Riding in the wet?

[baffa]

Hey guys, just wanting to get your opinion.

I've been riding around in the last week that I got my VTR, and last night I was out for a ride on the North Shore of Auckland, it had been raining heavily, and started raining halfway through the ride. I was slowing down to a snails pace for corners, and braking really early, but I want to know how much grip you realistically have in the wet?

So say a corner you could comfortably take at 50 km/hr cruising in the dry, would you be able to do anywhere near that in the wet? This is on sealed ashalt and bitumen roads, avoiding white lines etc.

I plan to start riding across the bridge to work, and it's going to rain a fair bit, and dont want to be going round corners at a snails pace if I can help it.

Also, have an oxford helmet that fogs pretty easily in wet conditions, any tips?

Thanks

[unstuck]

Experience and skill, tyres. Would advise just riding within your cofort zone until your more confident.:yes:

[Stirts]

Hey guys, just wanting to get your opinion.

I've been riding around in the last week that I got my VTR, and last night I was out for a ride on the North Shore of Auckland, it had been raining heavily, and started raining halfway through the ride. I was slowing down to a snails pace for corners, and braking really early, but I want to know how much grip you realistically have in the wet?

Less than in the dry :D

So many factors contribute, what tyres you are running, the condition of them etc. How you ride. Just concentrate of keeping your riding smooth. When cornering in the wet, I put a little more weight on the outside peg.


I plan to start riding across the bridge to work, and it's going to rain a fair bit, and dont want to be going round corners at a snails pace if I can help it.

Watch out for the metal connectors thingies on the bridge, they are slippery little suckers, oh and the stupid drivers that come out in droves when it is wet :yes:

[george formby]

I have been amazed by how much grip modern tires can give you in the rain & equally appalled at how slippery a wet road can be. No real way of telling without visiting the scenery or having a moment. I'm in the habit of dragging a boot if I'm particularly worried about the road. The rubber sole gives a good indication of grip.

I ride extra cautiously & smoothly in the rain, earlier braking, wider more upright lines & increased braking distance in traffic. Funny thing is, even though I'm putting extra effort in worrying about grip I still ride at the same speed.

Be smooth & progressive in the wet & ride to your ability.
I really enjoy riding in the rain because of the high level of concentration required, it's the only time I get anywhere near being an "advanced" rider.

Rub a tiny bit of washing up liquid onto the inside of your visor & polish 99% off. Works like a charm to stop misting. Try it on your bathroom mirror..

[Maha]

Hey guys, just wanting to get your opinion.

I've been riding around in the last week that I got my VTR, and last night I was out for a ride on the North Shore of Auckland, it had been raining heavily, and started raining halfway through the ride. I was slowing down to a snails pace for corners, and braking really early, but I want to know how much grip you realistically have in the wet?

So say a corner you could comfortably take at 50 km/hr cruising in the dry, would you be able to do anywhere near that in the wet? This is on sealed ashalt and bitumen roads, avoiding white lines etc.

I plan to start riding across the bridge to work, and it's going to rain a fair bit, and dont want to be going round corners at a snails pace if I can help it.

Also, have an oxford helmet that fogs pretty easily in wet conditions, any tips?

Thanks

Just open the helmet one click if it fogs up.
On the corner question, 50 in the dry and 50 in the wet, makes no odds really, decent tyres/confidence in your bike and yourself is the key.
Visual awearness in the wet is also high on the agenda, stay vigilant and watch out for spillages on the road that wouldn't normally matter so much in the dry.

[baffa]

Awesome, thanks for the tips all.

[steve_t]

Also, have an oxford helmet that fogs pretty easily in wet conditions, any tips?

Thanks

Pinlock :yes:

[davebullet]

If you get caught in the rain and the road has been dry for some days, watch the first 20 mins or so. Reason being, all the muck, grease, oil that has deposited on a dry road starts to wash off (allow more time if it's a misty rain).

Once the road has been swept clean by the rain, assuming you've got decent brand tyres (that are up to pressure and not worn out), you'll get good grip. It's hard to provide a figure but I've herard some say 80% of dry. I usually run at about 50% of dry (wimp).

These tips are just as applicable in the dry, but moreso in the wet

Keep the bike a little more upright (= weight the outside peg more and move to the inside a bit or just slow down a bit).
Avoid sudden jerky movements (don't do fast on the gas, fast on brakes, avoid twitching the steering in the corners).
allow extra stopping distance and margin for error
Practice your peripheral vision and focus. Don't look at the white lines or metal manhole covers - but be aware of where they are and look at the "gaps" to ride your bike on clean tarmac

[MSTRS]

On the corner question, 50 in the dry and 50 in the wet, makes no odds really, ...

I wouldn't.
Although, it does depend on how 'extreme' 50 is, in the dry. There are corners that will have you scrapping your pegs at that speed. Would you really want to try that in the wet?
Best advice for handling wet...do everything a bit gentler. But not as gentle as you would on loose gravel.

