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Riding in the Rain
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October 5, 2008 at 5:49 am #2201eonParticipant
So last night I got to ride in the rain for the first time and it was not fun, not fun at all. It had been raining here most of the day and it was still coming down when I left the house around 8pm. At that time of night it is pitch black here and I had to ride down an unlit 4 lane pseudo-interstate. With the water droplets on my visor everything was kind of blurry. I have a windshield on my bike which means there is not much wind on my helmet. I had to be going at least 40mph before there was any kind of downdraft getting the water off my visor and even then the rain was landing on it almost as as fast.
I know you are supposed to ride in the tracks of the cars (as they have removed some of the surface water) but it was so dark and my vision was so blurred I was having trouble seeing where my lane was. Did I mention this not fun?
And then I realized I had never thought about the possibilities of aquaplaning (I think you call it hydroplaning here) on a motorcycle. There certainly was enough standing water for that to be a possibility. I tried to keep my speed down to around 40mph but I had to balance that with getting a car up my ass so would creep up to around 50mph. All in all it was a butt clenching ride.
I know there are some more experienced riders on this forum so I wonder if there is any advice they can give on wet weather riding. At what speed does aquaplaning become likely? (From personal experience in a car it is not a real danger till around 50mph and then the risk increases dramatically). Is a bike any different? Any tips on keeping your visor clear?
On the plus side I did get to amaze my soccer team mates for riding in that weather. One of them is an ex-biker and he was duly impressed.
October 5, 2008 at 7:09 am #13319megaspazParticipantNothing really keeps the visor clear, but using rain-x (something like that) will make it easier for the raindrops to bead up and slide off the visor, so it’s possible you won’t have to go that fast to get the wind to push the droplets off. Move head slightly to each side for a second each.
As for hydroplaning, the only suggestion i can think of is to take everything as slow as possible over slick surfaces and puddles. If you do hydroplane, i would think controlling the bike would be not much different than in a car. Don’t quote me on that yet.
Got to ride a whole lot in the rain today going to cyclegear’s gilroy grand opening and back on the lovely highway ( <-- sarcasm). I didn't have your butt clenching experience though. I've ridden in the wet a few times though and for me, it was no big deal except for cleaning my bike and my visor when I got home. I just did it so I haven't really thought about what bad things could've happened. I do know I consciously try to keep the bike as stable and as upright as possible. So as little inputs as possible and a lot of hanging off. —
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…October 5, 2008 at 1:15 pm #13324WeaponZeroParticipantActually, our MSF instructor told us that once youre hydroplaning on a bike there is no regaining control.
October 5, 2008 at 2:58 pm #13325MunchParticipantLots of rain riding here for me. For one… in my experiences thus far, its harder for a bike to hydroplane that it is for a car. I would not have recommended you to continue riding if you couldn’t see through your visor. I have a chemical call AquaPel on my visor which is basically Rain-x on steroids. That would of, should of been the time you pulled over to a gas station/store stc. and called a buddy to come get you. I have waited at convenience stores before in excess of 45 mins. waiting for the hard rain to stop. Lets face it, I have no windshield and even though my visor clean really well with the AquaPel….. Nickel sized rain drops at 60 mph it like having your kids throw rocks at ya.
The contact patch on motorcycles are so narrow to begin with, you generally still have 80% traction on wet roads (provided you waited the initial 10 minutes and stay left of center). Giving the “watershed” most (underline that ) MOST highways are graded with a slight dive from center to the right. This lets the excess water get off the road way and yup it carries the oils with it to. You are correct in trying to ride in the left track of the car ahead. That gets you into position for both being in the high side of the water shed and also increasing that 80% traction. Hydroplaning is lower of a concern for me then that “Puddle” you just didn’t see. 3 inches of water and even 35 mph tends to have the effect of a horse suddenly stopping on you. Leaves ya grabbing for handlebars on your way over.
Mind you I am speaking from riding in NC. Here you really have to have more concern for the cagers around you then you do your own hydroplaning chances, but all factors need to be at forefront of your mind. Multitasking at its best.
Suggestions. get that Rain-x, AguaPel on your windshield and your visor(s), if you can’t find either…oddly enough cut a potato in half and rub, then buff ( did I mention I was country?). Keep a phone with you if possible so if that downpour does start and does not seem to go away you can call a friend to come get you at anytime it becomes a “puckered” situation. NEVER , EVER ride in lightning. Yes your tires are rubber, but you have way more metal on the bike and it is nothing for the power of a lightning bolt to be able to jump the less then 6 inches of rubber to get to the ground. I know here recently I have read even 2 articles where motorcyclists were struck. Don’t be a moving target.Ok …I am done…I think
Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h
October 5, 2008 at 5:24 pm #13332eonParticipantThanks guys, I will go out today and get some RainX. I think I maybe overstated how bad things were on Friday night. It was just that my first real rain riding had to be in the dark and I know that that can be dangerous. I should mention I am from Scotland where it rains every other day (makes Seattle look good) so I have plenty experience driving in the rain. I think as I gain more experience in the wet I will be fine. Hope so as I’m going to get plenty experience in the next 4 months.
October 5, 2008 at 6:55 pm #13338RabParticipantI think you got the double whammy of riding in the rain as well as riding at night. Either will add more danger to the ride, so experiencing both was a baptism of fire
Rain-X or similar, yes, an absolute MUST in my opinion and an anti-fog agent for the inside. Also a rubber finger-wiper to slip-on over your gloved forefinger (just in case). Turning your head left and right now and again (while keeping eyes looking ahead) will also help a lot (depending on your windscreen).
Avoid painted lines, arrows, etc. (slippery), puddles (you don’t know how deep they are), metal plates and grates (very slippery).
The main thing in the wet is just to slow down, minimize lean in corners and dress appropriately for the weather (use bright colors too or a Hi-Viz vest).
Keep within the speed limits (an indicated 65 or less) and I don’t think you’ll have any problems with aquaplaning; I haven’t and I commute all year in NorCal.
LEAVE AT LEAST FOUR SECONDS STOPPING DISTANCE between you and the car in front (two seconds in the dry) as braking must be done a lot more gingerly in the wet.
The books say you should avoid the first half-hour of rain to allow the accumulated oil and grease to run-off. Wet or dry, you should also avoid the center of the lanes as this is where it first accumulates.
Now, back to my Sunday Post and the Broons
October 5, 2008 at 7:39 pm #13342eonParticipantLOL…the Broons. Ah, those were the days….
October 5, 2008 at 11:52 pm #13350BenParticipanthmm… I think I would disagree with that, but my opinion is based completely on theory. It would seem if you started to hydroplane if you just kept going straight you are eventually going to hit pavement unless you are driving into a lake. As long as you don’t make any sudden moves or anything I think you should be alright. Although the only time I’ve hydroplaned was in a car.
Ben
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