Rain riding for newbs

[BaltimoreGS]

I was commuting in the rain today and just wanted to share a few things with any newbs on the board. 

1. RELAX!  You never want to be tense on a bike.

2.  Traction still exists.  Rain is not snow, your bike is not going to slide out from under you as soon as you sit on it. Don't know the exact numbers off hand but it is something like 70-80% of traction still exists on wet roads.  Take it easy and you should have plenty of traction to work with.

3.  Traction is reduced.  The first 20-30 minutes of a rain storm are the most dangerous.  All the oil that has been spilled on the road floats to the top.  Once enough rain has come down the oil tends to wash off to the side of the road but other slick spots still exists.  Painted markers (cross walks, turn lane arrows...) are slick when wet.  Steel grates at construction sites are another slick spot.  And watch for other hazards.  Wet leaves can be as slippery as ice.

4.  Smooth is the key.  Accelerate, shift and brake smoothly.  No need to rocket out of a stop light.  Look ahead and anticipate when you will need to brake.  Abrupt and heavy braking increases your chances of locking up a wheel.

5.  Following distance!!  Increase your following distance and pay attention to your surroundings.  Panic stops are not fun on a wet road, avoiding a panic stop situation is best.

6.  A cheap rain suit is better than no rain suit.  I've seen rain suits for $10 at Walmart.  It probably won't last very long but riding in the rain is a lot more comfortable when you aren't soaking wet.  If you want to go higher end, Frogg Toggs makes nice rain suits.  A bright color is a good idea for safety.  I have a good rain suit I take with me when I am expecting rain and I have a cheap rain suit I leave at work for those unexpected showers.  I arrive at work dryer on my bike in a rain suit than I do making my way from the car to the building.  Side note: I have never successfully folded a rain suit up as small as it was when I first bought it   

I'm sure others will add to my thoughts.

-Jessie

[KnuckleBallz]

 

Rain-X on your visor isn't a bad idea either.

[entropic]

Awesome Tips thanks  !!

[BaltimoreGS]

Rain-X on your visor isn't a bad idea either.

That reminds me, turning your head to the side when at speed allows the wind to clear the rain from the visor.  I've tried those windshield wiper fingers and didn't really care for them.

-Jessie

[slipperymongoose]

Rain-X on your visor isn't a bad idea either.

That reminds me, turning your head to the side when at speed allows the wind to clear the rain from the visor.  I've tried those windshield wiper fingers and didn't really care for them.

-Jessie

Yeah thats a neat little trick, as for your advice I think you nailed it pretty much, though when it rains your cant help but me a bit timid when riding.

[Erika]

And don't leave your helmet hanging upside down on your handlebars. Nothing sucks more than a bucket full of water for a helmet.

[slipperymongoose]

And don't leave your helmet hanging upside down on your handlebars. Nothing sucks more than a bucket full of water for a helmet.

Im sorry I couldnt help but chuckle at that  . Just curious, is that speaking from expierence?

[Erika]

And don't leave your helmet hanging upside down on your handlebars. Nothing sucks more than a bucket full of water for a helmet.

Im sorry I couldnt help but chuckle at that  . Just curious, is that speaking from expierence?

Let's just say it was a bad hair day.

[jestercinti]

Also make sure that your jacket liner is long and overlaps the ran pants. Any gaps will get your stomach wet and get many coworker stares. Ask me how I know this.

[warlock214]

BaltimoreGS thanks for the tips. You hit it right on! All newbies like myself need to get out in a light rain and just ride around the neighborhood to get some experience in the rain.   

[00sanchez]

The thing about the oil can be expanded: In city driving you should avoid the middle of the lane as it will be the the most heavily saturated with oil.

[Twisted]

Painted markers (cross walks, turn lane arrows...) are slick when wet.  Steel grates at construction sites are another slick spot.  And watch for other hazards.  Wet leaves can be as slippery as ice.

You know the best way to avoid these in the wet?

You avoid them in the dry so it becomes second nature to steer around them in the wet. 

[KnuckleBallz]

I'd also add that the rear brake is your friend. I know most (non-Harley) riders stay away from it, but the rain is an exception.

Ask me how I know that haha

[DaMuffinMan]

This is the rain suit I use. The Tourmaster Defender. I bought it cuz it has this nifty little hood that stashes away in the collar. It prevents water from dripping in. Best purchase I ever made

[craigs449]

The Tourmaster motto:

"If you're not riding in the rain, you're not riding!"


I'll add this, these GS500's don't really have an overwhelming amount of power to make them sketchy in the wet, unlike a sportbike or supermoto on slicks (ask me how I know this  )

[slipperymongoose]

How do both know what you know?

[jestercinti]

This is the rain suit I use. The Tourmaster Defender. I bought it cuz it has this nifty little hood that stashes away in the collar. It prevents water from dripping in. Best purchase I ever made

I like it...my Hein Gereke rain liner is a bit short.  Of course, it's not meant for total rain riding.  It's served me well for about 7 years, so I cannot complain.

[Roxtar]

this is being delivered today:


nelson-rigg sr-6000

[KnuckleBallz]

How do both know what you know?

Tapped the front brake in the wrong spot on a rainy day and ended up supermanning down the road. That sucked. One minute "OK, merge coming up, I'll slow down a bit", next "oh what the f%$k?!" There's a longer story typed out somewhere. I'll try to find it if I can. It was an interesting way to high-side, that's for sure.

[craigs449]

How do both know what you know?

I was at Summit Point Supermoto track day last year on my Husky 510 SMR during heavy downpour all day.  The track is already pretty slick as it was......But it was an all out effort just trying to keep the rubber side down on full soft compound slicks.  I low sided a few times and slid off the track backing into turns, but me and the bike came out relatively unscathed......Alot was learned that day and it opened my eyes as to how much traction there is even leaned over in turns going through standing water!