wet weather biking

[topgun]

hi folks, looking for peoples opinions on whats the safest road position when roads ar wet . 1st time on my bike on wet roads since i came off and was absoloutly bricking myself. i just didnt feel confident on the roads last night and this morning, as i seem to be tense, waiting for another fall. cant decide if the middle is best or nearest the white centre lines.

cheers topgun

[Dave]

My position on the road changes all the time
Even on the same road, same corner, but different day my line could be different, for many reasons...position of other road users, stuff on the road, or just made a mess of the corner.

In the wet...plan a head even more than usual

To be honest, I like riding in the rain. It makes me slow down and the corners are so much easier at 55 mph than at 58mph


So many things to look out for, but in doing one thing you can create another hazard...like
I avoid standing water, puddles etc when ever I can...but you don’t want to swerve either.


Wear the best kit you can afford.

If you are comfortable and dry, that you will concentrate more on the road than on being wet and miserable.

Heated grips as well...warm fingers work better than cold ones.



Get some additional training

Things make much more sense when you are on a bike at the time of being told, or being with the instructor and them doing sketches of the road layout etc

[MrT]

As Dave says.

I like riding in the wet and as the IAM say (something along the lines of) "sacrafice speed for safety". Often find the best position is in the middle of the lane I'm in, its the dryest part of the road - gets heated by car engines and the water naturally goes away from it.

I did my IAM this year and that really helped, not just wet weather riding, although I think nearly all of my observed runs were in the pishing rain as well as my test.

[al]

Put more weight through your pegs, keep your arms loose. Accelerate and decelerate progressively. Keep a good distance from the vehicle in front.

Watch out for rainbow colours on the road (diesel). Take your time & keep warm.

Big Kneed Al (master of the emergency stop & "stand up" comedian).

[coullstar]

Relax and do everything you noramlly do but at a slower pace, no sudden changes. You would be surprised the amount of grip you get.

[Ratz]

if this isnt too obvious a thing

keep off any road lines and cats eyes!!! damn slippy when wet

[zx6r]

if this isnt too obvious a thing

keep off any road lines and cats eyes!!! damn slippy when wet

Is your ride prone to tramlining?

[Ratz]

if this isnt too obvious a thing

keep off any road lines and cats eyes!!! damn slippy when wet

Is your ride prone to tramlining?

man with only 40 posts thinks a comedian he is

[zx6r]

Quantity is no substitute for quality!

[Dave]

keep off any road lines and cats eyes!!!

And the rabbit eyes...and the bambi eyes


Not kidding, flattened wildlife is slippery (and a but bumpy) when dry...but a real nightmare when wet

[Ratz]

Quantity is no substitute for quality!

ah but been done by the best piss take merchant on the board so a lesser attempt really doesnt cut the mustard with me im afraid

better luck and if you have anything relevant to the actual post then feel free to post it, otherwise sit the fook down

[Dave]

Quantity is no substitute for quality!

ah but been done by the best so a lesser attempt really doesnt cut the mustard with me im afraid

better luck and if you have anything relevant to the actual post then feel free to post it, otherwise sit the fook down

Calm down, calm down...you are both acting a bit wet

[BIGSTEVE]

keep off any road lines and cats eyes!!!

And the rabbit eyes...and the bambi eyes


Not kidding, flattened wildlife is slippery (and a but bumpy) when dry...but a real nightmare when wet

Tell me about it, I hit a dead pheasant at about 80 and it threw me off my seat, now that takes some doing

[Ratz]

Quantity is no substitute for quality!

ah but been done by the best so a lesser attempt really doesnt cut the mustard with me im afraid

better luck and if you have anything relevant to the actual post then feel free to post it, otherwise sit the fook down

Calm down, calm down...you are both acting a bit wet

speaking of wet, how are your waterproof gloves?

[Dave]

Calm down, calm down...you are both acting a bit wet

speaking of wet, how are your waterproof gloves?

wet but warm


I like warm wet things

[Ratz]

Calm down, calm down...you are both acting a bit wet

speaking of wet, how are your waterproof gloves?

wet but warm


I like warm wet things

dont we all

[Zathos]

Wet weather riding should be the opposite of this thread...

...a clear head, good observation and avoid distractions


Personally I run one gear further up the box and make the usable road width about 10% less than dry roads, just to avoid centre / edge slippy junk.

[Coddy]

Make sure you have some decent tyres for a start.
Most sportiest tyres that are available have no tread on the outer edges of the tyre, and are pish in the wet. (Good in the dry though ) .
Progressive braking, use more rear brake.

Take the car. Safer, dry, warm, music. Who gives a poop if you get called a fair weather biker, at least yer not like a droont rat.

[BIGSTEVE]

Wet weather biking is much like making love to a beautiful woman. Take it slow, twist gently, find a good position but whatever you do, don't ride fast beacuase one slip of the rubber and you'll be in the sh!t

[Dave]

Zathos has a point about the middle filling up with junk

Yes but no...on country roads the stones in the tar in the middle might not be flattened as much as on the car/truck tyre line.

No but yes...the centre still can fill up with more loose stones, sand, mud and bits of leaves

Yes but yes...the edge is always full of unpleasant stuff



Get some more training

Every road situation every day is different, and need to have that instant assessment

Everyone experiences posted are worth noting, apart from the "tram lining on carpet stitching", but that aside, keep reading about our experiences


Remember: riding in the wet is like making love to a beautiful woman
Keep it smooth
Keep it steady
Ride with confidence
Wear your waterproofs

[al]

Take the car. Safer, dry, warm, music. Who gives a poop if you get called a fair weather biker, at least yer not like a droont rat.

Unless your car happens to be a Freebender!

[al]

Riding in snow and ice is even more fun. You get to make choices like "I wonder if there is more grip on that shiny stuff or the sandy stuff?"

[Dave]

Riding in snow and ice is even more fun. You get to make choices like "I wonder if there is more grip on that shiny stuff or the sandy stuff?"

or that deep stuff

[al]

Hurrah for knobbies!

[Dave]

Hurrah for knobbies!

or some bike snow chains

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=18221