Do you consider riding in the rain and wind dangerous?

[Big Dave]

Riding requires due diligence in any conditions.
The worse the conditions, the higher the danger.

[Madness]

I've lived in D'auckland for 5 years or so now, having come from Wellington. An extremely windy day in D'auckland is like a slightly breezy day on the Rimutaka Hill so I'm yet to experience anything wind-wise that has put me off riding in it. As has been stated, the right gear makes all the difference to a wet days ride and riding when freezing is no fun at all. The only thing that I don't think has been mentioned so far is putting the power down in the wet, something you're probably unlikely to have issues with on a GN250. Having the rear end step out on you in the wet can be scary the first couple of times it happens but you get used to it and it's all part of the experience.

[iranana]

I ride in the wet very often and I do find that it's trickier simply because the roads are so damn slippery. It's not that much more dangerous than riding in the dry assuming you ride to the conditions. Cagers scare me more than a wet road. Just have to slow down, ignore the tailgater's and be mindful of how much traction you've really got... Nearly low sided for the first time the other day when I hit an oil slick on a roundabout. Lucky for me I kicked myself back upright

I have to make up for it by waving at the popo!...even more than usual!!* lol)
*And yes!, most DO wave back!...coz they is good sorts down here

Last time I looked at a biker cop and gave him a nod of acknowledgement he decided to do a u-turn and pull me over for no good reason other than it being a 'routine check'. Fair enough, I thought, there's some dodgy drivers, but he was a bit rude about it. This is Auckland, mind you.

[Banditbandit]

I too struggle to understand this strange "storage" act?...do bikes dissolve in water?

Only Harley Diddlesons ..

[bosslady]

I've lived in D'auckland for 5 years or so now, having come from Wellington. An extremely windy day in D'auckland is like a slightly breezy day on the Rimutaka Hill so I'm yet to experience anything wind-wise that has put me off riding in it. As has been stated, the right gear makes all the difference to a wet days ride and riding when freezing is no fun at all. The only thing that I don't think has been mentioned so far is putting the power down in the wet, something you're probably unlikely to have issues with on a GN250. Having the rear end step out on you in the wet can be scary the first couple of times it happens but you get used to it and it's all part of the experience.

Ahh it's happened to me ONCE! I was trying to be a cool guy (girl!) and gap it when the lights went green at some intersection, got a bit of a tail end wobble. Shouldn't be doing that anyway, what if a car coming from somewhere else ran a red eh...

Last time I looked at a biker cop and gave him a nod of acknowledgement he decided to do a u-turn and pull me over for no good reason other than it being a 'routine check'. Fair enough, I thought, there's some dodgy drivers, but he was a bit rude about it. This is Auckland, mind you.

I waved at a biker cop who was pulled over on the motorway just looking at the traffic, he didn't wave back, i was most disappointed (joking...)

[Jantar]

I ride right through winter. But the bike stays at home if there is likely to be black ice or compacted snow. Fresh snow is OK, as is a dry frost. I'm also a wimp when it comes to extreme cold and I wont usually ride at temperatures below -6C.

[Big Dave]

>>I wont usually ride at temperatures below -6C.<<

That's a lot lower than when I'm asking for a lift.

I'm amused by the types that think riding a motorcycle 'proves' something.

It's operating a vehicle. If you ain't smart enough to choose a suitable one for the conditions...

[Subike]

I have ridden in all conditions, day time and night time, they are all equally as dangerous as each other if you approach it the wrong way.

What ie the right way? Ride to the conditions...simple....Rain, high winds, snow, ice , floods, all of these, ride at a speed that gives you control of what you are doing and at a speed that allows you to stop safely within the distance you can see ahead of you.

If this means that in snow or ice, you are idling along in first gear with both feet firmly planted on the ground, so be it.
For snow you ride in the fresh snow, NOT in the tracks of compacted snow, . Ice you either stop , or walk beside the bike if you must go anywhere.
High wind? be very aware of side gusts from buildings, fences, passing vehicles, etc, and you will have no problems if you are riding at a speed that is suitable for good bike control. What is that speed? What you consider to be the safest for your level of skill.
Take your time, enjoy the experience, have fun
Thats what its all about.
And Yes you can buy weather proof gear that is weather proof, It just does not look as nice as the leaky stuff they sell in bike shops claiming to be water proof. Think forestry, deep sea fishing, agriculture and the gear they use.....

