Any tips for riding in rain?

[solow]

The other day i got caught in the rain for the first time and was very freaked out. Tried to stay in the tire track of the car in front off me but other then that just tucked in behind wind screen and held on. I know best thing is to not ride in the rain, but does anyone have any tips if you have to ride in the rain?

[issanni]

slow down and be smooth........riding in the rain is no big deal

[Duck84]

slow down and be smooth........riding in the rain is no big deal

+1 on that

i've ride on rain many times and i was ok.....but last sunday....it was misty and foggy...and i ate it...so just be carefull and very very smooth....and dont let go off the throttle while taking a curve on leaning:thumb:

[joebigfish1]

i don't have a car i ride in all weathers its all the same to me
rain rides just slow down and take it easy

[solow]

slow down,true. I was on i45 and cars past me at 70mph when i was around 50mph. So felt very vulnerable cause didn't have the ability to be very maneuverable for fear of laying it down on the freeway.

[joebigfish1]

freeway speeds thats not a problem stopping and turning is when you need to slow down

[Squeaky]

All of your inputs need to be thought out when you ride on slick pavement - be it loose dirt/gravel, rain, snow, etc. It's no different driving a car, but you have the luxury of not tipping over when you've got four wheels underneath you.

If you normally start apply the brakes 100 yards before a signal, make it 150-200 in the rain. If you find that you've finished your braking early you can coast to the line but if you don't start early enough and run out of room, you have little (or no) traction left to rely on getting you stopped.

Also - most people worry about the bike in motion and forget about things like putting your feet down. In the wet, I throw my legs down early and make sure I've gotten a good grip on the pavement before the weight of the bike needs to rest on my feet/legs.

[Warpbender]

Good words!^^^
I am so careful not to ride in the center of any lane simply due to the oil stain....
wet or dry!
Don't forget when stopping at a light not to stop in the oil spot or step in it!
Be smooth and careful, if you have time - pull over and wait.
Remember sh1t rolls down hill so stay on top of the crown of the road not to the far right where all the oil has washed off to.

[t.dubya]

Rain is no problem....just follow the advice above ie be smooth, avoid center of lane and.....

Think about the rain and the situation before you get on the road. There are some things you need to know about how rain affects conditions.

If there has been lots of rain recently then the roads have likely been washed well and traction should be pretty good. If there has not been much rain recently and the road is just starting to get wet all the oil on the road is brought to the surface creating a very slick road.

Think about the conditions and what its affect is.

I also used to get a feel for the traction by dragging my boots (on the soles) on the road while riding slowly (10-15mph).

[Steve O Chap]

One thing I noticed was that you said you tucked in behind the windscreen. If you don't normally ride like that when it's dry (why on earth would you?) then I would highly recommend you don't do that when it's wet. You're on a bike... you're gonna get wet no matter what, haha. So it's best to ride in a manner that you're familiar with and one that will allow you to make quick and smooth inputs. Remember, keep your arms loose and elbows bent... lots of riders have a tendancy to get tense in poor weather!

[witchdoctor575]

easy on the throttle and easy on the brake. Be especially careful when it first starts to rain because oil and shite is still on the road. Be wary of the painted stripes at stop lights and intersection...they tend to get slick. +1 on the your gonna get wet post...don't worry about it...you won't melt. Look left and right to clear the rain off your visor...the wind wisks it away. turn your high beam on and avoid standing water ... hydroplaning is a bitch.

[Guitar Man]

Just don't be in a hurry for any reason. If you are going somewhere make sure you have time. If you are running late take the cage.

[CLETUS]

Riding in the rain is a lot like riding a Harley, you can't lean...

J/K

[Cherub]

IM SURE EVERYONE HAS SAID IT BUT ILL SAY IT AGAIN "SLOW DOWN"

[Jayabusa]

All that stuff that's already been said AND watch out for the udders (and I don't mean cows).

Dem darned four-wheelers lose their fricken minds even more in inclement weather (ya seent 'em in good weather). They only get worser.

Ya did send this message so's I guess yer doin' pretty good.

Just keep on keepin' the shiny side up...

[Diablomann]

slow down and be smooth........riding in the rain is no big deal

Nobody likes to deal with it but it happens...

