The aquaplane

[BIGBOSSMAN]

Well it happened to me on the Northwestern back 1986ish, young and dumb. Doing around 140k at night when the thing (RG250) aquaplaned into the middle lane from the fast. Scary stuff and I was one very lucky boy indeed...

[DUCATI*HARD]

when you hit the water your handlebars will cross up on you,just make sure your bars are straight when your tyres do grip again,otherwise,,,prepare to be bucked

[terbang]

I'm pretty sure this rule of thumb won't work everywhere. It would be specific to the shape of the tyre, the tread pattern, and how much weight you've got on it.
A large contact patch, like big wide racing slicks, will hydroplane way before a small contact patch with a lot of weight on it, like a fat dude on knobblies.

Yes it is for aeroplanes that have only grooved tyres. however the point Im making is that it has more to do with tyre pressure than any other factor that you have mentioned. The furmula is widely used for aircraft ranging from a few hundred kilos right up to 400 tons. It is there to give the driver some idea of when or at what speed it will become an issue, armed with this knowledge they can act appropriately. Just like the driver of a car or motorcycle could benefit from such a figure to hang their hats on when on a wet road too.

[XP@]

A few years ago, somewhere near Foxton I think, a cop died on a whilst driving in the rain. The news reporter told us he aquaplaned when he hit a puddle and then went on to say "speed was not a factor in the accident."

All that happens when you aquaplane is that you can no-longer get to the bottom of the water. Normally the water is pushed out of the sides of your tyres via convenient channels called grooves, the bigger these are the more water that can be pushed out of the way. Then there is more water than can be pushed out of the way in the time available some water will be left behind, under your tyre.

On a bike this is most likely to be noticed on your front wheel as there are less forces pushing it in to the water. It can also happen with a balding rear tyre, but generally with more tyre skid than underwear skid.

Which ever the case don't try and avoid the pond or slow down to feed the ducks. Keep in a straight line with the power on.

This is how it is done:

Gave up on adding the youtube code... so just click on the link
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...arch&plindex=0

[Gremlin]

My general philosophy in times like that is 'no sudden movements'.
No sharp braking, snapping off the throttle or steering input until everything comes good.

Pretty much... also best to weight your footpegs evenly, and get the weight down low.

Had it doing 70 odd through an intersection one evening, suddenly found myself sliding sideways towards the kerb. Perhaps if you roll off the throttle a little, it may put a bit more weight on the front (and cut through the water a bit better). Either I did that, or got to a bit of drier ground... but not a nice experience

[Pancakes]

The Aqua Plane?