Cost Benefit Analysis of Riding in the wet.

[Zed]

As some of you will have gathered from previous posts I have made. I don't own a bike as of yet. So am left to think and dwell on every aspect of riding to the uptenth degree (would prefer to be out there just doing it).

So what's holding you back from getting on two wheels? "Just doing it" would be the best learning curve for you bud!

I have never enjoyed riding in the wet, but ever since I rode from Wellington to Taupo in 4 hours of torrential downpour my perspective has changed somewhat and I don't mind it so much as I used to.

My main gripe is when the visor fogs up and rain dribbles down the inside impairing my vision - only happens in heavy rain though.


Zed

[Ghost Lemur]

So what's holding you back from getting on two wheels? "Just doing it" would be the best learning curve for you bud!

The sole thing holding me back is finances. I've even been offered a damn good price on an 89 cbr 250 hurricane, but I'm at least a couple of months off having the money.

[wkid_one]

Ride in the rain?? Only if I got caught out in it mid ride - which is more annoying as I don't generally have 'wet' gear with me.

Never really rode in the rain - as I didn't really ride to get from A-B so the need or enjoyment to ride in the rain wasn't there as I couldn't ride like I wanted.

In saying that - when I have ridden in the rain it doesn't really bother me.

The only time I am super cautious in the wet is when it starts raining and lifts all the oil and shit (say first 10-15mins) - or it is only light rain and leaves the road greasy. If it fair pissing down - I find grip is still fine - not quite as good as dry obviously - but not as bad as you would think. Unless there is standing water.....but by that stage....my bike is rugged up with a cup of hot choccie in front of the fire where all good bikes should be.

[Motu]

As a young fulla I used to go out when it rained so I could slide,and I spent a couple of decades riding a bike everyday,rain or shine.Gravel roads offer more grip in the wet,like a speedway track,so I like to ride them wet.These days? weeellll,I prefer it dry and sunny,but if I WANT a ride....I ride.

We ride trials in all weathers,even storms,practicaly nothing stops us.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Smoother is definitely the key. I own a bike and dont own a car(only have access to one). Thus I use the bike a lot (almost exclusively unless I have to take passengers - I dont know any passengers with a helmet). Done maybe 4000km in under 2 months so far. I commute in all weathers and I look on riding like tramping. No matter what you wear (almost) you will get wet. So I just accept it. Wear proper protective gear and try not to get cold, but wet is wet. I have spent a few lectures at Uni in soaking wet jeans and shoes cos I thought maybe it wouldnt rain and I couldnt be bothered carrying more waterproof stuff. I got a little wet going to work in the waitaks this morning, but thats ok, it was dry in 20 mins of getting to work anyway, and I got more wet going outside for 5 mins at lunchtime to check the weather station.

Remember, its only the getting wet thats uncomfortable - the water slowly going down your neck or your pants. Once you are wet its no big deal. So theoretically if you just wore not waterproof stuff and just got as wet as possible as soon as possible it would be more comfortable. I take it easy in the wet cos I dont want to drop the bike and I cant feel as well what the bike is doing. That and the first time I binned was cos it was wet.

[laRIKin]

I'll Always ride in the wet on my trail bike as there is no dust and lots of mud .
I use to ride in the wet all the time when I was younger, as all I had was a bike and thought nothing of it.
I don't really mind riding in the wet on the street and if I'm going on a long
trip and I will still take the bike.
But now I can't be bothered putting on the wets for a short trip and I will take
the van.
I can get wet enough at work sometimes so I'm use to it, but don't volunteer
for it any more.
If I'm on my way home and it rains I some time can not be bothered to stop
to put the wets on and just keep rideing.
I have more than once be in the shower fully dressed (with out leathers on)
being totaly wet and as cold as can be trying to get warm , or running from the garage and leaving all my wet gear on the garage floor .

[MikeL]

Remember, its only the getting wet thats uncomfortable - the water slowly going down your neck or your pants. Once you are wet its no big deal. So theoretically if you just wore not waterproof stuff and just got as wet as possible as soon as possible it would be more comfortable.

That would be true if it weren't for the chill factor. Even in mild ambient temperatures, riding at 100 kph soaked to the skin can result in uncomfortable body cooling, and the difference between feeling uncomfortable and being affected by hypothermia is not all that great.

[riffer]

My bike is my main transport (the wife has the car) so I tend to ride no matter what the conditions. After all, I spent over a grand on all weather gear so I might as well use it.

I've been riding over 20 years. When I was a teenager I used to enjoy the rain as I could be a bit of a hoon but nowadays its just a bit of a pain, but necessary.

I don't ride too fast so I don't tend to change my riding too much with the wet, just go a bit smoother into corners and brake a bit earlier and lighter.

For all the bitching about the Sportmax tyres they are bloody good in the wet and my bike being quite heavy doesn't get too skittery, even when I lock the back tyre changing down too many gears at once.

It's a bit of a bitch with the visor getting covered with rain but you can wipe it off - I also find if I duck my head down the wind tends to blow the raindrops off the visor too.

