Tips for riding in the rain?

[mac]

Anybody have any tips for safe riding in the rain? I got caught in a rainstorm yesterday that the weatherman didn't mention. Made it home safe but it wasn't much fun.

[revolution600]

go slow, make sure you keep your face shield as dry as possible, watch for other cars, take turns slooooooow, keep the rpm's low, and use whatever headlight setup you gotta use for best visibilty and to be seen the best.

[Clint]

Be aware than engine braking can cause the rear to lock up at an inopportune time. Everything you do in the wet needs to be measured and smooth.

[md2lgyk]

If there's a lot of water on the road, it's helpful to ride in the tire track of a vehicle in front of you.

[MaineZuki]

Remember that the most slippery time on the road is just when it starts to rain. The oil seaps up from the road and hasnt fully been washed away, so during the first 15-20 minutes of rainfall is the worst. md2lgyk makes a really good point too.

[vol01jim]

Always carry rain gear. (I'm assuming you didn't)

You must have done something right, you made it home.

[sime]

Stay relaxed. If you're tense, you won't react to any situation properly. You still have to use your vision like you would in the dry - ie scanning ahead and looking where you want to go. If you stare right at that big puddle in the middle of your corner, you'll ride right through it.

I now recall rides in horrible conditions as good rides, two wheel drifts and all, because it's damn challenging when there's wind and rain, but there's no reason you can't face it, in fact sometimes you just have to. just adjust your speed and the time/distance you allow yourself to stop. do those two very simple and easy things and you wont have to lean the bike over as far to make a turn. the hardest part is keeping the concentration level up, especially when you know a hot bath is still 250km away.....


try these articles for more detail


http://bikepoint.ninemsn.com.au/port...opDefault.aspx

http://bikepoint.ninemsn.com.au/port...opDefault.aspx

[DarkHorse]

Stay off the "oil slick" in the middle of the lane, especially at intersections. I've lost count of the number of bikes I've seen go down over the years when they try stopping or taking off at an intersection while on that slick.

[paul a cosbrook]

Mac a technique that will help keep the shiney side up in the rain is to apply outer foot peg weight and allow your body to move to the inside side of the seat. This action lowers the centre of gravity and lets the machine assume a slightly more upright position. Practise this in the dry , antisipate your applications and execute as smoothly as possible. Happy motorcycleing, don't let wet weather spoil your fun just concentrate on your enviroment. Bye for now

[saleemas]

Watch out for the white paint on higways and intersections. They can be treacherous when wet. I try never to stop on them in the rain.
G-

[stevie c]

Don't tense up and look at the road right in front of you,relax and look as far down the road as you can.
Let the tyres do one job at a time,whether that is braking,cornering or accelerating steadily.

[Uncle Bob]

All good tips, after it as been raining for a while and the oils have been washed off the road it's not all that different from riding on dry roads just reduce speeds and use your controls smoothly.