all the gizmos. But on the commute, it's not a patch on my little 125. On the dual-carriageway the 125 starts to become laborious, but I'm not on it for long.

ANYWAY, my point being, I want to save money and not having to leave extremely early to avoid traffic. Even with the earlier stress of concentrating hard, trying to get used to it all, it is less stressful.

I'm not afraid as such, of my Module 2. I went into Module 1 expecting a fail, as I was having a stab to see what happened. I passed without any errors at all. So I'm determined to pass my Module 2 this year, A2 but I'm 38 and the 2 year probation will be good on a bike that sips fuel and whizzes through traffic.

There is a turning near my office, it's very wide, slightly odd camber. But with a manhole cover right in the middle of the natural path. The first time I went over it when it was slightly damp, I couldn't believe how that upset the bike. You can feel the back twitch. I obviously knew about avoiding these sort of things, but I was amazed. I didn't panic, in fact I rarely do, but I'm trying to get it right and ensure that I don't overdo the caution to the point where it actually makes my riding worse, for myself and others.
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Currently: Yamaha DT 125 LC2,Repsol Fireblade, and Bumblebee MSX 125

[barrkel]

[wots]

[s1h]

Nothing to be scared of riding in the wet. Just wear proper gear keep warm so you don't lose concentration.

Be cautious of drains, manhole covers, white lines / road markings as they can be a bit slippy.

[cimbian]

Your issue of 'swan necking' is possibly due to your caution bringing your vision in very close. Try keeping your head-up and look at where you want to be rather than at the front wheel wondering if it will let go on you.

Look ahead for clues of diesel spillage and keep your braking distances-up and you should be fine.
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22PlusY
Current: Moto Guzzi 1100 Breva. Previous: Honda XL650V TransAlp
Bearded, Balding, Born again Buddhist Biker

[WannaBeDude]

Have a GOOD feel for you bike, the conditions, and grip, or fall off.
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Jogging on, destination living.

[wots]

[ScaredyCat]

Ride like a granddad in the wet, if it's tipping it down ride even slower.

Don't use your brakes when changing lanes, even something as simple as that can cause an off like this. Taught me a lesson anyway


Andy
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Honda CBF125 ➝ NC700X
Honda CBF125 ↳ Speed Triple

[wots]

[ScaredyCat]

[Spudly]

[Magnet]

I don't worry about riding in the wet, I just make sure I have my proper gear on so it hurts less if I fall off
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It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.

GPZ600R Sold, Now ZZR600

[C1REX]

[WannaBeDude]

Im a riding GOD, of pork scratchings, but fuck riding on ice.

Fuck granma riding aswell, in wet you learn shit loads more.
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Jogging on, destination living.

[Alpha-9]

Think you'll find the correct braking procedure is I believe 60 front 40 rear using the front to lead, you have a far bigger chance of skidding your rear than losing the front, when the front goes it's gone

Just be gentle on leaning and careful on down shifting too hard

The important thing is not how much brake you use but how quickly you use it, you need to be gentle and gradual and not snatch it else the front will just bottle in the wet

If you were really that gentle with it then perhaps your brake needed adjusting
It takes very little pressure on a disc brake for it to start applying really


andy saw your spill, are those stock tyres?
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Fzr-600 1999

[Flamzypants]