So, to sum up, wet is okay. Just keep dry and warm and you are sweet.

[BritStorm]

There are a lot more hazrds in the wet but this should not put you off. Accept that you'll get wet, ride like a Nana and you'll be OK.

In particular, leave a bigger gap between you and vehicle in front - the road code says go from two to four seconds. Not only does this cut down the amount of crap you are showered with, it gives you vital extra stopping time.

While I break 90/10% front and back break in the dry, I'm more 50/50 in the wet. The front is better for breaking in all circumstnaces but the front tire has more to do when it's shifting water as well as trying to stop you so the point at which you may loose the front end relative the how hard you're breaking is lower.

Also you'll need to pay a lot more attention to the road surface. White lines and manhole covers are like ice when they are wet, and if you are anywhere near a railway line with wooden board or sleepers to ride over be mega careful even looking at wet wood can make you crash. Wet leaves and cow shit will also have you off. Luckly though, the rain makes diesel spills easier to spot.

In shot just take it real easy, don't hammer the front break and leave a much bigger gap.

The worst weather to ride in is strong winds. Stong winds can throw you all over the road and can really stuff you up when cornering. While you can compensate for the rain, you really should think twice before riding in strong winds.

[erik]

I mostly use the bike to commute to uni, so if it rains, I haven't got much choice but to ride in it.
I've been relatively lucky so far this year, I haven't had to ride in much rain at all. But that luck is starting to change; yesterday I was caught in some fairly heavy rain on the way back home. I think if my gear was waterproof, I wouldn't mind riding in the rain. But it's not, even though it's supposed to be. The jacket is mostly waterproof, I think a bit of water gets through the sleeves. But my pants are pretty useless when it comes to keeping me dry, even after treating them with Gecko Guard water repellent stuff. I guess what they need is some sort of water proofer. I think I'll have to go and see if I can find a cheap pair of waterproof overpants to wear over my riding pants.

[riffer]

you really should think twice before riding in strong winds.

The wind! Don't get me bloody started on the wind!

Seriously, I've had many a moment being caught out on the motorway going north going just past the Golden Bay cement silos at Aotea Quay.

The win can catch you in just the right way to make you get soooooooooooooo close to the armco.

Damn scarey sometimes. Foxton straights and the Rimutakas have some beauty winds sometimes too.

STAY AWAY FROM THE WIND!!!! Or remember to bring a change of underwear...

[Two Smoker]

Oooohhhhh wind *shudders* ive done some pretty scray stuff (including crashing) and i think that wind is the scariest, light to medium wind is ok, but strong wind is scary........ i remember a few time i was on the bridge and nearly crossed 2 lanes... (just from the wind gusts) best thinng to do is hold on tight, dont over compensate (because the gust can drop and you will fly the other way) and lie on the bike (as if you were flying down the back straight at Puke) to make youself a smaller target

[riffer]

Interesting to hear you say hold on tight...

I've always found that if you actually loosen your grip on the bars a lot the bike will tend to find its own equilibrium. If I hold on tight I find I fight the bike and make it move a lot more. By letting go it moves a bit but settles quicker.

You're right about presenting a smaller profile to the wind though.

Of course, with an FZR750 you present a hell of a large profile to the wind (these bikes are large - as big or bigger than a modern 1000) and the fairing really catches the wind. Of course I've not ridden too many new bikes so it could be that the lighter the bike the less stable it is.

Anyway, don't be put off riding by us. Borrow a bike if you can - get out there and ride - if you are really lucky you will experience that zen moment when you and the bike become one - you don't even feel the bike moving - it just goes where you point it - and then you forget everything else except the moment.

It's kind of hard to describe unless its happened to you. But you never forget that moment. And once it happens - you can't go back.

At least its that way for me...

[Her_C4]

And, for those of you who do ride in the wet. How much of it is commuting necessity (bike being only transport)? How much is being obsessed with riding to the point where you have to go for a ride and weather conditions are a secondary thought? Are there any of you who conciously go riding in the wet in order to increase your bike handling skills (sort of like riding on gravel can give you a better understanding of how to recover if things start to go wrong?

I have just got home from my first night time ride in the wet.... I admit that I hestitated this morning when it started to rain, and deliberated over whether to take the car or the bike - knowing that I would be back late.

I am rapt that I decided to go on the bike, although I admit to being a little nervous and adjusted my riding to deal with that - I learnt a lot from this ride, both about myself and the bike, and won't hesitate next time.

Everyone has pretty much said it all really - ride like a nana - leave plenty of room in front - brake sooner and gently. The biggest for me was getting blinded by the lights of the oncoming cars through a blurred visor. In fact, coming up to intersections I ended up lifting my visor so that I could see better, figuring that rain in my eyes was better than a fence post in my........... thigh

The wind??? The wind is a totally different story...... THAT I am finding really difficult to contend with......

[SPman]

..but by that stage....my bike is rugged up with a cup of hot choccie in front of the fire where all good bikes should be.

As opposed to unwrapped snugly in bed, where all bad bikes should be