White paint and Rainy days - (also I'm sick of crashing)

**Usarka** · 10th February 2011, 08:25

Do your braking where there is the best grip. For example if you do have to go over the white lines try braking a little harder/earlier before the white lines then cruise over them and then braking again once your back on the black stuff.

If you do have to brake when your on the white lines be smooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooth. Are you using correct braking technique (progressively squeezing rather than "grabbing a handful")?

My other question is what mix of front and rear brakes are you using?

On a sports bike you should be braking kind around 75%front 25% back in the dry. A more balanced figure applies in the wet or slippy surfaces to try to prevent losing the front end. I don't know the figures for a cruiser but you use the back brake much more than a sports bike (anyone??).

Someone more knowledgeable (or stupider) than me may come along and poo poo those figures. There are many who argue rear brakes are worthless on a sportsbike (which I disagree with especially for road riding). My suggestion get some books or tuition or something and read up on good braking technique..... There may even be a thread or two worth reading in here....

**Ronin** · 10th February 2011, 08:43

PM me and we can look at doing some slow speed practise on different surfaces. If you have an idea of what your bike will do in any given circumstance then you are much better prepared.

**javawocky** · 10th February 2011, 09:27

Get ride of the GN - get a sports bike.

**MSTRS:Me** · 10th February 2011, 09:37

Painted lines in the wet...
Being smooth, not braking (hard), more rear brake than front, not crossing when leaning - all good advice

Tyres...GNs prolly don't have great tyres, but when on wet road markings or tar snakes or areas where chip is gone - there are no good tyres. Learning to avoid those parts of the road is your best bet. Practice lines (or changing lines) until you don't need to think about it.

Note: paint is easy to spot, wet or dry. Tar snakes/bleed/no chip is not...but on familiar roads you should remember the places to avoid.

**davebullet** · 10th February 2011, 09:44

It happens all so quickly, don't beat yourself up if you cannot remember what happened. It may come back to you (as you probably know, your mind's defensive mechanism is to block out the pain and bad experience to protect you).

Plenty of good advice above. The other thing I'll add is the need to relax in adverse conditions. Not so you are flopping about on the bike, but you don't want to be so rigid (esp. in your arms) where any road bumps will transfer to your body and cause you (unintentionally) to put movement through the bars (changing direction) and putting extra demands for grip on your tyres.

Make sure your new gear has good armour. Not stuff that wanders about but sits snuggly over your joints. Are you replacing the helmet as well?

**BMWST?** · 10th February 2011, 09:45

my rules for riding in the wet....try to avoid riding over anything thats SHINEY..that implies it s very smooth...smooth = less friction.If you must ride over them keep the bike as upright as possible and do not have throttle brake or turning inputs.Manhole covers,metal expansion joint strips,are a couple of other hazards to watch out for.

**Usarka** · 10th February 2011, 09:51

Originally Posted by BMWST?

my rules for riding in the wet....try to avoid riding over anything thats SHINEY..that implies it s very smooth...smooth = less friction.If you must ride over them keep the bike as upright as possible and do not have throttle brake or turning inputs.Manhole covers,metal expansion joint strips,are a couple of other hazards to watch out for.

Including black shiney! I almost learnt that one the hard way - i think it was a section where the top layer of the road had worn away. Poo stains for africa.

**Usarka** · 10th February 2011, 09:51

Originally Posted by BMWST?

my rules for riding in the wet....try to avoid riding over anything thats SHINEY...

Including black shiney! I almost learnt that one the hard way - i think it was a section where the top layer of the road had worn away. Poo stains for africa.

**george formby** · 10th February 2011, 10:05

Ow, heal well!

Avoid any painted lines on the road, manhole covers, tar over banding, areas with very worn or no chip seal & take care at areas where traffic stops & accelerates like junctions, pedestrian crossings, traffic lights etc.
When you have to ride over a negligible surface keep the bike upright as much as possible & be gentle on the brakes & throttle. Give yourself extra time & space to compensate for any potential lack of grip & choose your line early to avoid hazards you see ahead.

**p.dath** · 10th February 2011, 10:12

Sounds like you have already figured out what to do differently.

And getting some proper gear as opposed to jeans is good insurance for your body in case you have another off.

It's just a shame that it requires people to feel the agony of having an off before they make the decision to get the better gear.

Originally Posted by Gremlin

- Avoid the lines... they are slippery
- In the wet be gentle and smooth in all your motions, avoid violent actions as it upsets the bike and puts more strain on tyres and suspension

+1.

**grantnz** · 10th February 2011, 14:28

Katman should be along anytime now...

**Newo** · 11th February 2011, 19:36

Originally Posted by Nasty

All said below is good. But one thing to remember is that if you have not slowed down enough to take a corner - especially if there are lines and rain etc - DON"T take the corner. There is almost always another turn you can make further up the road, there are very few places where there is only one way. If that is the only way - then go up, u-turn safely and do it that way.

I agree,

However round-abouts are the exception to the rule as I found out. If your going to fast you have no choice but to turn. My conditions were rain after a hot sticky day and oil/petrol/fluids. Was a slow speed off with all the right protective gear and I was glad for wearing it all too.

Hope you recover without any permanent damage and try to work your confidence back up. I found that just from my small off I was very intimidated the next time it rained. Good and bad all the same.

**Nasty** · 11th February 2011, 19:55

Originally Posted by Newo

I agree,

However round-abouts are the exception to the rule as I found out. If your going to fast you have no choice but to turn. My conditions were rain after a hot sticky day and oil/petrol/fluids. Was a slow speed off with all the right protective gear and I was glad for wearing it all too.

Hope you recover without any permanent damage and try to work your confidence back up. I found that just from my small off I was very intimidated the next time it rained. Good and bad all the same.

Ahh roundabouts ... you have no reason to have not slowed down ... if you knew it was there that is ...

big part of defensive riding appears to be it is easier to anticipate the known than the unknown ... but also to be complacent.

**porky** · 11th February 2011, 19:59

A tip.......

Langlands every second Wed (next ride is the 16th) at 6.30 for 7pm. All levels are welcome and the two old farts that organise it are really decent guys with a heap of experience. Make yourself known and im sure they will give you heaps of support and advice.
(You are looking for a silver ST1300 or a black VTX1800)

**Ascott** · 12th February 2011, 08:23

Originally Posted by BMWST?

my rules for riding in the wet....try to avoid riding over anything thats SHINEY..that implies it s very smooth...smooth = less friction.If you must ride over them keep the bike as upright as possible and do not have throttle brake or turning inputs.Manhole covers,metal expansion joint strips,are a couple of other hazards to watch out for.

+10000. My Golden rule as well! oh and Usarka shiney is shiney!