Rain tires?
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 557
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Rain tires?
Are there such a thing as rain tires for our bikes? In S.F. Calif here all the intersections have epoxy coatings which means if you take more than a 20 degree turn in the rain you are having asphalt for lunch.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: Rain tires?
The Dunlops that come with the bike are designed to channel water away from the tire where it meets the highway. I know of no specific rain tire. So far the Dunlops have worked well, but I don't recall being subjected to the conditions you are talking about.
Regards,
Bill
Regards,
Bill
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 7
From: Clermont, GA, CSA
RE: Rain tires?
I read an article in a bike magazine about tires. I forget which mag, sorry.
The article stated motorcycle tires maintain 90% of their traction on wet pavement. That's wet pavement, NOT wet painted road surfaces or standing puddles of water. The article said the design of motorcycle tires, including the softness for better traction, allowed the tires to grip a wet road better than car tires. That's one of the reasons motorcycle tires don't get anywhere close to car tires in mileage.
1. Try not to stop on painted surfaces. Yes, this means your feet too!
2. Ride in the 'tire tracks' of other vehicles. Especially at intersections where car grease and oil coat the center of the lanes.
3. Ride slower in the rain.
The article stated motorcycle tires maintain 90% of their traction on wet pavement. That's wet pavement, NOT wet painted road surfaces or standing puddles of water. The article said the design of motorcycle tires, including the softness for better traction, allowed the tires to grip a wet road better than car tires. That's one of the reasons motorcycle tires don't get anywhere close to car tires in mileage.
1. Try not to stop on painted surfaces. Yes, this means your feet too!
2. Ride in the 'tire tracks' of other vehicles. Especially at intersections where car grease and oil coat the center of the lanes.
3. Ride slower in the rain.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
RE: Rain tires?
ORIGINAL: SportyReb
I read an article in a bike magazine about tires. I forget which mag, sorry.
The article stated motorcycle tires maintain 90% of their traction on wet pavement. That's wet pavement, NOT wet painted road surfaces or standing puddles of water. The article said the design of motorcycle tires, including the softness for better traction, allowed the tires to grip a wet road better than car tires. That's one of the reasons motorcycle tires don't get anywhere close to car tires in mileage.
1. Try not to stop on painted surfaces. Yes, this means your feet too!
2. Ride in the 'tire tracks' of other vehicles. Especially at intersections where car grease and oil coat the center of the lanes.
3. Ride slower in the rain.
I read an article in a bike magazine about tires. I forget which mag, sorry.
The article stated motorcycle tires maintain 90% of their traction on wet pavement. That's wet pavement, NOT wet painted road surfaces or standing puddles of water. The article said the design of motorcycle tires, including the softness for better traction, allowed the tires to grip a wet road better than car tires. That's one of the reasons motorcycle tires don't get anywhere close to car tires in mileage.
1. Try not to stop on painted surfaces. Yes, this means your feet too!
2. Ride in the 'tire tracks' of other vehicles. Especially at intersections where car grease and oil coat the center of the lanes.
3. Ride slower in the rain.
I just so had to agree [sm=exactly.gif]
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 521
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, IN
RE: Rain tires?
I haven't been caught in the rain for so many years, I think I am afraid to even think about it.My rain skills currently do not exist. I better call a tow truck to come get me if / when it happens. lol
I remember when I was younger (with my 2nd bike) I slid through a stop sign, through the T intersection, over the curb, up into the wet grass, almost hit a tree, fish tailed it around for awhilein the wet grass until I got it almost stopped (like walking speed) and thendumped it. Whooops.....couldof been alot worse.....like a car or that tree
I remember when I was younger (with my 2nd bike) I slid through a stop sign, through the T intersection, over the curb, up into the wet grass, almost hit a tree, fish tailed it around for awhilein the wet grass until I got it almost stopped (like walking speed) and thendumped it. Whooops.....couldof been alot worse.....like a car or that tree
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
RE: Rain tires?
It's not the rain I mind...it's the cagers who's limited visibility is even lower due to the rain, and the slick pavement makes it harder for you (and the cagers) to evade each other.
And some cagers drive all the faster and more dangerously...I guess their logic being wet roads are dangerous so gottaget home as fast as possible...
And some cagers drive all the faster and more dangerously...I guess their logic being wet roads are dangerous so gottaget home as fast as possible...
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: Rain tires?
I do a lot ofmiles in the rain, and haverun the stock Dunlops on all my Harley's for years...
Summer, winter, dry, wet, they seem to handle it all.
They also have a tread compound that has a very good compromise for both long tread life and excellent traction.
Sure, you can purchase tires that are designed for specific road conditions, but after running Dunlop's for many hundred thousand miles I've found them to be a great "all around" tire.
I can't see any reason to use anything else.
Summer, winter, dry, wet, they seem to handle it all.
They also have a tread compound that has a very good compromise for both long tread life and excellent traction.
Sure, you can purchase tires that are designed for specific road conditions, but after running Dunlop's for many hundred thousand miles I've found them to be a great "all around" tire.
I can't see any reason to use anything else.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 0
From: Gahanna, OH
RE: Rain tires?
I don't know about the epoxy coating, but I make a point to avoid stopping on the painted areas at intersections. Seems you have only a fraction of the traction. I did put Metz ME880 on the rear and notice much better wet traction on asphalt.
I do not lean in curves much in the rain though.
I do not lean in curves much in the rain though.
