In case you haven't noticed

[Tank]

Its raining - REALLY raining outside (well it is here anyway - actual amounts of rain (if any) may indeed vary depending where you are).

Anyway - Im new at this. Every time (and I mean) every time I've ridden - even tho' its been overcast etc it has never rained. It seems God has been saving it all up for my trip home this evening.

So - given that Im a newb and I about to head home in torrential rain - any advise.

Personally Im going with the "slow and steady" approach - but any other wet riding tips?


C

[ManDownUnder]

Get wet instead of taking a risk... i.e. if you're getting soaked behind a car and can't see it's safe to pass... get wet.

Ride in the wheeltrack of the car in front. That spot of road is dry 9well less wet) because the tire of the lead vehicle has kindly done the work wof you.

Braking distance increases. As a newbie - double it. Wet brakes as well as wet road reduce overall brakig effect.

Holding up traffic is fine. It's your life vs their time.

Watch for cross wind.

[Nasty]

You got it ... slow steady and watch the following distance ... leave a min 4 second gap if you can ... bikes have less rubber and on the road and therefore take longer to stop normally so add the slip of rain you need a gap :) ... good luck out there .. I love riding in the rain :yes:

[Griff]

Absolutely.

Also be mindful that the driver's poor observational skills WILL diminish.

They will drive fast as normal, but will have a tendency to slam their brakes on more.

Try to avoid riding on the painted lines and Cat's Eyes. VERY Slippy.

You WILL get piss wet! Get used to the idea before you set out.

Relax your grip on the bars.

If it is your 1st time, leave before it gets dark.

Also if you haven't got this added to your favourites. It is a link to the current traffic flow on the Auckland Motorways, together with Web Cam Images of the traffic.
http://traffic.transit.govt.nz/Traffic.do?view=congestion

Enjoy it. You should still get home before most cars get half way.

[Oakie]

> Keep off the white lines. Absolutely rule number one when it's raining.
> Don't do anything suddenly ... like accelerate or brake or change direction. "Be smooth in all things Grasshopper"
> 4 Second gap between you and the car infront. Say "only a fool breaks the 2 second rule and today it is raining". Saying that will take about 4 seconds and give you the gap you need.
> Use the tyre tracks of the vehicle in front. I prefer the right hand track myself.
> Relax. Enjoy the ride. It's all part of the game.

There. Pretty much what others have already said.

On the other hand you could come to Chch. It's not raining here.

[Little Miss Trouble]

Also plan ahead where your going to stop at intersections - scan the area ahead looking out for oil, you don't want to put your tires through or your foot down on that stuff!

[canarlee]

do NOT ride in the wheel track of the car in front of you!!!


if you do you WILL be lessening your chance of being seen by the numpty cager in front of you!

think where the blind spots of cars are!

[babyblade250rr]

I'm a relatively new rider, So i may not be qualified to advise however from the much apreciated advice from a great lady crashe, I guess the best info i can pass onto you is slow it down untill your at a comfortable pace if this meens on occassion letting cars past so be it!! and just adjust your braking distances when slowing down to double or tripple what you would do in dry weather riding, Same goes for your vehicle following distances.

Stay as upright as possible into bends and turns and very importantly stay away from the painted markings on the road, if staying away completely is not an option than be very wary of them especially when breaking i found.


Hope this helps even if just alittle



ride safe good luck!!

[babyblade250rr]

i would also suggest riding in the right wheel track of the car infront as this will help disperse water and crap on the road for you which in theory will provide the best traction points same goes when stopping a lights etc... oil from the center of the cars engine bay i.e sump will drip onto the middle of the lane generally, So you can help avoiding them by staying in the right wheel track.

[discotex]

I was going to mention the oil slick in middle but babyblade bet me to it. You shouldn't be riding in the middle of the lane anyway but in the wet stay the hell away from the oil slick and road markings unless you like :gob: moments.

I sorta agree with the blindspot thing but if you're behind someone you shoud leave enough room to assume they haven't seen you and if they pull over to the left you should be expecting an un-indicated u-turn anyway.

The benefits of riding in the right wheel track (unless in the far right lane of a multi lane motorway where you ride in the left wheel track) outweigh the blindspot issue for me.

That said I prefer to ride to the right of the right wheel track so I can clearly see what's coming up ahead. It also puts you more clearly in their wing mirror.

If you have decent tyres riding in the rain is more mental than anything else. On my Avon's I love riding in the rain. You're forced to be smooth and pick your line better. Just adjust the cornering speed and stopping/following distance and you'll be all good 422.

[Oakie]

So did you get home safe?

[mbazza]

Wet, rain, sun behind you?
Swallow your pride and wear a (preferably day glow green) vest. Helps those boring themselves in front of the heater to see you.
Lots of good advice above, look and plan ahead.
Find a driver you can trust and travel a good 4 sec. behind them. Scan the road / intersections ahead. Slow down and ride smooth. Cheers. :eek5:

[Mom]

So did you get home safe?

Was about to ask the same............Did you get home safe? Was the advice good/crap?

[joehannaa]

I'm a relativley new ridder, but to make it worse I comute from Pram to Wellingotn everyday, had my bike about 6 months. Don't mind the raiin too much, as you have all said just take your time, keep an eye on what the trafic is doing ahead.

But, Wellington, first couple of weeks riding, not only pissing down with rain but a very nice cross wind... very intense ride home, felt like the bike was going to blow out from underneath me. I now keep an eye on weather reports, mainly the wind.

I trust you got home fine..... Keep safe out there... :shit:

[discotex]

I'm a relativley new ridder, but to make it worse I comute from Pram to Wellingotn everyday, had my bike about 6 months. Don't mind the raiin too much, as you have all said just take your time, keep an eye on what the trafic is doing ahead.

But, Wellington, first couple of weeks riding, not only pissing down with rain but a very nice cross wind... very intense ride home, felt like the bike was going to blow out from underneath me. I now keep an eye on weather reports, mainly the wind.

I trust you got home fine..... Keep safe out there... :shit:

Woo yeah the cross wind in the rain is freaky. I've just ridden into the city to work up here in Akl and it's fun out there tonight. Couldn't tell if the guy next to me at the lights to the Waterview onramp was looking at me cause I look all ghostrider in my black codura or cause he thought I was crazy being out.

Love it once I'm out of it but it's scary at the time. Must say it's heaps better since I put the Avon Roadriders on. The wind doesn't manage to push the bike around as much unless it's insanely windy. Just gotta loosen up and go with the flow. Can't recommend them enough for commuting/road riding on a 250.

[Blue Velvet]

Its raining - REALLY raining outside (well it is here anyway - actual amounts of rain (if any) may indeed vary depending where you are).

Hope you got to your destination safely. Read this post yesterday and was thinking about it as I got on my bike this morning, as it is raining in Wellington today.

Let us know how your ride went.