I'm scared of water =( - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

AwwsChwA · 10-13-2004, 02:26 AM

I'm really nervous whenever I ride through any kind of puddle. Obviously, I avoid water if I can, but sometimes there's one of those damned little streams running off of someone's lawn across an intersection. Any time I ride through water, I slow waaaaaaay down and creep along with the bike as upright as I can possibly keep it until I'm reasonably sure the tires are dry again.

Is there a safe way to overcome this fear of water? I know it's the fear that's keeping me alive (and off the pavement), but I'd like to at least learn enough confidence that I don't have to granny-ride the bike. Any pointers? The bike is a 81 GS450-S, if that matters.

**inspiron** · 10-13-2004, 03:41 AM

You should have respect for water, especially if it's in a pothole and you can't see how deep it is. Then you should try to avoid it at all costs.

If it's a stream of water flowing across the street from someone's sprinkers, you don't need to over-react. A motorcycle tire has a very small contact patch with the street, so aquaplaning is almost impossible at street speeds. The tires will cut through the water and maintain contact with the pavement. However, your traction will be reduced somewhat, so try to keep as much traction-reserve as possible by not making any extreme manoevers (panic stops or 'blip'-ing the throttle).

The best way to get a feel for driving on wet pavement is to go for a ride in the rain (away from traffic as much as possible). Wear waterproof gear and a full-face helmet, and take it slow and easy until you get a feel for the differences between wet and dry road surfaces.

Another possibility is to see if an MSF or similar course is being offered where they have the ability to wet down the street. The automobile club (ADAC or TCS here) have specially built tracks where they can flood the streets, and they also use water-fountains to simulate suprise situations. I think that they offer M/C courses for wet-surface skills, but I'm not entirely sure...

Madura · 10-13-2004, 06:44 AM

I'm worse about sand. My paranoia is almost overwhelming.

wavyredlaurie · 10-13-2004, 08:26 AM

Every bike is different, too. My scooter was horrible on grooved pavement, but the V-Strom is totally under control. The worst thing for me, with the far heavier bike, has been oily slick spots when I put my foot down to stop! I never used to worry about that. Now, after several near disasters, I'm pretty paranoid. Seeing water would make me feel a lot better! Water washes away those oily slick spots!

themeatmanlandry · 10-13-2004, 08:27 AM

Ditto on the sand. Just cruise through the water with confidence.

Be the tire . . . or something.

007 · 10-13-2004, 12:15 PM

Water really sucks indeed. Go slow and keep a steady throttle. Any change in speed and direction should be gradual, slow. Otherwise there's only one other problem with water: it's f$^&ing wet!

KatanaMatt · 10-13-2004, 12:48 PM

I remember this form my drivers education course that I took nearly ten years ago now, but it's *the* best information I've ever received regarding vehicles and control: You can drive on *ANY* surface, as long as your movements are smooth. You can drive on ice at 50 mph and turn your vehicle solidly as long as your movements at the wheel are nice and smooth. Need to brake? Don't jam on 'em, be nice and smooth. The same applies for motorcycles. Any surface is negotiable as long as you move smoothly.

bat4255 · 10-13-2004, 12:58 PM

Yup, be smooth, and make adjustments slow and easy. I just did 1,200 miles in 4 days, 250 of it was in the rain. Just like a car, slow to accelerate, slow to decelerate, easy on the brakes, NO sudden turns, or imputs.

SuzukiGirl1 · 10-13-2004, 02:10 PM

my first 200 miles were in the rain! You just have to plan ahead, slow down a bit more before you take that curve so that you don't have to lean over as far, etc. You just want to be extra cautious, but there's no reason you can't ride in the rain. Sometimes it gets a bit nerve-wrecking though when you start thinking about being even LESS visible to the cagers.

themeatmanlandry · 10-13-2004, 02:13 PM

Scared of the water, you say? Hmmmmm . . . hydrophobia . . . isn;t that what they used to call rabies?

**Trapper** · 10-13-2004, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

. . . isn;t that what they used to call rabies?

Is there such a thing as apostraphobia ?

themeatmanlandry · 10-13-2004, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trappercase

Quote:

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

. . . isn;t that what they used to call rabies?

Is there such a thing as apostraphobia ?

I'm an errant typer!
I'm an errant typer!
I'm an errant typer!

Don;t mock the afflicted.

c50tiger · 10-13-2004, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

Quote:

Originally Posted by trappercase

Quote:

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

. . . isn;t that what they used to call rabies?

Is there such a thing as apostraphobia ?

I'm an errant typer!
I'm an errant typer!
I'm an errant typer!

Don;t mock the afflicted.

[snrkkk]

Trying not to laugh.....

Madura · 10-14-2004, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

Ditto on the sand...

It's what caused my only lowside. In other news, I always hit the semicolon instead of the apostrophe.

**inspiron** · 10-14-2004, 02:43 AM

"apostrophobie" - Fear of the Catholic Church?

