Riding in the rain?

[Jizah]

So today I just got back from taking my not-so-trusty bike from Lower Hutt to the Bay of Islands and back for a party. I left on Friday afternoon and arrived back about 1.30pm this afternoon.

I probably couldn't have chosen a worse weekend to do it, because aside from the constant rain and occasional torrential downpour, especially on the ride up, there wasn't a dry piece of road anywhere to be found. So my new tyres have chicken strips on all but about an inch in the middle!

But onto my question, how do you guys go about actually being able to see when it's pissing down? There were many a time I should have pulled over due to being nearly blind, but instead resorted to short periods of opening my visor and getting hit in the face with rain/hail.

I won't even get started on night riding, while it's pissing down, and with a stock headlight which illuminates about half as much as when I open my refrigerator door.

[Hitcher]

There is a variety of techniques that improve the "out in the rain" experience.

1. Use Pledge to clean your visor. It helps the water to bead up and run off easier.

2. Buy gloves with a built-in squeegee on the left-hand index finger. Use that as necessary to wipe things away.

3. Head movement helps. Look left, look right, look up, look down. The wind movement past the visor moves water away.

4. If it's that wet that you can't see bugger all, resist the temptation to tailgate the vehicle immediately in front, and pull over for a while, preferably somewhere sheltered. Heavy rain generally passes through reasonably quickly.

[Arrowolf]

@ Hitcher
there is nothing more to say.

[doc]

Unbelievable... people ride in the rain. :eek: Doesn't it effects the resale of your bike ?

[The Stranger]

I won't even get started on night riding, while it's pissing down, and with a stock headlight which illuminates about half as much as when I open my refrigerator door.

I'm sure someone will be along soon to suggest you install an HID kit in your bike - which incidentally is not legal.
But one very cheap and easy upgrade which is legal is to replace your existing bulb/s with Philips (or similar) +50% bulbs. The additional light output and visibility is significant.

[FJRider]

So my new tyres have chicken strips on all but about an inch in the middle!

how do you guys go about actually being able to see when it's pissing down? There were many a time I should have pulled over due to being nearly blind


I won't even get started on night riding, while it's pissing down, and with a stock headlight which illuminates about half as much as when I open my refrigerator door.

You wont be the first 250 rider with chicken-strips after a long ride...

If you can't see .. and it feels like you are in the gravel, you probably are. You have a choice to go left, or right. With a 50/50 chance of going in the right(sorry) correct direction...

Night riding with a poor headlight, is a whole different kettle of fish... Ride by braile...

[munterk6]

rain is your friend...unless its really really cold rain, then you get off and drink.

[Mystic13]

I enjoy wet riding.

For rain riding I'd also add;

for better visibility

- having a helmet with a pinlock
- in addition to the brighter bulb adjust your lights so that it shines at the right height. It makes all the difference. Remembering that this height may be different two up and loaded. My bike has a crap low so I have the high adjusted down a bit and that gets me a better look. It was a matter of go for a ride one night to a nice section of dark road, parking up and adjust the light and then checking it.

Other things to keep you toasty warm

- buying a pair of rain-off over gloves. www.rain-off.com here in Auckland.
- buying a plastic two piece.

[gunnyrob]

Lower Hutt to BOI & back on a Hyobag in the weather we just had????? Well Done!!!!:first:

Other things that can keep you comfy are merino thermals & heated grips.

Top effort indeed.

[sunhuntin]

i love rain riding, but not that really heavy stuff. only really had it once, and that was on desert road. it got so bad, i literally couldnt see the lines on the road, never mind anything in front. i just pulled over, slowing gradually so i could be sure of where i was, and then flicked the hazards on, and waited for it to ease up. that was with an open face lid, so had a numb face to contend with as well, lol.

strangely enough, it cleared, and i decided to have a quick day in palmy before heading home. id left from taupo, lol.

[Solly]

Philosophically speaking - In each life a little rain must fall

Meteorologically speaking -It's raining

Theoretically speaking - those clouds look bloody dark

Biker speaking - Farkin' RAIN!!!!

[Motu]

Gee,thanks for the tips - I wish I knew all this stuff when I used to ride 500km days in the rain in an open face helmet with no goggles or wet weather gear....without my lights on.Guess I survived to this ripe old age by luck alone....

[James Deuce]

Jizah?

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[FJRider]

Gee,thanks for the tips - I wish I knew all this stuff when I used to ride 500km days in the rain in an open face helmet with no goggles or wet weather gear....without my lights on.Guess I survived to this ripe old age by luck alone....

