Weather influenced riding!

[<Rhino>]

I have been riding for over a month now, most of it in the rain. I find that in the wet I really concentrate on riding, don't push the speed or lean on corners and generally ride better with focus only on whats around, behind and ahead of me. The nice sunny days (or maybe day) comes along I find myself pushing a bit harder, less concentration and thoughts vary from riding to the day, whats next etc. focus seems to spread to scenery and so on. I find this similer to how I was in the car, your watching what your doing but taking in other things aswell! I also find I seem to have more close calls on fine days, some due to inattention but most due to cars pushing the limits too.

My question is this: do other riders do the same or is this a trap for new players??

[Trudes]

I'm no old hand, but yep agree totally, more aware of the road surface and distance I keep from cars, potential hazards in otherwords in shit weather than on nice fine days (not a care in the world type of days). It's a good thing, keep doing it.

[JimO]

i dont ride in the rain mainly because i dont have to having several cars to pick from

[98tls]

i dont ride in the rain mainly because i dont have to having several cars to pick from

So given that Dunners gets 3 days a year that it doesnt rain you dont ride much then Jim.

[Patch]

Riding does not compare to driving a car at all.

Get your head in the game cause you'll get hurt if ya don't. The weather is not the issue - your thought pattern is

[<Rhino>]

Riding does not compare to driving a car at all.

Get your head in the game cause you'll get hurt if ya don't. The weather is not the issue - your thought pattern is

Yeah I thought that might be the case, theres a fine line between lack of attention while riding or over confidence to relaxed more comfortable riding with more and more experience. I went for a short ride today, fine weather, bit of wind. And although I was concentrating on the ride, watching other road users, intersections etc my confidence is growing as time goes by and with this I'm more relaxed when I ride in a more comfortable way rather than inattention. When its wet I'm tense as, worrying if I'm gonna fall off in every turn or not be able to stop in an emergency etc.

[Vtwo Fiend]

Good on ya for getting out in the weather there is a lot out there that are to scared to.

[JimO]

So given that Dunners gets 3 days a year that it doesnt rain you dont ride much then Jim.

this from someone whos back yard dissapeared down a sinkhole

[mouldy]

Ride miles in all sorts of weather , super careful on my 250 in the rain cos the tyres are shit , go a bit faster on the 'blade cos it,s got good tyres but still watch for road surface change , modern tyre wet grip is awesome , shame our roads are made so shitty . The faster you go the more you concentrate .

[firefighter]

I have been riding for over a month now, most of it in the rain. I find that in the wet I really concentrate on riding, don't push the speed or lean on corners and generally ride better with focus only on whats around, behind and ahead of me. The nice sunny days (or maybe day) comes along I find myself pushing a bit harder, less concentration and thoughts vary from riding to the day, whats next etc. focus seems to spread to scenery and so on. I find this similer to how I was in the car, your watching what your doing but taking in other things aswell! I also find I seem to have more close calls on fine days, some due to inattention but most due to cars pushing the limits too.

My question is this: do other riders do the same or is this a trap for new players??

good on you for riding in the rain, I sold my cars and just have my bike now so no choice, and I'm getting used to the rain, and starting to not care much anymore (about it raining) yeah you naturally concentrate more in the wet, but as long as you keep your wits about you in the dry it's no biggie- you shouldn't be concentrating so much that it's not fun, just paying attention- if you get what I mean, and a stickler for that good old 2 second rule, is the best way to be, as long as you look ahead, keep an eye on your surroundings and most of all are enjoying it then personally I think that's the best you can do. If you ride like your constantly being assessed that's no fun!

[more_fasterer]

I kinda find the opposite... In the wet I get target-fixated on the surface trying to dodge the oil & diesel, and end up looking about 10m past my front wheel. In the dry I have more faith in the road surface so end up looking at the vanishing point, and can look in the mirrors and at the vehicles around me more.

Lane-splitting in the pissing rain in rush hour is a taxing exercise on the eyes!

[<Rhino>]

Thanks for the comments guys. Its good to know that what I do is "normal"

I don't tend to lane split for two reasons, 1. I feel me and my bike are to wide I dont want to scrape any cars. 2. My bikes not overly fast so when I do get to the front I can't drag off the cars anyway

I bet all the other bikers when they go past me sitting in the traffic are thinking what a pussy but ah well you get that.

[firefighter]

I bet all the other bikers when they go past me sitting in the traffic are thinking what a pussy but ah well you get that.

nah man all those bikers that go past will be thinking good on ya for not doing something stoopid and riding beyond your ability and fucking yourself or someones car up, and making us all look bad!(touch wood) everyone I know was scared to lane-split at the start, you'll do it once and then you'll be sweet.

[Trudes]

Yep firefighters' right.
I don't lane split much either, usually only if there's a massive line of cars going nowhere and heaps of room or I'm trying to shake some wank in a car that thinks someone on a motorcycle is a good target to take some of their aggression out on.
The first time you ride in rush hour motorway traffic in Auckland you'll see why lanesplitting is necessary!!

[Duke girl]

Good on you for getting out there not only in the good weather but also in the wet weather, as there are so many riders who refuse to ride in the rain as they lack confidence in it. I had 2 ride home from Napier on Sunday in the rain on a brand new 250 Ninja and at times it was raining quiet heavily but I just sat on the speed limit and never took my eyes of the road. Kept my eyes out for diesel and for any uneven surfaces and just stayed relaxed the whole time. Riding in the rain does make you have your wits about you and makes you concentrate more than riding in the sunshine. The more you do the better rider you become.