Riding in bad weather tips?

[Stickchick]

I'm heading down to the Hawkes Bay for the long weekend and have just seen the forecast of the impending weather. This is making me nervous to say the least. I have been down there before, but was riding with Tide and this is my first adventure on my own.

Can anyone provide me with some tips to riding in nasty weather please?

[Blackshear]

I'm heading down to the Hawkes Bay for the long weekend and have just seen the forecast of the impending weather. This is making me nervous to say the least. I have been down there before, but was riding with Tide and this is my first adventure on my own.

Can anyone provide me with some tips to riding in nasty weather please?

Well i'm just a newbie, but I found out today you need at least twice the braking distance. when coming to anything. Even more, if the car in front of you is a '91 Cefiro :ar15::rofl:. Also, please make sure you'll be warm, dear lady =)

[Number One]

Relax, wear good weather proof gear and don't let yourself get too cold!

Other than that dunno - never been too bothered by the weather just kinda had to ride in it so did....don't choose to now so mostly avoid it just because I can really.

Maybe check in with people who are expecting you on your way down that way you've got some people watching out for your progress and it gives you and excuse to stop and warm up too. Good luck and happy trails :sunny:

[MadDuck]

You will be fine Sticky....but I agree with #1. Make sure you stay warm.

You will need to have decent gloves and waterproof boots.

[Oscar]

Can anyone provide me with some tips to riding in nasty weather please?


Stay home.
Drink to excess.

[<Rhino>]

Slow and steady wins the race! take it easy especialy the corners, break sooner and not as hard. As said before keep warm and dry, take regualr breaks, stretch etc. Take your time.

[Ixion]

Braking distances will be MUCH greater. Leave plenty of space. Take the corners slow, it's not a race. The slippery things (white lines etc) are still the slippery things, just more so. Watch closely for pretty rainbow rings on the roads.Fortunately, there should have been enough rain by then to wash things clean, and a well rained on road is not much worse than a dry one. It's the first hour or so after a dry spell that's really bad.

Biggest problem in heavy rain is visibility. Turning your head sideways will help clear the visor. Steaming up , open the visor a wee crack. If the visibility gets really bad, open your visor about one third open, bend your head forward and look upward, through the visor opening. The partially open visor and bent head will act like a big peak and keep the rain out of your eyes.

Remember that the cagers are affected by the rain too. They also have reduced visibility, and increased stopping distance. Just they don't know about it. So you need to allow even more extra for them, to make up for it.

Remember in rain and cold you will tire MUCH more quickly. Cold, wet, tired, judgement and reflexes are shit. And it sneaks up on you, so that you don't actually realise how bad you are. Stop , preferably somewhere warm like a pub, wait an hour or so and warm up. Gas station will do if there's no pub.

Take spare socks and (if possible) gloves. Change when you can. A spare shirt makes a big difference , even spare underwear. There are few things worse than having to get back on a bike and head into the rain when you are already squelching.

Slow: smooth: steady:relaxed. And you'll be fine.

[jtzzr]

I do know this helps (got it from a Mentor on here,), if the wind is battering you from one side , keep your foot on the peg and push your knee towards the wind , this helps the wind deflect off your bike and makes the ride a little bit more bearable. I hope you have a safe ride.

[sels1]

- If you dont have waterproof boots, put plastic shopping bags over your feet before puting your boots on. This really works - wet feet + wind chill soon become cold feet and the cold slowy eats away at your concentration.
-allow extra stopping distance, keep away from other vehicles
-dont stress about wind gusts, just roll with them
- a lot of cordura suits will leak if its wet enough for long enough, cheap pvc leggings add another waterproof layer. Merino thermals will still hold warmth even when wet.
-Stop for a hot cuppa on a regular basis
-have fun!

[Zapf]

1.) make sure your tires are inflated properly. Under inflated tires have less tread.
2.) make sure your tires are good. Have plenty of tread and of reputable brands.
3.) make sure your tire's rubber is not cracked and old.
4.) if it was dry and you have a sudden down pour. May pay to stop for like 20~30mins for the oil to wash off the road before continue riding.
5.) do not follow trucks too closely when in wet. (lots of spray)
6.) do not ride onto tar snakes.
7.) as you start riding and after stopping for an extended period. you tires will be cold. Give it a good 10km before ridding it normally. For the 1st 10km's let it warm up by riding gentlely, I don't mean ride slow. Just be gentle.
8.) stay dry and warm.
9.) 98% of motorcycle boots are not water proof. Get yourself a pair of "Seal skin" water proof socks, available at most outdoor equipment shop. Else plastic bag. http://www.sealskinz.com/
10.) if you stay dry, you are much more likely to stay warm. If you get wet, you will be cold. This is NZ afterall.
11.) Your visor will most likely fog up in this weather, anti fog inserts are useful.
12.) clean your visor.

Riding in rain is not actually that bad, just ride smoothly. stay away from the rivers running across the road, and paint is extra slippery.

[NighthawkNZ]

The main thing is to relax, ride to the conditions and your ability...relax Have faith in your tyres and your ability. In wet weather try to keep your movements smooth, no sudden movements. Add extra distance to the vehicles you are following this way the spray is not as bad... add some extra distance to your braking and simply slow down ... (however even if you have to do an emergency stop just because it is wet your bike is not going slide out from under you... Hopefully ;) ) Clear your visor regularly... you will be suprised... its probably not as bad as you think after you wipe your visor.

Having good gear helps greatly, being dry and warm you can still have fun, and many riders actually don't mind the rain at all (I actually ride it can be relaxing)... however cold and wet you are uncomfortable, cold hands and aching bones can increase you reaction time. Take an extra stop or two... to warm up...