You forgot .. uphill all the way in the snow ... in shorts ...

[Ocean1]

You forgot .. uphill all the way

There AND back.

[BMWST?]

worst thing about riding at night in the rain is how oncoming car headlights turn the rain drops on your visor into little intense points of light.In this case you must have a clean visor and use the sideways movement of your head to keep the big drops out of your line of site.Avoid looking at he headlights of the oncoming cars look as much as possible to the left hand side of the road.
Your high beam will illuminate the reflectors on the side of the road,you will notice that on left handers yeelow ones become visible marking the outside of the turn,The white ones on the left hand side of the road disapear round the corner,so sometimes at nigh the sharpness of the corners are more aesily judged than in the daytime,but in the rain this effect all but disapears as the little light pricks overpower just about everything

[6ft5]

Actually I feel that this was a very risky and stupid trip. Others my think this was brave but in winter on a 250cc without understanding the weather having a poor lighted bike. You are lucky to have come home without getting involved in an accident. The Metservice was warning bikies to stay off the road FGS.

[Mystic13]

Actually I feel that this was a very risky and stupid trip. Others my think this was brave but in winter on a 250cc without understanding the weather having a poor lighted bike. You are lucky to have come home without getting involved in an accident. The Metservice was warning bikies to stay off the road FGS.

North wasn't bad weather though. Up here in Aucks we had a fine Saturday and and overcast Sunday avo with rain arriving at 2.30pm. Clay off road in the rain is slippery.

[Jacko2]

Actually I feel that this was a very risky and stupid trip. Others my think this was brave but in winter on a 250cc without understanding the weather having a poor lighted bike. You are lucky to have come home without getting involved in an accident. The Metservice was warning bikies to stay off the road FGS.

And you never did anything risky?
How the fuck do you learn/experience anything?
We let the women take over the world and now we're just like them.
Rant Over.
JACKO

[6ft5]

North wasn't bad weather though. Up here in Aucks we had a fine Saturday and and overcast Sunday avo with rain arriving at 2.30pm. Clay off road in the rain is slippery.

Thanks, still with a weather warning doing some 1700km in the space of a few days is really asking for trouble in my mind.

[6ft5]

And you never did anything risky?
How the fuck do you learn/experience anything?
We let the women take over the world and now we're just like them.
Rant Over.
JACKO

Yes and I live to share my experiences and do so everyday. In this case it was appropriate to make the point that there are always choices. This wasn't one of the better ones.

[MaxB]

So today I just got back from taking my not-so-trusty bike from Lower Hutt to the Bay of Islands and back for a party. I left on Friday afternoon and arrived back about 1.30pm this afternoon.



Hmm, hope she was worth it mate!

[Jacko2]

Yes and I live to share my experiences and do so everyday. In this case it was appropriate to make the point that there are always choices. This wasn't one of the better ones.

That was a good reply, not girlie at all.
I retract calling you a woman. :drinkup:

[6ft5]

That was a good reply, not girlie at all.
I retract calling you a woman. :drinkup:

cheers mate, every opinion counts

[Headbanger]

Pass everything.

A clear road is your best freind.

At night, if worse comes to worse, look left at the line of paint , In a shit storm that maybe all you can see.

[caseye]

I drove Ak to Roto Vegas Thursday night, rained Hard all the way, then to Welly on Friday morning, rain and squalls all the way.Drove over the Old Coach rd to Porirua Satdee! great day fro sight seeing and water watching, then home ot Ak on Sunday, more rain, all the way back.
Would have ridden if I'd had to, lucky for me my dad rather fancied the comfort of the car over the back of me bike! A brave ride and obviously done as safely as possible.
I've ridden in torrential rain(not cold luckily) for hours on end and though i'd not do it again without good reason it was safe enough, long as you were watching the corners for slick spots etc and as usual treating all oncoming motorists like the devil with his scythe!
Congrats on a getting there and back in one piece, would you do it again just for a party?

[p.dath]

I'd heard people talking about pinlock helmets quite a bit. How do they work?

[crazyhorse]

Unbelievable... people ride in the rain. :eek: Doesn't it effects the resale of your bike ?

Does it affect your car resale???? What difference does rain have on resale - doh!!!

[crazyhorse]

There is a variety of techniques that improve the "out in the rain" experience.

1. Use Pledge to clean your visor. It helps the water to bead up and run off easier.

2. Buy gloves with a built-in squeegee on the left-hand index finger. Use that as necessary to wipe things away.

3. Head movement helps. Look left, look right, look up, look down. The wind movement past the visor moves water away.

4. If it's that wet that you can't see bugger all, resist the temptation to tailgate the vehicle immediately in front, and pull over for a while, preferably somewhere sheltered. Heavy rain generally passes through reasonably quickly.

