7 bikes on Ride - 4 Go down
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 629
Likes: 3
From: Mission, Texas
Glad to hear everyone okay. My brother and I have been riding over 50 years each and we always fear the first little rain since that's the stuff that just mixes with the road grime and oil, but it's not enough water to actually wash it off the pavement. We enjoy riding in good rain storms, but not the light drizzle stuff. ABS will keep you straight if you actually had time to apply the brakes...won't ride without ABS. I also use only Michelins on my Ultra because they have great road grip imho; I use Metz radials on other bikes (BMWs). I don't make an issue of how quickly they wear out as long they grip the road.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,243
Likes: 3,267
From: west Michigan
New tires have mold release compound on them that needs to be scrubbed off. I do this by gradually taking corners harder and harder during my first ride on the new tires. This could also be done with a good soap and water scrubbing. On non-ABS bikes, I always "lead" with the rear brake before applying the front brake when riding on wet surfaces. This helps keep the rear end from coming around when the front brake is applied.
I'm glad that everyone was able to walk/ride away from the OP's wet road event. Lots of rain this year in Michigan.
I'm glad that everyone was able to walk/ride away from the OP's wet road event. Lots of rain this year in Michigan.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 112,202
Likes: 1,316
From: On a hill among the hills, PA
Glad you are all Ok!! Here in PA they like to tar and chip the aspalt road surface to increase the life of the road. Sometimes in the heat of summer that tar base comes to the surface and when you hit it in the rain you are in for a ride, just lie hitting ice! It is a nightmare for bikes and I wish the rocket scientist that came up with it would try something better!
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN (where else?)
Man, I'm so glad you guys are OK. I got off an exit from I 40, slowed down as normal approaching red light at end of exit ramp....felt my rear tire start to lose traction...saved it, until stop, when I put my foot down....the road was like wax...my foot went sliding, and bike went down....no damage, thanks to crash bar.
Oil slicks are a b___h.
Oil slicks are a b___h.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,341
Likes: 714
ive had that experiance turned out a garbage truck was leaking an undescribable greasey gooey mess that spread out in the rain. figuered it out when we all started to smell a stench on are clothes shortly after the big crash ,4 bikes all went down.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 112,202
Likes: 1,316
From: On a hill among the hills, PA
When I was 17, I had a bad expierence with a garbage truck leaking hydraulic fluid on dry pavement!!! I wouldn't want to run into that mixed with water!!!