No fun in traffic...:eek3:

[wever411]

so do you guys usually ride to the left/right of the center line in the rain? last time i rode on the freeway in the rain, i did that but noticed that water was accumulating there since it was lower. I felt the bike about to lose traction a couple times, so i rode in the center the rest of the way home.

[Faylaricia]

Don't use the rear brake abruptly while coming to a stop light with a very oily surface in the first 5 min of a downpour... no matter how slow you coasted up to it. It will make your rear end slide from under you.

That was the last time I used the rear in the rain, you bet. :/:

[Angamico]

Buy some Plexus and apply it to your face shield daily so the water beads up. Your vision gets horrible in light spray, especially at night with oncoming traffic.

[texlurch]

so do you guys usually ride to the left/right of the center line in the rain? last time i rode on the freeway in the rain, i did that but noticed that water was accumulating there since it was lower. I felt the bike about to lose traction a couple times, so i rode in the center the rest of the way home.

All the oil tends to come up the first 5 min or so of rain; after that the center isn't so bad.

Or you can ride way to the side of the lane, close to the lane markings.

As long as your tires are in good shape, rain isn't a big deal. I don't slow down much, just try to keep the bike more upright in the turns/ hang off more. Smooth braking and throttle, don't be afraid to use the front brakes, just leave a little more stopping room.

RELAX and don't gip the bars hard... stay loose not tense.

[wever411]

All the oil tends to come up the first 5 min or so of rain; after that the center isn't so bad.

Or you can ride way to the side of the lane, close to the lane markings.

As long as your tires are in good shape, rain isn't a big deal. I don't slow down much, just try to keep the bike more upright in the turns/ hang off more. Smooth braking and throttle, don't be afraid to use the front brakes, just leave a little more stopping room.

RELAX and don't gip the bars hard... stay loose not tense.
that's what I was thinking about the center, the only time i've noticed the center of a lane being bad is at stop lights.

[BlackWidow]

Don't use the rear brake abruptly while coming to a stop light with a very oily surface in the first 5 min of a downpour... no matter how slow you coasted up to it. It will make your rear end slide from under you.

That was the last time I used the rear in the rain, you bet. :/:

But if learnt properly - it can be alot of fun!

I love using it in the rain to come to a sliding stop, without scrubing rubber off my rear tire (like in the rain).

On a good day, i'll slide it over a good 40-50 years...:keke:



To the intial poster - if you wanna really learn how to ride in the rain and get your confidence up, do a "rain" track day. Wait and check the weather b4 every track day, a day before when the weather says more then 50% chance - quickly sign up. You'll get an empty track and learn lots! Oh did i say you'll be very likely to get lotsa one on one with an instructor! Coz the track will be empty? :keke:

[jimmy"zx6]

But if learnt properly - it can be alot of fun!

I love using it in the rain to come to a sliding stop, without scrubing rubber off my rear tire (like in the rain).

On a good day, i'll slide it over a good 40-50 years...:keke:



To the intial poster - if you wanna really learn how to ride in the rain and get your confidence up, do a "rain" track day. Wait and check the weather b4 every track day, a day before when the weather says more then 50% chance - quickly sign up. You'll get an empty track and learn lots! Oh did i say you'll be very likely to get lotsa one on one with an instructor! Coz the track will be empty? :keke:

and make sure to take a bike you dont care to drop cuz the chances of crashing are 75% higher than when its dry:thumb:

[BlackWidow]

and make sure to take a bike you dont care to drop cuz the chances of crashing are 75% higher than when its dry:thumb:

Where did you get that stat jimmy? :eek3:

Ask your self this question:

"Have I crashed more in the dry or in the rain?"

