Riding in the rain :(

[Wrynne]

I left my aunts house on Sunday evening about a half hour later than I had planned - and as my luck goes I got caught in the rain while riding up 495 and 495 has no damn overpasses to chill under (at least the section I was riding). I tried to ride it out for about 20 minutes before I gave up and got off, found a gas station & stopped there for another 15 minutes. Rain would not stop (and the wind was blowing me around) so I ended up getting a (kickass awesome) room in town for the night...only 30 minutes from my apartment I had to stop 'cause I really felt like I was a blind person riding on an ice skate.

So, with that said, aside from a smart ass "don't do it" can anyone give me tips for riding in the rain? Are side streets or the highway better? Should I put rain-x on the visor of my helmet so I can see?

[Sheppo]

I left my aunts house on Sunday evening about a half hour later than I had planned - and as my luck goes I got caught in the rain while riding up 495 and 495 has no damn overpasses to chill under (at least the section I was riding). I tried to ride it out for about 20 minutes before I gave up and got off, found a gas station & stopped there for another 15 minutes. Rain would not stop (and the wind was blowing me around) so I ended up getting a (kickass awesome) room in town for the night...only 30 minutes from my apartment I had to stop 'cause I really felt like I was a blind person riding on an ice skate.

So, with that said, aside from a smart ass "don't do it" can anyone give me tips for riding in the rain? Are side streets or the highway better? Should I put rain-x on the visor of my helmet so I can see?

+1 on the rain-X never drive/ride if you are not comfortable. I have driven every day since 4/1, so I have seen my share of rain this year. I say stick to back roads, pull over if you need too and let the rain let up, get a good rain suit and enjoy it. ( ok that last past was tongue in cheek )

[royal690]

I hit the same storm heading home after picking up my new bike on 95S from Newburyport. It sucked!!! I was looking at the sky heading up from the city at 5:30 saying to my friend, hmmm looking pretty dark out.... sure enough as I finished the paperwork it started to pour.

I waited for maybe 15 mins then headed out. I was having trouble with my visor fogging so I had to crack it quite a bit, but was getting a ton of spray off cars, some spots were pretty iffy as there was a bunch of traffic and I kept getting boxed in and couldn't see.

If it looks likes showers or a passing storm I try to find an overpass or gas station to chill at till it moves through. Otherwise I suck it up and ride wet and cold haha. Never tried rain x on the visor, I either use my gloves or turn my head back and forth at speed and the rain kind of runs off.

[negruber]

Rain X, a good rain suit helps, and relax. Seriously. Smoooooth inputs throttle and brake. You would be surprised how much traction is available.

The first 20 or so min of the rain will be the slickest, as the rain washes the oil off the road, so that is the time I will usually pull off and get coffee. Also, stay off the paint.

I have done many trips, and ridden in the rain more times than I can remember. Sometimes it is actually kind of nice.

[Hauptman]

you just need a spec 1r extreme visor comes anti-fog and water repellant

[Qfactor]

I enjoy riding in the rain (once the oils wash off a bit). There's a lot of grip on wet pavement.

but cold and wet sucks if you are not ready for it.

being smooth is the key to it.

highway vs side roads is a trade off: highway is nice cause the water slides off your screen, but water will get pushed through your gear after a little while. Side roads are nice cause you are going slower, you can play around with your grip limits, wind is less thus it's not as chilly. but water sticks to your screen, water spray sucks when you are going 35-45mph.

Q

[Woodsy]

the first 20 min of rainfall are the most dangerous. that is when all the stuff seeps up from the road and it gets real slick. if you want to instill confidence in you rain riding throw on some frame sliders and ride aroud a parking lot. try all the stuff you are afraid to do on the road. brake hard, accelerate, lean it over, you will be surprised how much grip you have in the rain. i think the normal figure for good tires is 80%+ and i am guessing since you are new you do not use 80% of the available traction in the dry. your bike should be able to handle normal riding just fine. again it all comes down to what you are comfortable with.

[ThisBitch]

I had a little pucker moment on Sunday when I got a bit too throttle happy on an on ramp that was still wet. I went in a bit too hot, the rear tire skipped out a bit, I shat my pants but remembered to roll on the throttle.

I think you can equate riding in the rain to driving in the snow. Everything should be slow and steady. and +1 on staying away from the paint at all costs. I've seen a few people lay down bikes because of wet lines.

[QuarterGig]

+1 on rain-x
+1 stay smooth
+1 rain gear

slower in the corners and keep the bike more upright and relax.

[Pittenger5]

For what its worth, on my EX500 my rain tires are nothing more than street pilot powers, and I still run sub-1:30s. Not blazing fast, but when you consider I only run 27s in the dry, the tires are MORE than capable for riding in the wet. But paint, manhole covers, TRAIN TRACKS, things of that nature no tires gonna help much.

[OreoGaborio]

Yup... smooth and RELAXED!!!! Tires can and will move around a bit on you when you're near the edge of traction. If you're smooth and RELAXED the tires & suspension will do their jobs and you'll keep on truckin'.