I totally agree - well said. And the more riding you do in the rain, at night, or on shingle - makes you a better rider - just don't be stupid when out there.

[Swoop]

Does it affect your car resale???? What difference does rain have on resale - doh!!!
So long as it isn't hot rain, you'll be fine.
Hot water shrinks most things.

[CookMySock]

Where you are able to, keep your speed up in the rain. Obviously, you have to be bloody careful doing this, but on the open road where there are plenty of straights you can crackle along at the speed limit and a little bit and magically you will find your visor clears up very nicely.

Like I said, be fucking careful doing this, because your stopping distance is vastly increase etc etc, and your ability to corner aint a lot better, so you must be watching or you will skate up the back of something for sure.

Steve

[smoky]

...... but instead resorted to short periods of opening my visor and getting hit in the face with rain/hail.


Why open it - was the main issue more about fogging up?
If you keep up a bit of pace the rain should run off OK - how clean or new is your visor? What kind of speed did you try to maintain?
When I ride in rain with the visor closed, a quick tilt of the head one way then the other clears it up well enough
But when I get a bit fogged up and I have to crack the visor open a wee bit; the water can get blown down the inside of the visor - water and fog on the inside gives you heaps of problems


Actually I feel that this was a very risky and stupid trip. Others my think this was brave but in winter on a 250cc without understanding the weather having a poor lighted bike. You are lucky to have come home without getting involved in an accident. The Metservice was warning bikies to stay off the road FGS.

get real

A trip that size broken over a couple of days is not too much risk in those conditions, infact by the time they were a couple hours into the ride they would've been getting a little bit of confidence and learning, nothing like a whole day of repeating what you've learnt for it to stick in your head

A 250 is actually a better bike to ride in the wet conditions, on a bigger bike, like my 1200, the slightest bit of enthusiasm on the throttle has my back wheel braking loose
It's a good way of learning throttle control

My advice; sort out your helmet so you don't fog up when its closed, and so rain runs off the visor better
keep up a decent pace to shift the rain off
Keep your tyres correctly inflated

always look for the dry line
watch out for painted bits and shiny tar on the road
increase you following distance by 10 x - best not to follow any one, you're better off passing them

[Mystic13]

Like I said, be fucking careful doing this, because your stopping distance is vastly reduced etc etc,

Steve

Vastly, really?

I think it's useful on a rainy day to find a clean piece of road and find out how well your brakes work in the wet. And play with the rear and front.

I've discovered that the bike stops damned fast in the wet. Unbelievably fast. I trust my bike to haul up quick in the wet if I need it. The deal seems to me to be that you practise things before you need them. As your skill grows then re-visit some of those things.

I'd go for braking before you lean but I do carry braking into the corner at times.

Another thing I've played with is jumping onto some grass, locking the front up then riding the bike. It seems to me a locked front wheel in the wet while going straight isn't a major although I'm still looking to keep the wheel rotating to stop quicker.

When the bike is moving it's a giant gyro and wants to stay upright or at the angle it's at.

While we're on wet stuff. I'm also fine with running different branded tyres front and back as long as they're of a similar nature, or slightly softer on the front. This thing of it being important to run the same brand and model of tyre seems to me to be a marketing thing.

[smoky]

I'd heard people talking about pinlock helmets quite a bit. How do they work?

Think double glazing; it's one system that puts a second skin on your visor with an air gap between it and the main visor - locked in place by these special pins (pin locks)

the idea is; when cold air on the outside cools off the visor, your hot breath will condense on the inside of the visor and get fogged up
By having a second skin and an air gap - you effectively insulate the inner surface of the visor so it don't get cold enough to condense your hot breath

Of course you could just suck ice cubes while you ride to cool your breath down - then it won't condense either (except in your lungs)

[pritch]

Lower Hutt to BOI & back on a Hyobag in the weather we just had????? Well Done!!!!:first:


I'm with this guy. That might well be a more significant ride than some of the nay sayers have undertaken themselves.

Experience is really about what you have done, not how long you have been doing it.

And my sig is particularly appropriate on this occasion :whistle:

[smoky]

I've discovered that the bike stops damned fast in the wet. Unbelievably fast. I trust my bike to haul up quick in the wet if I need it. ...

I'd go for braking before you lean but I do carry braking into the corner at times.

