Warning - Rain and new riders

[Linkex]

Just a heads up for all the new riders out there, from a new rider - if you haven't ridden in rain before, find an empty car park (which is wet) and practice stopping. Do not wait until you need to do your first emergency stop in the rain to try it.

I had no idea how easily a bike will skid when its wet. First time in the rain a couple of days ago, was leaving what I thought was plenty of distance, only doing about 20-30 (moving with traffic), guy slows and stops as normal at some lights and I thought I was gonna end up in his boot. I did manage to stop, but it made me realise how differently a bike behaves in the wet. The difference is much more marked than in a car.

 

[Barry Smalley]

You're skidding on the front tyre?

 

[Fireskull]

As confident as I am in the rain now my first hard braking in the wet saw me go down as a new rider!
Got to learn sometime

 

[Danm54]

Yea, no snatching that front brake!!

You can still brake pretty hard in the wet, you just have to apply the brakes gently rather than grabbing them and wonder why you're lying on your arse!

 

[ShakenNstirred]

do everything smoothly in the wet
braking, accelerating and direction changes
also be confident..

 

[Reppyboyo]

Honestly never managed the lock the front in rain.
Its pretty easy when you got the hang of it but then I went through my CBT and DAS in wet conditions.

 

[john_lickman]

Hi,

I used to be Chief Observer for East London Advanced Motorcyclists. We are a group that teach people how to ride better.

It sounds like you could have a number of possible problems here.

1. Your brake discs could be cold / wet and hence not as effective. The solution is to periodically apply gentle brake pressure to clear water of the discs. This problem can get much worse if your brake pads are worn.

2. You are not using the front brake in the wet!!! Believe it or not, I've come across riders who've been told to do this!

3. You are grabbing the brakes. The secret to braking hard, especially in the wet, is to allow the bike's weight to transfer onto the front tyre before you try and brake really hard. This give the front tyre time to bite into the road and ensure you have the grip you're going to need.

As has been said before, you need to practice progressive braking, applying steadily greater pressure to the to the brake lever. With practice, it is possible to pull stoppies in the wet - I've done it!

If you want to improve your riding skills, I strongly recommend joining an advanced rider group, the IAM and RoSPA both have links to such groups through their web sites.

 

[LeftfieldTilt]

Know that feeling - I fishtailed coming to a stop end of last year in the wet and near ended up in the back of a car.

Its all about being smooth

 

[john_lickman]

Know that feeling - I fishtailed coming to a stop end of last year in the wet and near ended up in the back of a car.

Its all about being smooth

If you're fishtailing, then that sounds like you're using too much rear brake. Just as in the dry, use your front brakes to do 80% of the stopping.

 

[Dano]

Did my entire 5 day direct access course in the rain, a lot of it torrential, I feel it made me a better rider lol

 

[Antipasti]

As a new rider (3weeks), I must admit I'm terrified of rain! I've no idea how much grip I have, meaning I'm taking roundabouts/corners like my grandma would. I guess this will only improve with experience.

 

[domthecondom]

there is a lot of grip even on my enduro tyres in the rain, but obviouslt don't push it stupidly.

The main thing to watch out for is Oil stains petrol stains and wet yellow/white lines on the road ohh don't take a country road full of moss.... i learned the hard way

 

[.one.]

Drain lids are my favourite in the wet

 

[Kaeo]

Ride in the snow this winter. The rain wont even bother you anymore.

 

[helpimcrap]

riding in the rain is cool - teaches you to be a smooth rider - a better rider. increases your awareness too makng you a safer rider.


snows cool too - can remember coming home from work in the snow! was a minefield and so tentative!
Can remember i got home.... then i went to park on the driveway... couldn't even get up the kerb entrance without the rear wheel spinning and stopping me going up the slope.... cue me backing off and launched myself towards the front door -12,000rpm to build up enough momentum to get up the slope onto the drive!

 

[Knubje]

The rain is an obvious one to be careful in. It's easy too, because most car drivers drive slower in the rain, generally more queues when it pours down, etc.

What you REALLY have to be careful of is when its been dry for a good few days and you get a small amount of rain just enough to bring out the oil and crap off the road that has been drying for a day or two. It can be very slippy and dangerous still, even though by all accounts it seems a decent time for a ride.

 

[gillywibble]

3. You are grabbing the brakes. The secret to braking hard, especially in the wet, is to allow the bike's weight to transfer onto the front tyre before you try and brake really hard. This give the front tyre time to bite into the road and ensure you have the grip you're going to need.

Indeed. Apply gentle pressure then squeeze.

 

[marc1024]

I just went into the town and back on my 1984 xl125 RC with fairly new off road tyres.To be honest i found it just like riding in the dry, the only thing i needed to watch was the paint on the road. I can actually get my bike to wheel spin very easily without a lot of throttle and lts say its not the most powerful thing lol! Cornering i dont know, i dont fly around. I like to get somewhere in one peice, but i do think if i went around a corner to fast with my tyres, id be in somebodys house in the matter of seconds assuming theres no car to hit.

also brakes on my bike, are not the best. im always 60% front 40% back(estimate) wet or dry and it never locks up.