The trick is to do those two things AND ride in a way that never puts you close to the edge of traction to begin with. (Keep your eyes far ahead, brake while you're straight up & down, leave plenty of room between yourself & other vehicles, stay in the right or left 1/3rd of your lane to avoid the "slippery center", etc.)

Proper rain gear also goes a long way in staying comfortable. If you're not comfortable then even the shortest ride will be miserable.

[Woodsy]

Yup... smooth and RELAXED!!!! Tires can and will move around a bit on you when you're near the edge of traction. If you're smooth and RELAXED the tires & suspension will do their jobs and you'll keep on truckin'.

The trick is to do those two things AND ride in a way that never puts you close to the edge of traction to begin with. (Keep your eyes far ahead, brake while you're straight up & down, leave plenty of room between yourself & other vehicles, stay in the right or left 1/3rd of your lane to avoid the "slippery center", etc.)

Proper rain gear also goes a long way in staying comfortable. If you're not comfortable then even the shortest ride will be miserable.

+1 on lane position. VERY IMPORTANT!! plus the left third keeps you in the sightline for the driver ahead of you.

[OreoGaborio]

+1 on lane position. VERY IMPORTANT!! plus the left third keeps you in the sightline for the driver ahead of you.

Even more important in areas w/ little rain... ask a13x about riding in California.

[Pittenger5]

+1 on lane position. VERY IMPORTANT!! plus the left third keeps you in the sightline for the driver ahead of you.

Id disagree with the WORDING of the left third though, especially on divided roads. Stay the fuck away from the edges of road, thats where puddles develop.

[Hoss]

But paint, manhole covers, TRAIN TRACKS, things of that nature no tires gonna help much.

+1


As already said, stay smooth and steady, nothing too abrupt. You should always be thinking about making yourself as visable as possible, even in the dry.


I Had to ride around in what was left of hurricane Ike in Indy this past weekend. 60mph gusts, downpours, and we were parked in a (mud) field. Exciting stuff! But, once I did my first of what seems like all wet track days this year, riding on the street in the rain wasn't that big a deal since I'll never really be going that fast on the street anyway.

[Wrynne]

Thanks for the tips everyone

Going to hit up the rain-x when I do a mass washing of vehicles this week & I'll set some time aside to play in a parking lot the next time it rains (which looks like this weekend )!

[Kat_man]

I've done quite a bit of riding in the rain this year and as other have already said being smooth and relaxed is the key.

As far as Rain-X, doesn't that have a fairly large concentration of Alcohol and won't that permanently cloud the polycarbonate (Lexan) shield?

[Jaynnus]

eh...after the first 20 minutes or so, you forget it is raining and it's fun.

Others have already posted great tips that can be used for both wet and dry riding

[newgixxerchic]

just don't get caught in hail... that sucks and there's nothing you can do about it.

[Jim]

ask daytrader. he rides his 1098 in the rain all the time

[chicharone]

Don't rely too much on front brakes like you would on dry pavement. Use the rear more than usual.

[Dichotomous]

it rains as often as it doesnt here, and I ride as long as the roads wont freeze. so I've ridden a lot in the rain. my tips:
-dont worry about it, if you are riding in any sort of reasonable and responsible manner, you have FAR FAR further to go to get to your traction limits than the rain will do to you.
-turn your head now and then, this clears your helmet sheild of rain pretty well
-be prepared for your sheild to scratch when you clear the road grime/mist with your glove because turning your head doest work on that
-heavy rain is easier to see through than fine mist, fine mist wont clear your sheild, heavy rain wont stick to it
-give more room to slow down
-avoid ANY AND ALL manholes or road markings, these will be slick
-a trash bag with holes for your head and hands will keep water off you, but will rip to peices in the wind, wear it under your jacket.
-you WILL look like you peed yourself, prepare for mockery by anyone who sees you
-enjoy not being a fairweather rider

[Woodsy]

Don't rely too much on front brakes like you would on dry pavement. Use the rear more than usual.

this is a real good way to eat pavement in the rain. lock up the rear (easy to do on dry pavement) and you are going down!

[MissTwisties]

Nothing more that I can add to every great advice given here. I rode in the rain once, all day, with a group. About 30 bikes were supposed to show up, only about 10 did, because it was already raining. Everyone was up for it, so off we went. It was pouring all day long, and we still had a blast. It was my first real ride in the rain, had to adapt at first, then I was fine. It certainly make you a better rider, if you can finally ride under pouring torrents, you can ride pretty much anytime after that regardless of weather conditions. I agree with hail tho...seek shelter.

Relax, stay smooth, slow down...enjoy and save $$ on a hotel room...LOL

[butcher bergs]

Don't rely too much on front brakes like you would on dry pavement. Use the rear more than usual.

Uhh...no...not really.......ever.




Rain is easy so long as you stay focused and in tune with your machine (more so than in the dry).
Once you start to get cold, forget about it.

Riding in the wet a great opportunity for learning as long as you can stay dry and focus your attention on riding and feeling the feedback from your machine.

I'm looking forward to racing this weekend even in light of the lackluster forecast.