Baggers in rain
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 2
From: scurry, TX
Baggers in rain
I've been riding for a good amount of years, however admittedly, I have always been a fair weather rider. Weekends, or around town on nice days. I have had very little experience with rain.
A couple evenings ago, I went across town with g/f for a business dinner. The weather showed rain after midnight. The weatherman was wrong (imagine that). It was a downpour on the way home and needless to say, I was not prepared in regards to proper clothing or experience.
I was mostly on side streets and took it slow. On straightaways was no big deal, but turns and stopping really made me uncomfortable. Stopping wsan't bad until I felt the slickness under my boots. Turns were done with nearly no leaning and very little throttle...and wide. I know our bikes are very heavy and with 2 up made it even worse in my head.
I know that I was not safe in my riding skills and thankfully traffic was virtually non-existent so I had that luxury.
Any advice/experience that some of the wiser folks here can dish out to me? I would still be mostly a fair weather rider, but I'd like to figure out a way to be more comfortable for future events.
A couple evenings ago, I went across town with g/f for a business dinner. The weather showed rain after midnight. The weatherman was wrong (imagine that). It was a downpour on the way home and needless to say, I was not prepared in regards to proper clothing or experience.
I was mostly on side streets and took it slow. On straightaways was no big deal, but turns and stopping really made me uncomfortable. Stopping wsan't bad until I felt the slickness under my boots. Turns were done with nearly no leaning and very little throttle...and wide. I know our bikes are very heavy and with 2 up made it even worse in my head.
I know that I was not safe in my riding skills and thankfully traffic was virtually non-existent so I had that luxury.
Any advice/experience that some of the wiser folks here can dish out to me? I would still be mostly a fair weather rider, but I'd like to figure out a way to be more comfortable for future events.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 133
From: Epping, NH
painted lines
This is all dependent on a well maintained bike. no tread on the tire isn't going to overshadow all the experience and capabilities in the world.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Anchorage, AK
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: scurry, TX
That was definitely on my mind as which is better in this instance. I applied more evenly than I do in dry conditions.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 474
Likes: 5
Front Brake
If you don't have anti-locks, stay off the front brake more than you normally would. This is an experience thing. Most braking should be done without much aid of the rear brake, but in the rain you need to take a more balanced approach with a little more rear applied. This is the same approach you should take on gravel or in turns.
And yes, watch the paint, its slick, even stop lines can put you over. The center of the blacktop lane where cars drip their goo is really bad too.
My normal problem with rain is being able to see. A helmet would be good, but never have it with me.
And yes, watch the paint, its slick, even stop lines can put you over. The center of the blacktop lane where cars drip their goo is really bad too.
My normal problem with rain is being able to see. A helmet would be good, but never have it with me.