Give me some tips for riding in the rain!

[bogan]

I think those who say they have never dropped their bikes and like bragging about how good they are like you are the very ones who will likely come to grief at some stage. It is what is called having an overconfident ability and you even make the claim that you will be able to avoid any mistake made by others with the example you give of animals running out.

Who? I've never said I haven't dropped it, in fact I've explained how I dropped one and how I learnt from that (your misreading still going strong I see). That is where we differ, you drop it and assume the self righteous approach and learn nothing, your chances of dropping it again in the same situation are not changed; I dropped it, and learned that practice is a good idea, and have done so (without dropping it) and now my chances of dropping it again in the same situation have been reduced. It is not overconfidence, it is just the simple art of being prepared. The perils of overconfidence have nothing to do with one's ability to mitigate a dangerous situation, but have everything to do with getting into said situation; since I now ride more cautiously, with more awareness, your theory about overconfidence is as useless as your advice.

Or in other words, get good you fucking pleb.

[haydes55]

No as I would not want to risk drop the bike. I have locked up the rear though but only on a dry road. No loss of control.

It sounds like you grabbed a handful of front brake and locked up the front, this happened so fast and you've never encountered it before, so you have no muscle memory and experience to know what to do before you have time to think about it.

If you had practiced you would have the reaction before you realised consciously what's happening. Biggest of all though, you would have learnt to incrementally increase braking pressure rather than grabbing a handful will actually give you more grip, squat the bike down and less likelihood of lock up. Also if you've incrementally increased braking pressure, you will have time to release pressure if the front locks, then restart braking.

[f2dz]

Surely you can argue via private message rather than on a thread asking for tips..

My 2c:

• Ride in wheel tracks. Usually this area will be drier and will have less oil spots/slicks.
• I've been told to use 70% front 30% rear in dry conditions but that in the wet you should even it out to around 50%/50%. This was via the guys at ProRider but I generally find myself sticking to a 70/30 split between brakes still. Then again I don't really find myself having to brake too much as I allow for plenty of time with my following distance.
• Don't overthink it too much or psyche yourself out because the road's wet. Ride as per in the dry except just be mindful of less grip while cornering and braking. Increase following distance to suit.
• Beware of painted lines/markings/manhole covers, especially at intersections where you put your feet down. I always find it helpful to note where these are while it's dry and avoid them all the time if possible. That way it becomes a habit to not brake on them or come to a stop on them.
• Make sure your kit will keep you dry and comfortable. Getting wet can be distracting and take your mind off of the ride.
• Don't let your tyres wear too low. Replace them if you find yourself riding in the rain a lot. Good tyres make a helluva lotta difference.

[chasio]

Surely you can argue via private message rather than on a thread asking for tips..

My 2c:

• Ride in wheel tracks. Usually this area will be drier and will have less oil spots/slicks.
• I've been told to use 70% front 30% rear in dry conditions but that in the wet you should even it out to around 50%/50%. This was via the guys at ProRider but I generally find myself sticking to a 70/30 split between brakes still. Then again I don't really find myself having to brake too much as I allow for plenty of time with my following distance.
• Don't overthink it too much or psyche yourself out because the road's wet. Ride as per in the dry except just be mindful of less grip while cornering and braking. Increase following distance to suit.
• Beware of painted lines/markings/manhole covers, especially at intersections where you put your feet down. I always find it helpful to note where these are while it's dry and avoid them all the time if possible. That way it becomes a habit to not brake on them or come to a stop on them.
• Make sure your kit will keep you dry and comfortable. Getting wet can be distracting and take your mind off of the ride.
• Don't let your tyres wear too low. Replace them if you find yourself riding in the rain a lot. Good tyres make a helluva lotta difference.

All good stuff. Just to add...
[*] Remember that you go where you look. If you look down, you will probably go down. When practising, pick out a point ahead of you and keep your eyes up, looking at it, while you are braking.

Better yet, go to SASS or NASS to practise this stuff if you are in range. That way you can get feedback as well.

I have locked the front more than once in traffic (every time on a white line, FWIW) and never gone down as a result. I can only credit practise, because it sure as hell is not innate skill.

[FJRider]

From what you have said I am guessing you would also rubbish the guy who said you can lock the front wheel in the wet and not come off as long as you are in a straight line?

Most people skid in straight lines (in the direction of travel the bike was going) ... it's the angle and axis of the bike during the skid that gets people in the shit. A little (ok LOTS) of dirt bike practice off road helps your sealed road skid recovery.

Getting into a skid on tar seal is by no means ... a certain "Off" ...

As has already been said ... practice does help. (and preferably before you need that skill)

[FJRider]

The debate has been over wet roads compared to dry roads. 2 other posters as well as myself feel as far as stopping in the wet (suddenly) goes you are more likely to come off than on dry roads. Those that debate this feel that its the riders own fault for not practising and not the fault of the wet road. You could also be luckier braking in the wet on certain bikes and tyres more than others too perhaps.

