Riding in the rain.

[datnucra]

I was out riding a couple of days ago and noticed that a mean storm was rolling in. I managed to make it home before the rain started to fall. That got me to wondering about riding in the rain.

Any pointers, tips, etc...?

[surfhwy1]

Ride slower obviously, don't ride in the either of the end lanes as they tend to catch more water, ie a puddle next to the guard rail and in a dip.
Easy on the throttle in corners.
But yeah try to get home first.
What do I know, I'm in So Cal.

[sideshow]

after riding in the rain, REMEMBER TO CLEAN/LUBE YOUR CHAIN

edit: goddamn.. that rhymes

[bballman01]

try and get an idea of how grippy the roads is, some people test the ground with their foot, others break the rear loose to see how much pressure is required (at low speed of course)

[Jerzy]

just wondering........ how low can u go in turns?.......... not asking a squid question. But I mean I know once I'm riding in the rain, its bad out, so I take it easy in turns and whatever, but just wondering, how low would you be able to go? and how much easier is it to LOW side?

[F550]

find out and let us know...haha

well, when riding in the rain, the other thing to remember is what kind of tires you have....because a lot of the times, street riders are using track take off....with so much area being slick, it will be even trickier in the wet...if you have full wets (which most ppl don't unless trackday goers or racers), then you actually can ride must faster....i've witnessed it first hand on the track, when i had my DOT race rubber and someone chnged for full wets....they lapped me in like 3 laps....hahaha

in terms of how low....well look at the wet GP QP at instanbul, racers are still getting knee down....you can go pretty low, if you're good/dare. its just even more important to keep things smooth and try to keep the bike even more up/vertical....

[F550]

oh ya, very easy to low side.....i haven't before, but have come close.....

i have locked up the front (braking in a straight line) several times in the wet, but luckily have always gotten away.....mainly because i was still straight up, but if you trailbraked or braked in the middle of the turn, i'm sure you're going down...

[F550]

there is already little grip on the sides of a tire to begin with, and most of the time, the tires don't have thread that extend to that far of the edges....so its basically slick there....

[darksaleen281]

defintely test how much grip your tires have before riding. as bbman said, i usually break my rear loose to see how much grip i have. I do this usually when i go to school and by the time i go home, the streets are either wet or it's raining. People tend to look at me, but it's just something smart to do to know how your riding strategy has to change.

[fjman]

Riding in the wet is just like riding with cold tires. The only difference is that manhole covers and painted lines get really slick, and that intersections are more likely to be slippery (though, even in the dry, someone's car probably just leaked something anyhow...)