Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

So I rode in the rain for the first time today.

It sucked.

I couldn't go fast, I was paranoid every time I needed to stop or take a corner. I was slow as.

Plus, I didn't wear my gear, which was pretty stupid, so I was really cold, and soaked right through. My visor kept fogging up, and even the damn drops of water on my visor were throwing me off.

I'll never do it again if it can be avoided.

But for when it can't be avoided, what are some tips from those more experienced when it comes to riding in the wet?

Like do I have to corner so damn slow, do you really have to watch your lean when cornering, or is it more about watching your braking? Is front braking better than rear braking, or use both, or what? What part of the road is best to stay on, left or right, higher or lower side? Any advice would be great.

Thanks.

Like do I have to corner so damn slow? - No, stop being a girl.
do you really have to watch your lean when cornering, or is it more about watching your braking? Braking, now stop being such a girl.
Is front braking better than rear braking, or use both, or what? Same as usual, stop being such a girl.
What part of the road is best to stay on? The top.
Any advice would be great. "Stop being a girl "

But seriously for a moment, ride just like you do in the dry but bring it down a notch. The tires will hold much further than you think they will. All the same rules still apply.

clay wrote:So I rode in the rain for the first time today.

It sucked.

I couldn't go fast, I was paranoid every time I needed to stop or take a corner. I was slow as.

Plus, I didn't wear my gear, which was pretty stupid, so I was really cold, and soaked right through. My visor kept fogging up, and even the damn drops of water on my visor were throwing me off.

I'll never do it again if it can be avoided.

But for when it can't be avoided, what are some tips from those more experienced when it comes to riding in the wet?

Like do I have to corner so damn slow, do you really have to watch your lean when cornering, or is it more about watching your braking? Is front braking better than rear braking, or use both, or what? What part of the road is best to stay on, left or right, higher or lower side? Any advice would be great.

Thanks.

When I got my licence through HART in Vic, my licence test day was in the rain. We practiced the previous day in the dry and were tested in the rain. It gave me such a better understanding of what you can and can't do in the wet.

You just have to be alittle more gentle on the gas, plan your braking and keep an eye out for the painted lines on the road.

Other than that, it's all pretty much the same. You will be surprised as to how far you can go in the wet.....but most of all enjoy!!

riding in the rain...........??
apart from the usual...wear wet gear, have a fogzone on the visor etc
the tip?
BE SMOOTH (brake, corner, tip in, accelerate...SMOOTHLY)


oh and have gloves that are waterproof (or wear latex inner)
nothing worse the cold and wet fingies...

Watch out for the shiny smooth polished from wear sections at some of the heavliy used intersections.
Thay are polished and collect oil from all the well maintained cars out there

Tar snakes can be a problem too, try to avoid them! remember soft hands and as others have said be smooth!


Neil

clay wrote:I'll never do it again if it can be avoided.

For a start that is the wrong attitude, so you got cought out in the rain....... I am sure 99.9% of riders have been so you are not alone with this one.
May I suggest carry some wet weather gear for just such ocasions & when it rains .....RIDE...... the more practice you get the more confident you will become, please dont sit at home like a girls blouse because it is raining, this is part of motorcycling that you have to live with

You should be able to go legal speed without a problem. When riding bigger bikes it may be wise to be smooth on the throttle. You may feel like you are actually leaning your bike when you are riding but if you have a look at some photos you will probably see that you should have a shopping basket strapped to the front. Have a look at some rideday photos and see the difference from the slower groups to the fast group. If riding in the rain with the proper gear on to keep you warm and dry you will still enjoy yourself. There is no need to be scared of a little water.

Don't let them bully you into riding in the wet and getting your bike all dirty

Lol!

Thanks for the responses guys.

I actually deliberately went riding in the rain today, to see how it is and so that when I do get caught in the rain, I've already experienced it.

I think the biggest deterrent was the comfort factor. Considering I didn't gear up for it, I was cold as and soaked right through. The fact that I was heaps nervous was probably second to my discomfort.

I was cornering really really slow, not leaning at all it was all handlebars. I'd gear down real early when I could see I'd have to stop and hardly use my brakes, which was probably not welcomed by the cars behind me as I had several up my ass today.

I'll take in what you've all said and be a better rider in the wet next time.

Those shiny sections of lines in the road, generally running in the same direction as the road, are a real pain. You can feel the loss of traction as you pass over them, same as the white lane lines.

clay wrote: I'll never do it again if it can be avoided.

I can't believe I'm going to say this, Hoffy's gonna be proud, but HTFU man.

With a few rain rides under your belt and the right gear you'll be fine.

I keep a pair of thin plastic pants under my seat in case I get caught out, works a treat!

seiko1 wrote:Don't let them bully you into riding in the wet and getting your bike all dirty

It does suck when your bike gets dirty. I hate washing the bike.
Also remember to oil the chain when you get home.

Oh I'm hard bra! I eat concrete for smoko and lunch, any more hardening and I'll be rock. Lol!

But seriously, I get what you're saying. I think I was over doing the whole nervous thing. Just heard stories of bad shit in the wet, but then again I've heard stories of bad shit when conditions are perfect too.

I don't have any chain lube, or oil for that matter. I went to MCAS today too, should've bought some more shit instead of just a tinted visor, anti fog thing and some hornees.

What's with the oiling of the chain anyway?

And my bikes been dirty for ages now, I'm real slack when it comes to that, the rain probably made it look cleaner.

The times I've ridden in the rain I've quite enjoyed it. Just take it carefully and be smooth. Wear the right gear or have a rain suit to put on when it starts coming down.

You have to lube your chain or it will go to shit, rust up & become useless..... it is relitively easy to do & will save you forking out early on a new chain & sprockets from lack of maintanence