10-13-2004, 02:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
AwwsChwA In Training Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 128	I'm scared of water =( I'm really nervous whenever I ride through any kind of puddle. Obviously, I avoid water if I can, but sometimes there's one of those damned little streams running off of someone's lawn across an intersection. Any time I ride through water, I slow waaaaaaay down and creep along with the bike as upright as I can possibly keep it until I'm reasonably sure the tires are dry again. Is there a safe way to overcome this fear of water? I know it's the fear that's keeping me alive (and off the pavement), but I'd like to at least learn enough confidence that I don't have to granny-ride the bike. Any pointers? The bike is a 81 GS450-S, if that matters.

10-13-2004, 03:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,939	You should have respect for water, especially if it's in a pothole and you can't see how deep it is. Then you should try to avoid it at all costs. If it's a stream of water flowing across the street from someone's sprinkers, you don't need to over-react. A motorcycle tire has a very small contact patch with the street, so aquaplaning is almost impossible at street speeds. The tires will cut through the water and maintain contact with the pavement. However, your traction will be reduced somewhat, so try to keep as much traction-reserve as possible by not making any extreme manoevers (panic stops or 'blip'-ing the throttle). The best way to get a feel for driving on wet pavement is to go for a ride in the rain (away from traffic as much as possible). Wear waterproof gear and a full-face helmet, and take it slow and easy until you get a feel for the differences between wet and dry road surfaces. Another possibility is to see if an MSF or similar course is being offered where they have the ability to wet down the street. The automobile club (ADAC or TCS here) have specially built tracks where they can flood the streets, and they also use water-fountains to simulate suprise situations. I think that they offer M/C courses for wet-surface skills, but I'm not entirely sure... __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

10-13-2004, 06:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
Madura Puddle Runner Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Orlandon't Posts: 384	I'm worse about sand. My paranoia is almost overwhelming. __________________ I said Madura, not Marauder.

10-13-2004, 08:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
wavyredlaurie In Training Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 146	Every bike is different, too. My scooter was horrible on grooved pavement, but the V-Strom is totally under control. The worst thing for me, with the far heavier bike, has been oily slick spots when I put my foot down to stop! I never used to worry about that. Now, after several near disasters, I'm pretty paranoid. Seeing water would make me feel a lot better! Water washes away those oily slick spots! __________________ My motto is "In all things - moderation." Of course, that means that even moderation needs to be practiced in moderation!

10-13-2004, 08:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
themeatmanlandry Happy-ass Lunatic Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 600S (Black); 2006 GSXR750 (Black) Location: Memphis Posts: 11,423	Ditto on the sand. Just cruise through the water with confidence. Be the tire . . . or something. __________________ Go to hell

10-13-2004, 12:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
007 TurtleWax Taster Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Boston. MA Posts: 592	Water really sucks indeed. Go slow and keep a steady throttle. Any change in speed and direction should be gradual, slow. Otherwise there's only one other problem with water: it's f$^&ing wet!

10-13-2004, 12:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
KatanaMatt Clunked into first gear Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 216	I remember this form my drivers education course that I took nearly ten years ago now, but it's the best information I've ever received regarding vehicles and control: You can drive on ANY surface, as long as your movements are smooth. You can drive on ice at 50 mph and turn your vehicle solidly as long as your movements at the wheel are nice and smooth. Need to brake? Don't jam on 'em, be nice and smooth. The same applies for motorcycles. Any surface is negotiable as long as you move smoothly. __________________ 2004 BluKatana SuzukiGirl fanclub member red7eb fanclub member Janis fanclub member - m@

10-13-2004, 12:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
bat4255 Squirrel Target Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: Burgman 650 K3- 22,500 miles as of 9-24-07 Location: Dodge Co. Wisconsin Posts: 661	Yup, be smooth, and make adjustments slow and easy. I just did 1,200 miles in 4 days, 250 of it was in the rain. Just like a car, slow to accelerate, slow to decelerate, easy on the brakes, NO sudden turns, or imputs.

10-13-2004, 02:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
SuzukiGirl1 Moderatrix Joined: Mar 2004 Bike: 2004 SV650S Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 2,700	my first 200 miles were in the rain! You just have to plan ahead, slow down a bit more before you take that curve so that you don't have to lean over as far, etc. You just want to be extra cautious, but there's no reason you can't ride in the rain. Sometimes it gets a bit nerve-wrecking though when you start thinking about being even LESS visible to the cagers. __________________ SuzukiGirl '04 SV650S, Yellow...lovely!!

10-13-2004, 02:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
themeatmanlandry Happy-ass Lunatic Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 600S (Black); 2006 GSXR750 (Black) Location: Memphis Posts: 11,423	Scared of the water, you say? Hmmmmm . . . hydrophobia . . . isn;t that what they used to call rabies? __________________ Go to hell

10-14-2004, 02:43 AM	#15 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,939	"apostrophobie" - Fear of the Catholic Church? __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

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