[smokeizfire]

Thanks to all the vets out there who are not shunning us newbs for living in the land of green-dom. Thanks to this web site I received great information on making my decision on purchasing a bike. However, I seek more information from my journeyman counterparts.
1. Any great tips for riding at night on the street and highways?
2. Any tips on riding in the rain?

[megaspaz]

for 1 and 2:

Slow down.
Be more paranoid.
Use a clear visor if using a full face helmet.

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[BoOZe P-ti Motard]

1. do not look at car’s headlights but in front of you or to your right… we have the advantage to see things drivers don’t, as their beams lightens the road… drive safe, no xtreme leans or whatever..lol
2. put more weight to the front, weigh on the bars and grip tank hard with knee.. go cooly in turns…use your senses…and spot for oils or kerosene traces on the road…

UPDATE:
during rainy days, make sure you increase both tyres’ pressure… this works wonderfully!!! and stay around 30-40 mph.. no. squeezy squeezz throttle!! ey…

BoOZe
Solomolo Rider

[BoOZe P-ti Motard]

but if you see a drunk driver, camouflage your reflective parts ‘coz he gana charge at ye lika bull with chilly paste in di @$$…

(i was 3 seconds riding at the rear of a car.. the driver apparently seemed drunk.. yeah he was practicing serpentine motion at night… i had reflective stickers on my bike, helmet jacket and bag… so i decided to overtake him since there were no incoming and oncoming traffic so i horned, flashed high beam thrice and waited for a response.. he started to ride coolly on his side… i started operation overtake and i just wanted to have a glance inside as i passed by him.. and guess what he did or was his action when he saw me?… yeah.. ‘the bike goes where your eyes are set’…same applies for car..ey! )

hey this is a joking post but the situation which happened to me is true.. always be visible..ride safe…

BoOZe
Solomolo Rider

[smokeizfire]

…how can I thank ya’ll.

[Andrew]

Does it matter which Rain-X you use on your visor? I saw a few in the store and most of them said “glass only” on them.

[Rab]

Yes, that glass-only warning put me off initally too, but it also says that using it on plastic is okay if the manufacturer says it is.

I have an HJC helmet and they say that Rain-X is okay. From the HJC web site:

~~~~~~~
Anti-Fog Inserts: After market anti-fog inserts such as Fog City and HJTech Anti-Fog can work very well with HJC flat (2D) shields. These inserts are not recommended for use with standard HJC 3 dimensional (3D) shields due to their double curvature shape which could cause a distortion in vision. Follow the installation instructions diligently.

Rain-X & Other Products: Applying RainX or other water dispersing type chemicals work well on HJC shields (except RST mirrored shields) if applied on new shields and if the chemical companies directions are followed diligently. Always use extremely soft and clean cloths for applications.
~~~~~~~

BTW: It works just fine on “old” shields’ (visors) too.

Check your helmet manufacturer’s web site FAQ or shoot them an email if Rain-X is not referenced.

Mine is a yellow 3.5 fluid oz. bottle called “Rain-X Original”.

I re-apply it after every rain-soaking; ‘ don’t know if I need to, but a small bottle goes a long way, so why not do it and be prepared.

[Rab]

Night:

1. Try to avoid riding at all at night. If you must, avoid unlit roads, as motorcycle headlights are typically poor (especially the ones on beginner bikes) and our (typically single) tail lights, don’t show much of a presence to following car drivers.

2. Wear brightly colored gear w/ reflective piping or tape. You can buy reflective tape and sticker sets. It makes a big difference.

3. Be especially alert for drunk drivers.

4. Slow down.

Rain:

1. Slow down, especially going round corners and bends (minimize lean) and don’t make sudden moves (swerves). Also, tires can hydroplane at speeds above ~60 m.p.h.

2. Wear brightly colored, appropriate rain gear (again with reflective piping or tape) and gore-tex (or similar) lined boots/gloves.

3. Avoid riding during the first 30 minutes of rain as the oil and grease rise to the surface then (before being washed away).

4. Watch out for “dry” or rainbow colored patches of road (oil or fluid spills). Avoid puddles (you don’t know how deep they are). Avoid the painted lines, arrows, words, etc. on the road (they’re slippery). Avoid metal plates and don’t brake on them (they’re slippery too).

5. Use an anti-fog treatment on inside of your visor and Rain-X on the outside.

6. Apply the brakes gingerly and double your two second stopping distance (between you and the car in front) to four seconds.

Buy some books like “Proficient Motorcycling” or borrow them from your local library. Check online, many libraries are computerized these days and are part of a network of libraries. They might be able to get you a copy from another library if they don’t have it. Check Amazon, eBay or Half.com for bargains in used books.

[Author]

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