Another thing I've played with is jumping onto some grass, locking the front up then riding the bike. It seems to me a locked front wheel in the wet while going straight isn't a major although I'm still looking to keep the wheel rotating to stop quicker.

When the bike is moving it's a giant gyro and wants to stay upright or at the angle it's at.

Mate - it might be the case on your DRZ400, it's made for loose and messy conditions, a hell of a lot easier to ride in wet conditions

I can assure you, from numerous experiences, the stopping ability of my Bandit 1200 in the wet is Vastly different than in the dry - and would be for a lot of road bikes

Once my front wheel is locked up - the slightest pressure to any other direction will see me kissing the tarmac real quick (or grass if i tried it on there)
After years of dirt bikes it's amazing how quickly the front wheel on a road bike can disappear from under you in slippery conditions - it's the way the bikes configured



I think it's useful on a rainy day to find a clean piece of road and find out how well your brakes work in the wet. And play with the rear and front.
.... The deal seems to me to be that you practise things before you need them. As your skill grows then re-visit some of those things.


Thats very good advice


I'm also fine with running different branded tyres front and back as long as they're of a similar nature, or slightly softer on the front. This thing of it being important to run the same brand and model of tyre seems to me to be a marketing thing.

That's not good advice

Again maybe a DZR400 perspective, but mixing tyres on a road bike should only be done if you know what you're on about, and can feel 'feedback' well enough to understand what's happening (you may do), but I prefer to play it safe - nothing wrong with buying a set?

[HenryDorsetCase]

So long as it isn't hot rain, you'll be fine.
Hot water shrinks most things.

really?

my worst shrinkage problems come from cold water......

[HenryDorsetCase]

oh, and the latest Performance Bikes (June) has a test of a CBR600 with the new ABS, a BMW with their ABS, and a 675. The comparison of stopping distances is really really interesting.

the conclusion is basically that motorcycle ABS is now at a point where it is a workable option for sprots bieks.

I'm not sure they will have the article online but will have a look.

[BMWST?]

A good surfaced,clean wet road will offer almost as much grip as a dry road.However some parts of a clean wet road are almost like ice...ie the smooth shiny tar bits,pick your line well......
if you dont beleive me go ride at manfeild in the wet.......

[Mystic13]

Mate - it might be the case on your DRZ400, it's made for loose and messy conditions, a hell of a lot easier to ride in wet conditions

Again maybe a DZR400 perspective, but mixing tyres on a road bike should only be done if you know what you're on about, and can feel 'feedback' well enough to understand what's happening (you may do), but I prefer to play it safe - nothing wrong with buying a set?

You reference the DRZ a lot but I mainly ride a sport tourer. I actually think the sport tourer handles the wet road better than the DRZ. I've also had many front wheel slides on the road bike and I don't like them. The all occurred when I was running a particular brand of front tyre and oddly enough a matched set front and back. Never again will I use that brand.

As for mixing tyres. It's not an issue if they're a similar type. I'd have no hesitation running different branded sport tyres or touring tyres. So having a sport set or tourer set but of mixed brands. I have no issue with this advice and it's sound.

This has come up before. There are those that have bought into the "it must be the same brand and model" theory and those that haven't. I'm currently running a Metzeler Z6 front and a Pirelli Corsa 3 rear. the bike actually feels much better than when the Z6 was on the rear.

When I change next time I will have two tyres the same because both are due for replacement. When the rear goes next I'll put on the back what I think works best. I'm not so worried about having matched tyres as having good tyres. With winter coming on it'll be PR2's or the Angel's if they've arrived. I am also interested in trying the Shinko because it's got a tread that looks like it would expel a bit of water. I do a lot of wet riding so the tyre is important.

I can't imagine the DRZ with it's road legal knobblies being great in the wet. I certainly have less confidence with that bike in the wet on tarseal than i do with my bigger road bike.

[smoky]

You reference the DRZ a lot but I mainly ride a sport tourer. .... I'd have no hesitation running different branded sport tyres or touring tyres. So having a sport set or tourer set but of mixed brands. bla bla bla same brand and model" theory bla bla bla a Metzeler Z6 front and a Pirelli Corsa 3 rear....bla bla bla....When the rear goes next I...bla bla bla.... I do a lot of wet riding so the tyre is important. Oh hello on topic for a change

Mixing tyre types or brands is a whole other discussion, for another thread.
There are issues of variable harmonic physics that result from running tyres with different tyre construction front to back, triplonic vibrations between front and rear wheels, they effect the handling of your bike - issues around running tyres with different side wall characteristics in cornering or braking - but if you're comfortable feeling this and making the call - good on ya, but shouldn't you start a new thread if you want to discuss it?


