Riding in the rain

[Leong]

I love riding in the rain.
When you're fully kitted up you stay 98% dry (wet fingers through the gloves probably... and possibly a spot on the back of your neck).
But I love the fact it's right there - and yet can't touch you. You're "cheating" or defying it...
Like being in a tent when it's hosing down outside - I llike that too.

Is that normal?

I don't think so, but it's probably better than staying home and being a wuss

Like ngapipi road near tamaki drive. Awesome in the dry through the curves, but in the wet, it is very slippery. Tiptoeing along at the recommended speed and the bike is still sliding sideways...

practice practice practice

As a newbie in the wet, I'm not confident enough to lean the bike much in the wet, and consequently have "run out of road" on a couple of occasions with no dramas..... obviously not good though. I know practice, practice practice will help, but "Tiptoeing along at the recommended speed and the bike is still sliding sideways..." ?? You must have had some lean - any tips on deciding how much? I'm guessing judgement comes with practice + experience, but any tips appreciated......

[Gremlin]

Basically a bike has to lean, to go around a corner. That's how it works. The more you lean, the faster you can go around the corner.

Deciding how much: Rather err on the side of caution, also if you know the road, you know how much respect to treat it with.

I found it very surprising to be taking it easy and still sliding the bike around the corner. Basically, the tar condition, crap on the road, and how shaded the road is determines how fast you might wish to go.

When in the dry I have gone around those flat curves at 80 (yeah the limit is 50, bad gremlin, bad) and had a lot of fun... but the curves really change in the wet

[Leong]

I ahve no problems sliding a car but the cars got four wheels and won't fall over!! Practice and patience I guess, and yes I'd rather err on the side of caution.... never have liked learning the hard way!!

Signed up for the BRONZ course on Sunday so hope this helps too!!

Thanks

[Gremlin]

Any questions, it goes without saying. Ask.

Funnily enough, I find I learn quite well the hard way, not nice, but you do remember...

[2_SL0]

I love riding in the rain.

When you're fully kitted up you stay 98% dry (wet fingers through the gloves probably... and possibly a spot on the back of your neck).

But I love the fact it's right there - and yet can't touch you. You're "cheating" or defying it...

Like being in a tent when it's hosing down outside - I llike that too.

Is that normal?

U strange strange man.
kidding.
I didnt use to like the rain , so this winter, I got out on the bike alot in the rain. I tend to lean my body more and keep the bike upright. I do ride slower, I think your mad if you dont. Rain, No worries, WIND on the other hand, I do hate high wind. Bit of wind is fine. Alot of wind, thats my new beef. :spudwave:

[Gremlin]

Wind can be fine, its when its strong gusts... thats what really screws you. One second you're fine, the next your somewhere you shouldn't be...

[loosebruce]

Wind can be fine, its when its strong gusts... thats what really screws you. One second you're fine, the next your somewhere you shouldn't be...

Yeah wind can really fuck ya wheelies big time.

[Gremlin]

ummm... not exactly what was on my mind when typing... gimme a few years.

The poor little 250 with me on doesn't seem as keen as me

[2_SL0]

Wind can be fine, its when its strong gusts... thats what really screws you. One second you're fine, the next your somewhere you shouldn't be...

Im meaning those real nasty gusts that appear from nowhere. Was out on Sat, going down into Puke, OMG. Nasty is understatement, I was not looking forward to the trip back. But all went well.

[Ixion]

U strange strange man.
kidding.
I didnt use to like the rain , so this winter, I got out on the bike alot in the rain. I tend to lean my body more and keep the bike upright. I do ride slower, I think your mad if you dont. Rain, No worries, WIND on the other hand, I do hate high wind. Bit of wind is fine. Alot of wind, thats my new beef. :spudwave:

I do like riding in the rain when there is not too much other traffic about. Provided, (important) I am going to end up at home at the end of the ride, not have to sit round somewhere all day. It has a "adventure" sort of component, especially if there is a bit of wind. Sort of a "blow, blow, thou icey winds, and crack thy winter's cheeks" sort of thing. Defying the elements, what motorcyling is about really. Very satisfying to get home after 2 or 3 hundred k in wild conditions, prak up the bike, and think "Ah, you did your worst, oh Tempest, but I've beaten you". then head of for a nice hot shower and tea and crumpets.

Riding slower goes without saying, but on that sort of ride you're not riding for speed anyway.

[justsomeguy]

I do like riding in the rain when there is not too much other traffic about. Provided, (important) I am going to end up at home at the end of the ride, not have to sit round somewhere all day. It has a "adventure" sort of component, especially if there is a bit of wind. Sort of a "blow, blow, thou icey winds, and crack thy winter's cheeks" sort of thing. Defying the elements, what motorcyling is about really. Very satisfying to get home after 2 or 3 hundred k in wild conditions, prak up the bike, and think "Ah, you did your worst, oh Tempest, but I've beaten you". then head of for a nice hot shower and tea and crumpets.

Riding slower goes without saying, but on that sort of ride you're not riding for speed anyway.

I know exactly what you're saying matey - that's what made me ride back the way we came on last Thur's night ride. Gives you heaps of time to clear your head as you concentrate harder.

Wind's the worst - rains not too bad as long as your tyres are ok.

[Biff]

Like being in a tent when it's hosing down outside - I llike that too.

Is that normal?

True- so true. A little too relaxing a sound though IMO. Reminds me of camping when I was a kid, falling asleep in a tent, nice and dry, curled up in a warm sleeping bag, falling asleep to the rain dancing on the tent, gloating even, then you suddenly have to do an emergency stop because some prat decided to pull out of that drive way in front of you. Bstard.

Is that normal?

As a newbie in the wet, I'm not confident enough to lean the bike much in the wet

Concentrate on leaning your body into the corner - not the bike.

[Leong]

Concentrate on leaning your body into the corner - not the bike.

Thanks again Biff. I appreciate your advice. I feel better keeping the bike upright on more slippery surfaces, so leaning the body makes sense.... just got learn to do it!! I ahve much to learn!!

[SlowHand]

Like being in a tent when it's hosing down outside - I llike that too.

True- so true. A little too relaxing a sound though IMO.

so ahh, where are you too camping over new years? I could come make it spot "rain" on your tent? And if your really nice, I can get more people and get a good soaking going on. i promise I won't use lights to create shadows though.

[nicmotors]

Your visor – will get wet (funny that eh?). At ‘higher’ speeds it’s not as much of an issue- the wind will help clear the visor of rain droplets. Turning your head sideways slightly (watch the road ahead) will help blow away the more resilient droplets.

This method is great, but can be greatly improved by using a product called "RainX". it is actually intedned to be used for car windscreens, but tried it out on the helmet visor, worked a treat! Repels water like a ducks back. Also lasts ages on each cote of the stuff.

Oh you can get the stuff from Repco of all places