Honda CBF125 - New Biker - Rain Advice needed!

[montydon]

Ok, here goes

I love this bike and have had it a few weeks of riding it with no issues. I am 33 and have been riding like a true novice for my commute into london, no weaving just nice and stready, L plates on show!

So the rain came down tonight and frankly I felt like I was on ice! I had two front wheel slides and came off once (luckily traffic was slow)

So my questions are, am I riding incorrectly? too much front brake? am i changing gears at the wrong time when slowing down? and any advice about these nylon tyres, should I go for something else?

I am a little shaken up but am desperate to get through this and not get back on that train!

any help or advice would be most welcomed

[pinkyfloyd]

First thing I would check is the tyre tread depth. If the tyres are worn then it will explain why there is no grip.

If the tyres are ok then it could be too much front brake or braking with the front while the bars are turned. Remember that riding in the rain will mean that the brakes are less responsive and you will need more stopping distance. Dont hammer the front brake on because it is likely to bite you and never hit the front brake when the bars are turned, Which pretty much applies to in the dry too. If you think you are carrying too much speed in a corner then just release the throttle and gently on the back brake.

But most of all, Best advice we can give in the wet is just take it easy.
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Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[montydon]

Thanks PF for the reply

I will check the tyres, the bike is only a month old (done 200 miles so far) so I would hope the tred would be fine. I am more concerned about the Nylon tyres and if they would be ok in the wet, as I read that they aren't, so should I look at replacing them?

You are 100% right about the front brake and the turn of the bars, I must have done that, it was a reaction and I am right in thinking that easing both brakes at the same time would be better?

I was certainly taking it easy after that, apologies if anyone was stuck behind me last night!

[locked]

Hi montydon. I also have a CBF and the stock tyres are crap. I presume yours are also TVS tyres? You just need to take it easy in the wet, Pinky pretty much explained the dos and don'ts
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on the look out for my next bike....
CBT Passed - 13/09/09 Theroy Passed - 19/12/09 Mod 1 Passed 04/05/10 Mod 2 Passed 14/05/10 - Free to ride ANYTHING!
Motorcycles are perfectly safe as long as you remember they're dangerous.

[pinkyfloyd]

[c_dug]

A small blip of the throttle when changing down gears will help smooth it out a little. Wouldn't try this until you are confident with slowing down normally though.

When braking make sure to squeeze the lever rather than jam it on. As you apply more pressure, the front tyre gets pushed into the ground more by the weight transfer of the bike, this gives you more grip and you can brake harder. Obviously only up to a certain point, there isn't infinite grip available

When riding in the wet the braking should be closer to 50-50 than 75-25 front - back, it is a lot easier to control a rear wheel slide, remember skidding your bicycle as a kid? It's the same thing, just bigger, and it hurts more when you get it wrong Front wheel slides on the other hand tend to bugger off to one side and are pretty impossible to save once they are going.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[montydon]

thanks guys this really is much appreciated, I cant express how much I was enjoying riding (until yesterday) but then maybe thats what I needed to keep my mind on keeping safe.

Locked
Did you get the tyres replaced? If so what would you recommend, I suppose my issue now is I dont have a lot of confidence in this tyres.

[Beelzebob]

Monty - I can sympathise, I've recently started riding myself (got a YBR 125) and locked the front up a couple of times... not fun and really shit myself up. Luckily I haven't dropped it yet but, from what people say, (including the first thing my dad said to me when I said I'd got a bike ) it's only a matter of time.

I've heard the stock rubber is bad on the YBR as well... I just ride really gingerly when it's wet (which is often in Scotland).

The main thing, I think, is to learn from your mistakes - and obviously listen to the advice from these guys (which I too am grateful for!) - you'll be a little bit more prepared the next time it happens. You just need to jump back on and make sure there is a next time

Good luck mate
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'09 YBR 125 -> '92 XJ600 S Diversion -> '99 Hornet 600

"Stronger than your average female lifeguard"

[gmanxiii]

You can brake more effectively if you understand how your tyres react during heavy braking. It can kind of be broken up into stages.

Once the brake has applied the weight of the bike and rider will be flung forward loading up the front suspension and the tyre itself will start to deform with the tread pattern squeezed against the road.

Too much of this weight being thrown forward at once can break the adhesion of the tyre and the road resulting in a lock up so you want to brake almost in two stages.

1) Short/light grab to load the front up.

2) Then progressively harder after that to bring yourself to a stop (try counting to 2 whilst you are pulling the handle in.

Bit of practice can get that pretty smooth and seamless maneuver.
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I kills hondas

VFR400NC30 > ZZR600 > CBR600FX > CBR1000rr

[Paxovasa]

When it is or has just rained watch out for diesel and avoid manhole covers (especially mid corner ones).

If you have to cross a wet manhole cover do not change speed or direction.

When the road is wet it is better to use 50/50 front / rear braking. when dry 75/25 front / rear braking (although I dont use the rear much in the dry).

As has been said, gently apply more pressure to the front brake rather than grabbing a handful.

I would aslo be changing the stock tyres for some better ones. As to which are best for your bike (Sorry but I don't know).
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Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[FLV]

have a check on the tyre pressures too mate, it will help if they are correct.
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parp...brap....parp

[ajbsmirnoff]

Keep at it, its more fun commuting on a bike - says the man who wafted through the last 15 year of commuting in a comfy car.

You'll love filtering through traffic to be first at the lights - obviously once you've got other stuff firmly in your comfort zone.

Top marks for dusting yourself off and getting back on.

[drzsta]

its probably the stock tire IMO rather than the rider (or a bit of both) When i bought my new cbr125 back in 08, the tires were absolute BS.
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Current Bikes - BMW S1000RR ‘17 & KTM 690 SMC-R ‘12

[Alex A]

Sorry to hear about the off.

In the wet it's all about having suitable tyres and riding smoothly and gently. Never just grab a handful of front brake, never jerk the bars, never stamp on the back brake. Just plan well ahead, and brake very gently if you're turning and need to slow down. It's a difficult environment for learning on a bike really, but you'll get it. Almost everyone has dropped their 125 more than a few times when learning, and it's usually in dodgy conditions.

On the CBF you do have the luxury of being able to open it right up and not worry about your back tyre losing traction.
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Current: Ducati Panigale R / Ducati Streetfighter S / Suzuki GSX-R1000 L5

[Bloke]

I'd avoid using either brake in a corner in the wet. not just the front

Drag the back and it locks, you'll lowside.

Slow down before you get to the corner, apply positive (read: keep it lightly applied not twist the nuts off of it) throttle as you go through the corner it keeps the weight from shifting forward in the turn placing the front under excess load and causing it to slip away from you.
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2008 VFR800 VTEC

[neil.]

Have a good look through: https://125ccbikeclub.awardspace.co.uk/tyres.htm

Seems the stock CBF tyres aren't well regarded. This also seems common with other 125's, especially my '05 YBR, which had leathal factory fitted tyres. I replaced them with Pirelli City Demons which I personally haven't had problems with, but for the next 'level', I would go for Michelin Pilot Sporty's as replacements, which have had many fantastic accounts and reviews on 125's.


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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[montydon]

Thanks for all the comments, all of them are great tips so I am very appreciative.

Riding since has been great (will not get back on Southern Rail!) although I am more cautious now and need to stop thinking too much, I suppose that will come with riding more and getting more confidence.

Neil, thanks for the heads up on the tyres I will explore that option.

Thanks Guys