Your comments however; on practicing wet road braking before you need it in emergency conditions, is good - and on topic
:niceone:

[Jizah]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm going to reply to everyone I can without using quotes, as I am far too lazy. From reading all of the above, it would seem I need a new visor. Mine is getting on and is a bit scratched. Will probably replace the whole helmet actually. We have pledge for our work helmets, didn't even contemplate that it'd help the water bead off, so I shall be stealing some of that!

Fog wasn't so much an issue, just the amount of rain and splash backs from traffic in front of me (especially trucks) seemed to inhibit any possible run off whatsoever. I should have stopped to rest, but that's the last thing I ever feel like doing. That's why I take a 250, get further on a tank, and like someone else said, I far prefer the lesser power in bad conditions. It's just one less thing to worry about.

Also, yes, I would do it again for a party (this wasn't the first time, just the worst time). I'd done it 3 times previously. The only thing holding be back from doing it more often is my lack of confidence in my current bike.

Thanks for the headlight bulb tip The Stranger, I will be looking into that also. I guess I'll probably need go get it aligned too, as when I got it back after it was stolen, the bulb was facing the ground as they'd taken the bolts...

Apart from lack of visibility, the whole trip was fine. No loss of traction, no overshooting corners, no close calls overtaking. Although the fact that I was exhausted meant that the night of the party, I fell asleep about 1am while everyone else was just going to bed when I woke up at 7 :(

[smoky]

A good surfaced,clean wet road will offer almost as much grip as a dry road.However some parts of a clean wet road are almost like ice...ie the smooth shiny tar bits,pick your line well......

My tyres have good grip on a wet road as long as I keep them warm/hot
The rain and wet tends to cool them off a bit too much if I go too slow, or stop too often.
Conti's seem to be like that - some say they are slippery in the wet, they sure are if they're not warm enough
Others say they are brilliant in the wet - cause they keep the tyre warm

[CookMySock]

I think it's useful on a rainy day to find a clean piece of road and find out how well your brakes work in the wet. And play with the rear and front.Point taken and conceded. I bet my Michelin PR2's stop damn well in the wet too.

Really what I was meaning was, if he were to take my advice and crackle along at the speed limit and a bit, and if he was riding with the stock shinko tyres on it (I have) he should take my suggestion with grain of salt as he is more likely to be worse off than better.

Yes, definitely try those shinkos in the wet if you feel like pissing $300 against the wall. You won't like them at all, and they will last for ages and ages. ;)

Steve

[Maha]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm going to reply to everyone I can without using quotes, as I am far too lazy. From reading all of the above, it would seem I need a new visor. Mine is getting on and is a bit scratched. Will probably replace the whole helmet actually. We have pledge for our work helmets, didn't even contemplate that it'd help the water bead off, so I shall be stealing some of that!

Fog wasn't so much an issue, just the amount of rain and splash backs from traffic in front of me (especially trucks) seemed to inhibit any possible run off whatsoever. I should have stopped to rest, but that's the last thing I ever feel like doing. That's why I take a 250, get further on a tank, and like someone else said, I far prefer the lesser power in bad conditions. It's just one less thing to worry about.

Also, yes, I would do it again for a party (this wasn't the first time, just the worst time). I'd done it 3 times previously. The only thing holding be back from doing it more often is my lack of confidence in my current bike.

Thanks for the headlight bulb tip The Stranger, I will be looking into that also. I guess I'll probably need go get it aligned too, as when I got it back after it was stolen, the bulb was facing the ground as they'd taken the bolts...

Apart from lack of visibility, the whole trip was fine. No loss of traction, no overshooting corners, no close calls overtaking. Although the fact that I was exhausted meant that the night of the party, I fell asleep about 1am while everyone else was just going to bed when I woke up at 7 :(

Ya done well mate...some would have stopped and hid under a tree but you ballsed it out. Last June I was on an organised ride, had to do it. Rode in some the most atrocious conditions possible. Southern Motorway, 5pm heading into the city, wind hitting us from the left, had to slow to about 60kph, it was dark and the rain was emmence! the bike behind me could only see my tail light, not alot else. That was the worst of it, the rest of the day was just shitty, rained all day, had to twist/squeeze the water out of gloves within the first hour, yeah it was a real bastard but we rode on and got there, just have to adjust to the conditons at times.

[p.dath]

So is it just a replacement visor you can buy, or are they specific to helmet model? Is this something I can go down to my local motorcycle spares dealer and buy?