Are you confident riding in the wet?

**Matt Bleck** · 29th May 2005, 15:14

I was riding with the club today, mostly the roads where dry with wet patchs here in there, not too bad really.
Then on our way home just as we where heading into the Rotomas (the best bit!) it started to piss down.
We slowed for the conditions, as you do, but some, too what seems an extreme. Now I'm not knocking a person for riding to there limit.
But I wonder what these people could do to try and get confident. Do they ride in the wet as much as possible, or do they avoid it all together? Now I know there are many different variables, tyres, suspension etc, so please don't lecture me about that! What I guess I'm asking is

Are you confident riding in the wet?
And if so how did you become confident?
And if not what are you doing about it?

LB · 29th May 2005, 15:19

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I definitely prefer to NOT ride in the wet if I have a choice.

I find I get my confidence up as the ride goes on in the wet - I start out more hesitant and get faster as I kind of get used to it. Not that I really ride fast at all, let alone in the wet mind.

I am still very wary in the wet/rain, keep a very close eye on the road surface for diesel/shiny patches etc etc.

My Diablos give me the most confidence in the wet I've ever had in tyres (on both bikes)
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**XTC** · 29th May 2005, 15:21

Yes i'm confident riding in the wet but then I've been riding for 20 years and have experienced every kiind of wet we have... Newer riders may still be finding their way. learning just how much or how little grip they have in the wet. The important thing is not to fall off and if that means slowing down or stopping until summer arrives

then so be it I suppose.

**Sutage** · 29th May 2005, 15:26

I dont really find it much harder in the rain, i just go slower than my normal slow. it just pisses me off because my visor gets cover in rain, and i get wet
otherthing is visibility is much lower, cars dont see u even more, ill ride in the rain if i have to go out, but i wont say 'hey its raining lets go riding for the heck of it' like i do when its dry

**John** · 29th May 2005, 15:26

Yea I'm happy in the wet - sure I dont have massive HP but I sometimes spin up the rear if I dont concentrate hard enough, I became confident due to need - the bike is all I have to get places so I just do it I guess, I've being out in torrentail rain where I couldnt see infront of myself for about 1metre so yea its good to know the roads as well.
Plus with all the off road riding I was used to sliding around and was not worried at all if it gets skittish.
If I wasnt confident about it I'd just head out in lighter rain and then heavy rain etc etc

**nsrpaul** · 29th May 2005, 15:29

I quite like the wet , got wet wether confidence from racing at nelson street races , it nearly always rained , but I have noticed a huge difference between different tyres for wet wether grip , had pilot sports on one of my bikes and they were hopless but piliot powers on another were great

**FROSTY:Me** · 29th May 2005, 15:42

Confident yes.I love reading the road and feeling for the last litlle bit of grip from the tyres.
Racing wise I feel I have a definite edge racing in the rain.
happy about it --Nope --I just plum hate the wet hands heavy cold leathers etc-- Ohhh-and if ya leave your goood gloves in ya gear bag for two days--yuk green mould.

**Sensei** · 29th May 2005, 16:06

Here in the Naki it rains alot so if you don't rain ride you leave your bike in the shed till Summer . I love the Rain rides teaches you to ride Smart by been smoother & how to use your brakes better & read the road .

**Coyote** · 29th May 2005, 16:16

Wet riding is good fun. Hitting the gas around a corner and letting the rear slide out a bit is awesome. I can see myself getting killed though so I don't go out in the wet that often

**johnsf1980** · 29th May 2005, 16:25

I dont let rain stop me from riding... Id much rather be riding on a nice sunny day tho

**dhunt** · 29th May 2005, 16:27

Yip riding in the wet is fun. I don't particularly enjoy riding round town in the wet, but out of town that's a different story. It's great way to really get to know your bike and can make boring riding much more interesting especially when you add a bit of wind into the equation.

**Ixion** · 29th May 2005, 16:50

Originally Posted by r4q2

I was riding with the club today, mostly the roads where dry with wet patchs here in there, not too bad really.
Then on our way home just as we where heading into the Rotomas (the best bit!) it started to piss down.
We slowed for the conditions, as you do, but some, too what seems an extreme. Now I'm not knocking a person for riding to there limit.
But I wonder what these people could do to try and get confident. Do they ride in the wet as much as possible, or do they avoid it all together? Now I know there are many different variables, tyres, suspension etc, so please don't lecture me about that! What I guess I'm asking is

Are you confident riding in the wet?
And if so how did you become confident?
And if not what are you doing about it?

I've no problems with riding in the wet. What I do *NOT* like are the idiots on the road who don't adjust for the conditions (cages I mean, mostly). Riding in the rain can be very pleasant, if there's no other traffic. The other thing I don't like about wet riding is the bl**dy trucks.

You just have to adjust speed and braking allowances.

In the wet at night can be nerveracking though.

**fliplid** · 29th May 2005, 16:56

Don't mind riding in the wet, years of experience in the bl**dy stuff when bike was sole transport. Take it smooth and easy with everything to get used to it, and adjust to the conditions. Best to have proper kit for the wet though...miserable doing distance when cold and wet!