[Maha]

I wouldn't.
Although, it does depend on how 'extreme' 50 is, in the dry. There are corners that will have you scrapping your pegs at that speed. Would you really want to try that in the wet?
Best advice for handling wet...do everything a bit gentler. But not as gentle as you would on loose gravel.

Sure but the words used were..''comfortably take at 50 km/hr''...

[MSTRS]

Sure but the words used were..''comfortably take at 50 km/hr''...

I know he is a newbie...but define 'comfortable'.

[oneofsix]

If you get caught in the rain and the road has been dry for some days, watch the first 20 mins or so. Reason being, all the muck, grease, oil that has deposited on a dry road starts to wash off (allow more time if it's a misty rain).

Once the road has been swept clean by the rain, assuming you've got decent brand tyres (that are up to pressure and not worn out), you'll get good grip. It's hard to provide a figure but I've herard some say 80% of dry. I usually run at about 50% of dry (wimp).

These tips are just as applicable in the dry, but moreso in the wet

Keep the bike a little more upright (= weight the outside peg more and move to the inside a bit or just slow down a bit).
Avoid sudden jerky movements (don't do fast on the gas, fast on brakes, avoid twitching the steering in the corners).
allow extra stopping distance and margin for error
Practice your peripheral vision and focus. Don't look at the white lines or metal manhole covers - but be aware of where they are and look at the "gaps" to ride your bike on clean tarmac

Good advice Dave.
Also remember you will be concentrating harder in the wet so will tire earlier. Personal comfort will also affect your riding a bit making it harder to keep your mind on the job, cold wet hands on the controls etc. Water transfers heat out of your body something like 30% faster than dry. Rain-off make good over-gloves if you need them.

[Stirts]

This is what "comfy 50 km/hr" looks like ....

<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xRFNBWST25E/SNRvS6toogI/AAAAAAAABYs/WwZH_3bquBQ/s400/Couch+Art+Car+13.jpg"></img>

[superman]

I found the best thing that helped me was go 50km/h in the dry (ON A STRAIGHT) on a certain type of road and see how much back brake by itself is required to make the back wheel lock and give you a slight fish tail. Do the same in the wet. Gives you a good feel of the difference, I used to putter in the wet, but then I realised the bike (with plenty of tread) doesn't mind the wet sooo much.

Lets say a corner in the dry I usually do fastish at 100km/h (marked 55 by those truck recommendations). In the moderate wet I'll do these at 80 with no problems, (knee out is helpful to increase surface area of tyre in contact with road which makes a big difference in wet). Though in heavy, heavy rain I still slow down to 60 for that corner.

[Maha]

I know he is a newbie...but define 'comfortable'.

Without exertion.

[nodrog]

If you fall off, go slower.

[MSTRS]

(knee out is helpful to increase surface area of tyre in contact with road which makes a big difference in wet).

Actually, I'm not sure that there is any more/less contact patch at different lean angles. Will very much depend on what sort of tyres you have.
The more leaned-over you are in a corner, the more your suspension compresses, and that will likely have an effect on how well you stick to the road as well.

[george formby]

I found the best thing that helped me was go 50km/h in the dry (ON A STRAIGHT) on a certain type of road and see how much back brake by itself is required to make the back wheel lock and give you a slight fish tail. Do the same in the wet. Gives you a good feel of the difference, I used to putter in the wet, but then I realised the bike (with plenty of tread) doesn't mind the wet sooo much.

Lets say a corner in the dry I usually do fastish at 100km/h (marked 55 by those truck recommendations). In the moderate wet I'll do these at 80 with no problems, (knee out is helpful to increase surface area of tyre in contact with road which makes a big difference in wet). Though in heavy, heavy rain I still slow down to 60 for that corner.

I used to do that too. My boots would last longer if I got back into the habit of it me thinks.

[Milts]

Practice emergency breaking in the wet and dry, that'll give you some idea.

Also got me to back the fuck off in the wet. Scary the difference it can make.


If you really want to test it find a roundabout and give it a little gas coming out, see how much it takes to get the rear to slide a bit. Good fun, but could also end in tears...

[skinman]

Dont tense up in the wet. Stay relaxed then if the bike moves around you wont upset it and also you wont be so prone to making sudden jerky movements which will upset the bike. I tend to ride in the car wheel tracks as there is generally less oil there.
There are certain intersections which I will take very slowly when wet due to old shiny seal & oil slicks but generally I dont slow down much unless I cant see (fog etc)
For visor fogging I got one of those stick on internal things, it seems to work not bad, now if my glasses would just not fog up....

[ellipsis]

Dont tense up in the wet. Stay relaxed....

...best bit of advice yet..

...take your mind and fingers away from the brakes...be in the right gear...if your arse end moves out, just keep looking where you wanna be and keep riding ...if your front end goes, retrieve your bike as quick as possible, get back on and keep riding...if you are expecting to not ever lose it through either your own actions or the actions of a second party then you may as well take the bus...that option should be enough to make you shudder at the thought...there would be very few of us who haven't got themselves in the shit..:yes:

[Kornholio]

Less than in the dry :D

So many factors contribute, what tyres you are running, the condition of them etc. How you ride. Just concentrate of keeping your riding smooth. When cornering in the wet, I put a little more weight on the outside peg.