[Berries]

I'm amused by the types that think riding a motorcycle 'proves' something.

It's operating a vehicle. If you ain't smart enough to choose a suitable one for the conditions...

Who decides what is suitable? Here we have an OP asking if riding a motorbike in the rain and wind is risky. Fuck. Riding on two wheels is risky anyway, pointless question if you ask me.

Personally I am amused by people who just use motorbikes as leisure devices and put them away for winter. I am amused by those who only ride at the weekends. If it is sunny. And has not rained for a few days. I am easily amused which is why I come here I guess.




Softcocks.

[Big Dave]

Who decides what is suitable?

I do.

And thanks for proving my point.

[Oakie]

Don't mind rain, don't really mind wind. A combination of big wind and big rain will make me leave the bike at home and take the car to work though. Probably happens about 5 times a year.

Yesterday I was riding home in the sleet ... today riding to work through slushy snow in patches. Not ideal but it certainly concentrates the mind.

[Subike]

Yesterday I was riding home in the sleet ... today riding to work through slushy snow in patches. Not ideal but it certainly concentrates the mind.

that was fun filtering in the sleet up Blenheim road rush hour traffic @ 60kph....yesterday at 4.30pm

This morning down ferry road sending sprays of slushy snow everywhere...@ 60kph this morning at 6.am

Great two days riding this week so far woot woot, bring on more........

[Road kill]

I bought my first bike an learnt to ride commuting from Tokoroa to Arapuni in August of 1973.
Frosts like I've never seen since an only had an open face a great coat an gumboots.
Used socks in plastic bags for gloves until I got my first pay,,,,$30,,chur.

I think I've ridden in most conditions but didn't encounter snow until I went to Aussie for a few years.

Dead Horse Pass in the Snowy Mountains we had to slow to 10kph or less for miles an I seriously thought we were all going to die.

Anyway,,,All conditions are dangerous but wet an windy are not my favourites so because I'm old an like my comfort I don't ride in that shit no more.

[willytheekid]

....Last time I looked at a biker cop and gave him a nod of acknowledgement he decided to do a u-turn and pull me over for no good reason other than it being a 'routine check'. Fair enough, I thought, there's some dodgy drivers, but he was a bit rude about it. This is Auckland, mind you.

There's ya problem!

...the Auckland Popo deal with so much shit on a daily basis, that waving!, and generally being "nice" to them...is VERY suspicious behavior indeed!

>>I wont usually ride at temperatures below -6C.<<

That's a lot lower than when I'm asking for a lift.

I'm amused by the types that think riding a motorcycle 'proves' something.

It's operating a vehicle. If you ain't smart enough to choose a suitable one for the conditions...

....proves that some people don't own a car so they ride daily and all year round (And quite possibly love every minute!)

But nice to see you label your fellow riders as "not smart enough to choose a suitable vehicle for the conditions"
Yup!...amusing BD (Its also unlike you BD?....you must need a drink or two!)

But hay!, if you don't like the cold and wet, or don't want your beloved ride to get covered in road salt! or paint scratching sludge, hail or ice etc...then yeah...fair enough!, wrap her up for winter and use the car if you have one...who the hell could blame you?


Me?...Meh!, I just love riding everyday, I don't really care if its pissing down, snowing, or sunny!...its always an awesome challenge just to survive on NZ's roads


...but I do get lonely in winter
...I miss you guys n girls!

besides...your missing out on some real "winter fun"

See!...looks like fun aye!


Ride Safe this winter Kbers (...or tuck the bike in, and Drive safe)

[Oakie]

that was fun filtering in the sleet up Blenheim road rush hour traffic @ 60kph....yesterday at 4.30pm

This morning down ferry road sending sprays of slushy snow everywhere...@ 60kph this morning at 6.am

Great two days riding this week so far woot woot, bring on more........

Yeah, for me it was going up Anzac Drive on the way home last night at about 5pm and coming over Port Hills Road this morning. Going down the hill in the slush this morn being aware of not braking because of the camber but also not wanting to go too fast made it a real balancing act.