In the wind keep expect the bike to move, relax don't have a death grip... watch for the spots that will have gusts ie, after a wind break, hedge, road hill hollow,etc... keep and eye on the road side markers, you can usually see them flapping as a indication of how much wind

I find the side the wind is coming from I stick my knee out let it flop about a bit... it acts as a count balance sail kind thing...

[jrandom]

She has good gear, full waterproofs, super-tasty Rev'it winter glubs, good boots, I'll give her my Rain-Off (http://www.rain-off.com/) overglubs to wear, and she'll have several insulating layers, including full-body thermal undies and a decent fleece jersey over her leather jacket and under the waterproof jacket. She'll be 100% waterproof from head to fingertips to toes.

Her bike's very recently had the brakes fettled (new front disc and pads) and oil changed, etc.

And, contrary to what she seems to think, her bike-handling skills are actually really good.

(For a girl, etc.)

She'll be sweet as.

:niceone:

[DUCATI*HARD]

Can anyone provide me with some tips to riding in nasty weather please?

JUST HOLD IT ON,,,AND YOULL BE FINE:niceone:

[chanceyy]

agree with wot the others have said, Like you sticky I was nervous about riding in rain and have done so now quite a bit, the first time on BB back from turangi & it was quite torrential


echo the others & as long as you ride smooth & steady it will not take you long to relax. Along with white lines & pretty rainbows colors watch the shiney patches on the road. That was a lesson I learned early on :laugh:

These days I do not mind riding in the rain at all :) :2thumbsup

[Skyryder]

Keep your revs up in the corners and use your engine for braking where neccessary.


Skyyrder

[Number One]

contrary to what she seems to think, her bike-handling skills are actually really good.
Ain't that always the way...lots of good advice about braking distance and clearing your visor and other practical shit I didn't think to mention so take all that on board and relax and you'll be fine :sunny: although if the weather isn't shit you might roast in all that gear :msn-wink:

[Swoop]

Breadbags over the socks to keep the water from the tootsies.
Pledge on the visor to help the rain dissipate.

Edit: Beware of the long-weekend kiwi drivers...

[robertydog]

agree with wot the others have said, Like you sticky I was nervous about riding in rain and have done so now quite a bit, the first time on BB back from turangi & it was quite torrential


echo the others & as long as you ride smooth & steady it will not take you long to relax. Along with white lines & pretty rainbows colors watch the shiney patches on the road. That was a lesson I learned early on :laugh:

These days I do not mind riding in the rain at all :) :2thumbsup

What she said

[Stickchick]

although if the weather isn't shit you might roast in all that gear :msn-wink:

Well won't the fine young men on their way for a drunk weekend somewhere in the middle of nowhere get a nice view for the start of their weekend, while I'm stripping on the side of the road. :niceone:

However, on the serious side. Thanks heaps for all the advice. It is most helpful and I will certainly take it on board. I'm sure as I descend to Napier, jrandom will keep the updates coming in (hopefully good ones and not another "Trailer Needed" thread).

KB is awesome!!!!!

[jrandom]

if the weather isn't shit you might roast in all that gear

Golden rule, on two wheels, whether powered or pedalled, it's always better to sweat than freeze.

[Stickchick]

What she said

I know you care Roberty!!!!!:love: See you on Saturday. I will text my progress to the usual HB crowd including you, so prepare to be bombarded with texts.

[jrandom]

I'm sure as I descend to Napier, jrandom will keep the updates coming in

Actually, I'll probably be busy picking up Betty from the police impound yard round about then.

:pinch:

[Stickchick]

Actually, I'll probably be busy picking up Betty from the police impound yard round about then.

:pinch:

PRIORITIES!!!! Oh wait...yep its another bike not another chick, as you were.

[jrandom]

PRIORITIES!!!! Oh wait...yep its another bike not another chick, as you were.

Are you suggesting I'd be into the sort of chick that'd end up in police impound yards?

...

Fair call, I suppose.

[Big Dave]

Disaster lurks in the shiny black patches. Avoid them.

If it's wet and it's real shiny where the chip seal has worn off the top surface - it is very slippery.

[Stickchick]

Well I'm not really sure what I was so scared of? SAturday morning I was sitting in my garage having a coffee and looking at the torrential rain, thinking I might not go. Then saw there was a break in the weather, thought well once I'm on the road I'm not going to talk myself into turning around so grabbed all my gear and off I went.

Got torrential rain from Auckland to Ngaruawhahe (sp) and just remembered everyone's advice and actually enjoyed it. The further south I got the better the weather. I had an absolute ball, riding at my own pace enjoying the scenery. I got escorted into Napier by one of the locals...Thanks Robertydog!!!!

Bring on the trip back, where I'm being escorted out by the locals. I think only to make sure I leave.

Its amazing how a long trip can build up so much confidence in myself and my riding.

[Number One]

:niceone: see easy peasie!! Safe travels back again :sunny:

[gijoe1313]

:niceone: Isn't it an awesome feeling when you are pootling along in the rain and suddenly you emerge into sun-basked countryside, the water droplets evaporating and the bike zinging along with a happy tune ... :love:

It makes you appreciate all the moments in biking it does! Even the downhill twisties on a gravel goat track at night in driving rain! :yes:

[smoky]

Can anyone provide me with some tips to riding in nasty weather please?

Don't fall off
:wari:







If you do it doesn't hurt as much because you slip along the wet tar easier than when it's dry, a bit like a hydroslide