Scared of the rain!

[georgie]

Um, ok, I'm scared of riding in the rain... It was such a nice morning when I set out for work this morning, and now it looks like I have to ride home in the pissy Auckland weather - and it makes me really nervous. Advice anyone? Should i bring my sleeping bag to work on days like today so that I can stay here and avoid the rain altogether ?

[fireball]

if you need an escort home in the rain im keen to help. maybe you should come play with AWNMR or kittys monday nights help you gain confidence. plus the only way to learn is to do it!

[MaxCannon]

Focus on being smooth on the brakes and throttle
keep an eye out for oil slicks
try to avoid riding on the painted lines
beware manhole covers

basically it's like riding in the dry - you should always be paying attention regardless of the weather

[Trudes]

Yep, just do it. Once you've done it a few times you may start to like it!! You just need to be a little more aware of stuff, but it can be quite pleasant as long as nothing leaks!!

[Jimmy B]

Well Georgie the good news is that the roads will be pretty clean by the time you head home this evening so you will have more grip than you are expecting. Its most iffy in the first 10 or 20 minutes of rain after a dry spell. This morning it was pretty slippy around Albert Street but all good now.

Keep an eye out for oil on the road (rainbow coloured water) and take it easy on the brakes, look to modify your stopping distances and most importantly relax. You will have no worries

[magicfairy]

And make sure you have good tyres and check the pressures regularly. Good rubber is even more important in the wet I reckon.

[Devil]

Yeah as has been said, dont worry. All the shit has been washed away by now so you should be sweet.

Relax, double your following distance and just be smooth.

[Pwalo]

What everyone else has said. Stay loose on the controls (the death grip on the bars won't help), go easy on the power and braking inputs, and look where you're going.

Mrs K is right. Practice is the only way that you get better, and you may even get to enjoy it.

[ital916]

Just ride slower, and be extra cautious. The RG's tend to slide a little more and the 110's tend to give your greater feedback from the roads surface so it might feel like the bikes doing wonky things. Just take it easy, try not to lean to much and go easy in corners. Plan the route ahead if you can,knowing where heavy traffic is, this will help you prepare for sudden traffic changes and the such. Also be wary of diesel, very slippery on it's own, pretty invisible in the wet. If you want, i can cruise with you on my rg if your nervous, but i'm sure you'll do just great. Don't be scared, calm, slow and smooth. Oh and try not to jam on the rg's rear brakes in the wet, they are very effective haha.

[georgie]

Feeling better about it already.... Awww Fanks guys and gurls

[Ragingrob]

You should come on our ride tomorrow and keep Drider company with another RG! Meeting Auck Uni 10:30am

[ManDownUnder]

Where is the ride from and to? Ride with someone (I'm central heading west) if you want.

As has been mentioned - practice and just get used to it. It's not as bad as you might think but being cautious is always a good thing.

[Ragingrob]

The weather's going your way now anyway

[ital916]

Don't know really, just meet up and cruise. Piha is tempting, it's only 45 min out and 45 back in I think. Or silverdale on the shore or something maybe. Or maybe henderson, has some nice twisties out there.....*trails off* if your keen georgie.

[Jimmy B]

Where is the ride from and to? Ride with someone (I'm central heading west) if you want.

As has been mentioned - practice and just get used to it. It's not as bad as you might think but being cautious is always a good thing.

Great idea mate,

Im in Albert Street headed to MT Eden via Mt Eden Road this evening