Slidin' around

[Dare]

Went for a bit of a ride today. Don't know what it was but felt a heap more confident putting my bike ('93 gsf250) where I want it today. Anyway taking the highbury bypass we spotted a bike a couple cars ahead heading straight, then took a left at the top of onewa road. Next think you know bike blasts past on the outside, im behind my mate but drop a couple cogs anyway.. Then the lights turn amber. Being an avid anti-red-light-runner I thought 'oh great' and slam on the anchors. Now here's the thing, it was just after the roughly 2000th light shower today and i was maybe 1/8+ on the back brake but I felt it let go and do some sliding around until I backed off a bit and used the front mainly for the last few meters. Earlier today I was testing down a mates drive and the back let go with very little provocation, I cant decide if i'm sitting too far forward (I'm a measly 68kgish anyhow), or if i should be using even less back brake?

Either way I have a small question that someone may be able to answer:
Does leaning have any major difference in traction?
Ie. is leaning in the wet likely to make the bike let go or is it more likely to be bad throttle/brake regardless of how much lean is happening. And is there a better way to learn the limits of your bike in these situations other than falling off a few times?

Cheers!

[Gremlin]

...and slam on the anchors. ... I cant decide if i'm sitting too far forward (I'm a measly 68kgish anyhow), or if i should be using even less back brake?

In the wet, you want to be smooth. Violent moves have major effects, so brake smoothly, use the throttle smoothly etc.

Does leaning have any major difference in traction?

Of course. You always have the most grip when the bike is upright, dry or wet. In the wet, the more you lean over, the more sideways force there is on the tyre, and the more you lean over, the more chance you have of it sliding out from underneath you (ignoring factors such as tar snakes, oil, tyres etc)

Ie. is leaning in the wet likely to make the bike let go or is it more likely to be bad throttle/brake regardless of how much lean is happening. And is there a better way to learn the limits of your bike in these situations other than falling off a few times?

re throttle or lean, it depends on the situation, how much of either you do, and the conditions. If you're leaning only a little, but using the brakes and throttle in a rough manner, then its more likely that the throttle/brake will cause more issues. Being smooth is the aim of the game.

The best way to learn is experience, and biting off a little bit at a time. Don't go out in the soaking wet expecting you can ride like the dry... coz you can't.

[Dare]

Sounds like sound advice to me +1
Roughly how much lean do you manage in wet vs dry? On the same surface/bike etc etc? about 1/2? 3/4?

[Gremlin]

Roughly how much lean do you manage in wet vs dry? On the same surface/bike etc etc? about 1/2? 3/4?

Hard one, as there isn't a hard and fast rule, and it also depends on your skill in recognising danger, and countering for it. ie, if you feel it start to slide, can you respond correctly. I've had the bike in a two wheel slide (certainly not deliberately) in the wet, but was able to correct it, and kept it up. 2 wheel slides are a lot harder to control.

Really, in the wet, be cautious, and slower develop a feeling for what you can and can't do. I would probably say 1/2 the lean, max, but then, in some places/roads, even that is dangerous, whereas others, its quite safe. You know you need to be careful when the bike starts losing grip.

[blue eyed savage]

bro i been riding every day for about a year and when its wet just do the same speed as the cars. if that to fast for you slow down some more. stay of the paint too. and most of all dont try to cach u mate when its wet and hes way ahead of u. that last bit might sound dumb but trust me.

[howdamnhard]

Hard one, as there isn't a hard and fast rule, and it also depends on your skill in recognising danger, and countering for it. ie, if you feel it start to slide, can you respond correctly. I've had the bike in a two wheel slide (certainly not deliberately) in the wet, but was able to correct it, and kept it up. 2 wheel slides are a lot harder to control.

Really, in the wet, be cautious, and slower develop a feeling for what you can and can't do. I would probably say 1/2 the lean, max, but then, in some places/roads, even that is dangerous, whereas others, its quite safe. You know you need to be careful when the bike starts losing grip.

Good advice from Gremlin,you will learn with experience to feel what your tyres/bike is doing.Take it easy and leave yourself some in reserve.As you brake the weight transfers from the back to the front and this is why almost 70% of the braking power is on the front.As the back comes off it loses traction.Every tyre has a certain amount of grip in any given circumstance.When cornering if you brake/accelerate the grip will have to be split between cornering and braking/accelerating.If you exceed that grip your going to slide.Bake wheel slides aren't to bad ,front ones happen very quickly.Best to go into corners slowly then pour on the power smoothly as you see the exit.