[rob78]

Where did you get that stat jimmy? :eek3:

Ask your self this question:

"Have I crashed more in the dry or in the rain?"

most people not everyone moe :thumb:

[jimmy"zx6]

Where did you get that stat jimmy? :eek3:

Ask your self this question:

"Have I crashed more in the dry or in the rain?"

i havent crash in the rain you know why cuz i dont ride when it rains:keke:

[lilmckee]

i havent crash in the rain you know why cuz i dont ride when it rains:keke:

ya your normally hiding under a bridge

[rob78]

ya your normally hiding under a bridge

:topsecret: :nod: :thumb: :D

[FlipSideUp]

I noticed in one of your posts, you said you were doing 50 while the cagers were doing 70+. Be careful not to go too slow, but if you want to go slower, try not to be more than 10mph slower than traffic. The slower your speed, the faster they come up on you, and the less their reaction time. Your visibility is only your tail light. Wear a yellow or orange vest when riding in adverse conditions.

[solow]

Thanks to all for the info. Much help for a new rider.

[GsxrStar]

close your eyes and pray

[TooBuku]

power wheelies over clutching up a wheelie

[PoPoRiderRR]

go slow!!!

[Mr. Unassailable]

when wheelie'n in the rain be alittle slower on the clutch or the tires will spin :thumb:

might not be the best info, but its all i got for ya :rofl:

[Yamaha Dave]

test

[BlackWidow]

The other day i got caught in the rain for the first time and was very freaked out. Tried to stay in the tire track of the car in front off me but other then that just tucked in behind wind screen and held on. I know best thing is to not ride in the rain, but does anyone have any tips if you have to ride in the rain?

Your on an R6 - the best handling 600cc out there IMO.

Just do the following:

For Street -
Breathe, Trust your tires, avoid paint on the road, keep your weight on the center of your bike in turns - avoid the hanging off or knee draggin.

For Track -
Do all of the above, in addition to :
Lower tire pressure fr/rr, stay as low on the bike as possible (emphasis on weight staying in center) through out the whole track, in corners where as you would usually dive forward, stay in center and stretch your knee in a manner where its exactly perpendicular to the bike (meaning knee cap pointed like this from your body ( - | ).

If you've never done any of the following, check the weather reports - when you know its going to rain sign up for a track day and come look for me. :thumb:

[R6Spartan]

The other day i got caught in the rain for the first time and was very freaked out. Tried to stay in the tire track of the car in front off me but other then that just tucked in behind wind screen and held on. I know best thing is to not ride in the rain, but does anyone have any tips if you have to ride in the rain?

Man the same stuff happend to me last sunday!! and I could feel like the bike was sliding on me and I have pretty good tires

[Jay]

ive been caught many a time........

[GSXR FTW]

The other day i got caught in the rain for the first time and was very freaked out. Tried to stay in the tire track of the car in front off me but other then that just tucked in behind wind screen and held on. I know best thing is to not ride in the rain, but does anyone have any tips if you have to ride in the rain?

Dont wreck..... #1 tip!

[GAU-8]

trust your tires.

trust your input.

trust your instinct.

know the road surface, and the constant rate it changes from one side of town to another.

allow PLENTY of space with the car in front of you.

do not hit the "cats eye" lane dividers. if you do, relax, but maintain even pressure and just absorb the bump. time it so you go in between the lane markers.

RIDING IN FOG??? if you have NO access to a car, and it is hella foggy out. TAKE EXTREME CAUTION. fog is amazingly deceiving with distance and speed. what you think is a brake light 100/200 ft away...quickly turns that its actually an APPLIED brake light only 40/80 feet away. if its that bad, i constantly hit my front brake light every few seconds. nothing to actually brake, but at least get the light to flash. DO NOT use your highbeams, this makes it worse, and actually reflects back a lot of the light source back to you.(and again can be deceiving)

if you MUST, dont pull over to the side of the road. find the closest parking lot, and pull in there. then call work , and let them know you will be late. to many cars have almost taken myself, or friends out because a single light in the road, makes it hard for drivers to know 1. that its a bike, rather than a car with missing tail light (which they will ASSUME). 2. since its a "car", they may swerve, to the direction they think is outside of your "car" direction pointed..thus placing a front bumper right at you when its too late. (i hope that makes sense)

above all, dont panic. use common sense, and be easy with all control inputs.

[Romeo36]

holy old ****ing thread batman

[GAU-8]

figured it could use a bump

im sure others need some rain riding info as of late :)

[Guitar Man]

Good comment on the fog. It can be decieving at times.

[Bevo]

Buy a bike with ABS :D