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
:thumb:
Rain-X on your visor isn't a bad idea either.
Awesome Tips thanks !!
Quote from: KnuckleBallz on May 08, 2012, 07:01:09 PM
:thumb:
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
Quote from: BaltimoreGS on May 08, 2012, 07:53:11 PM
Quote from: KnuckleBallz on May 08, 2012, 07:01:09 PM
:thumb:
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.
And don't leave your helmet hanging upside down on your handlebars. Nothing sucks more than a bucket full of water for a helmet.
Quote from: Erika on May 08, 2012, 08:10:45 PM
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 :thumb:. Just curious, is that speaking from expierence?
Quote from: slipperymongoose on May 08, 2012, 08:12:28 PM
Quote from: Erika on May 08, 2012, 08:10:45 PM
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 :thumb:. Just curious, is that speaking from expierence?
Let's just say it was a bad hair day.
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.
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. :thumb:
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.
Quote from: BaltimoreGS on May 08, 2012, 06:22:19 PM
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. ;)
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
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 :thumb:
(http://images.motorcycle-superstore.com/ProductImages/300/2007_Tour_Master_Defender_Two-Piece_Rainsuit.jpg)
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 :icon_mrgreen:)
How do both know what you know?
Quote from: DaMuffinMan on May 09, 2012, 06:28:18 AM
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 :thumb:
(http://images.motorcycle-superstore.com/ProductImages/300/2007_Tour_Master_Defender_Two-Piece_Rainsuit.jpg)
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.
this is being delivered today:
(http://www.motorcyclecenter.com/images/product/large/406-042.jpg)
nelson-rigg sr-6000
Quote from: slipperymongoose on May 09, 2012, 07:52:43 AM
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.
Quote from: slipperymongoose on May 09, 2012, 07:52:43 AM
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!
Other slippery things.... man hole covers and bridge joins.
Accepting the road still had adequate traction for normal riding is a biggie for new riders. I suggest finding some MotoGP wet riding footage. Sure they have better tires et al, but they still hammer even in the wet. Makes you realize there is still enough friction for normal riding.
If you ride 10% slower you'll have no issues. As your wet riding experiences increases you'll find most of the time you can ride the same speeds as in the dry.
Be VERY watchful for small puddles where the road has a small indentation. Looking far enough ahead should give you plenty of time to make the necessary lane adjustments.
If you do not have rain gear with you and there is no shelter, accept you will get wet and enjoy it for what it is. That will allow you to focus on riding instead of being focused on how upset you are it is raining and you need to get home etc. I've been caught out heaps and find it quite enjoying getting drenched (on the way home). One time on a weekend ride we hit the twists and the rain came down. We got drenched and by the end where the small general store was where we pulled up we ALL had the same sentiment... that was a blast.
There is something to be said about not caring about getting soaked, like a child playing in the rain.
Michael
Michael
Quote
If you do not have rain gear with you and there is no shelter, accept you will get wet and enjoy it for what it is. That will allow you to focus on riding instead of being focused on how upset you are it is raining and you need to get home etc. I've been caught out heaps and find it quite enjoying getting drenched (on the way home). One time on a weekend ride we hit the twists and the rain came down. We got drenched and by the end where the small general store was where we pulled up we ALL had the same sentiment... that was a blast.
There is something to be said about not caring about getting soaked, like a child playing in the rain.
Some of the most fun I've had riding has been a "$hit, it's raining " moment. Be a kid and "soak" it up. As long as it's not a commute to work. Pn the way home is fine.
Be mindful of body temperature/hypothermia if you're soaked and it's a cooler day.
From http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothermia/ds00333/dsection=symptoms (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothermia/ds00333/dsection=symptoms):
Shivering is your body's automatic defense against cold temperature — an attempt to warm itself. Constant shivering is a key sign of hypothermia. Signs and symptoms of moderate to severe hypothermia include:
Shivering
Clumsiness or lack of coordination
Slurred speech or mumbling
Stumbling
Confusion or difficulty thinking
Poor decision making, such as trying to remove warm clothes
Drowsiness or very low energy
Apathy or lack of concern about one's condition
Progressive loss of consciousness
Weak pulse
Slow, shallow breathing
A person with hypothermia usually isn't aware of his or her condition, because the symptoms often begin gradually and because the confused thinking associated with hypothermia prevents self-awareness.
After riding home in the rain last night, I realized I need to buy a decent rain suit........My Teknic rain jacket has a tear under one armpit, my 5.11 rain pants are not very good for riding in the rain, only standing around in it, and my cheap "waterproof" Vega boots are not waterproof after about 15 minutes.........On a good note, my rain/windproof Teknic gloves work just fine.
Can folks post up their suggestions/experiences with rain gear please.....I can't seem to make up my mind......Also, looking to spend under $100
Great ideas and great post. I might just have to be in the rain today going home for the first time so this came up perfectly in time.
