Driving in town for the first time.

[bogan]

Hmmm.... I want to go down and ride again but its raining. Should I?

I would say get a bit more experience first, you only drove in town for the first time a few days ago, get used to it before you start adding complications like trying to avoid white lines when wet, as you will lose traction (very briefly) when you go over them.

[Matariki]

I drove around town again and this time no mistakes.
I went out when it stopped raining so the road was a little wet.

The corners were a little tricky but I remembered that I needed to look where I wanted to go, not at what I wanted to avoid. I went to the petrol station for the first time to fill up my bike (this time I didn't look like an idiot) can't wait to get back out onto the road tomorrow for more practice.

[Ronin]

I drove around town again and this time no mistakes.
I went out when it stopped raining so the road was a little wet.

The corners were a little tricky but I remembered that I needed to look where I wanted to go, not at what I wanted to avoid. I went to the petrol station for the first time to fill up my bike (this time I didn't look like an idiot) can't wait to get back out onto the road tomorrow for more practice.

Gimme a yell tomorrow, we will get out and go for a ride somewhere.

[blackdog]

go for a ride to collect this.....
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...0?p=1129737801

[CookMySock]

The corners were a little tricky but I remembered that I needed to look where I wanted to go, not at what I wanted to avoid.

You are doing the right thing here.

It is easy to refuse to corner the bike in the wet "because the road is slippery", but this is a trap. It's far more dangerous for your brain to refuse corner it and then you hit something or run off the road - so be mindful of your thinking. Just slow down and steer as per usual.

Steve

[Gone Burger]

I drove around town again and this time no mistakes.
I went out when it stopped raining so the road was a little wet.

The corners were a little tricky but I remembered that I needed to look where I wanted to go, not at what I wanted to avoid. I went to the petrol station for the first time to fill up my bike (this time I didn't look like an idiot) can't wait to get back out onto the road tomorrow for more practice.

Hey well done! The first few times (well, many more than that for me) are a challenge, but the more you do it, and the more you get things right like you did yesterday, the more confident you will grow. When I picked up my first bike from the dealer, I had only just passed my learners licence the day before and the ride home was bloody terrifying! Through town traffice, stuffing up gears round round abouts, then up a long and windy rural road home with tight blind corners. It took me a wee while, but the more I did it the better I felt! And now I just can't get enough of being out on my bike.

Sounds like you are doing well - keep up the practice. Got to get some experience in the wet too as tyres feel very differnet around corners etc.

All the best - I can see you already have that desire to ride more, and its only the beginning my friend!!

[CookMySock]

@theblackstig, many thanks for the abusive red rep. Perhaps you might be more concise in open forum where everyone else can read.

Steve

[blackdog]

@theblackstig, many thanks for the abusive red rep. Perhaps you might be more concise in open forum where everyone else can read.

Steve

sure thing. your posts rarely make sense, and when they do you are usually talking shit

[Sentox]

It's worth keeping in mind that light rain, and especially the initial 10-15 minutes of rainfall, are the worst. If you've had a decent amount of water coming down, then a generally quoted figure is that about 80% of regular traction is available to you. This is plenty, when you think about it, if you are smooth in your inputs. So just increase your following distances, avoid the center of the lane (water and oil are not a good combination for traction), be mindful of the road markings, and rain is really nothing to be afraid of.

[R-Soul]

It's worth keeping in mind that light rain, and especially the initial 10-15 minutes of rainfall, are the worst. If you've had a decent amount of water coming down, then a generally quoted figure is that about 80% of regular traction is available to you. This is plenty, when you think about it, if you are smooth in your inputs. So just increase your following distances, avoid the center of the lane (water and oil are not a good combination for traction), be mindful of the road markings, and rain is really nothing to be afraid of.

In South Africa we dont get alot of rain for long periods, and then when the first rain happens (sometimes after months), all the oil and crap that was leaked from cars, tends to rise up and flow all over the road, making the whole road pretty dodgy. Now, I know that Kiwis arent used to a lack of rain , but it has been pretty sparse out there lately. So just be aware when it is the first time it rains after a long period. Those first rains are the most dangerous...