Riding in Rain

ckcarr · ckcarr's Garage

Its drizzling a lot here today, so...

As a general rule do you all ride in the rain often? Its so rare here that I wonder how you handle it?

I don't mean when you are caught in it and have no choice, but starting the initial ride.

A few years ago in Colorado I wouldn't even think - just ride anyway, but in the desert I am not used to it anymore.

So, another poll!

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

being in SoCal, we only get rain in wholesale quantities, and not very often at that.

but.....it sure is fun to go out and play in it.

besides, under all those clothes....aren't you waterproof anyway?

........brad

ckcarr · ckcarr's Garage

Maybe in my old age I'm more worried about sliding off the road or worse. Or visability, or how the dynamic changes with the other drivers out there. I would think it would affect your though process about a ride. Thats all.

Rhetor · 05-29-2004, 08:40 AM

I bought my R1 specifically to ride in the rain. Here in Portland, OR if you don't ride in the rain, you don't ride. If you ride in the rain every day it becomes second nature--put on the rain gear and go.

Skippy · 05-29-2004, 10:09 AM

Riding in the rain is fine as long as you have a helmet with a visor that's treaded against fogging up.For the rest use your commen sence and try to ride smooth don't try to outbreak people deep in a corner before trying to get your knee down.If the rain comes after a long dry period the tarmac roads will be a lot more slippery because all the dirt and grease that's inbedded in the road will come out floating on top of the water.If it rains very often the only first 10 minutes of so will be critical concerning the dirt and grease coming up out of the tarmac after that you only loose 10 or 20 % of grip wich is no problem if you ride normal.If you have ABS braking is no different then normal but without it you might wanna be a bit more carefull.The only thing I hate about rain is the cleaning of the bike afterwards because even after 5 minutes of rain my bike looks a complete mess.If I wouldn't go out riding my bike every time it rains here in the Netherlands you'll wouldn't get anywhere.

badger · 05-29-2004, 10:46 AM

Depends. If it's heavy rain and I'm headed to work, then I take the truck. I hate putting on wet, cold leathers to go home at the end of a day. Rain suit only does so much. (At least the ones I've used) I don't care if it rains on the trip home though.

Five O · 05-29-2004, 11:35 AM

As a general rule I ride in the rain almost every time I ride in Colorado since we have those mountain thundershowers in the summer. But if the weather map says rain everywhere I going to ride for the day, then I'll only ride in it if I'm on an extended trip.

Micky Motor · 05-29-2004, 01:58 PM

I love to ride in the rain. Recently there was a few days of torrential rain and really strong winds, and I couldn't wait to get out there and go for it. It makes things really exciting. With good wet weather gear and tyres it's a blast. I voted #1.

Micky

island_dude · 05-29-2004, 02:03 PM

I generally try to avoid it. My gear is very comfortable even in heavy rain. I try to really turn up the gain on my awareness. The drop in traction and visibility can be enough to make an avoidable situation unavoidable so it pays to be alert.

Mr. Deltoid · 05-29-2004, 02:25 PM

I'm with Micky on this one.Nothing like exiting a corner in second gear and feeling the rear tire drift so nicely!Kinda makes me feel like Nicky Hayden(in my dreams..)Riding in the rain requires one to REALLY understand traction, especially braking.Fair weather riders are usually the ones that go down when that unexpected rain appears.Another advantage- Bums like me can finally scrape those petrified bug carcasses off the bike after a good rain ride

RoundelRider · 05-29-2004, 06:58 PM

I dont have a problem riding in the rain. Unless its a extended trip I wont leave the house if its wet. If its rains while im out then so be it. I like riding in the rain, but boy do I hate the clean-up afterwards!

John

twobmws2003 · 05-29-2004, 07:42 PM

Here in NYC riding in the rain is really a challenge. First of all all other drivers get dumbstruck when it rains. They become real obstacles and think that they are on the road by themselves. Then because of bad drainage may highways and byways become flooded, a real blast to ride through at 50 on the FDR. Then on the streets you have the oil, the potholes and the manhole covers. Boy do we have manhole covers here and they love putting them, you guessed it, IN THE APEX OF EVERY TURN! But once you get used to your front tyre sliding out a little bit once in a while you don't even notice the rain anymore. Wet weather gear is a must. Last year in may it rained 25 days and June had about 20. Yesterday I forgot one of the snaps open on my rainsuit and my whole belly was wet underneath and there was nothing I could do about it since I was on the highway. I just try to keep it smooth.

Moybin · 05-29-2004, 08:12 PM

Acquiantence of mine took his K1200RS into NYC a couple of years back, and had nothing to say except how big and numerous the potholes were and how the only BMWs he saw were R11xxGSs!

Urban combat! or;

Tell us again why NYC is such a great place to live.

twobmws2003 · 05-29-2004, 08:57 PM

My daily driver in NYC urban combat is a GS! Now a 2004 ADV. This way my only concern is "Can I fit through there?"

NYC has a certain rythm that you hate and love at the same time and if your'e going to live in a city then why not live in the mother of all cities!

BMWRider · 05-29-2004, 09:19 PM

i agree with roundelrider...cleaning the bike after riding in the rain is the worst...it is unbelievable hwo the rain can get dirt and grime in every nook and cranny...

RBMann · 05-29-2004, 10:36 PM

I don't like to pay for parking so I ride to work year round. The thing that bugs me about rain in Seattle is the studed car tires wear away the cement and only leave the slick stone aggregate on the freeways. Fun and easy to spin up the rear tire but no stopping traction. How about dirt and rain?

RB

twobmws2003 · 05-30-2004, 04:18 AM

They call it traction management. Just read in BMW ON that clean wet pavement has about 80% of the traction of clean dry pavement.
RBMann is that place real dusty when dry? Does it clog up your filter? What do you do for it.
Also do brake pads wear out faster in rain?

Moybin · 05-30-2004, 09:40 AM

twobmws2003:

I would expect dry conditions to actually wear out brake pads faster. Water is a "lubricant" which is why it hampers braking. It also rinses clean your brake pads when driving.

A case in point: the highways in eastern Oregon are paved with red lava aggregate, and has a characteristic red color. The dust from this stuff is very, very abrasive, and will eat up pads and shoes in about 1/3rd the time (or less). On the western side of the Cascade mountains you have 80-100 inch/year rainfalls and brakes wear out at the average pace.

JoeM · 05-30-2004, 09:43 AM

Well, like it's been said earlier, not much rain in So. Cal. But I don't even think twice about riding in the rain. Beats sitting in traffic. But I still have to watch out for the numbnuts who think driving in the rain is the same as riding on a sunny day.

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

yea, and in so cal, we get lots of "wiggle room" because the cops often assume you don't know what you're doing either, so if they DO want a road-side consult because your back tire was swinging around, you can fall back on the old "OMG, did you see that? I was SOOOO scared!"

i've always found rain to be a good practice opportunity too. i've seen guys toss it away just because the front wheel locked and slid a little. i like to practice that in the rain, so i'm not so quick to abandon ship when it happens in the dry.

same with the rear sliding and getting tail happy. my toy seems to enjoy backing it into some corners..wet or dry...and it's a lot easier to practice in the wet. a little tap, a little hip action...and it's there.

.......brad