Cheers.
I was actually looking last night and REV'IT! sells a rain suit for $99.99 that looks like a good deal.
One other "slipper" thing (ask me how I know :cookoo:) is plastic bags on the road - the kind you'd pack your groceries into in a supermarket. It doesn't even have to be raining to feel it, but in the rain it's a total nightmare.
Quote from: KnuckleBallz on May 09, 2012, 08:33:02 AM
Quote from: slipperymongoose on May 09, 2012, 07:52:43 AM
How do both know what you know?
Tapped the front brake in the wrong spot on a rainy day and ended up supermanning down the road. That sucked. One minute "OK, merge coming up, I'll slow down a bit", next "oh what the f%$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.
Can you expand upon this?
Locking up the front and sliding it doesn't cause you to high side. It's the rear that does this.
Possibly you endoed the bike, but that's fairly difficult to do in the wet, particularly if you just "tapped" the brake as you said.
Quote from: dougdoberman on May 10, 2012, 01:54:07 PM
Quote from: KnuckleBallz on May 09, 2012, 08:33:02 AM
Quote from: slipperymongoose on May 09, 2012, 07:52:43 AM
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%$k?!" There's a longer story typed out somewhere. I'll try to find it if I can. It was an interesting way to high-side, that's for sure.
Can you expand upon this?
Locking up the front and sliding it doesn't cause you to high side. It's the rear that does this.
Possibly you endoed the bike, but that's fairly difficult to do in the wet, particularly if you just "tapped" the brake as you said.
You know those big metal teeth that some bridges have on either end? There's one on my commute & a merge that happens right on top of them. The metal area is a good foot and a half, 2 feet wide. So when I slowed for the merge, I guess my front tire was right over this. One second I was up, the next I was down. Maybe high side is the wrong term? I left the bike behind me though. My rear had gotten a bit squirrelly about 200 feet or so back, but as far as I can tell that was unrelated to the accident. I don't think it would snap back in line and toss me @ like 15 mph, especially since I don't think it was very far off-line to begin with. Just an overall shitty morning, but I learned a lot.
Happened so fast it was over before you realized what happened.
Quote from: KnuckleBallz on May 10, 2012, 02:18:59 PM
Quote from: dougdoberman on May 10, 2012, 01:54:07 PM
Quote from: KnuckleBallz on May 09, 2012, 08:33:02 AM
Quote from: slipperymongoose on May 09, 2012, 07:52:43 AM
How do both know what you know?
Tapped the front brake in the wrong spot on a rainy day and ended up supermanning down the road. That sucked. One minute "OK, merge coming up, I'll slow down a bit", next "oh what the f%$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.
Can you expand upon this?
Locking up the front and sliding it doesn't cause you to high side. It's the rear that does this.
Possibly you endoed the bike, but that's fairly difficult to do in the wet, particularly if you just "tapped" the brake as you said.
You know those big metal teeth that some bridges have on either end? There's one on my commute & a merge that happens right on top of them. The metal area is a good foot and a half, 2 feet wide. So when I slowed for the merge, I guess my front tire was right over this. One second I was up, the next I was down. Maybe high side is the wrong term? I left the bike behind me though. My rear had gotten a bit squirrelly about 200 feet or so back, but as far as I can tell that was unrelated to the accident. I don't think it would snap back in line and toss me @ like 15 mph, especially since I don't think it was very far off-line to begin with. Just an overall shitty morning, but I learned a lot.
Ah, yeah, I see now.
Likely your front end started to tuck and ejected you.
I donno what to call that
other than a high side since you're going over the top in a pretty similar way, I just typically consider a high side to be a rear sliding & gripping situation. :)
I have a Jafrum rain suit that I use the most. It doesn't "breathe" as well as the Frogg Toggs but I like the bright orange color for safety.
-Jessie
(http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww360/jessiedoran/rainsuit.jpg)
Just purchased a Frogg Toggs rain suit off E-bay. $69 :thumb:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360406512926?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619
I will let you guys know how it is once I get it.
Quote from: comradeiggy on May 10, 2012, 06:16:42 AM
I was actually looking last night and REV'IT! sells a rain suit for $99.99 that looks like a good deal.
It works too :D
two other points:
1)no-matter what the manufacturer says about waterproof normal riding gear, at some point it stops keeping the water out.
After an hour of stop-start in the pouring rain a while back waterproof overpants, waterproof lined jacket and also waterproof boots all leaked. Hence i can now +1 the Rev'It suit in all rain since this event.
2)It will stop raining the instant you buy an actual rain suit :icon_rolleyes:
I know it's probably the worst for visibility, but I have my military issued gore-tex . Usually wear a bright yellow reflective vest over it so people can see me. I have never had it leak and the oants cinch down at the waist and ankles keeping most of the water from coming up the legs. Pretty sure they can be found for under $200 for the set. And probably under $100 at a surplus store.