Riding in the rain - suggestions and advice?

[dungeekin]

Morning all

So this morning was my first time on the Marauder in the rain - in fact the first time on a bike in the rain for 20 years!

While I made it safe and sound, it certainly opened my eyes to the increased risks when the road's wet, so I thought I'd ask some questions.

I found that because the myriad of painted signs on the road were slippery, and also because there's a slighly raised strip of slippery tarmac right where I should be if I'm in (what my instructor called) The Command Position, I was moving about a lot more trying to avoid these potential hazards.

Is that the best thing to do, or can you experienced bikers offer any better recommendations?

Cheers

Neil

[indie]

nice and smooth, little kinder with the throttle and the brakes, keep an eye on the traffic infront, if you want to push it youll be suprised at just how far you can go in the wet before the bike slips, one good thing about riding in the wet, u can see more of the crap on our great roads, lol

[Rerb]

As your instructor said, just pick your route through a more carefully trying to avoid anything with lesser grip (stainless steel blocks on crossings are bad too).

I can't relax in the wet and that's after 20 odd years.

The other one to watch for is the first ten minutes of a downpour after a prolonged dry spell, until the rain has washed all the crap that's been sitting there for a while. It's lethal.

[Bill CBF1000]

as above plus watch out even more for cagers - drive like bloody lunatics and as the stopping distance doubles at least, the gap between them and you halves and its another excuse for "sorry mate, didnt see you".

nasty one I find it the seams between the two peices of tarmac that is pure tar - all the way down the middle of lane 2, M62 between jcn 7 and 8 - its like ice, only slippier

[dungeekin]

Thanks for all the advice - yet more to keep in mind!

Bill, you're absolutely right about the seams of tar - the one on my stretch is, of course, along the fastest stretch of road I use on my commute. It's bad enough with cagers doing 90+ down there, without worrying about slippy bits as well!

[Singh600RR]

Originally Posted by Rerb

...the other one to watch for is the first ten minutes of a downpour after a prolonged dry spell, until the rain has washed all the crap that's been sitting there for a while. It's lethal.

Spot on Rerb!

Just be easier on throttle and brakes.

I do move about in my lane to avoid painted markings and puddles. As long as your vigilant.

[Manky Cat]

Hiya pal, be aware of Drain Cover's as these can be especially hazardous in the rain. Don't be in a rush, leave extra time for your journey. Generally people won't see you as their windows get misted up, keep plenty of distance between you and the car in front as you will slide on a lovely mixture of water and oil, keep to the speed limit and even under it, Don't get frustrated and try to wizz up the outside because as you say the raised bits are really slippery, just leave plenty of time for your journey. I hope this helps.

[Bill CBF1000]

and .... when all else fails ...... the pavement makes a bloody good escape lane! better to be tried by twelve people than carried by six

[dungeekin]

Thanks for all the responses.....seems like my scaredy-cat approach is at least making sure I'm doing the right things!

Anyway, the sun's now out here in Oxfordshire, so with any luck I'll have a dry ride home.

Cheers

Neil

[rv-57-gaz]

Originally Posted by Rerb

As your instructor said, just pick your route through a more carefully trying to avoid anything with lesser grip (stainless steel blocks on crossings are bad too).

I can't relax in the wet and that's after 20 odd years.

The other one to watch for is the first ten minutes of a downpour after a prolonged dry spell, until the rain has washed all the crap that's been sitting there for a while. It's lethal.

Especially diesel. Rain makes it sit on the surface and turns it into an ice rink particularly on roundabouts.