Watch out for the metal connectors thingies on the bridge, they are slippery little suckers, oh and the stupid drivers that come out in droves when it is wet :yes:

From someone that has blown their motor up :p

[unstuck]

...best bit of advice yet..

...take your mind and fingers away from the brakes...be in the right gear...if your arse end moves out, just keep looking where you wanna be and keep riding ...if your front end goes, retrieve your bike as quick as possible, get back on and keep riding...if you are expecting to not ever lose it through either your own actions or the actions of a second party then you may as well take the bus...that option should be enough to make you shudder at the thought...there would be very few of us who haven't got themselves in the shit..:yes:

31 yrs riding on the road,aint lost one yet.:woohoo:

[Stirts]

From someone that has blown their motor up :p

:gob: You cold hearted meaniehead. You hurt my feeling!

[Maha]

:gob: You cold hearted meaniehead. You hurt my feeling!

Dont worry, he doesn't ride in the wet, he sleeps in it....:blink:

[GrayWolf]

Hey guys, just wanting to get your opinion.
I've been riding around in the last week that I got my VTR, and last night I was out for a ride on the North Shore of Auckland, it had been raining heavily, and started raining halfway through the ride. I was slowing down to a snails pace for corners, and braking really early, but I want to know how much grip you realistically have in the wet?I plan to start riding across the bridge to work, and it's going to rain a fair bit, and dont want to be going round corners at a snails pace if I can help it.
thanks

Hi,
i will not claim to be an 'expert' on bike handling in the wet, but I can offer a little idea after riding for all my adult life.
Regarding rain and roads? Someone else here mentioned 20minutes to allow the road to 'wash off',personaly I would leave that even longer on some roads, especialy ones where you see a lot of diesel spills in and out of roundabouts. Secondly tyres? My STRONGEST advice here is (especilay in winter) dont use them to the 'wear limit'. the tread pattern is what 'pumps' out the water, so if almost 'bald' in really heavy rain possibly not enough water will be displaced. From memory I think the UK police replace the bike tyres at 3mm of tread. Also remember the centre of the lane can be slipperier than snot in light rain.
You may need to take a different line through corners in the wet, drain lids, tar snakes/patches and dont forget the big white painted arrows etc, they increase the slippery effect of muck and rain combination.
RULE for cornering, ride to YOUR comfort limit, not anyone else's.. if you feel 30kph is fast enough in the wet? then do 30kph round a corner. Leave greater distances for braking, yeh I know every time I do on the motorway an 'asshole' in a tin top fills the gap... BUT! Practice cadance braking, its a useful tool in slippery condidtions.
Also the other factor is the BIKE itself, handling characteristics. Some bikes are 'twitchier' than others.
I'll say this again, regardless of ANY advice here, ride at a pace that feels comfortable to YOU... once outside your comfort zone is when you tense up, and/or start to ride the bike less fluently... that itself is a dangerous as any road conditions

[george formby]

Dont worry, he doesn't ride in the wet, he sleeps in it....:blink:

Quick, stick that in the quote thread. Cruel, but funny:yes:

[DEATH_INC.]

The late Loosebruce taught me how fast you can ride in the wet. You'd be surprised just how fast you can go :shit: .....I was.

[Oblivion]

The late Loosebruce taught me how fast you can ride in the wet. You'd be surprised just how fast you can go :shit: .....I was.

Someone redneck American decided to do that exact same thing. On a ZX-10R. Max throttle top speed run in the wet. I wouldn't have the balls or the stupidity to do that......:blink:

[cheshirecat]

Don't ride on your brakes. (Good general tip as well) Grip the tank with your knees so taking the weight off your arms, keeping your upper body loose. This lets the front stuff like tyres, suspension and steering do what its designed to do. I've never bothered with peg weighting but it works for some. It's not the wet tarmac so much but the nature of it and whats on it, diesel being the big one. When I was doing a lot of busy traffic stuff used to make sure the front disc was kept slightly warm. During my first two weeks despatch riding it rained solid very day but the human body adapts amazingly and took it for granted after a while. Certainly learnt what to wear. Only had one wet weather spill (diesel) in three years, thats 5 days a week 10/12 hours a day riding.

Oh as above - ride within your comfort zone and never never get over confident and take your eyes off the ball.

[george formby]

The late Loosebruce taught me how fast you can ride in the wet. You'd be surprised just how fast you can go :shit: .....I was.

It's the sudden stopping that really suprises you..

Must admit I had to do an emergency brake & maneuver when a truck pulled out on me a few years ago in the pishhing rain & I was :gob::gob::gob: that the front did not let go, releasing the brake I had to turn quickly & I thought it would be all over rover, but nah, the bike just turned.
The comments about being relaxed & gently using your body weight are spot on. I did not slam the brakes on but fed them in very quickly & made sure the forks were unloading smoothly when i tipped the bike over. It's amazing how much you can process in a fraction of a second.