new rider in the rain

mattish · Spanner Monkey Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Karma :

Hey people,

Just thought Id go out on the bike in the rain and see how she handles. I was taking it very steady and it was so skittish even at the steady slow pace I was taking her. It was going ok untill I came into the carpark where I used to work and hit a puddle and found myself sliding along the ground. The worst bit being it was the people that I used to work with that came and picked me up of the ground, SO imbarrising Embarassed

Thankfully no damage to me or the bike as I was going very slowly but Im so scared of riding in the rain now. Im wondering if the poor handling had anything to do with poor quality tyres, aswell as rider error (It was my fault after all).

Cheers all
Matt Embarassed

THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Depends, what tyres/bike. And, are the tyres properly worn in? If there not, they wont handle well at all, let alone in the wet.

Bikes are skittish in the wet, especially where the surface is smooth or greacy.

When youre out in the wet take it easy, no sudden movements and make your ride as smooth as possible. Another tip is to lean more to the side that you are turning so that the bike doesnt have ot lean as much as well. That will mean that the larger surface area in the centre of the tyre is in contact with the road.

But, you will have a larger turning circle and have to take the turn slower.
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Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

mchaggis · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :

Make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure, and stay away from the front brake when leant over and in corners. If you find yourself aquaplaning, I think the best advice is to do nothing, and to let the bike sort itself out. Smoothness is the key, and remember that the grip levels will be far lower in the wet. But, the bike will still perform better than you might think.

Having had an lowside in the wet, I can tell you the way to get over it is with practise, and to let the bike sort itself out on slippery surfaces.
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I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush. Very Happy

THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Forgot about pressures, should have mentioned that.

Nevermind, we all learn something new everyday Laughing

____________________
Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

greatmoorred · Nearly there... Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Karma :

dont forget that oil is the enemy, in a car park the ground water will probably be full of oil which will make it extra slippery.
in the wet also keep your eyes peeled for manhole covers, these are also very sluppery when wet.

0ni · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Karma :

My first near miss on a bike was in the wet, the first day after my CBT on a wee Honda CB 125. Listen to what was said about the front brake, the absolute last thing you want to do in the wet is lock it up.

However with practise locking up the rear in the wet gets enjoyable. As does fishtailing away from cars in trafflic light GP.
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Its a lovely day, just wait until some bastard spoils it.

THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

The Traffic Light GP is aways fun, no matter if your fishtailing it, or not. Razz

____________________
Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

mattish · Spanner Monkey Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Karma :

Simonbt · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 10 Mar 2005 Karma :

I've come off in carparks before (twice now).

They are absolute death traps for bikes. Just dont lean the bike, try to go as slow as possible and dont make sudden braking, acceleration etc and you will be fine.

THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Yokegri, some bike shops stock whats called a VWipe. Basically, a car window wiper that you can attach to the index finger of one of your gloves.

I did have one, until some scum bag knicked it at work. Pretty good as well, they move more water than a glove does.
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Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

kawakid · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Karma :

Hate rain, I am such a different rider in the rain.

I hardly lean and take my time around corners, turning etc.

Hate it

Worsed when it's just started raining for first ten minutes and the road hasn't absorbed it and its shiny.
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I've a twin and a 4.

THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

From experience, not if you get the right size for your finger/glove. And, its nothing that a bit of gaffer tape couldnt sort out. Smile

____________________
Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

Davo · Davo To The Rescue! Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Karma :

Also as no one else has mentioned it, avoid metal fixtures in the road (e.g. draincovers) and be careful with white lines etc.. they become a hell of a lot more slippery in the wet.

Spiral · Traffic Copper Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Karma :

Yeah i f-ing h8 man hole covers, there is one on the a2/shore road here its just before you hit carrickfergus its on a bend in front of the university of ulster and its a fucking death trap a lot of bikers here have complained to the council about that wee bugger.
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THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

There is one right smack bang in the middle of the only lane of an island at the top of Sedgley.

Thats a death trap by all accounts, its slippy when dry because all the surface pattern has been worn of fit, Iev caught it whith my rear wheel a couple of times in the wet... not a nice experience.
____________________
Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

Huambo81a · Brolly Dolly Joined: 16 Apr 2005 Karma :

Yeah i have to admit to being very very over-cautious yesterday (during a torrential brittish downpour) Just passed my test and am on a Bandit. To be honest its very hard for me to judge the traction of the bike when its wet. During my lessons it rained and i clipped a manhole cover which was sunken into the road at an angle, and the back moved a foot to the left, scared the hell out of me lol

So whats the secret? i mean, the whole damn country is covered with manhole covers and thick white arrows on bends? Is it safe to ride over these white painted arrows on a corner? or is it certain off territory?

Sam

mchaggis · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :

Stay away from them on corners if at all possible. If you have to ride over them, a) don't, and b) be prepared for the bike to get unstable and c) stay away from the front brake at all costs.

Most of these things are okay in the dry, but terrible in the wet. Why they feel compelled to put more paint on the roads the more dangerous it gets is beyond me. In the wet it just makes it worse. There is nothing wrong with riding cautiously in the wet, even if you see yourself as over-cautious, that is much better than being under-cautious and having a wrecked bike on your hands.

The key is reading the road and seeing them before you get to them, so you can anticipate the bike getting a wobble on, or ride around them ideally. Use the front brake at your peril on paint or manhole covers in the wet.
____________________
I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush. Very Happy

Dom_ · Points Mean Prizes Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

With the tyres on my rs50 i can't go over 15mph on most roundabouts in the wet, and if i give it some throttle mid way round the back just spins up and steps out, it's quite fun...
Although i now know the limit of how far the bike can lean in the wet so it's quite easy to keep under it. Wouldn't believe how much my 50 spins though, pulling onto roundabouts, mid way round them, and pulling off them. The tyres are shite.