Skids happen ... even in the dry. And you are more likely to come off if you don't know what it's like to be in a skid (Wet OR dry)

It's NOT a matter of fault for not having the practice .. but just as important as ANY rider training courses.

You should be "Luckier" on your own (familiar) bike. And if you can control .. or at the very least limit your skid ... things may well end better for you. The better YOU know how YOUR bike handles ... the better it will be for you. (unless you're feeling lucky)

It's up to each individual rider how confident (or lucky) they feel in the wet. And those that practice skids in the wet will be more confident. Whose fault would it be for them NOT learning the skid skills .. ??

It may well be the riders fault ... for getting themselves into the position of needing to emergency stop in the wet. If you haven't the skid skills ... make your own luck and don't put yourself in such a position as possibly needing to stop quickly.
There has been much discussion on the downside of cheap tyres. Some prefer to save money ... but often costs them more. (in the end)

[haydes55]

Since that accident which happened over 30 years ago I brake in the wet pretty much as you say. From what you have said I am guessing you would also rubbish the guy who said you can lock the front wheel in the wet and not come off as long as you are in a straight line?

Nope, I once locked the front wheel of my old bike in the damp (had rained the night before and I was practicing in industrial area). I didn't come off, I released the brake..... I didn't stop when I was trying to stop by, but I didn't drop it.

[mstriumph]

If you are riding in Wellington, stay away from the painted bits on the road ... skid city

[BuzzardNZ]

cassina, are you related to EdBear by any chance?

[skippa1]

The debate has been over wet roads compared to dry roads. 2 other posters as well as myself feel as far as stopping in the wet (suddenly) goes you are more likely to come off than on dry roads. Those that debate this feel that its the riders own fault for not practising and not the fault of the wet road. You could also be luckier braking in the wet on certain bikes and tyres more than others too perhaps.

Lot of feeling going on Rolf

[Fern]

If you are riding in Wellington, stay away from the painted bits on the road ... skid city

Have you ever ridden anywhere else other than Wellington?

[mstriumph]

Have you ever ridden anywhere else other than Wellington?

• all over England & Wales (where the moisture content in the air is frequently 100% )
• lots of South Africa (especially around Joh'burg where the traffic's a nightmare and the rain tips down in sheets most afternoons in summer)
• all over West Australia (where the onset of rain on baked summer roads makes them greasy as hell)
• most of NI NZ
• bits of north America in the freezing cold

must admit my experience is lacking - never ridden in Bali

??? what's your point?

[bogan]

That's one of the reasons why some of us take a chance and go through an amber light in the wet. I wonder if any of those advocating practise actually practise their wet weather skids on painted lines because if they don't their practise will mean jack shit in the real world. Painted lines are not always easy to see if there is a puddle over them and a reflection from sun or a street light shining on the puddle.

You can use them a little for practice, but only to get the feel of things getting slippery while going over them as then getting back to road 'saves' it; never ever ride along painted sections for any significant length. There's no need to practice on them, as if you find yourself need to emergency stop along lengthy painted lines, you've fucked up. No ifs buts or maybes, avoid those fuckers in both wet and dry; if you can't see things the put on the road with the specific purpose of being able to be seen, take the fucking bus.

[george formby]

That's one of the reasons why some of us take a chance and go through an amber light in the wet. I wonder if any of those advocating practise actually practise their wet weather skids on painted lines because if they don't their practise will mean jack shit in the real world. Painted lines are not always easy to see if there is a puddle over them and a reflection from sun or a street light shining on the puddle.

I use a technique called "planning ahead" for similar situations. I find the traffic lights themselves to be a good clue.
I've also noticed that painted lines on the road don't appear to be in a random pattern. I often see the same pattern in similar road layouts, like junctions.
This knowledge allows me to avoid them.

[bogan]

Going though an amber light is another option to avoid braking hard on painted lines and while I agree the bus option you advocate is safer it's too late if you have left home in the dry and it rains going home. So the sun does not shine and there is no street lighting to obscure your visibility of painted lines where you live then?

Well, yeh, not braking is always a way to avoid heavy braking, however the idea is to avoid heavy breaking, something not braking doesn't do. Sun/street lights don't obscure white lines, add to this that white lines are in standard places anyway, it not hard to avoid em; bus trip to the optometrist in order perhaps?

I think from your posts what has happened is you've had an incident you were not equipped to avoid and its made you petrified of locking up the front wheel; a natural reaction. But it is a reaction borne of ignorance, lock ups are easy to deal with if you have practiced them, they are also safe to practice. Your ignorance on those two points is what makes you continue to give very poor advice, and ride in an unsafe manner. Ie, going through a yellow light which necessitates acceleration to get through, means you cannot stop safely in a distance the roading authorities determines for safe driving habits; so bottom line is you advocate an approach which makes you worse than what is considered a minimum safe standard, in light of that you really should be banned from posting in the survival skills section.