driving in rain???

[badkitty]

Ok..im still alittle hesitant to drive thru water on the road.I mean with a car its no big deal but i have 2 less wheels and alot less weight. How do bikes do in the rain? Obivously you drive slower or do you drive at all? I see VERY FEW if any at all driving in rain or even afterwards.

[inspiron]

When it starts raining (after a longer dry spell), you should get off the road for a while. The problem is that the water mixes with the grease and other crud on the road surface and makes it very slippery. After about 30 minutes, the surface is washed off, so then it is "safe" to ride again.

When riding on a wet surface, you should have about 80% of the traction that you would have on a dry surface. But, it's harder to see surface hazards because the whole street appears darker. And, you should avoid puddles, since you can't tell how deep they are - there are stories about bikers who wanted to blast throught a puddle and ended up kissing asphalt (and buying a new front rim) since the puddle was actually a deep pothole full of water.

Aquaplaning is not too much of a problem if you ride slowly and you have enough profile on your tires. Just try to ride smoothly with no hectic direction changes or quick stops. You should increase your safety zone by a few seconds - don't follow too close or let any cages get too close to you.

Also, good (waterproof) gear is needed - if it continues to rain (depending upon your sit position), you will probably experience "ice balls" after a while. The rain hitting your chest drips down between your legs and puddles up there. It cools off and starts trying to seep through your pants. I'll leave the rest up to your imagination...

Hope that helps!

[Louis]

I don't mind riding in the rain. First, get a rain gear. Being wet and icky just isn't fun while riding.

You just need to be more careful. I only avoid heavy rain. Around here, you see less riders when it rains but the real bikers are still on road.

It's like going to work in the morning. I always wave to the same riders morning after morning, I just don't know any of them

[007]

I was caught in a heavy downpoor once - man it really sucks! The downpoor was so intense that the water did not have time to go into the sewers, and it built up on the street. I felt like I was riding in a swimming pool. I went slow, put on my high beam and tried to go where the water was shallower. The cars passing by all sprayed me from head to toe. The irony was that by the time I arrived to a safe place to pull over the rain had seriously subsided.

When you have to ride through big rain, there is a serious danger with potholes 'cause they are filled up, and you can't see them. You ride on this smooth surface and then suddenly "Bang!"

Stay out of the f---ing big rain if you can.

[tlwisner]

Don't ride on wet roads with bald tires. Actually, don't ride on bald tires - but it's worse with wet roads. Rain gear, helmet with face shield or FF helmet, waterproof boots and gloves - all good stuff.

[FIVEINCH]

Originally Posted by Louis

I don't mind riding in the rain. First, get a rain gear.

Ummm..... which gear is that? I've already got six, ain't that enough?



http://www.newenough.com/product_gro..._rain_gear.htm
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...amp;Division=1

[Louis]

Originally Posted by FIVEINCH

Ummm..... which gear is that? I've already got six, ain't that enough?



http://www.newenough.com/product_gro..._rain_gear.htm
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...amp;Division=1

Smart a$$

THE gear that covers from head to toe, of course.

[SuzukiGirl1]

I agree w/ everyone's posts so far...but will add a few things.

Even though you should stay off the roads for the first 20 minutes of a heavy downpour to wash away the oil, etc that accumulates on the road, sometimes you just can't avoid it.

So, as far as road position, where you should be riding when rain starts is in the tire tracks of the cars (lane 1 or 3 of the motorcycle lanes). Stay out of the center if you can because most likely that's where it will be the most slippery. Of course, if you have to move to the center to avoid a puddle (possible pothole) do so, then move back to the tire track.

Take your time when you're slowing down at off ramps etc, enter corners slower than you would on a sunny day.

Also, in case you haven't figured out a trick for getting the rain off of your visor, just turn your head from one side to the other for a few seconds, and the drops should slide off the side and help w/ your vision.

Gear is very important, because you will cool down much faster if you're wet, and shivering while on the bike is never good!!

[FIVEINCH]

Originally Posted by Louis

Smart a$$

THE gear that covers from head to toe, of course.

But I did it while staying on topic!

[GIXXER-Mike]

Can be very scary! I got caught in a downpour a few weeks ago.

So, as far as road position, where you should be riding when rain starts is in the tire tracks of the cars (lane 1 or 3 of the motorcycle lanes).

-SuzukiGirl1

That's exactly what I did to the first rest area I could find. Since the rain came out of nowhere, I didn't have any gear . Got soaked but it was a hot day & I got cooled off nicely.

[DaMaNP750]

first time i got caught was on the highway and I immediatly jumped off and went to a gas station to wait it out. As I'm sitting at the light to turn there were 60 mph straight line winds that were seriously pushing me over on my bike (its so light). I got home thinking, I didn't know I entered a wet t-shirt contest when I left.

Oh and that water off the face shield, rain-x about every two weeks further enhances that, it practically FLIES OFF.

[GIXXER-Mike]

I didn't have any gear

CORRECTION: Raingear that is!

[007]

when it rains, just ride naked! you are in a shower anyway

[Louis]

Originally Posted by FIVEINCH

But I did it while staying on topic!

[badkitty]

Originally Posted by 007

when it rains, just ride naked! you are in a shower anyway

NO WAY...cause then people will REALLY know what size IT is hey it was cold ok

[bhamon]

I almost had my first rain experience. I was out and it started to sprinkle. I turned around and came home. I don't have any rain gear yet.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by badkitty

NO WAY...cause then people will REALLY know what size IT is hey it was cold ok

[007]

take Viagra, spank the monkey a bit, then go for the ride... then they'd say "this guys's HUGE!" LMAO

[007]

and what's up with the friggin turtle Rowdy?

[c50tiger]

Originally Posted by 007

and what's up with the friggin turtle Rowdy?

It's like that old Seinfeld episode.... shrinks up like a turtle ducking into it's shell.

Most of the time I was in college I didn't have a car, just a succession of progressively larger bikes. Rain or shine, if I went anywhere I rode. And being a starving college student, I couldn't afford really good rain gear. Nothing like sitting through a 2 hour lecture after riding through a downpour. Good rain gear isn't vital, but you'll feel a whole lot better when you get where you're going.

Big second on DaMaNP750's Rain-X recommendation. Started using it because my step-father used it on his helmet when he raced in SCCA. I've now been using the stuff for about 20 years, and I highly recommend it.