"Pop Quiz Hotsot, what da u do"

[Ryan T]

"Pop Quiz Hotshot, what da u do"

On that initial onset of rain what do you do?

 

[Ghost Weim]

Still being a new rider, I always pay big-time attention to the weather and don't venture out for long rides in stuff that looks like it could be questionable.

On very short jaunts though, I have gotten caught and because I was so close to home just kept it careful.

Hate riding in rain though.

 

[bmccrary]

"If you dont ride in the ride, you dont ride at all."

If you are planning to ride longer trips. Pack the rain gear, always.

Slow up on the pace and watch for standing water. Have faith in your tires, and relax. Most street tires do suprisingly well in the wet conditions.

-bryan

 

[GastonJ]

\"If you dont ride in the ride, you dont ride at all.\"
-bryan

You mean "If you don't ride in the rain, you don't rise at all"? Same could be said by those who ride in the snow then

I ride carefully in the rain if I'm caught in it, but I don't look at the weather with the intention of going out on my bike when it's going to rain, for that I have a car.

 

[FZ1inNH]

My option isn't listed. It's "Stop, pull your rain suit out of the tail bag, put it on and keep riding."

Rainsuit... almost NEVER leave home without it. Here in New England, it can rain at any time for any duration. Always be prepared.

 

[GConn]

I usualy take a small break. If it doesn't stop raining I put my rainsuit on and carry on

 

[sideslider]

Well I ride in the rain very often... daily almost.

I don't mind too much as I have the gear and I try to be careful.

usually the only time I don't want to ride in the rain is when it has not rained for a while and it just starts or only rains a little.

The first hour or so of rain seems to be the worst, that's when all of the oils get washed up.

If you wait long enough or it rains hard enough the oils mostly wash away...

spay from cars is a pain but I have found that ducking down near the puig windscreen partially forces all the rain from your visor.

I do agree that my tires (dunlop qualifiers) do a lot better than I expected... but Im always aware that it is a fine balance.

now the fog... well that's a story for another thread.

 

[Hellgate]

I agree with FZ6inNH, stop, put on rain suit and keep riding.

During the track day yesterday, many riders said they had NEVER ridden in the rain before! I fell out of my leathers. I guess when the rain starts they call a cab???

 

[rsw81]

It really depends on the rain and the road conditions. If it's the first rain of the season, then I stop because all of the oil that has settled into the black top comes up and makes the road rediculously slick in California. After that, if it rains, I'll likely just ride really cautiously. In general though, I check the weather forecast the night before deciding to ride and try to avoid rain if possible.

 

[scottsst]

what I do is pull over in a spot with some cover and hang out for a while eat lunch have some coffee that kinda thing and let the roads get good and wet and hope the oil slick has been somewhat washed off then continue on and as always put on the rain suite

 

[Cloggy]

Well I commute and ride in all conditions except ice. In Holland there is always a good chance of rain. I totally agree with some of the other guys, just get on with it, but ride with caution.

 

[Nelly]

Re: "Pop Quiz Hotshot, what da u do"

On that initial onset of rain what do you do?

All of the above lol. It depends on the type of rain, how far I have to go etc.
A now have full textile trousers as well as jacket. I could go scuba diving in it and still be dry.
Importantly if you are wearing the right gear you will be more relaxed and focused. Thus be able to take care of the slippery crude when you are encountered with it.

Nelly

 

[wrightme43]

Grin real big in my helmet and have fun.
The other morning there was ice on my road from the rain the night before. That was exciting. Its like a big heavy dirt bike, with bald tires, and to much power.

Yes just like that.

If you ride in the rain you make sure your tires are good. There is whole different concept of worn out for a rain rider than a sunny dry rider. 1/32" over the tread wear indicator is worn out to me. 3/32" of tread depth, its just not worth it to me.

 

[ant_mb]

My option isn't listed. It's \"Stop, pull your rain suit out of the tail bag, put it on and keep riding.\"

Rainsuit... almost NEVER leave home without it. Here in New England, it can rain at any time for any duration. Always be prepared.

+1....

I love riding in the rain, and always carry my wet suit.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Well I ride in the rain very often... daily almost.

I don't mind too much as I have the gear and I try to be careful.

usually the only time I don't want to ride in the rain is when it has not rained for a while and it just starts or only rains a little.

The first hour or so of rain seems to be the worst, that's when all of the oils get washed up.

If you wait long enough or it rains hard enough the oils mostly wash away...

spay from cars is a pain but I have found that ducking down near the puig windscreen partially forces all the rain from your visor.

I do agree that my tires (dunlop qualifiers) do a lot better than I expected... but Im always aware that it is a fine balance.

now the fog... well that's a story for another thread.

I agree with Sideslider, after all he is from Oregon, where it rains a lot.

Being that my bike is my only ride, I have to ride if it's raining. Fortunately, it doesn't rain too often here in Vegas, but if it does, it's just like riding on ice because the oil and grease has not had a chance to wash away. As a matter of fact, it just rained for the past two days.

That being, my riding style changes dramatically, as I will only use my rear brakes if I use my brakes at all, downshift while rolling up on the throttle to ease my downshifting is my way of slowing down without sliding. Always try to be ahead of the traffic to eliminate the wash from the cars. And I will always throttle through intersections, even if's running a full red rather than trying to stop by braking hard. Reason being, if you try braking, you will end up going into a slide, and end up going thru the intersections anyway, so it's best just to go for it and hope no one's making a left hander at the last minute.

 

[ant_mb]

Vegas offers some great advice there. you can not ride "as usual" in the rain. I have spun up my rear countless times in the rain. Beware of man hole covers as well, they are like ice when wet.

 

[Aggietaco]

Where's the option for "It doesn't rain here"?

We're 15" down on the year, at about half of our yearly average. I think I had to take the truck 1 or 2 times in the past 2 months because of the weather.

 

[FZ1inNH]

Vegas offers some great advice there. you can not ride \"as usual\" in the rain. I have spun up my rear countless times in the rain. Beware of man hole covers as well, they are like ice when wet.

+1 again! And, stay off the painted lines, symbols, arrows, etc.... as much as possible. That's like an ice rink!

And Pete, the image of you falling out of your leathers was damned funny to a guy with an over-active imagination! :rof:

 

[sideshow_downs]

And Pete, the image of you falling out of your leathers was damned funny to a guy with an over-active imagination! :rof:

I had the same though and im still giggling a little

 

[steveindenmark]

It depends where you are and the weather. I rode from Belgium to Denmark, about 900km and it did not stop raining once. I just carried on but took it easy and stopped for plenty of breaks and to wring my leather gloves out. I bought waterproof covers for my gloves after that.

Sometimes I will find shelter under a tree for 10 minutes and let it pass if it is a heavy shower.Otherwise I carry my rainsuit in my boxes all the time.

Riding in the rain is no problem if you have the right gear and take it steady.

Steve