Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Riding Technique riding in the rain

i was riding in the rain last night, i was wondering how many of you when riding in rain, fell like the bike might slide out from under you? i run avon front and back. is it easy for the bikes to slide out from under you?

I always THINK it will happen. It NEVER has unless there was some added factor, i.e; leaves, oil, unseen gravel, etc - But just rain doesn't seem to have the effect I always fear and try to be prepared for. As a side, I sometime feel that my reactions while wet riding and having these same fears have more adverse effect than the wet itself.

I think you are right about reactions to riding in the rain. It is possible to be to cautions, like trying to cost through a corner with no power to the rear wheel which is the very wrong thing to do. I have caught myself doing this so I try to ride a little slower but with normal procedure. I have also heard it helps to over inflate the rear tire by a pound or two. Ironically the slickest place I have found is a 4way stop a block from my house. I always take off in second from it.

It always scares the crap out of me because of the oil/water mix and the so-very-little contact patch that's now lubricated by that mix. I usually slow down and downshift so I'm running at a higher RPM in order to keep the power to the rear wheel in hopes that keeps the wheel firmly planted. And, I tend to use way less front brake, a lot more engine braking and avoid the center of the lane like the plague.

The main tricks are to slow down some, (not so much as to put yourself in even more danger) and do everything as gently as possible. Oh, and hold your breath a lot. Try not to scare the pee out of yourself because that just makes the rear tire even wetter.

If possible try to avoid riding during the first half-hour of the rainstorm. Much of the oils and such that have built up on the road will be washed away by then.

I was lucky (?) enough to have the second day of my MSF course in the rain. Helped me get over the fear of wet roads. Now I'm just afraid of leaves, and dirt, and gravel, and...

Avons are excellent in the rain. The problem isn't the bike sliding out from under you, it's the bike starting to squirm out and then catching traction again....
The best thing to do is take it easy, be familiar with the roads you travel, and know what to do if something bad starts to happen. Only problem there is you have to experience it to know how to react....

There is no technique for it. Keep the shiny side up and slow down a bit.

All of the above are good advise. I would only add one more. Try to stay away from painted white lines as they are like ice when wet.

All of the above. Don't forget to have good tread depth and try to avoid the deepest puddles and ponding. A hydroplaning front tire at speed for more than an instant could put you down. We don't have the luxury of a second front tire to hold us up until the other regains traction. The rear isn't as critical as the front because it rides mostly in the path cleared of water by the front.

Riding in the rain...

foward observation and smoothness through the first are the best techniques I can offer

Keep your eyes up front and slow down, slow down even more if you have an idea something my be going on in front of you..

Triumph's came from England, the land of constant rain!!
The bikes designed for it

Stay as close to 90 degrees as you can on corners. Never brake on a corner... use the back brake more than usual. Extra braking distance. Avoid leaves, white lines, sewer covers. Walls :P

I just take it easy... make a point of going out on your bike in the rain to practice. A week of wet weather riding will give you lots of confidence.

Stay safe.

Around here the rains tend to wash out the soil in our alkaline desert. Poor drainaige is typical throughout southern Arizona so even a medium heavy rain can at times sends a short wash of water filled with desert soil and gravel across low washes in the roadways.

I ride in the dark morning and evening this time of winter and it rained last afternoon and evening. I just slow down and make every effort to not outride the headlight and look closely ahead for any patches of sand.

Being familiar with your typical route is a great help as well. I know in advance which washes might have some sand in them as a result of that rain so I just slow way down and err on the edge of extreme caution.

I find I need to keep a close watch in my mirrors though for cagers behind me who dont understand the vulnerability of two wheeled vehicles and sand patches. they will often be impatient and want to drive up your nether region.

Vigilance is the key word I think

White lines, white "X"'s at RR crossings, and around here at least, the big white arrows they paint on the roads at intersections. Intersections are bad also. Not only do you have to worry about tire traction, but boot traction when you come to a stop. It can get rather slickery at intersections...

If the sidewalk is under water, that puddle at the edge of the road is deep.
Stay toward the center unless you want to stand up to breathe.

Slow down. Ride with a sense of determination and remember, you are already hosed, so enjoy it.